Photo: Elroy Serrao · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

🇮🇳 India · Maharashtra

Rajmachi (Shrivardhan & Manaranjan)

Twin forts above the Sahyadri clouds — Lonavala's easiest overnight trek

Last verified: 2026-07-01

Solo-friendly 825m 1–2 days Easy Fort trek

Max Altitude825mRajmachi (Shrivardhan & Manaranjan)

Duration1–2 daysFrom Lonavala / Karjat

Distance~10 kmOne-way

DifficultyEasy

Guide RequiredNo

TrailheadRajmachi village (via Lonavala) or Udhewadi (via Karjat)

Rajmachi fort walls and watchtower — Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA

Rajmachi fort in the Sahyadri hills — Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA

Stone water storage cisterns inside Rajmachi fort — Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA

About this trek

Quick read

Twin forts (Shrivardhan + Manaranjan) connected by a ridge walk — two summits in one trek.
Lonavala-side approach is a gentle jeep track, family-friendly and beginner-safe.
Monsoon brings Kataldhar waterfall and lush green Sahyadri ridge views.
Overnight stays at Udhewadi village or on the fort plateau are common.
No permit required. Train to Lonavala from Mumbai/Pune is the easiest access.

Twin forts above the Sahyadri clouds — Lonavala's easiest overnight trek

Trailhead

Rajmachi village (via Lonavala) or Udhewadi (via Karjat)
Nearest city: Lonavala / Karjat

Stats

10 km · 400m elevation gain
1–2 days · Easy

Best time to go

Jun – SepMonsoon — waterfalls and green hills, but slippery steps

Oct – FebDrier, easier footing, cooler

Mar – MayHot and dry, less scenic

Note: Figures reflect the easier Lonavala-side approach. The Karjat/Kondhane side is steeper and not beginner-friendly — see route options.

Route options

Most of these treks have more than one approach — pick the one that matches your fitness and experience.

Lonavala side (via Rajmachi village)

Easy 10 km 4–5 hrs

Gentle, well-marked jeep track most of the way — the standard beginner and family route.

Karjat side (via Kondhane / Udhewadi)

Moderate 12 km 5–6 hrs

Steeper, more technical in patches, and genuinely slippery in monsoon — for trekkers with some prior experience.

How to reach Rajmachi village (via Lonavala) or Udhewadi (via Karjat)

Lonavala is the easy gateway — a direct train from Mumbai or Pune, then a shared jeep to the base village.

Reach Lonavala (primary route)

Local or express train from Mumbai CSMT/Dadar/Thane or Pune to Lonavala station — frequent, ~1.5–2.5 hrs from Mumbai, ~1 hr from Pune.

Lonavala to Udhewadi (base village)

Shared jeep or six-seater from Lonavala station toward Aambivali/Tungarli-Udhewadi (~15–20 km). ST buses on this stretch are infrequent; shared jeeps are the practical option and run more reliably at weekends. Journey ~1–1.5 hrs depending on road conditions.

Alternative: via Karjat and Kondhane

A longer, steeper route starts from Karjat station (local train from Mumbai CSMT). From Karjat, take an auto-rickshaw or local bus to Kondhane village near the Kondane Buddhist caves, then trek 3–4 hrs to Rajmachi.

Trek and return

From Udhewadi it's a gentle 30–40 min walk to the fort. Shared jeeps back to Lonavala thin out by early evening (~5–6pm) — start descending by mid-afternoon, especially on weekdays when transport is sparser.

ℹ️No entry fee or permit required — the fort sits on forest-department land. The trail gets slippery in monsoon; take care on the exposed ridge sections.

What it costs

Transport

Train: Mumbai/Pune → Lonavala

Local 2nd class or express

₹15–100

Shared jeep: Lonavala → Udhewadi

Per person one-way; less frequent on weekdays

₹100–150

Karjat route: train + auto to Kondhane

Alternative longer approach

₹150–300

On the trail

Local guide

Optional — the trail is fairly well-marked

₹500–800 per group

Food at Udhewadi

Basic thali, parathas, tea

₹150–250

Homestay (if staying overnight)

Per person, basic village stay

₹300–500

Safety

Rajmachi is one of the friendliest Sahyadri treks, but the Karjat-side approach and monsoon crowds still deserve respect.

⚡Karjat-side steps get dangerously slick in monsoonThe Kondhane/Udhewadi approach has steep, water-worn rock sections. If you're new to Sahyadri treks, take the Lonavala side instead, especially in July–August.

Before you go

Check weather — heavy rain closes some stream crossings
Tell someone your route and expected return time
Carry cash — no ATMs near either trailhead

On the trail

Start early to avoid afternoon crowds on weekends
Grip footwear matters more than speed on wet rock
Camping on the fort plateau is popular — carry your own tent/permission is informal

Solo-specific

Weekends draw large groups — you're rarely alone here, which helps
Weekdays are quiet — let someone know your plan if going alone
Local guides/porters are easy to hire at the Lonavala trailhead if you want company

Emergency contacts

Lonavala Police Station02114-273233

Maharashtra Tourism Helpline1800-22-1363

Rajmachi — common questions

Is Rajmachi (Shrivardhan & Manaranjan) safe to trek solo?

Rajmachi is one of the friendliest Sahyadri treks, but the Karjat-side approach and monsoon crowds still deserve respect. Solo-specific: Weekends draw large groups — you're rarely alone here, which helps.

Do I need a guide for Rajmachi (Shrivardhan & Manaranjan)?

No — this route can be walked without a guide, which is why it's on a solo-trekking site. That said, hiring a local guide is still worth considering if it's your first time on this terrain or you're going outside the main season.

Do I need a permit for Rajmachi (Shrivardhan & Manaranjan)?

No entry fee or permit required — the fort sits on forest-department land. The trail gets slippery in monsoon; take care on the exposed ridge sections.

When is the best time to trek Rajmachi (Shrivardhan & Manaranjan)?

Best in Jun – Sep (Monsoon — waterfalls and green hills, but slippery steps). Avoid Mar – May — hot and dry, less scenic.

How do I reach Rajmachi village (via Lonavala) or Udhewadi (via Karjat) without a car?

Lonavala is the easy gateway — a direct train from Mumbai or Pune, then a shared jeep to the base village. Reach Lonavala (primary route): Local or express train from Mumbai CSMT/Dadar/Thane or Pune to Lonavala station — frequent, ~1.5–2.5 hrs from Mumbai, ~1 hr from Pune.

How many days does Rajmachi (Shrivardhan & Manaranjan) take?

1–2 days, covering roughly 10 km and topping out at 825m. Most trekkers start from Lonavala / Karjat.