Overview

This Ratangad Fort Trek from Mumbai is moderate difficulty trek with pickup. Best time to visit for Night-Trek is from the month of November to April. At a short distance from Mumbai. This is a moderate difficulty level trek and one of the best One-day treks in Maharashtra. This trek is safe for groups, Girls, and Solo travelers. Popular treks around Ratangad are: Harischandragad, AMK, Kalsubai, Sandhan Valley, and Bhandardara. 

Ratangad Fort is hill fort located at an height of 4255 feet above sea level. The name "Ratangad" translates to Jewel Fort in Hindi and it truly is a Jewel amongst all the forts in Sahyadri's. In October the entire fort is covered with Flowers, Colorful flowers blossom at the fort and its surrounding. We give you this Opportunity to witness these small tinzy tiny flowers. This year we'll be able to see "Karvi flowers" they grow in every 7 years and this makes the event more special this year. Ratangad has a natural rock peak with a cavity in it at the top which is called ‘Nedhe’ or ‘Eye of the Needle’. The base village for this trek is Ratanwadi, and this fort is situated just 23 kms from Bhandardhara. This gives you an opportunity to also witness the Mesmerizing views of Bhandardhara lake. Ratangad comes under Ajoba mountain range, once you reach the top you get a panoramic view of forts and great mountains surrounding Ratangad fort. Mountains and forts like Kulang, Alang, Harishchandragad, Kalsubai, Katarabai, Ajoba and Ghanchakkar can be seen from here. There's an ancient temple at the base of the fort dedicated to lord shiva which goes by the name "Amruteshwar temple", this temple.

Ratangad Fort Trek information

Height/Altitude 4255 ft (1296 m) 
Base Village Ratanwadi / Samrad
Best Time to Visit June to April
Difficulty Level Easy-Moderate
Ratangad Trek Distance 5 Kilometers 
Duration 6 hours
Charges/Fees INR 750 onwards
Trek Organised by  Mischief Treks
Batch Size Max 25 Participants

 

One-Day Trek Available on request Ahmednagar, Maharashtra
Highlights
What makes this event special
  • Water cisterns
  • Blossom Season Special Trek.
  • Sonki and Karvi Flowers
  • View of Bhandardara lake
  • Witness waterfalls during Monsoon
  • Picturesque views from the top
  • Ancient Caves
  • Majestic all the mighty mountains and forts like Alang, Madan, Kulang, Harishchandragad
Images

Ratangad Fort Trek by Mischief Treks

Ratangad Fort trek from Mumbai by Mischief Treks

Image clicked in the month of October 2022

Charges for Ratangad Fort Trek

You can either opt for with pickup and drop option for this trek, or you may opt for without pickup option. 

  • Without Pickup: ₹ 750.00 
    (Participants need to reach the base village in their own vehicle)
  • Pickup-Drop from Kasara: ₹ 1400.00 
    (A shared Jeep Pickup from Kasara will be provided)
Dates and Rates
date & duration price
  • Sorry no more public batch Events available. You could get in touch with us at mischieftreks@gmail.com if you'd like to make a private batch booking.
  • Itinerary
    Timeline of the event.

    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

    • We'll meet you at Kasara ticket booking counter window no 3, on platform 4.
    • We will start our journey in a Jeep from Kasara station at 12.20 am. 
    • Our next stop will be at Baba ka Dhaba for a washroom break within 15 minutes. i.e. around 12.45 am. You can freshen up over here.
      Note: Those coming in their own vehicle need to reach Baba da Dhaba before 12.20 am and follow our vehicle to the trek location in your own car/bike.

    Trek Schedule

    • Once we meet at the meeting point we'll be heading towards our pickup vehicles. 
    • We would start our journey towards Harihar around 12:30 am and stop at Baba da dhaba around 12:50 am.
    • We'll be having a 15 mins break over here and then continue our journey towards Ratangad 
    • We'll be reaching base village by 05:00 am, we would rest, freshen up and have breakfast.
    • Post breakfast we would be having a short safety and introduction round before we start our trek.
    • We will start our trek by 06:30 am and enjoy the mesmerizing flowers and butterflies that we will encounter on our trek.
    • We'll be reaching Top by 10:00 am
    • Explore the majestic view from the fort 
    • Around 01:30 pm reach back to base and have lunch
    • Start return journey to Mumbai around 02:40 pm 
    • Reach Mumbai tentatively by 08:00 pm depending on traffic conditions. 

    IMPORTANT: Please make sure you are physically fit to complete the event and before registration, you have gone through all the details,  Itinerary, FAQ, Points to note, About-Us, Fees, and Disclaimer. Do not register for events without reading and understanding the details mentioned on the event details page.

