This trek was arranged by Hexaware technologies (Funster group)
It started at 6:30am from Thane (E) and I was the coordinator for the event.
Bus arrived at time, but getting all members and getting them in the bus was a big task. It was good to see that there were less drop outs.Typically Saturday morning and nobody wants to disturb their sweet sleep.
After getting most of the employees, we reached Office and had to wait for half an hour because the canteen guy was busy packing Idli and Chutney.
Finally we headed towards the Express highway. The bus was almost full with 42 resources. On the way we halted at Express highway canteen because Driver wanted a break. Meanwhile Pune guys had already reached the spot.
Google Map of the Lohagad fort
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http://wikimapia.org/#lat=18.7251938&lon=73.4678078&z=14&l=0&m=b&v=8
Tips for regular trekkers
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> Complete Visapur first and Lohagad second on same day.
> Carry small rope and devices for small rapling exercise (not mandatory)
> Carry drinking water and snacks. You may get tea on Lohagad, but at footsteps there are small hotels.
> Best season is end Monsoon and Winter
> Overnight stay on top (may be possible), Check it out before you plan to stay. Carry your own tent, no provision on top except caves.
How to reach Lohagad
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From Mumbai take express highway, take 2nd exit to Lonavala/Karla and then after toll naka on old highway go straight for 3-5km towards Karla/Ekvira
Road on left goes to Ekvira/Karla and on right goes to Malawali station. Take the road on right and cross the MAlawali rail crossing and 2-3 km you are at the Bajja gaon where you need to park the vehicle.
Alternative
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There is a road coming directly to Lohagad footsteps, its from Lonavala and one can bring the vehicle.
The trek started from Bhaje gaon and then small walk with steps to Bhajje caves. It is similiar to Karla caves and from Buddhist era. From Bhajje caves we walked for almost 30 min to reach lohagaon, in between there is a route for Visapur fort (3500ft)
From Lohagaon, there are stone steps upto Lohagad fort. Height=3400ft.
In Marathi Lohagad means IRON FORT. There are approx 500steps with 4 doors. The steps are reconstructed and in very good condition. It should take max 30-45min to climb. Up on the fort the plateau is small with few things to see. There is a muslim tomb, small temple with a flat area to sleep and few ponds. Not sure if the water is good. The best is Vinchukatta (scorpion tail), its a end of the fort which is narrow and looks like it. Unfortunately we could not see it because of the fog.
Lohagad has 4 doors, Ganesh Darwaja, Narayan Darwaja, Hanuman Darwaja, and Maha Darwaja. All the doors are still quite strong and in good condition, Each has sculptures like Ganpati, Hanuman to identify the door names. There is one small canon on top.
Overall nice place to see, good for day tour, lovely in monsoon with superb wild flowers on top and not to forget FOG, One can stay overnight at top, Dont know about permissions.
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