THE MIGHTY (AMK) FORTS WITH FORT RATANGADH |
Tour Durations: 06 Nights & 07 Days |
Mumbai - Nasik - Fort Ratangadh -Fort Alang -Fort Madan - Fort Kulang - Nasik - Mumbai |
Trekking in Maharashtra is not that risky like any Himalayan trekking. It is very much thrilling which could give a lifetime experience. The range of Sahayadri is the most important trekking
region in the nearby states.
Day 01:
Arrive at Mumbai airport. Our representative will well-come you. Move to the hotel. If time permits we will visit Gateway of India or Drive towards Nasik.
Stay at hotel in night.
Day 02:
Drop the unwanted luggage in a strong room, the trek leader will provide you the information about trek and the terrain. Visit Famous but less visited temple of Amruteshwar. Reach to the Top of Fort Ratangadh,
See the beauty of Sahayadri and stay in the caves for night.
Day 03:
Reach to the Village Udhawane. Overnight in Village.
Day 04:
Climb to top of Fort Alang by evening. Stay on the top of the mountain for Night and enjoy the beauty of
nature. The sunset and dawn on the mountains are very stunning.
Day 05:
Start the Trek toward Fort Madan. Stay in the base village in the night.
Day 06:
Climb Fort Madan and stay in the cave at night. This is difficult level climbing.
Day 07:
Descend from Madan and stay in the village at night .
Day 08:
Climb Fort Kulang. Stay on the top of the mountain for night.
Day 09:
Return to Nasik in late evening, take rest.
Day 10:
Leisure time, you can visit old shrines on the bank of Godavari river.
Day 11:
Morning start towards Mumbai. Visit few monuments and places, enjoy shopping. Overnight in hotel
Day 12:
Catch your international flight for onward journey.
Details:
 Fort Ratangadh: 1294 Meters (4255 ft)
It is 450-year old fort, located near Harishchandragad and kalsubai peak (Everest of Maharashtra).
20 kms from the Wilson Dam, it was captured by King Shivaji, and was one of his favourite forts.
Considered as a trekker’s paradise, the view from this fort is simply spectacular and breathtaking.
There are two caves at the top of the fort and these can be used for relaxing. One can go round the
fort to look at the Kalsubai Peak.
Ratanwadi, Amruteshwar Temple: Built in 11th century AD, it is dedicated to Lord Shiva.This beautifully
constructed temple is in the distinct Hemadpanti style, the temple is surrounded by huge mountains.
From here a further excursion leads to the Ratangad Fort. One can access this temple by road or
by 8 km boat ride on Lake Arthur Hill.
Fort Alang:
Height: 1479 Meters (4852 ft) Village at the base: Udhawane or Ambewadi
History
No specific history is known about this fort. Earlier the fort was in captivity of Mughals, the Maratha
warriors won it from them, then Mughal king Aurangzeb won it form Marathas, Peshwas had it in their
captivity, at the time of British Maratha war in 1818 the British won it from Peshwas. One history says
that Alang was handed to the Peshwas (Prime Minister of Maratha State) by the Koli Kings of Jawhar.
Kulang and Alang on the Ahmadnagar frontier of Igatpuri, about ten miles south-east of Igatpuri station,
are two blocks of precipitous flat-topped rocks. Kulang and Alang are about two miles distant from each
other, Alang being almost entirely in the Ahmadnagar district. Their tops are inaccessible, the old way
of approach having been destroyed. The two blocks are separated by the smaller mass of Madangad, which,
like its neighbours, was rendered inaccessible by the destruction, in 1818, of the rough staircase leading
to it through a cleft in the almost perpendicular rock. Alang can also be climbed from Kulangvadi village
about two miles to the north, but with great difficulty and some danger. The crags in this range are the
steepest of any in the collectorate and hardly afford foothold for any but the smallest brushwood.
Under strict conservancy the ledges between the chief scarps show a better growth. To the east of
Alang is the steep pass known as the Husband and Wife, navra-navri, from two curious pillars of rock
that jut up from the ridge dividing the Nasik and Ahmadnagar collectorates. The pass is passable en
foot though difficult.
The Path and the Summit:
The speciality of Alang is its long traverse. After reaching its door the traverse is of one hour.
A small cavern dug in between the traverse can be used for resting. After finishing the traverse a
water source is available (Till winter end). 50 meters from this source is the Jain style cave. It
is the best place to stay. The cave has two sections. It has a source of non-potable water. From the
side of this cave a small sand route leads us to the top of the fort. At the top there is a lake
comprising of seven water channels or hauds. Remains of a storage building and a temple can be found
at the top. The fort covers a huge area. One end of the fort climbs down in a pass between Alang and
Madangad. This route is very difficult and requires leader who is expert in rock climber.
View from the summit
From this fort we can see Kulang and Madangad, Kalsubai, Ratangad, Patta, Aad, Avandha, Bitinga, Jeevdhan, Naneghat, Sidhagad,
Bhandardara dam and Ghatghar power station.

Fort Madan: (4841 ft)
Madangad is considered to be one of the most difficult forts to climb among all the forts in the Sahyadris.
The area of the fort is quite small as compared to Alang and Kulang, its adjoining forts. There are only
two water tanks on top of the fort. The area visible from the top of the fort is quite scenic. One can see
Alang, Kulang, Chota (small) Kulang, Ratangad, Ajyagad, Katrabai, Dangya Pinnacle, Harihar and Tryambakeshwar
Fort Kulang: (4822 ft)
Kulang is fort with highest base to Top height in Maharashtra. The route is hard and it’s quite difficult to climb.
|