Rajmachi are petite hills of the Sahyadri Mountain ranges in Maharashtra, a little distance away from the hill stations of Lonavala Khandala. The peaks which are considered some of the best places for an ideal trekking and camping experience are lush, fertile slopes on the apex of which stand some of the most significant hallmarks of ancient Indian history. The 17th century forts or balekillas of Shrivardhan and Manaranjan, having passed through the annals of history and time retain their age old magnificence and glory.

The Rajmachi hills which are at their spectacular best in the monsoon and winter months, have green carpeted undulating rolling misty covered hills, deep ravines and little streams that meander their way through the rocky crevices as you hike uphill. Not far away are silvery frothy waterfalls that snake their way down the densely forested slopes.

If you would love to visit Rajmachi which is a complete destination for a day’s excursion, our travel and tourism guide should help you plan a good trip.

Rajmachi is easily accessible by road, though the nearest metro cities of Mumbai and Pune offer easy access by air, rail as well as by road. The ideal way to reach Rajmachi would probably be by air.

By Air:

The nearest airport is the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport at Mumbai that serves both domestic and international flights. You could also book a journey by flight to the Lohegaon International Airport at Pune. A cab from the airport could be hired to drive you to Lonavala or the base village at Rajmachi.

By Rail:

The closest rail head is the Lonavala Railway Station that has most trains on the Mumbai – Pune route chugging in. So you would have the option of trains that arrive from most major cities of the country. Hire an auto rickshaw or cab from the railway station to Udhewadi.

By Road:

Drive to Udhewadi or Fanasrai from Mumbai or Pune and hike the rest of the way. There are MSRTC buses that ply between the major cities of Mumbai to Lonavala.

Getting Around:

You could get auto rickshaws or cabs till the base village at Rajmachi. The hill slopes are best trekked upto. Motorbikes can be ridden up to a level and trekked the rest of the way.

Rajmachi has a charming all through the year weather. But the best times are said to be the months of monsoon.

Summer (March – June):

Summers are warm and fare far better than the humid plains. Summers are ideal for trekking and photography, though the month of May turns up a wee bit hotter than the other months.

Monsoon (July – September):

Pre monsoon months of May and June are ideal for firefly treks. Monsoon turns the milieu a picturesque and luxuriant place ideal for photography, but the rains might hinder long treks.

Winter (October – February):

The seasons turn cooler by November, but these are good months for trekking and camping up on the hills. Winter is also great for bird watching and travel to the touristy destinations close by.

Trekking Trails:

Indulge in a hike up the Rajmachi hill to explore the old forts of the bygone era, the ancient temples and to discover yourself in the beauty of nature.

Camps on the hill:

If trekking gives you the pleasure of being amidst nature, then camping out in a tent under the stars and a campfire as well, swapping stories with friends, is yet another delightful experience to carry home.

Firefly Trek:

Get off on a popular firefly trek in Rajmachi. The hilly slopes of the lush Western Ghats are home to the fireflies that brighten up the night sky, with a multitude of little lights. Take care that the little creatures are not disturbed.

Marvels of Nature:

Sweet songs of the birds, the smell of the wet earth and the rain drops pattering on the leaves and the silvery cascades sheeting down the hill slopes are what make monsoon months in Rajmachi a great place to be in. Visit the waterfall near Rajmachi.

Parks and Sanctuaries:

If you would love to visit wildlife parks, check out places like the Chandoli National Park, Dandoba Wildlife Sanctuary or Sagareshwar Deer Park that are less than a hundred kilometers from Rajmachi.

Trek up Lonavala Hills:

Just a short drive away from Rajmachi fort, trek up the bounteously green slopes of Lonavala’s peaks to the ancient fortresses and temples.

Boat Rides:

Sail a boat on the placid waters of the Pawna Lake, one of the best things to do if you are driving around Rajmachi. Surrounded by hilly peaks and the spectacular sight of the Tikuna, Lohagad and Tunga forts at a distance, the Pawna boat sail is an experience to cherish.

Strawberries and Cream:

If Rajmachi has drawn you into visiting more hill stations dotted around the countryside, Mahabaleshwar with its rustic setting and strawberry farms where you could indulge in dollops of strawberry and cream, is a must visit.

Viewpoints:

Spend an early monsoon or winter morning at the Rajmachi Point, one of the most touristy places of the hills of Rajmachi, that affords a picturesque bird’s eye view of the dales below and the rise of the sun.

Audumber Datta Mandir:

Take a boat ride across the Krishna River to visit the renowned temples of Audumber Dattatreya and Goddess Bhuvaneshwari at Audumber, near Sangli. Filled with audumber trees and a gently flowing river close by, Audumber is a charming place to visit.

Tourists would usually halt overnight or stop for lunch or dinner at the humble homestays or houses in Udhewadi village, where they could get Maharashtrian home cooked food like pithla bhakri, thandul bhakri, dal and rice or Matki chi bhaji. There are small hotels where you could buy traditional Maharashtrian food along with noodles as well.

If you are trekking all the way from Lonavala, there are numerous stalls on the way where you could get piping hot tea as well as vada pav or pakoras that are great on a monsoon day. There are tiny stalls near the Shrivardhan base village, where you might find locals selling lemonade on hot summer days, along with noodles and bottled water.

Rajmachi does not boast of any shopping zones, though if you are travelling to more places around Rajmachi, you could stop at Karjat to buy silver accessories, junk jewelry, handicrafts, shoes and bags and Mashru and Himroo which are exquisite hand woven cotton and silk fabrics, materials and saris etc, could be purchased at Karad.

If you are visiting hill stations like Mahabaleshwar, Lonavala or Khandala you could buy chikkis, fresh fruits, jams, juices, preserves, spices, nuts and syrups, handcrafted wooden stuff and Kolhapuri chappals. Satari Kandi Pedhe is a popular sweet in the town of Satara, so if you are travelling through the town, check out for these delicious traditional sweets.