This Harishchandragad Trek from Mumbai by Mischief Treks is a Non-Cheap version for those who prefer better experience rather than discounts. Booking Open. At a short distance from Mumbai, Harishchandragad Fort is one of the best and easy One-Day treks suitable for beginners, girls, women, and solo travelers. Harishchandragad is an Ancient hill fort situated in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. The origin of this fort is known to have been in the 6th Century. Many ancient Puranas have included many references about Harishchandragad Fort. This trek is loved by everyone in the Trekking Community and is our Favorite Trek too. It is situated at an distance of 218 km from Mumbai, and stands tall at the height of 1424 meters. There are many ways to reach this fort, all the routes have different difficulty levels.
Other recommend One-Day Treks are as follows:
- Aadrai Jungle Trek
- Kalu Waterfall Trek
- Naneghat Reverse Waterfall Trek
- Devkund Waterfall Trek
- Kalsubai Trek
- AquaChime Waterfall Trek.
- Andharban Trek
Did you know ?
At Mischief Treks, our treks are exclusive. We don’t buy bookings from cheaper entities, not do we sell your booking to cheaper organisers. Every participant is genuinely part of Mischief Treks. This ensures having a group of like-minded people in every batch, which in turn makes the experience much better for everyone. Yes, we do filter out unwanted people during enquiry phase itself.
It's best trek near popular locations like Aadrai Forest , Bhairavgad, Naneghat Trek, and Secret Waterfall. There are multiple must visit places on the trek that you shouldn't miss out. Saptatirtha Pushkarni is a well - built pond to the east of the Harishchandragad temple. Kedareshwar Cave has a Shiva Linga completely surrounded by water, Konkada gives you a majestic view of the surrounding. Taramati peak is the top most point of the fort, you will be able to see the view of whole range of Naneghat and forts in the surrounding area. Caves of Harishchandragad are one of the most beautifully carved Caves, the major attraction in this cave is the Long carving of Lord Vishnu. There is a lord ganesha temple too, it has intricate carvings and the most fascinating thing about this temple is that the entire temple is carved from one single rock.
NOTE: Currently due to extreme overcrowding at HCG, we have not scheduled this trek for June. Our batches are lined up from July second week.
| Height/Altitude | 1421 Meters (4665 feet) |
|---|---|
| Base Village | Paachnai Village, Maharashtra |
| Best Time to Visit | June to March |
| Difficulty Level | Easy Trek |
| Trek Distance | 6 Kilometers |
| Duration | 5 hours |
| Eligibility | Click Here |
| Fees | INR 950 onwards |
| Trek Organised by | Mischief Treks | Mumbai |
- Visiting ancient Kedareshwar Cave
- Spectacular view from the Konkankada
- Taking blessings from Kedareshwar Temple
- Blissful view of Taramati peak
- Majestic waterfalls and streams during monsoons
- Lush green valley
- Picturesque view of Konkan from Konkankada
- Photography - be ready to get clicked.
- So, unleash your wild side and get going.
Harishchandragad Fort Trek by Mischief Treks
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Charges and travel options
- Without Pickup: 950.00
(Participants need to reach base Pachnai village in their own vehicle) - With Pickup: 1400.00
(Pickup and drop in local jeep will be provided from Kasara Local Train station)
⚠️ Eligibility condition
If you wish to apply for being part of our group, you need to "Read" and "Understand" the details such as About-us, FAQ's, Important Note section etc... and be "Aware". Each participant needs to be physically and mentally fit to participate. Do not book this event if the details mentioned on this page are not agreeable to you. Mischief Treks does not accept ignorant people.
Meeting Point: Kasara ticket booking counter window no 3, on platform 4
Three hours prior to the event date and time, we will be creating a WhatsApp group for coordination purposes. Exact GPS locations for each pickup point, coordinator contact, will be shared in the group.
Catch the Kasara Fast Local train from the station nearest to you
Train timings:
CSMT-9.32 pm
Dadar-9.50 pm
Kurla-10.00 pm
Ghatkopar-10.06 pm
Thane-10.27 pm
Kalyan-11.01 pm
Kasara-12.11 am
Note: Those coming in own vehicle need to meet reach Baba da Dhaba before 12.25 am and follow our vehicle till the trek location in your own car/bike.
