Karnala Fort Trek - Bird Sanctuary

Karnala Fort Trek from Mumbai

Charges and Travel Options

Option A: INR 850.00
Participants need to reach the base village in their own vehicle. We will be sharing GPS locations and directions/instructions on the WhatsApp group.

Option B: INR 1400.00
AC Bus Pickup/Drop from Mumbai included. 

Explanation of Charges: 
The above charges are per person charges for this trek, please check inclusions section for details of things included and excluded in these charges. 

⚠️  Eligibility condition 

1. If you wish to apply for being part of our group, you need to "Read" and "Understand" the details provided to you on this page, and the About-us page so that you can be "Aware" before booking.
2. Each participant needs to be 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.

Booking closes once slots are sold out.

WhatsApp Updates

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.

Weather: 
This is a Monsoon Trek specially formulated according to past 10 years data of rainfall. This event is not suitable for Summer or Winter. The event is scheduled to be conducted unless road is blocked, train services are suspended, or Government issues a Ban for this location.

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," 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 )

• Identity proof.
• Reliable shoes with Good grip and extra pair of floaters.
• Water (minimum 2 Ltrs) Compulsory.
• Rain gear - windcheater/raincoat/poncho.
• Extra pair of Clothes.
• Keep your phone fully charged.
• Mosquito repellent (optional)
• Some ready-to-eat food like biscuits, plum cake, etc to keep your tummy happy.
• 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.

How to Reach Karnala Bird Sanctuary from Mumbai

• By Car: Drive along the Mumbai-Goa Highway (NH-66) towards Panvel. From Panvel, continue on NH-66 towards Pen. Karnala Bird Sanctuary is located approximately 12 km from Panvel on this route. The journey by car typically takes around 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic conditions and starting point within Mumbai. This route offers convenience and the flexibility to stop at various points of interest along the way.
• By Train: Catch a train from Mumbai to Panvel Railway Station. Trains are available frequently from Mumbai CST, Dadar, or Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT). The journey by train takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours. Upon reaching Panvel Railway Station, hire a taxi or take a local bus towards Pen. The sanctuary is located about 12 km from Panvel, and the journey from Panvel to Karnala Bird Sanctuary takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
• By Bus: Board a bus from Mumbai to Panvel. Buses ply regularly from Mumbai Central, Dadar, or Borivali to Panvel. The journey by bus typically takes around 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic and starting point within Mumbai. From Panvel, hire a taxi or take a local bus towards Pen. The sanctuary is located about 12 km from Panvel, and the journey from Panvel to Karnala Bird Sanctuary takes about 20 to 30 minutes.

Experts recommend opting for the travel option provided by Mischief Treks for a hassle-free journey and a memorable experience at Karnala Bird Sanctuary.

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Aggregate Rating: 4.85 out of 5

Rating count: 2431

Q. How difficult is Karnala Fort Trek?

Ans. Karnala trek is categorised as easy-grade trek. Even if you have never trekked before, you can do it, as long as you are fit to trek. The youngest participant we have had was 5 year old girl and the eldest we had was 65 year old.

Q. How long is the Karnala trek?

Ans. The total trek is around 3 km one way. It takes 1.5 to 2 hours to reach the top if you walk at a relaxed pace.

Q. What is the entry fee for Karnala Fort Trek?

Ans. Entry fee is ₹50 per person for Indian nationals. Parking and camera charges are separate and optional.

Q. Is Karnala trek suitable for beginners?

Ans. Yes. This is one of the best beginner-friendly treks near Mumbai. Any person with average fitness can participate.

Q. What is the height of Karnala Fort?

Ans. Karnala Fort is located at 1,500 feet above sea level. The view from the top covers the entire forest area and surrounding villages.

Q. What should I carry for Karnala Trek?

Ans. Carry a water bottle, cap, basic snacks, and wear proper trekking shoes. Avoid plastic. Forest officials may check bags. For detailed list refer things-to-carry section 

Q. Can we spot birds or animals at Karnala?

Ans. Yes. Karnala is a bird sanctuary. You might spot Peacock, hornbills, jungle babblers, or even monkeys on the trail.

Q. Do I need prior booking to join Karnala Fort Trek with Mischief Treks?

Ans. Yes. Mischief Treks works with limited group size, so advance booking is needed. You can book Karnala Trek online directly the official webpage.

Q. What is the best time to do Karnala Fort Trek?

Ans. The trek is open all year, but the best monsoon months are June to October, and winter months December to March can be considered too. Avoid extremely hot days between April and May.

Q. Are washrooms or food stalls available on the trek route?

Ans. Basic washrooms are available near the entry gate and at the base of the hill. There are no stalls mid-trail, a canteen is available at the hill base.

Q. How many people will be coming for the Trek?

Ans. Depends on the number of people booking the event. Generally, the batch size is approximately 20 participants. 

Q. Is Trek safe for solo participants? 

Ans. Yes is safe and comfortable. Mostly 40% of the participants come solo and blend in with the leaders and the rest of the group.  

Q. Is this Trek safe for girls? 

Ans. Mischief Treks has a track record of making our events extremely safe for girls. Normally 60 – 75 % of our participants are females.

Q. Can we pay in cash?

Ans. Sorry we do not accept cash payments.

Q. What is the last date of booking the event?

Ans. Bookings close once tickets are sold out. Ideally you need to book at least 1 month advance. 

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.  Can someone read out details for me on phone?

Ans. We understand that you may have questions about the event, and we're here to help. However, we want to ensure that you have the most accurate and clear information. That's why we encourage you to at least once Read the details on this page. You'll find all the information you need to know, right on your screen.

If you find something on this page that is confusing, or not mentioned on the page, Click on the "WhatsApp icon on this page" and our team will be happy to provide clarification in writing.
We don't provide details over the phone because doing so can lead to misunderstandings and miscommunication. It's crucial to have a complete understanding of all the aspects of this event before making a booking to ensure you have absolute clarity. 

For any questions or concerns that aren't covered on this website, we can arrange a call back from one of our experienced Trek leaders. All you need to do is, let us know your query (which is not already clarified on this page) and we shall get a call back arranged.

Q. I have booked/paid for the event, is my booking confirmed? 

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. Does the cancellation policy/rescheduling policy apply if I book on 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 ?

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. 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
• 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. 

Update as on June 18, 2025 

The Monsoon rains have started since May this year, the weather is currently perfect for this Trek. Monsoon treks are designed for heavy rains. Mischief Treks has scheduled Karnala Trek from Mumbai for this Monsoon.

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.

Safety Protocols Followed by Mischief Treks​

Preserve Nature : Leave No Trace

Fitness Required for Treks

• 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. 

Rescheduling 

• Rescheduling can be done free of cost if the rescheduling request is sent to us 120 hours prior to event date and time.
• If the request is sent in less than 120hrs, 50 percent of event charges need to be paid for cancelling the current booking, and then rescheduling it to a batch available on future date.

Refunds

• Refunds will be calculated and processed on basis of the slabs mentioned above. 
• Refund amount will be transferred 24 hours after event date and time. 
• Refund Credit will be received at your end depending on your mode of payment. Credit card refunds take 5-15 days to reflect on your statement. UPI refunds are generally credited to your account within 2-3 hours by your bank. 

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 a 100% refund. If you need to reschedule your booking to any other available 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 trek 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.
Policy Logic and Reason: The basis of the cancelation policy is to protect the participant and 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.