Join us for the Sondai Fort trek this monsoon located in Sondewadi near Karjat. It is easy, safe and suitable for beginners and has bus pickup from Mumbai. Sondai is one of the most popular locations for treks in the Karjat area.
Brief
♦ Location :
Sondai Fort is located at Sondewadi village in Karjat region of Maharashtra. It is approximately 73.4 km from Mumbai and takes around 2 hours to reach by road. The nearest train station is Karjat is precisely 9.7 km from the base village Sondewadi and takes about 30 minutes to reach by road. Sondai is not a conventional fort but a historical watchtower. It is named after the goddess Sondai Devi, and a small idol is placed at the summit for worship.
♦ Trek Route:
During monsoon season the trail leading to Sondai Fort passes through lush green fields and dense forests, you will encounter a few rock patches, water cisterns, water streams, and two iron ladders that lead to the top. The path offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including nearby forts like Irshalgad, Prabalgad, Rajmachi, Matheran mountain range, and Morbe Dam.
♦ Altitude/Height:
Once you reach the altitude of 366 meter (1200 feet) you would reach the entry point of Sondai Fort. The highest point (18°56'45"N 73°17'45"E) at Sondai fort is at an altitude/height of 480 meter (1575 feet) above MSL.
♦ Trek Difficulty:
The Sondai Fort trek is an "Easy-Trek" suitable for beginners and kids. For more details on trek difficulty levels, you can refer to this article: Various difficulty levels of trek
♦ Duration:
The ascent to Sondai Fort takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. The total duration for the entire trek (ascent and descent) is approximately 3 to 4 hours covering a total trek distance is of 6 km
♦ Best Time to Visit:
The best time to visit Sondai Fort is during the monsoon season, from June to September, to experience the lush greenery and pleasant weather. It is also a great winter trek from November to March when the weather is cooler and the views are clear.
♦ Getting There:
The best way to reach Sondai Fort is by opting for the AC bus transport by Mischief Treks. Alternatively, to get to Sondai Fort, you can take a train from Mumbai to Karjat. From Karjat station, you can hire a taxi or an auto-rickshaw to reach the base village of Sondewadi. Also, you can drive from Mumbai to Sondewadi, which takes about 2-3 hours. Kindly refer How to Reach section on this page.
♦ Safety Tips:
It is highly recommended to go with an experienced trek organizer, especially if you are a beginner. Trekking in the Sahyadri region of Maharashtra can have life-threatening risks, and it is crucial to never go alone or with a group of inexperienced friends as you would visit a tourist destination. Always carry a first-aid kit, sufficient water, and inform your family members about your trekking plans. Kindly refer safety protocols. This trek is safe for Girls, Family, Couples, Women, and Solo travelers.
♦ History
Sondai Fort is believed to have been built during the 17th century, possibly under the rule of Shivaji Maharaj. It was strategically built to monitor nearby trade routes and enemy movements. The fort's primary function was to observe and report on activities in the surrounding area, and alert the Maratha forces about potential threats.
At Mischief Treks, all our treks and events are exclusive. We don’t buy bookings from cheaper entities, nor do we sell your booking to cheaper organisers. Every participant is genuinely part of Mischief Treks. This ensures having a small-group of like-minded people in every batch, which in turn makes the experience much better for everyone. Yes, we do filter out unwanted people with behavioural issues that we notice during enquiry phase itself.
| Height/Altitude | 1200 ft (366 m) |
|---|---|
| Base Village | Sondewadi Village |
| Best time to visit Sondai |
Monsoon: Jun-Sep Winter: Nov-Mar |
| Difficulty Level | Easy-Moderate |
| Eligibility | Click here |
| Sondai Trek Distance | 6 Kilometers |
| Duration | 4 hours |
| Fees | INR 750 onwards |
| Batch Size | 25 Participants |
| Trek Organised by | Mischief Treks | Mumbai |
- Water cisterns
- Steps are carved out of rocks
- Picturesque views from the top
- Sondai Devi temple
- Majestic view of Morbe Dam, Prabalgad, Irshalgad, Rajmachi, Songiri forts, Karnala Fort, and Matheran mountain range
Sondai Fort Trek By Mischief Treks
Charges and Travel options:
- Without Pickup: ₹ 750
(Participants need to reach the base village in their own vehicle) - With Pickup: ₹ 1300
(AC Bus Pickup from Mumbai will be provided)
⚠️ Eligibility condition
1. If you wish to apply for being part of our group, you need to "Read" and "Understand" the details provided on this page, and the About-us page so that you can be "Aware".