Trek Schedule
- Once the train reaches Kasara, meet the trek leader at Platform no 04. We'll head towards the pickup vehicles waiting for us outside the station.
- We'll be stopping at Baba Da Dhaba for washroom break around 12:45 am, post that we would be moving towards Pachnai - Base Village for Harishchangragad Trek.
- We'll be reaching there by 04:30 am, you can freshen up and have your breakfast till 05:30 am.
- Post breakfast we will be having a short introduction and safety round and then we will start our trek.by 05:45 am.
- We would be reaching Konkankada by 08:30 am, we would be exploring Konkankada and the view of Majestic Valley.
- We can then have Dabba - party here to refill our tummy and regain our energy levels and start descend by 10:30 am.
- We will be reaching the base by 12:30 pm and have our lunch by approx 01:00 pm.
- We'll be starting our return journey to Mumbai by 01:45 pm, we'll be reaching Kasara station by 04:50 pm.
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Based in the time we reach Kasara station we can take one of the following trains for CSMT at: 05.03pm / 6.18pm / 8.15pm. Check train schedule to get ETA of arrival in Mumbai.
What is included in the tour
- Travel by Private bus from Kasara to Harishchandragadh fort and back to Kasara ( If opted for )
- Breakfast and Tea
- Lunch - Vegetarian food
- Govt / Local Body Charges as applicable
- Trek expertise charges
- Basic First Aid
- Panchayat Charges (as applicable)
- NHAI Charges (as applicable)
What is NOT included in the tour
- Any personal expenses such as soft drinks etc.
- Anything other than mentioned inclusion.
- Any emergency evacuations/rescue (if required)
- Identity proof.
- Good and reliable trekking shoes and extra pair of floaters.
- Extra pair of clothes
- Water (minimum 2 Ltrs) Compulsory.
- Torch with extra batteries - do not depend on the phone.
- Keep your phone fully charged.
- Mosquito repellent (optional)
- Medicines (if you need any), Glucon D / Electrol / Enerzyl Powder (We will have a basic first aid kit with us).
- A haversack to put all your things. Your hands need to be free while trekking.
- And most imp thing, carry lot of enthusiasm and team spirit.
Please do not apply to join our group if the terms and details mentioned on this page are not agreeable to you.
Fitness: Please make sure you are Physically Fit to complete the event and BEFORE Booking you have gone through all the details, FAQ, Points to note, About Us, and Disclaimer.
Food: The food during the event is home cooked food provided by local villagers living in tribal (Aadivasi) region. If you are choosy, cranky and grumpy about food, please avoid joining this event.
Transport: Mischief treks does not own busses, Jeeps, Trains, or Flight. The transport options are hired by us just like people hire Ola/Uber/Auto/Taxi/Train. Any issues regarding the transport vehicles need to be addressed to concerned transport service provider. Pickup-and-Drop for the event is arranged only as "help" towards common means to travel together, Mischief Treks does not provide transport services or takes any liability regarding the same. Our role and responsibility starts from base village where the trek conducted by us begins.
Trekking Shoes: Wear reliable shoes with good grip, the sole of the shoe gets ripped off if the shoe is not in good condition.
About us: Don't forget to check the About-Us page if you are new to trekking in Maharashtra.
Punctuality: In any adventure or sport event punctuality and discipline is utmost important. If you are late in catching the train/bus/cab, you will miss-out the pickup and will be considered dropout. If you are travelling in your vehicle, you may miss joining the group you are late. This is a group event and will not be personalized as per your timing.
Discounts: To be honest, Discounts and coupon codes are just a marketing trick to fool people. No one offers something below the pre-decided rate slab. The charges on website haven't yet been adjusted (inflated) to provide for discounts. Mentioned amount is the lowest actual charges and hence discounts are currently not possible. Each organiser charges a certain amount based on his understanding regarding 'Worth' of his own event.
Batch Size: We Do-Not conduct trek with 100-150 people in the group. Our batch size is limited and we prefer to have a Non-Crowded group for safety reasons.
