What is Sondai Fort?
Sondai Fort, located in the Karjat district of Maharashtra, Sondai Fort is among the other less-known places of interest in the town. This fort on a hill is part of the Matheran mountain range. The name Sondai is the name of the goddess Sondai Devi. When you reach the very top, you’ll see a temple solely dedicated to Sondai Devi. It is possible to take steps that have been carved out of the rock to get to the highest point. The villagers have constructed two ladders to make the climb more simple. One ladder is at the top while the other leads towards the water tanks near the fort. There aren’t any fortifications available beyond the three water cisterns.
Villages: Sondewadi
The fort was believed to have been constructed to be a watchtower for the security of villages nearby. It’s about 365 meters high and lies at the bottom of two villages: Sondewadi as well as Waverley. From the fort where you have an excellent perspective over Morbi Dam, Songiri, Rajmachi, Karnala Fort, Prabalgad, Irshal forts, and the Matheran mountain range, which is stunning. The perspective from Vavarle Dam from this fort that holds the monsoon rainwater is stunning. The fort’s location can give you a 360-degree perspective of the mountains surrounding.
Overview
The fort is situated at 1200 feet above sea level and its trek level is not difficult. The village that is the base is Sondewadi and the closest railway station is Karjat. The time needed to reach the summit of the hill takes around one hour. It is recommended to visit the area from June through January because the warm weather makes the hike more to be comfortable. The path becomes tough during the monsoon since the rocks turn slippery. There are several stores open by locals that provide snacks, water as well as fruits, and Nimbu paani to help to ease your exhaustion. There are a variety of camping sites also available. You can purchase tours for those who want to take this tour in groups. Two routes get to Sondai. One is via Sondewadi and the other is from Waverley. Of the two, the one that comes from Sondewadi is the most popular since it passes through dense forests and has an approach that is slightly more difficult.
You can also try Nandi Hills Camping a weekend getaway, for you and you family.
Information about The Sondai trail:
From the camp’s base to the summit village of 1.7 kilometers, which will take the average person around 2-2.5 hours to complete the hike. There is no need for a local guide since the hike is easy and beginner-accommodating. The hike can be explained in three parts. The first is the trek from the parking area in the base village, and then to the first plateau, which is an easy climb of about 10 minutes. The second part is the portion where you’ll traverse through the forest until you arrive at a point at which you must cross two treacherous rough sections. This leads to the third and the last section of the trail, which includes two staircases, one leading to the top and the other one leading towards the tanks for water.
How can I get to Sondai?
By road: using the road, if traveling via Mumbai to Sondai You can choose to take the Sion-Panvel Expressway. Alternatively, you can take to take the Eastern Express Highway. If you’re beginning your trip from Pune it is possible to take the Mumbai-Pune expressway and reach Khopoli and then proceed toward Talawani via the Khopoli-Karjat route.
To get to Sondewadi which is the town’s base you must take the tumtum, which is a seven-seater rickshaw since there are no direct buses that will take you to the point of Sondai Fort. While you could also travel on an ST bus, riding on the tumtum will be more enjoyable if you have time. It is a distance from Sondai Fort and Karjat is around 10 km.
Visit nearby places of interest as well as other things to do at Sondai
While at the fort, you will be able to enjoy the stunning sunset. The view is stunning. If you’re visiting during monsoon season, it is a must to take a dip into the Changewadi Waterfalls to cool down after a journey. There are numerous local eateries that you can attempt at the delicious Misal Pav sold here.
Beyond that, there are many other nearby sites to visit after you’ve finished exploring the fort. It is possible to visit Irshalgal Fort which is at 3700 feet above sea level. It is also possible to go for a visit to Morbe Dam and the Karnala fort, which are both not too distant. The Rajmachi fort is another attraction that is located close to the Sondai Fort.