2. Each participant needs to be mentally fit to participate. Do not book this event if the details mentioned on this page are not agreeable to you. Mischief Treks does not accept ignorant people.
What is included in the tour
- AC Bus Pickup and drop from Mumbai ( If opted for )
- Breakfast and Tea
- Lunch - Vegetarian food
- Panchayat Charges (as applicable)
- NHAI Charges (as applicable)
- Govt / Local Body Charges as applicable
- Trek expertise charges
- Basic First Aid
What is NOT included in the tour
- Any personal expenses such as soft drinks etc.
- Any emergency evacuations/rescue (if required)
- Any other expenses that are not mentioned above.
Meeting Point: SNGP Gate, Borivali
Self Drive: Those coming by own vehicle need to reach McDonalds Kalamboli before 8.00am, and follow the bus till base location. If you are late the entire group will not be waiting, and move to the trek location. Due to network issue in Sondai you/we may not be able to connect with the group.
Coordination
Three hours prior to the event date and time, we will be creating a WhatsApp group for coordination purposes. Exact GPS locations for each pickup point, coordinator contact, Live location of bus etc. will be shared in the group.
Bus Transport
Reporting time 5.45am - Borivali.
- 06:00am Bus starts from SGNP Gate - Borivli
- 06:10am Goregaon Oberoi Mall
- 06:30am WEH metro station bus stop, Andheri
- 06:45 Kalanagar-Bandra bus stop.
- 07:00 Sion station circle.
- 07:15 Diamond Garden, Chembur.
- 07:30 Vashi Opp. Vashi Plaza, on highway.
- 07:40 Kharghar - 3 monkey point
- 08:05 McDonald's, Kalamboli.
Plan for the Sondai Trek
- 09:20 Reach the base village and have breakfast.
- 09:45 Start ascending
- 11:30 Reach the peak and explore.
- 13:00 Start descending.
- 15:00 Reach base village and have Lunch.
- 16:00 Start return journey to Mumbai.
- Reach Mumbai approx by 7.30pm depending on traffic conditions.
Please do not apply to join our group if the terms and details mentioned on this page are not agreeable to you.
Fitness:
Please make sure you are Physically and mentally Fit to complete the event and BEFORE Booking you have gone through all the details, FAQ, Points to note, About Us, and Disclaimer. To understand What is Trek ( click here )
Food:
The food during the event is home cooked food provided by local villagers living in tribal (Aadivasi) region. If you are choosy, cranky and grumpy about food, please avoid joining this event.
Transport:
Mischief Treks does not own busses, Jeeps, Trains, or Flight. The transport options are hired by us just like people hire Ola/Uber/Auto/Taxi/Train. Any issues regarding the transport vehicles need to be addressed to concerned transport service provider. Pickup-and-Drop for the event is arranged only as "help" towards common means to travel together, Mischief Treks does not provide transport services or takes any liability regarding the same. Our role and responsibility starts from base village where the trek conducted by us begins. AC buses may contain slight stench of dampness during monsoon season. One needs to be reasonable with this issue of AC vehicles.
Traveling by Own vehicle:
Ideally you are supposed to meet the group at Kalamboli at the specified time in itinerary and proceed to the base village along with the trek leader and other participants to avoid any inconvenience. Network issues can cause problems in terms of coordination. All travelling expense till the base village like tolls, entry charges, parking etc to be paid by the participant.
Transport Vehicle:
The transport vehicle size depends on the number of people booking the event. It may vary from sedan car to 35 seater bus. A 20-Seater bus will be a tempo traveller. If the batch size is small, instead of bus a smaller vehicle like Innova, Ertiga etc will be hired for the travel.
Trekking Shoes:
Wear reliable shoes with good grip, the sole of the shoe gets ripped off if the shoe is not in good condition.
