Sondai Fort Monsoon Trek
By 8:15am, we'd reached Karjat station. After breakfast — medu vada and idli sambar at Sai Idli Center near the station — we hired three tumtums (6-seater autorickshaws) to carry 22 trekkers to Sondewadi village. A beautiful view of Morbe Dam and lush green hills was a real treat on the way. From the village, we began the ascent.
The fort sits 4–5km from Karjat Railway Station, overlooking the entire city. From the top: a panoramic view of the Sondai Devi temple, a couple of water cisterns, and Morbe Dam. It was likely once used as a watchtower for nearby forts — Prabalgad, Irshalgad, Rajmachi, Dhak, Peth, and Songiri among them.
From Sondewadi, it's another 45 minutes to the second plateau, home to two adjoined cisterns carved into the rock, holding water year-round — pull it up with a rope and bucket. The adjoining Gavari hill appears taller than the fort itself.
Further ahead, carved steps lead on: cisterns to the left, a ladder to the right for the climb up. Remove your footwear here before continuing to the summit — this is sacred ground, dedicated to Sondai Devi. Footholds and a ladder both get you to the top.