KYC Form: Once you have paid for the event you will receive a KYC form on WhatsApp as soon as your payment is verified by system. You need to submit this form within 3 hours of receiving the form. If you have booked for your friends too, you need to ask each of your friend to get this done. If you are booking just 1 day prior to event, the form needs to be submitted immediately to avoid any inconvenience (Refer FAQ section below)
CAUTION: Please be aware that even the easiest trek is fundamentally a "Trek," its not a Tour, Hike, or Picnic. It's crucial to understand that an unfit individual might struggle to complete even half of an easy trek. Based on our prior experiences, an unfit person might perceive an easy-grade trek as the most difficult trek. Prior to making a booking for the event, ensure that you are in good physical and mental condition for trekking.
To understand What is Trek ( click here )
Beware of "Chapri" type of boys on Instagram, luring people using cheap-tricks like discounts or offers tailored to mislead specific genders. These inexperienced scammers have no clue about trekking and are posing as trek organizations. These people generally use stolen, unauthorized, or reposted images/videos/text to make their Instagram handle look genuine.
Always research about "compatibility" and "category" of the trek group you plan to join. After all, you will be spending entire duration of the trek in company of the group You choose.
How to reach Paachnai Village and Harishchandragad:
To get accurate travel info for reaching Harishchandragad Fort via Paachnai Village, as well as driving directions follow below mentioned steps
- Open Google search tab
- Type the following words in the search window "My location to Paachnai Village Harishchandragad distance"
- You shall get the exact time required to travel, modes of travel, and distance (kilometers) from your location.
The distance from Mumbai to Paachnai vilage (base of Harishchandragad) is 201 Km which takes around 05 Hrs 10 min to reach by road.
Location: Harishchandragad, Paachnai Village, Maharashtra
Google Map Link : https://maps.app.goo.gl/1jeXYVcxh4EAgMJw7
Q. Can someone read out all details for me on phone?
Ans. All the details are mentioned on this page itself, once you scroll up you will all info on your screen. Sorry we do not verbally provide details on phone as it usually creates lot of misunderstanding and miscommunication. Also, its extremely important to read and understand all the details before you book the event so that you have absolute clarity. If something mentioned on this page is confusing , you can get clarity on chat by clicking on chat with us button on top. To discuss things that are not mentioned on this website we can arrange a callback from one of our trek leaders.
Q. I have booked/paid for the event, is my booking confirmed for the event?
Ans. No !, your booking can become invalid if you do not submit the "Most Important Details" required for emergency situations. For any Trek/Adventure event the organizers need to have your details at least 24 hours prior to the event. We do not allow anyone to the campsite until we have complete and authentic details of the person. This info is crucial in case of an emergency and is a mandatory KYC parameter. The link for the "personal details form" will be sent on WhatsApp immediately after you complete the booking instructions mentioned on the website. Submitting incomplete/incorrect/fake details in the form will make your booking invalid and no refund will be provided in such case.
Q. Why is submitting emergency contact details and KYC information mandatory?
Ans. Its a standard protocol and also a guideline by Govt of India. We are accountable for every "Human-Body" present at our campsite or trek is our responsibility and in case of any unfortunate event we will be asked by authorities to provide all relevant information about you. In order to comply with the authorities we have to take authentic information from you. Fake/Incomplete information or non-submission of the details will make your ticket (paid amount) invalid and no refund will be provided in such case. You will not be allowed to participate in the event.
Q. If I have opted for "with transport", which vehicle will be provided?
Ans. Transport from Mumbai is generally provided by bus. The bus capacity varies with reference to participant count. 17 seater, 26 Seater, 32 seater etc .. , if the participant count is low we may opt for Qualis/Sumo/ Tavera for transport
Q. What is provided in meals?
Ans. Breakfast will consist of poha and tea and Lunch will consist of Roti, seasonal veg, dal, rice, papad and pickle.
Q. Does the cancellation policy/rescheduling policy apply to me if I book on event day or last day?
Ans: Yes, the policy is applicable irrespective of the booking date. The cancellation / reschedule policy is applicable to everyone with immediate effect from the date and time of booking. The refunds/rescheduling requests will be processed based on the date and time of cancellation/reschedule request sent to us and the date and time of booking the event are irrelevant.
Q. What is the basis of cancellation/reschedule policy in case of medical or personal emergency of participant or organizing team?