About us:
Don't forget to check the About-us page if you are new to trekking with Mischief Treks in Maharashtra.
Punctuality:
In any adventure or sport event punctuality and discipline is utmost important. If you are late in catching the train/bus/cab, you will miss-out the pickup and will be considered dropout. If you are travelling in your vehicle, you may miss joining the group you are late. This is a group event and will not be personalized as per your timing.
Discounts:
To be honest, Discounts and coupon codes are just a marketing trick to fool people. No one offers something below the pre-decided rate slab. The charges on website haven't yet been adjusted (inflated) to provide for discounts. Mentioned amount is the lowest actual charges and hence discounts are currently not possible.
Each organiser charges a certain amount based on his understanding regarding 'Worth' of his own event.
Batch Size:
We Do-Not conduct trek with 100-150 people in the group. Our batch size is limited and we prefer to have a Non-Crowded group for safety reasons.
KYC Form:
Once you have paid for the event you will receive a KYC form on WhatsApp as soon as your payment is verified by system. You need to submit this form within 3 hours of receiving the form. If you have booked for your friends too, you need to ask each of your friend to get this done. If you are booking just 1 day prior to event, the form needs to be submitted immediately to avoid any inconvenience (Refer FAQ section below)
CAUTION:
Please be aware that even the easiest trek is fundamentally a "Trek," not a Tour, Hike, or Picnic. It's crucial to understand that an unfit individual might struggle to complete even half of an easy trek. Based on our prior experiences, an unfit person might perceive an easy-grade trek as the most difficult trek. Prior to making a booking for the event, ensure that you are in good physical and mental condition for trekking.
To understand What is Trek ( click here )
- Identity proof.
- Reliable shoes with Good grip and extra pair of floaters.
- Water (minimum 2 Ltrs) Compulsory.
- Rain gear - windcheater/raincoat/poncho.
- Extra pair of Clothes.
- Keep your phone fully charged.
- Mosquito repellent (optional)
- Some ready-to-eat food like biscuits, plum cake, etc to keep your tummy happy.
- Medicines (if you need any), Glucon D / Electrol / Enerzyl Powder (We will have a basic first aid kit with us).
- A haversack to put all your things. Your hands need to be free while trekking.
- And most imp thing, carry lot of enthusiasm and team spirit.
How to Reach Sondai Fort in Maharashtra from Mumbai
Trek experts recommend that the best way is to opt for pickup and drop option provided by Mischief Treks. Here are your travel options:
- By Train: Take a train from Mumbai to Karjat station. From Karjat, you can hire a local taxi or auto to Sondewadi, the base village of Sondai Fort.
- By Bus: Board a bus heading towards Karjat from Mumbai. Get down at Karjat and take a local taxi or auto to reach Sondewadi.
- By Car: Drive from Mumbai to Sondewadi, the base village of Sondai Fort. The route is scenic and well-marked.
- Pickup and Drop by Mischief Treks: Opting for the pickup and drop arrangement made by Mischief Treks is highly recommended for a hassle-free experience.
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Aggregate Rating: 4.85 out of 5
Rating count: 2431
Q. How many slots can I book, and how many are already booked?
A. Its a completely automated computerised system. The system will allow you to book only that many slots which are currently available to be booked for. This figure may change in seconds due to adjustments in cancellations, rescheduling and fresh bookings. The only way to find out current availability count is to click on Book-Now button and proceed with the automated booking system.
Q. Can kids participate in Sondai Fort Trek?
Ans. Age does not matter, Fitness and adaptation is extremely Important. Once we had a 4 year old girl who completed entire trek easily, and sometimes even 22-25 year old people cant complete 10% of the event . If you are planning to trek with a kid , I recommend you to go through this Check this Blog: https://www.mischieftreks.in/Blog/kids-trek-Maharashatra
Q. Is Sondai Fort Trek safe for solo participants?
Ans. Yes Trek is safe and comfortable. Mostly 40% of the participants come solo and blend in with the trek leaders and the rest of the group.