    Inclusions/Exclusions
    What we'll give. What we won't

    What is included in the tour

    • Pickup and drop from Kasara ( If opted for )
    • Lunch (pure veg)
    • Breakfast and Tea
    • Govt / Local Body Charges as applicable
    • Trek expertise charges
    • Basic First Aid

    What is NOT included in the tour

    • Any personal expenses such as soft drinks etc.
    • Any emergency evacuations/rescue (if required)
    • Any other expenses that are not mentioned above.
    Things to Carry
    1. Identity proof.
    2. Good and reliable trekking shoes and extra pair of floaters.
    3. Water (minimum 2 Ltrs) Compulsory.
    4. Torch with extra batteries - do not depend on the phone. 
    5. Raincoat / windcheater / Poncho.
    6. Keep your phone fully charged.
    7. Mosquito repellent (optional)
    8. Some ready-to-eat food like biscuits, plum cake, etc to keep your tummy happy.
    9. Medicines (if you need any), Glucon D / Electrol / Enerzyl Powder (We will have a basic first aid kit with us).
    10. A haversack to put all your things. Your hands need to be free while trekking. 
    11. And most imp thing, carry lot of enthusiasm and team spirit.
    Note
    Important Note
    • 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," 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 )

    Videos
    How to Reach

    How to Reach Ratangad Fort in Maharashtra from Mumbai

    Trek experts recommend that the best way is to opt for pickup and drop option provided by Mischief Treks. Here are your travel options:

    • By Train: Take a train from Mumbai to Igatpuri or Kasara station. From there, you can hire a taxi to Ratanwadi, the base village of Ratangad Fort.
    • By Bus: Catch a bus from Mumbai to Bhandardara. From Bhandardara, local jeeps or taxis can be hired to reach Ratanwadi.
    • By Car: You can drive from Mumbai to Ratanwadi via Bhandardara. The roads are scenic and offer a beautiful drive.
    • Pickup and Drop by Mischief Treks: For a hassle-free experience, it is recommended to use the pickup and drop service offered by Mischief Treks.
    Reviews and Rating

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    Aggregate Rating: 4.85 out of 5

    Rating count: 2431

     

    Detailed information

    RATANGAD FORT INFO

    • Location:
      Ratangad Fort is located at Ratanwadi village of Ahmednagar district. It can also be accessed from Samrad Village. Ratangad is part of the Western Ghats of Maharashtra also known as Sahyadri range, which is known for its scenic beauty.

    • Historical Significance:
      Ratangad fort was one of the most crucial forts during Mughal and British era., The Maratha Empire used this fort for defense and it played a crucial role in protecting the region and keeping a watch on the ancient trade route.

    • Trekking Destination:
      Today, Ratangad is one of the popular trekking destinations. It offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes, making it a favorite among adventure lovers. The most attractive aspect today is the naturally growing flowers on Ratangad fort.

    • Height:
      The fort stands at an elevation of approximately 4255 ft (1296 m) above mean sea level (MSL), offering 360 degree view on nearby region.

    • Architectural Marvel:
      The fort has a natural rock with a cavity in it. This rock is at the top of the mountain and is called 'Nedhe'  in local language, which means 'Eye of the Needle.' It's a unique geological formation that adds to the fort's attractions.

    • Best Time to Visit:
      The best time to visit Ratangad Fort is during the monsoon season when the surroundings turn lush green, and waterfalls come to life. Also one must not miss the post-monsoon period September-October for the flowering season. Later, during winters its best time for Night-Trek which is also called Sunrise-Trek to Ratangad fort. The best time for Night-Trek to Ratangad fort is from November to April.

    • Tourist Attractions:
      Besides Ratangad Fort, nearby attractions include Harishchandragad Fort, Sandhan Valley, Bhandardara, Kalsubai Peak, and Amruteshwar Temple, which is also a heritage site.


    Trek and Tour Events by Mischief Treks 


    Update as on November 11, 2023:  Flowering Season is Over, Night Trek begins. 

    Update as on November 11, 2023: Weather conditions at Ratangad in Maharashtra 
    The weather in the month of November is pleasant, the night breeze is getting colder as we approach the month of December. The climate is getting colder, whereas a strange phenomenon of November rains was observed in many parts of Mumbai on November 10, 2023. The visibility is clear and night sky looks splendid. Average temperature for the night is expected to be around 26°C. Chance of rain 0%. Flowers are gone by now, but the Night treks scheduled from the month of November offers best night trek experience. 

    Pickup point
    Ratangad Fort, Maharashtra, India View on Map
    Cancellation, Rescheduling And Refund Policy
    • 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, 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 trek date and time, free rescheduling is not permitted. It will be counted as cancellation done in less than 120hours of 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.