Ans: The cancellation policy is based on fairness towards the participant and the organizing team. In case of medical/personal emergency, the loss arising out of cancellation/reschedule will be borne by the respective person. i.e. if the organizing team faces an emergency situation and the event gets canceled, the participant will not have to suffer financial loss. Similarly, if the participant faces an emergency situation, the organizing team will not have to suffer financial loss. The cancellation policy is designed with a completely unbiased approach towards the participant and organizing team and is aimed at fairness towards both.
Q. What if there is an issue with transport, i.e. the bus breaks down, AC is not working, tyre gets punctured? will we get a refund?
Ans. Mischief Treks as a team conducts treks only. All the support functions like transport, food etc are sourced from various other vendors to help the participants have it streamlined. Equipment failure can happen any time with any piece of machinery and we can try to get a replacement/repair from the vendor. This may consume time and the trek leader may decide to continue the trek as deemed fit to get the event completed. We as well as the participants have to bare with it. There are no refunds possible in such case. The Trek leader's decision to terminate the trek or continue the trek with available resources will be final and binding.
Q. We are coming by our own vehicle for the event, where should we reach for Harishchandragad Trek?
Ans. You need to reach the Meeting point at scheduled meeting time. This is where we will be meeting, from here you can follow our vehicles. You will be given exact coordinates after you finish booking formalities. We will be creating a WhatsApp group for coordination, you will be provided all relevant details in the group. Please do not be late, we cannot keep other participants waiting. If you are not able to reach on time you will be considered a Drop-Out and no refund will be provided in such case.
Q. How many people will be coming for Harishchandragad Trek?
Ans. Depends on the number of people booking the event. Generally, the batch size is approximately 20-25 participants. It is a Public place and we have no access to data on other organizers' bookings hence we cannot comment on the exact number of people planning to visit this place on a given date.
Q. Can kids participate in Harishchandragad Trek?
Ans. Age does not matter, Fitness and adaptation is extremely Important. Once we had a 4 year old girl who completed entire trek easily, and sometimes even 22-25 year old people cant complete 10% of the event . If you are planning to trek with a kid , I recommend you to go through this Check this Blog: https://www.mischieftreks.com/can-kids-trek-in-maharashtra
Q. Is Harishchandragad Trek safe for solo participants?
Ans. Yes Trek is safe and comfortable. Mostly 40% of the participants come solo and blend in with the trek leaders and the rest of the group.
Q. Is Harishchandragad Trek safe for girls?
Ans. Mischief Treks has a track record of making our trekking and camping events extremely safe for girls. Normally 60 – 75 % of our participants are females. Apart from standard risks of any adventure activity, Mischief Treks events are safe for girls, women, kids and especially Men.
Q. How long is the Harishchandragad Trek?
Ans. Normally it takes two hours to ascend and two hours to descend.
Q. Can we pay in cash or installment for Harishchandragad Trek?
Ans. Sorry we do not accept cash payments. For installment scheme you will have to pay one-time processing fee of Rs.500 per person.
Q. What is the last date of booking the Harishchandragad Trek?
Ans. Bookings close once tickets are sold out. Ideally you need to book atleast 2-3 days in advance.
Q. How should I book the Harishchandragad Trek?
Ans. All you have to do is press the book now button on this page and follow the instructions.
Q. How do we get in touch after reaching meeting point?
Ans. We will be creating a whatsapp group for coordination where you will be provided all the necessary information regarding contact person, exact point to meet etc..
Q. Will we be returning at exact time mentioned in the itinerary?
Ans. The Itinerary is for reference purpose only, it is based on average time taken during our previous events. Actual timeline for a particular date depends on Weather conditions, Traffic Conditions, Participants speed and endurance.