Q. Is Sondai Fort Trek safe for girls?
Ans. Mischief Treks has a track record of making our trekking and camping events extremely safe for girls. Normally 60 – 75 % of our participants are females. Apart from standard risks of any adventure activity, Mischief Treks events are safe for girls, women, kids and especially Men.
Q. Can we pay in cash or instalment ?
Ans. Sorry we do not accept cash payments, nor is EMI scheme available.
Q. What is the last date of booking Sondai Trek?
Ans. Bookings close once tickets are sold out. Ideally you need to book atleast 2-3 days in advance.
Q. How should I book Sondai Fort Trek?
Ans. All you have to do is press the book now button on this page and follow the instructions.
Q. How do we get in touch after reaching meeting point?
Ans. We will be creating a whatsapp group for coordination where you will be provided all the necessary information regarding contact person, exact point to meet etc..
Q: What if my application to join is disapproved due to my behavior?
A. Its important to understand, if you are expelled or if you try to force yourself on us, your application will be rejected based on your unacceptable behavior. If you lie to us about qualifying the eligibility condition mentioned on this page , you will be expelled from our group. No refunds are provided in such case of expulsion or disapproval of joining.
Q. If I have opted for "with transport", which vehicle will be provided?
Ans. Transport from Mumbai is generally provided by bus. The bus capacity varies with reference to participant count. 17 seater, 26 Seater, 32 seater etc .. , if the participant count is low we may opt for Qualis/Sumo/ Tavera for transport
Q. Will we be returning at exact time mentioned in the itinerary?
Ans. The Itinerary is for reference purpose only, it is based on average time taken during our previous events. Actual timeline for a particular date depends on Weather conditions, Traffic Conditions, Participants speed and endurance.
Q. Can someone read out details for me on phone?
Ans. All the details are mentioned on this page itself, once you scroll up you will all info on your screen. Sorry we do not verbally provide details on phone as it usually creates lot of misunderstanding and miscommunication. Also, its extremely important to read and understand all the details before you book the event so that you have absolute clarity. If something mentioned on this page is confusing , you can get clarity on chat by clicking on chat with us button on top. To discuss things that are not mentioned on this website we can arrange a callback from one of our trek leaders.
Q: I have booked/paid for the event, is my booking confirmed for the event?
Ans. No !, your booking can become invalid if you do not submit the "Most Important Details" required for emergency situations. For any Trek/Adventure event the organizers need to have your details at least 24 hours prior to the event. We do not allow anyone to the campsite until we have complete and authentic details of the person. This info is crucial in case of an emergency and is a mandatory KYC parameter. The link for the "personal details form" will be sent on WhatsApp immediately after you complete the booking instructions mentioned on the website. Submitting incomplete/incorrect/fake details in the form will make your booking invalid and no refund will be provided in such case.
Q. Why is submitting emergency contact details and KYC information mandatory?
Ans. Its a standard protocol and also a guideline by Govt of India. We are accountable for every "Human-Body" present at our campsite or trek is our responsibility and in case of any unfortunate event we will be asked by authorities to provide all relevant information about you. In order to comply with the authorities we have to take authentic information from you. Fake/Incomplete information or non-submission of the details will make your ticket (paid amount) invalid and no refund will be provided in such case. You will not be allowed to participate in the event.
Q. Does the cancellation policy/rescheduling policy apply to me if I book on event day or last day?
Ans: Yes, the policy is applicable irrespective of the booking date. The cancellation / reschedule policy is applicable to everyone with immediate effect from the date and time of booking. The refunds/rescheduling requests will be processed based on the date and time of cancellation/reschedule request saent to us and the date and time of booking the event are irrelevant.
Q. What is the basis of cancellation/reschedule policy in case of medical or personal emergency of participant or organizing team?
Ans: The cancellation policy is based on fairness towards the participant and the organizing team. In case of medical/personal emergency, the loss arising out of cancellation/reschedule will be borne by the respective person. i.e. if the organizing team faces an emergency situation and the event gets canceled, the participant will not have to suffer financial loss. Similarly, if the participant faces an emergency situation, the organizing team will not have to suffer financial loss. The cancellation policy is designed with a completely unbiased approach towards the participant and organizing team and is aimed at fairness towards both.
