KARJAT · SAHYADRIS
Places to visit in Karjat
Karjat sits in the foothills of the Sahyadris, with caves, forts, waterfalls and valleys spread out around it. These are the places worth a day out from Askara — and what to know before you set off.
Caves, temples and old forts
Heritage places around Karjat. Some of them are only reached on foot, so plan the walk as part of the visit.
- Ancient cave site
Kondana Caves
A group of rock-cut Buddhist caves high in the hills above the Ulhas valley, reached on foot from the village below.
Good to know: The walk up is over uneven ground and changes with the weather. Start early, carry water and check conditions locally before setting out.
Read the guide Ask about this - Temple in the hills
Kondeshwar Temple
An old Shiva temple in a green hollow near Karjat, with a forest path leading down to it.
Good to know: There are few facilities around the temple. Carry water and go with someone who knows the path.
Ask about this - Historic hill fort
Raigad Fort
The hilltop capital of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and a full-day heritage trip to the south of Karjat.
Good to know: It is a long day out. There is a ropeway to the top, and queues are longer at weekends and on holidays.
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Forts for a day's climb
Sahyadri forts near Karjat, each one a proper day out for fit walkers.
- Ridge fort
Rajmachi Fort
A fort on the ridge between Karjat and Lonavala, with two bastions — Shrivardhan and Manaranjan — above the Ulhas valley. The Kondana Caves sit on the same route.
Good to know: This is a full day of walking. Go with a group or with a guide who knows the route, especially once the rains arrive.
Read the guide Ask about this - Conical hill fort
Kothaligad (Peth Fort)
A steep, cone-shaped fort known for the steps cut inside the rock near the summit, with the foothills opening out below.
Good to know: The last stretch is close and tiring. It suits fit walkers and is best left alone in heavy rain.
Ask about this - Ridge fort
Peb Fort (Vikatgad)
A fort on the Matheran ridge with a narrow crest, chambers cut into the rock and iron ladders near the top.
Good to know: The iron ladders and the exposed crest are not for anyone uneasy with heights.
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Water in the green season
Where the water is during and just after the monsoon — the prettiest and least predictable time to visit.
- Waterfall
Bhivpuri Waterfall
A waterfall on the Matheran side that runs strongest just after the rains.
Good to know: Water levels rise quickly after heavy rain. Keep well back from the flow and follow local advice.
Ask about this - Reservoir
Morbe Dam
A dam near Karjat where the water opens out between the hills — a place to stand and look at the view.
Good to know: The water is deep and the bund is not a place to swim.
Ask about this - From the property
Waterfalls from the farm
In the monsoon, waterfalls run down the hills facing Askara and the whole valley turns green.
Good to know: Admire them from the grounds or from safe ground. Never wade into a stream that has risen after rain.
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Hill stations and the coast
Three well-known day trips, each a different kind of change.
- Vehicle-free hill station
Matheran
A hill station in the Sahyadris where cars stop outside the town. The rest you cover on foot, on horseback or by toy train.
Good to know: It makes for a full day. Askara can arrange the transport for the day; additional charges apply.
Ask about this - Hill station
Lonavala and Khandala
The better-known hill station on the other side of the Sahyadris — viewpoints, food stalls and a lively weekend crowd.
Good to know: Weekends and holidays bring heavy traffic. Leave early if you want the day to feel unhurried.
Read the guide Ask about this - Coastal town
Alibaug
The coast: beaches, old fort walls and seafood — a different kind of day from the hills.
Good to know: How long the route takes depends on traffic and the crossing you choose. Check conditions on the day.
Read the guide Ask about this
Gentle mornings
Short, easy outings — good for a morning before lunch and a swim.
- Bird sanctuary
Karnala Bird Sanctuary
A forest sanctuary in the hills near Panvel, on the Mumbai side, with easy walking trails and a fort above the trees.
Good to know: Entry rules and timings change with the season, and the forest closes at night. Check the current rules before you go.
Ask about this - Blackbuck sanctuary
Rehekuri Blackbuck Sanctuary
A small grassland sanctuary by the highway near Karjat, set up to protect blackbuck and chinkara.
Good to know: It is a short visit rather than a day out, and the animals are shy — keep your voices low.
Ask about this - Valley walk or drive
Ulhas Valley
The valley where the Ulhas river rises — green fields, a winding road and hills closing in on both sides.
Good to know: The road is narrow in places and the valley loses light early. Turn back before dark.
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Before you set out
- Plan one outing a day. Karjat rewards a slow plan, and the drive back is easier before dark.
- Ask locally about conditions. Trails, waterfalls and forest paths change with the weather, and old reports are often wrong.
- Go with a group or with someone who knows the route. Carry water, a snack and a charged phone.
- Wear shoes with grip — rock, mud and moss are slippery in the rains.
- Heritage sites are not playgrounds. Do not climb on carvings, and take your litter back with you.
- Some outings cost extra. Tell us what you have in mind and we will say what we can arrange and what it costs.
What Askara can arrange
Tell us what you would like to see when you enquire. Additional charges may apply.
- Farm tourA walk with us around the grounds — the fruit trees, the beds, and where food grows.
- Pluck your own mangoes · seasonal · extra chargeWhen the trees are heavy with fruit, pick mangoes straight off the branch with us.
- Canal walkAn easy, level walk along the canal, best early in the morning or as the light turns.
- TrekkingHill trails start close by, for a short climb or a longer day out in the Sahyadris.
- Trip to MatheranA full day in the vehicle-free hill station nearby — we arrange the transport.
Anything else on this page — a fort, a cave walk or a day at the coast — tell us and we will say what is possible for your dates. WhatsApp +91 91754 80027.
Ask what we can arrangeFind Askara
204, Humgaon, Maharashtra 410201