Q. Which are the best waterfalls near Mumbai?
Ans. There are several waterfalls at close proximity to Mumbai, these are best suited for one day visit, and are part of One-Day Trek by Mischief Treks. The most popular waterfalls are as follows:
- Devkund waterfall
- Nanemachi Reverse waterfall
- Naneghat Waterfall
- Aadrai waterfall
- Kalu Waterfall
- God Valley waterfall
- Bhandardara Reverse Waterfall
- Adoshi Waterfall Khopoli
- Bendewadi Waterfall
- Dabhosa Waterfalls
- Devkund Waterfall
- Dugarwadi Waterfall
- Hidden Waterfall Cliff Jumping
- Hidden Waterfall Rappelling
- Hiradpada Waterfall
- Juinagar Waterfall
- Kalmandavi Waterfall
- Kataldhaar waterfall
- Kumbhe Waterfall
- Kundmala Waterfall
- Kune Falls
- Lingya Ghat Waterfall
- Milkybar Waterfall
- Reverse Waterfall Lonavala
- Secret Waterfall Cliff Jumping
- Secret Waterfall Jungle Trail
- Secret Waterfall Trek
- Vihigaon Ashoka Water Falls
- Waghoba Waterfall
Mischief Treks Secret waterfall is also one of the most desired locations in Monsoon. Rappelling activities are also done during monsoons in most of the waterfalls near Mumbai.
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Aggregate Rating: 4.85 out of 5
Rating count: 2431
Harishchandragad Fort Trek - (Paachnai Village route)
Harishchandragad is situated in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra, India. It is one of the favorite trekking spots among outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers.
Trek Difficulty:
The trek to Harishchandragad is considered to be of moderate difficulty. It involves hiking through various terrains, including rocky patches and steep ascents, which might require a moderate level of physical fitness and endurance.
Trekking Season:
The best time to undertake the Harishchandragad trek is during the post-monsoon season, from October to February. The weather during this period is relatively cool and pleasant, making it suitable for trekking.
Age and Fitness:
The trek is open to people of various age groups, but it does involve some challenging sections that may not be suitable for very young children or elderly individuals. A reasonable level of fitness is recommended for a comfortable trekking experience.
Trek Duration:
The trek to Harishchandragad usually takes around 2 to 3 hours to reach the top, and roughly 2 hours to descend back to base village Pachnai.
Cultural Aspects:
Harishchandragad has historical significance and is home to ancient temples and caves. Trekkers may come across local villagers during the trek, offering a glimpse into the local culture and traditions.
Group Size:
Trekkers often undertake the Harishchandragad trek individually or in small groups of friends, but one should never go to trek locations on their own as it involves life-risk. Always plan to go for trekking with a professional and reputed trek group. The group size may vary based on the preference of the trekkers or the trekking organizers. Low cost trek groups have large batch size ranging from 80-150 people, if you don't like to be treated like sheep, avoid signing up on cheap deals.
Ecological Considerations:
Harishchandragad and its surrounding regions are ecologically sensitive areas with diverse flora and fauna. Trekkers are encouraged to follow responsible trekking practices, such as not littering and respecting the natural environment.
Best Treks in Malshej Ghat for Monsoon:
- Kalu Waterfall Trek: Kalu waterfall trek takes you for a thrilling adventure to reach the base of the Majestic Kalu Waterfall in Malshej Ghat, Maharashtra. You will be crossing multiple short river streams, walking admist a dense forest. Then crossing Kalu River which is the most thrilling part of the trek to reach the final destination Kalu Waterfall.This trek is easy grade trek suitable for beginners and offers a thrilling experience.
- Aadrai Forest Waterfall Trek: Aadrai forest is a huge forest in Malshej region, Aadrai forest waterfall trek takes you to the top of Kalu waterfall and the same waterfall can be seen from multiple view points once you reach the top. This route has gained a lot of popularity in the last few years and every weekend there roughly 10000-15000 people visiting this route during monsoons. We have found a completely offbeat waterfall in the jungle and walk through a non crowded route to reach the waterfall. If you want to experience a non-crowded trek experience - click here
- Harishchandragad Trek: The initial part of the trek involves walking through dense forests, crossing streams, and ascending rocky patches. As you progress, you'll encounter fascinating rock-cut steps and caves, including the Kedareshwar Cave Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva.The views from the Konkan Kada are absolutely breathtaking, especially during sunrise and sunset, making it a must-visit spot for photographers and nature lovers.The trek also leads to other prominent spots on the fort, such as the Taramati Peak and the ancient temple of Harishchandreshwar.