Q. What if there is an issue with transport, i.e. the bus breaks down, AC is not working, tyre gets punctured?
Ans. Mischief Treks as a team conducts treks only. All the support functions like transport, food etc are sourced from various other vendors to help the participants have it streamlined. Equipment failure can happen any time with any piece of machinery and we can try to get a replacement/repair from the vendor. This may consume time and the trek leader may decide to continue the trek as deemed fit to get the event completed. We as well as the participants have to bare with it. There are no refunds possible in such case. The Trek leader's decision to terminate the trek or continue the trek with available resources will be final and binding.
Q. We are coming by our own vehicle for the event, where should we reach for Sondai Fort Trek?
Ans. You need to reach the Meeting point at scheduled meeting time. This is where we will be meeting, from here you can follow our vehicles. You will be given exact coordinates after you finish booking formalities. We will be creating a WhatsApp group for coordination, you will be provided all relevant details in the group. Please do not be late, we cannot keep other participants waiting. If you are not able to reach on time you will be considered a Drop-Out and no refund will be provided in such case.
Update as on June 26, 2025
Great News: Just like every year, Mischief Treks commenced trekking events at Sondai Fort from start of monsoon season and has completed few batches of this season. The landscapes have turn lush green and the waterfall is back in its majestic form. Fort treks and Jungle treks and trails are best to visit during this rainy season.
Mischief Treks has lined up several Monsoon Treks for this rainy season, these treks can be categorised as follows:
♦ Fort Treks in Maharashtra
♦ Waterfall Treks in Maharashtra
♦ Forest/Jungle Treks and Trails
You may also want to check out:
♦ Upcoming Events in Mumbai
♦ Weekend Events and Activities
♦ Easy Grade Treks for beginners
♦ Tours starting from Mumbai
Related Events
Aadrai Jungle Trek
Kalu Waterfall Trek
Naneghat Reverse Waterfall Trek
Devkund Waterfall Trek
Kalsubai Trek
Ratangad Fort Trek
Kaas Pathar - Kaas Plateau Tour
Important Tips for Monsoon Treks – Read Carefully
♦ Shoes: Hiking Boots or Spots shoes with good grip is mandatory. Carry an extra plastic bag or floaters for return journey.
♦ Mosquito Repellent: Insects and Mosquitoes are common in jungle.
♦ Carry 2 liters of water to stay hydrated throughout the trek.
♦ Pack essential first aid supplies and medications for emergencies.
♦ Snacks and energy bars
♦ Keep phones in double plastic or zip-lock.
♦ Always carry power-bank while trekking. If your phone-battery is dead, you will not be able to seek help.
♦ Raincoat or poncho is better than other options. Do not use Umbrella for any trek.
♦ If your stamina is low, please practice walking 4–5 km before joining.
Safety Protocols Followed by Mischief Treks
♦ Our leaders carry first-aid kits, torches, and are well versed with rescue protocols.
♦ We do a trail reccé before publishing any trek on our website. This ensures the team has all latest updates about the terrain.
♦ Headcount is taken before starting, and again at mid-point and end to ensure no one misses out.
♦ Before starting the trek, we conduct a safety-instruction session to educate all participants about the trek.
♦ We follow a strict protocol to reject applicants during enquiry phase if we notice behavioural red flags, carelessness, or ignorance.
♦ The leaders of Mischief Treks are trained in first-aid and navigating in most challenging terrains
♦ Mischief Treks is known for keeping the group size small during treks, only 25-30 participants per batch. This helps everyone enjoy nature in a safe and peaceful way.
Preserve Nature : Leave No Trace
♦ Take-back whatever you Brought-along: Carry all your waste, including food wrappers and plastic bottles, back to the city and dispose it properly. Do not litter the trekking locations, Villages, and trails.
♦ Respect the Local Culture: Be polite and respectful to the residents of the base villages. You are a guest in their home.
♦ Stay on the Designated Trail: Wandering off-trail causes soil erosion and damages the delicate ecosystem. Do not pluck flowers or destroy the natural beauty.
