Some info about these forts :
Chandan Vandan:
Type: Hill Fort
Height: 3800 Feet above MSL (Approx)
Grade: Easier
District: Satara
Range: Satara
Base Village: Belmachi
Chandan-Vandan, the twin forts, are situated at about 24 kms. from Satara.
Chandan - There are two bastions at the entrance gate which are presently in a half-demolished state. There is a banyan tree which is known as ‘Panchvad’, as it is comprised of five banyan trees. There is a temple of lord Shiva near the tree. There is a mosque on the fort. There is a ‘Shivalinga’ and a statue of lord Hanumana over the bastion.
Vandan - There are two entrance doors for this fort. The first entrance door is sturdy having bastions which are still intact. There is an idol of lord Ganesha on the left bastion. The second entrance door has completely tumbled down. Persian inscriptions can be seen on the arch of this door. There are five porches inside this entrance door which together form the L-shape.
Many dilapidated structures can be seen on the fort. There is a row of demolished houses on the right side. A manually constructed lake provided with steps lies beyond the mosque. It might have been used as a lake for bathing. There is a mosque besides this lake. Many tombs can be seen in front of it. There is also a storage room, seen besides this lake. A structure can be seen besides the mosque whose walls are in demolished state.
Kaas Lake
Vasota
Type: Forest Fort
Height: 4267 Feet above MSL (Approx)
Grade: Medium (4-5 Hrs trek)
District: Satara
Range: Mahabaleshwar
Base Village: Bamnoli
Situated in the dense forest, surrounded by the river Koyna, is the fort of Vasota, which according to ‘Dnyaneshwari’ means resting place. This fort is also known as Vyaghragad. This old warrior offers one of the most thrilling treks in the Sahyadri as far as trekking through forestation is concerned. Dense forest all the way through, panoramic view of the Shivsagar Lake in the east and Konkan on the west, wonderful cave at Nageshwar for a stay, makes this a fort of special interest for amateur trekkers and photographers.
Though not too much of remnants are present on Vasota, the view of Koyna backwaters on one side and Konkan on the other side is quite satisfying.
Ajinkyatara Fort:
Type: Hill Fort
Height: 2,258 Feet above MSL (Approx)
Grade: Medium
District: Satara
Range: Satara
Base Village: Adalat wada
Ajinkyatara fort, at a height of 3300 ft gives you a magnificent view of the entire Satara city. There are number of water tanks inside the fort for storing water. Captured in 1708 by Shahu Maharaj, Ajinkyatara remained with the Marathas till 1818. The fort is a major historic place of Maharashtra, and was very vital as one could keep watch of the entire South Maharashtra. Temples of Devi Mangalai, Lord Shankar and Lord Hanuman can be seen on the northeast side of the fort.
Sajjangad Fort:
Type: Hill Fort
Height: 3350 Feet above MSL (Approx)
Grade: Medium
District: Satara
Range: Satara
Base Village: Gajwadi
Sajjangad meaning Fort of Good People, is located near the city of Satara, India. It is the final resting place of Sant Ramdas, a saint and social reformer in 16th century India. His teachings and works are read and followed by many people even today in the state of Maharashtra and Sajjangad is a popular place of pilgrimage.
Previously known as Parali, it was renamed to Sajjangad after Shivaji Maharaj donated it to Sant Ramdas to set up his permanent monastery.
Thoseghar Waterfalls
This fall is approximately 100 m high.
Chandragad
Type: Hill Fort
Height: 2,258 Feet above MSL (Approx)
Grade: Medium
District: Satara
Range: Koyna-Satara
Base Village: Dhavale
Also known as Ramchandragad, the fort was built by Daulatrav Candrarav More. One can reach the top in two hours from Dhavale village. The route is steep and there rock patches in between. There is a Nandi statue and a shivling temple. There are few water-tanks and caves on the fort. One gets fantastic views of the thickly forested valleys around Dhavle village and also of the route of Dhavle ghat.
The itinerary is as given below:
Start our journey from Mumbai on 24th Night at 12 am
Day I:
Reach base Village of Chnadan-Vandan fort by morning.
Breakfast.
Visit Both the forts. (Lunch on the fort- to be carried by self)
Evening refreshments at Satara
Proceed to Kaas lake.
Reach Bamnoli.
Dinner at Bamnoli.
Stay at Kaas Lake / Bamnoli.
Day II:
Wake up early morning At 6 am.
Breakfast
Start for Vasota at 7 am.
Return to bamnoli by 8pm after visiting Vasota and Nageshwar.
Evening refreshments at Bamnoli.
Get packed Dinner and start for Ajinkyatara fort.
Stay at Ajinkyatara.
Day III:
Wake up early Morning.
Site seeing at Ajinkyatara.
Start for Sajjangad and then Thoseghar Waterfall
Lunch in Satara.
Start for Chandragad fort in Mahabaleshwar region.
While returning we will visit Statue of Tanaji Malusare at Umrath which is his birth place.
Dinner at Poladpur/Mahad
Evening refreshment and Dinner on the way back to Mumbai.
We will be returning back to Mumbai by 11.30 pm tentatively.
The charges of the trek are RS 2000/per head, which includes
Travel (Private Vehicle) expenditure from Mumbai to Mumbai.
2 lunch (Saturday & Sunday),
3 dinner (Friday, Saturday & Sunday),
Tea, refreshments, equipments, etc.
Payment Details:
One needs to deposit Rs 1200/- advance into the following bank account to confirm his/her registration.
SBI a/c no: 30665796091 S/A in the name of Mr Nilesh Patil.
Branch: Panchpakhadi, Thane.
Things To Be carried:
Lunch for Friday, (Compulsory)
A bottle of water (Atleast 2 Ltrs),(Compulsory)
Candles and TORCH with extra batteries (compulsory).
A spoon, mug and a plate (a must)
Proper Bedding (Carry Mat, Sleeping Bag or Bed sheets)
Towel, a napkin, Extra Pair of clothes
Woolens (It will be considerably cold so be prepared)
2-3 bunch of papers
Camera(Optional)
Cap, etc.
Some ready to eat food- Plum cakes, Biscuits etc.
Medicine those if u require usually (Optional)
Good trekking shoes, extra pair of socksA haversack to put in all the things to be carried....so that one has ones hands free while trekking. (Please do not carry sling bags or Jholas.)
Please avoid wearing Gold and other ornaments.
Maximum Group Size : 15. Entry on first come first basis.
For more details, please contact on the nos. below for registration:
Nilesh Patil: 9967436211.
Priti Patel: 9869524260
Trek Mates.