- Naneghat Reverse Waterfall Trek: The Naneghat Reverse Waterfall Trek is a unique experience that takes place during the monsoon season in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra. Naneghat is an ancient trade route known for its historical significance and breathtaking natural beauty. During the monsoon, as the region receives heavy rainfall, an interesting phenomenon occurs at Naneghat - the "reverse waterfall." Instead of water flowing down the mountain, the strong winds and upward drafts create an illusion of water flowing upwards, defying gravity. Once you reach the top, you can witness the mesmerizing reverse waterfall phenomenon if the weather conditions are favorable.
- Ganpati Gadad Trek: Located in the Western-Ghats Sahyadri mountain range, this hidden gem offers an thrilling experience that combines natural beauty, adventure, and spiritual significance. With its easy-moderate difficulty level, the Ganpati Gadad trek is suitable for both avid trekkers and nature enthusiasts. Ganpati Gadad are a group of 6-7 caves near Dhasai, known to be built by Pandavas around 2500 years ago. The trek route is full of lush green Valleys, a long stretch of fields, majestic waterfalls, beautiful streams, water cisterns and Mesmerizing Waterfall that gushes from the top of the caves.
Update as on June 27, 2024
Currently the water streams on this trek are active and the view is simply awesome. Weather conditions are perfect for this trek and one should not miss this trek. Its not safe to visit this location by yourself, you should always join a reputed trek group to visit trekking locations.
Beware! Low-Cost trek groups often have large batch-size, this results is over-crowded trek experience which is not at all worth, nor is such thing considered safe. Mischief Treks is renowned for conducting treks with a limited number of participants in each batch, this helps having a much better trekking experience.
Events by Mischief Treks
- Group Tours and Trips starting from Mumbai. Tours include option to book train tickets from Mumbai to the desired destination. Link: Click here
- One Day Treks in/near Mumbai. Morning to evening treks and Night Treks are scheduled every weekend based on weather conditions and on the basis of Best-Time to Visit. Link: Click here
- Kaas - Valley of Flowers from Mumbai, also known as Kaas Pathar or Kaas Plateau. Explore the valley of flowers with one night and two night tour options. Link: Click here
- Rann of Kutch and Dholavira Tour. Explore the white desert of Gujrat with stay options for one / two / three night stay in tent or resort. Link: Click here
- Statue of Unity Tour. Get a tour planned to visit Statue of Unity in Gujarat as per your budget and travel dates. Link: Click here
- Customised Tour Packages from Mumbai. If you are looking to get a tour package customised as per your dates and budget this option provides you an opportunity to get the entire plan made as per your need. Link: Click here
- Camping and Stargazing. If you are looking for Bhandardara lakeside camping or wish to experience watersports like Rafting, Kayaking and lot more, Check out our camping options on this link. Link: Click here
- Waterfalls near Mumbai. If you are looking for exploring waterfalls near Mumbai for weekend trekking and adventure, we have the right set of waterfalls listed. Link: Click here
- 90% will be refunded if canceled 15 days (360+ hrs) in advance.
- 75% will be refunded if canceled 10 days (240+ hrs) in advance.
- 50% will be refunded if canceled 05 days (120+ hrs) in advance.
- 0% refund if canceled in less than 05 days (120 hours) of the event date and time.
- 0% refund if the participant drops out, misses bus pickup, or does not reach the meeting point on the scheduled date and time.
If the event itself gets canceled, you will be given the option to switch to any other event or any other date, OR you can opt for 100% refund. If you need to cancel your current booking and/or reschedule your booking to any other date, it can be done free of cost if the rescheduling request is sent 120 hours prior to the trek. From 0hrs - 120 hours prior to the event date and time, free rescheduling is not permitted. It will be counted as cancellation done in less than 120hours of the event date and time. It's a humble request, please do not give medical reasons, crib, argue or try to blackmail us if you drop out or cancel/reschedule the trek in the last 5 days. The basis of the cancelation policy is to protect the participant and also the organizers from undue financial losses arising out of unforeseen situations. If the event gets canceled due to the medical/personal emergency of the organising team member, the participants will NOT have to suffer financial loss. Similarly, if there is a medical/personal emergency at the participant's end, the organizing team will NOT have to suffer financial loss.
