Karjat: The Pretty Bhor Ghat Hills

Karjat is where the coastal plains of the Konkan end and Bhor Ghat begins. In the monsoon and just after, the area is a luxuriant green. Paddy fields stretch from Karjat right up to the base of some of the surrounding hills. Waterfalls and rivulets gush down the hillside. When the sky clears, you get a glimpse of the magnificent hills in the distance – pinnacles, forts, plateaus, gentle spurs and steep cliffs – and sometimes, the ugly scar of a landslide or the gaping orifice of a stone quarry that mars the beauty of the Sahyadris. Many wealthy Mumbaikers have built their guesthouses in this town.

Things to See & Do

Karjat is a good base for a number of weekend options. You can come to one of the health resorts here, visit the ancient rock-cut caves and if you have a penchant for adventure, you can climb imposing Maratha forts, attempt some easy treks, or go on a monsoon white-water rafting trip on the Ulhas river.

Kondana/Kondhavne Caves

From Karjat, drive or take an autorick-shaw (₹20 shared, ₹250–300 private) to Kondhavne village. From the village, follow an easy trail to the ruins of the rock-cut caves of Kondhavne. These are Buddhist caves complete with stupa, chaitya, vihara and sculptures. It is bel ieved that during an earthquake in the early 1900s, much of the front, floor and stupa were damaged. This left the pillars in the chaitya suspended like huge stalactites from the ceiling. Several large beehives hang at the entrance to the cave, so avoid smoking, or peeling citrus fruit, or onions and other aromatic foods nearby. If you follow this trail further uphill, it will turn into a steep climb.

Health Resorts

Kerala-style destressing is another Karjat pick. Dr Modi’s Health Resort boasts all kinds of remedies and natural treatments. Even if you have no health problems, why not pamper yourself with some deep tissue massage or spa treatment?

WARNING Do note that the health resort does not allow non-vegetarian food, alcohol or smoking

River Rafting

If you seek an adrenaline-rush adventure, Karjat will oblige. During the monsoon it’s possible to go rafting on the upper sections of Ulhas river, near Karjat. Because this is purely a seasonal activity (July–September), the trips are dependent on there being adequate rainfall. Outbound Adventure (Cell: 09820195115; W outboundadventure.com) organises raft ing and canoeing trips here. A day trip costs ₹2,100 per person, and includes lunch. It does not cover the travel cost from Mumbai to Karjat. The put-in point is Kondana village about 15 km away. Hiking can also be arranged to the 2nd-century Buddhist caves with prior notice. Archery tours are also available for ₹2,000 per head (min 15 pax).

AROUND KARJAT

Karjat is a great trekking destination. The town boasts various trails that lead upto several forts and other towns, which one can undertake in a day’s time.

Matheran

One great trek, out of the available options, is to Matheran, via Rambagh Point. From Karjat Station take an auto to Vavarle village. Just outside of Vavarle is a fork in the trail.
From here, either take the right fork up an initially gentle climb that progressively gets steeper (and tougher on the knees) and eventually brings you to Rambagh Point in Matheran.

Alternatively, take the left trail at the fork outside Vavarle, and you will first walk through some fields and rather gentle slopes. A gradual climb up a spur will bring you to Ambewadi village. The trail then gets somewhat steeper. Just before you hit the tree line, glance up at the rock face above you. This is Big Chowk Point. Look carefully at the rock face and you will see why it is called Elephant Head.

The last section, known as the Shivaji Steps, is a steep climb up a re-entrant (which in the monsoon is a waterfall) and you could end up scrambling over boulders and rocks.

It takes around 3.5 hours to trek up to Matheran from Vavarle.

TIP Do the trek on your way back to Mumbai, because from Matheran you can’t come back to Karjat unless you walk.

Peth Fort and Kotligad

Peth is unique among the forts of the Sahyadris because of its funnel-shaped top (Kotligad) and its rocky staircase carved in the middle. It was never of major strategic importance and used mainly as an ammo dump. To get to the trekking trail, you need to take a bus from Karjat to Ambivli village, near Peth (ensure that the bus will actually stop at Ambivli before you get on). From Ambivli take the path to Peth village and from there it’s an easy climb to the fort. You can camp in the caves at the top where there is plenty of drinking water.

Bhimashankar

The walk up to Bhimashankar from Karjat is a classic trekking experience. It is steep and long and can take 6–7 hours. From Karjat catch an ST bus or an auto (regular or six-seater) to Khandas (14 km), where you start the trek. After the first two kilometres (flat and easy), the trail climbs steeply to bring you to the first flat section and to Padar Fort. From here it’s a long traverse to the left (north) that brings you to Koli village. Then it’s another long, steep climb that takes you through thick forest. There is a shorter, far steeper option, but check if that route is open. From the Shiva Temple on top, another steep climb will take you to the peak of the mountain, shaped like the head of a cobra and called Nagphani. From here the view is awe-inspiring. ST buses ply to Pune and Mumbai from the top so you don’t have to walk back.

Where to Stay & Eat

The most famous health resort in Karjat is Dr Modi’s Health Resort. Mohili Meadows (Cell: 09222285801; Tariff: ₹5,500–12,000) is located 6 km from Karjat in Mohili village. Pinewood Resort (Cell: 09870014270; Tariff: ₹1,700–4,000; dorm Rs. 1,250 per person, with meals), 5 km from Karjat in Varai village, has rooms, one bungalow and three dorms. Prakruti Farms (Tel: 02148- 226857) is located beyond Karjat town, but was not operational at the time of print.

Van Vihar (Tel: 222930, 223590, Cell: 09271618184; Tariff: ₹1,000 per bed, with meals), near Kondana village, has three dorms.

Small stalls outside the station area serve a variety of snacks. If you want to avoid deep-fried foods, ask for varan bhat, usal pav or misal pav. Most of the resorts have restaurants and you are best off eating there.

Healthy Holiday

Even if waking up early is not your idea of a holiday morning, at Dr Modi’s Health Resort in Karjat, you do. You wake up, take a brisk walk and follow that up with herbal tea. A session of yoga and spinal exercises is next, before you get breakfast. Sounds terrible? It’s not. Because after that, you go to the health club for some specialised treatments including mas sages, mud baths, hydrotherapy treatments, thermoleum colour treatments and a sauna or Jacuzzi session.

Dr Modi’s Health Resort

This is not where you come for lavish comforts. People come here to lose weight, to heal stressed bones and joints or just to revitalise themselves. They come here for a real break from the ordeal of an unhealthy, stressful lifestyle. Health regimens at Dr Modi’s Health Resort are usually 5 or 10-day plans but a lot of people also come here for a quick weekend of de-stressing.

Cell 09049773333, 09890971280 Tariff ₹3,800–4,800 Facilities Cottagestyle AC rooms with facilities including a health club, health cuisine, nature cures, yoga and meditation