One Day Trek to Karnala Fort on 28th June 2014

A day hike near the city without much of a travel, on a mountain surrounded by a green thick evergreen jungle at a busy schedule in city life, what strikes first in your mind is Karnala. It also gives you an opportunity to peep into the history as many old historical evidences exists on top of the fort.

Nisarga Bhraman invites you all as we have arranged a one day trek to Karnala Fort on Saturday, 28th June 2014

About the place:

Type: Hill Fort
Height: 450 Meter / 1538 Feet above MSL
Grade: Easy
Region: Panvel

Situated on the Mumbai – Goa National Highway, about 13 kms from Panvel, Karnala Fort can be easily identified from its 'Thums Up' shape pinnacle. The area around Karnala is covered with a thick forest and is declared as a Bird Sanctuary which is home to 150 species of resident birds and 37 species of migratory birds. It takes approximate one hour from base to reach the first entrance of the fort. The fort top has very good fortification structure, many remains of settlements, storage buildings andtemple of Shiva and Karnai Mata. Caves and water cisterns are carved in the rock. The pinnacle on the fort is a citadel and to go on top of it, one needs to use rock climbing technics. The fort was constructed about 2000 years back during the Satavahana period. Forts like Manikgad, Sankshi, Prabalgad, Irshalgadetc. and Matheran can be seen from the top of the fort.

Itinerary:

Meet at Panvel Railway Station at 7:30 am
Note: Get your own train tickets

How to Get there ?

Western Suburbs - Train to Dadar (WR) & changeover to CR. Take slow/fast train to Kurla & changeover to PF.7 for the Harbour Line Train to Panvel

Central Suburbs - Access Harbour Line from Kurla/Thane

South Mumbai - Take the Panvel Train from CST

Train Timings:

CST - 6.00AM; Wadala - 6.18AM; Kurla - 6.28AM; Vashi - 6.47; Panvel - 7.17AM

OR

CST - 6.08AM; Wadala - 6.26AM; Kurla - 6.36AM; Vashi - 6.55AM; Panvel - 7.25AM

Plan:

• Meet at Panvel Railway Station at 7:30 am
• Breakfast & Tea
• Travel to Karnala Bird Sanctuary by private jeep (~30 mins)
• Round of Introduction, Rules & Regulations
• Start the hike to Karnala Fort by 9:30 am
• Hike to the fort & Explore the area (~2 Hr)
• Lunch on top & Rest
• Descend back to the base by 2:00 pm
• Start travel towards Panvel by 4:00 pm
• Evening snacks on the way
• Reach Panvel by 5:00 pm (Tentative)

The cost of the event would be Rs. 300/- Only.

The above cost includes - 

• Transport from Panvel to Karnala & Back
• Breakfast & Tea, Evening Snacks
• Entry ticket to the Karnala Bird Sanctuary
• NB Expertise & Guide Charges

Note: Everyone has to carry their own Lunch.

To register for the event, contact - 9892992868 / 9167966042 / 9619848367

Note: One has to handover or transfer full amount for registration which will be non refundable in case of cancellation.

Hand over the cash in Person in co-ordination or transfer the amount to the account - 

Name of A/c Holder: Sameer M. Patel
Bank : Central Bank of India,
Branch: TIFR, Churchgate Branch
A/c Number: 1451108345 (Savings)
RTGS/IFSC code: CBIN0283996

Here is a list of the things to be carried for the trek –

1. Haversack (with rain cover) to put in everything to be carried for the trek
2. Lunch for the day unless you plan to go hungry
3. Water - 2 liters at least
4. Extra clothes, Towel / Napkin
5. Wind cheater / Rain cheater
6. Wear good quality sport shoes / floaters
7. Personal medicine required if any
8. Identity Proof
9. Camera with extra batteries
10. Something to munch on (Toffees, Chocolate, Chikki, Biscuits etc.)
11. Wrap everything in the plastic bag to protect from rain

Few rules that we would like people follow -

• Alcohol will strictly not be permitted on the event and would lead to expulsion from the event.
• Smoking will strictly not be permitted as there are many honey bee combs around the pinnacle.
• The Leaders decision will be final and binding on all members. No arguments will be entertained.
• It is of utmost importance that all participants stick together in the group. 
• In the event of any Mishap/Eventuality, Nisarga Bhraman and/or its Leaders will not be held responsible.
• Each member will be responsible for his/her own safety and baggage.
• Please do not wear any jewelry or gold chains/rings.
• Please do not litter, we strongly believe in the saying, “Leave only Footprints, Take back only Memories”