♦ Small Group Size: At "Mischief Treks", we always keep the group size for trek batches is limited to 25-30 participants only. This helps manage the group better, keep everyone safe, and avoid crowding at the trek location. Small groups also mean you get a better overall-experience without noise or chaos.
The mountains and jungles are our shared heritage. Let's protect them and keep them clean.
Fitness Required for Sondai Trek
Benchmark: You should be able to comfortably walk for a few hours and climb 5-6 flights of stairs without becoming breathless.
Focus on: Stamina and stability are more important than brute strength. A basic level of fitness is sufficient for most of our jungle treks.
You should be able to:
♦ Walk for 2 to 3 hours continuously on an incline terrain with a small backpack
♦ Manage your speed with the speed of the group.
♦ If you’re very new to trekking, start with easier trails before trying tougher ones.
Online Bookings
♦ When to book: Monsoon treks are incredibly popular and fill up fast and Mischief Treks is one of rare few organisers who has limited small-group size. You should Book your trek at least 3-5 days in Advance: Avoid Over-Crowded batches conducted by amateurs, its life-risk.
♦ Trust the Experts: Booking with a reputable operator ensures you have qualified leaders, a well-planned itinerary, and safety protocols in place.
♦ Caution: Be extra careful while dealing with social-media based trek organisers who do not have any website or real presence. Avoid making payment to personal account of individuals.
Choose Trek Organiser Wisely
Always prefer Trek-Organisers with limited batch size to avoid getting trapped in a Over-Crowded batch where your entire experience is ruined.
♦ Check if the organiser provides email confirmations, documented evidence of booking via legitimate official website.
♦ Check if the payment is being made to the organisation or some individual personal account which can be a huge red flag.
♦ Check if organiser is famous for "Reels" or for "Reliability". Be Wise !
♦ Check the historic track record and reputation in terms of safe and secured trek operations.
♦ Check how many years of actual trek-handling experience the organisation has.
♦ Last but most important, Look at the kind of crowd that usually joins treks with that organiser.
Beware of: Social Media based trek organisers. In recent years, we have noticed a dangerous trend. Inexperienced individuals, mostly school or college students, offering trekking events on Instagram and other social media apps. Many of them have no actual trekking knowledge, no organisational training, and often can’t manage their own safety. Remember, your life is more valuable than a Discount offer. They take payments to personal UPI numbers. No confirmation. No refund. No responsibility.
- 90% will be refunded if canceled 15 days (360+ hrs) in advance.
- 75% will be refunded if canceled 10 days (240+ hrs) in advance.
- 50% will be refunded if canceled 05 days (120+ hrs) in advance.
- 0% refund if canceled in less than 05 days (120 hours) of the event date and time.
- 0% refund if the participant drops out, misses bus pickup, does not reach the meeting point on the scheduled date and time.
Rescheduling
- Rescheduling can be done free of cost if the rescheduling request is sent to us 120 hours prior to event date and time.
- If the request is sent in less than 120hrs, 50 percent of event charges need to be paid for cancelling the current booking, and then rescheduling it to a batch available on future date.
Refunds
- Refunds will be calculated and processed on basis of the slabs mentioned above.
- Refund amount will be transferred 24 hours after event date and time.
- Refund Credit will be received at your end depending on your mode of payment. Credit card refunds take 5-15 days to reflect on your statement. UPI refunds are generally credited to your account within 2-3 hours by your bank.
If the event itself gets canceled, you will be given the option to switch to any other event or any other date, Or you can opt for a 100% refund. If you need to reschedule your booking to any other available date, it can be done free of cost if the rescheduling request is sent 120 hours prior to the trek. From 0hrs - 120 hours prior to the trek date and time free rescheduling is not permitted. It will be counted as cancellation done in less than 120hours of the event date and time. It's a humble request, please do not give medical reasons, crib, argue or try to blackmail us if you drop out or cancel/reschedule the trek in the last 5 days.
Logic and Reason: The basis of the cancelation policy is to protect the participant and the organizers from undue financial losses arising out of unforeseen situations. If the event gets canceled due to the medical/personal emergency of the organising team member, the participants will not have to suffer financial loss. Similarly, if there is a medical/personal emergency at the participant's end, the organizing team will not have to suffer financial loss.
