KORIGAD

Trek to Korigad.

Finally, the day decided 9^th July 2016 trek to Korigad. we were planning for this trek from last year, have heard about this fort from Vaibhavi when we did Tung trek & camping near Pawna river

One of the easiet trek in the lonavala range & best known for camping as the trek is very easy can be reached on the top within 45mins to hours time.

Korigad have many lakes so water supply is throughout the year.

When I saw the pictures of the fort, have decided to do planation here since the fort offers many lakes so water supply issue is not an issue for the plants, also lonavala offers cool climate hence will be beneficial for plants to  get the water at least in the dew forms in winter & summers. We were suppose to do this trek last year only but due to some reasons we didn't make it. We did lot of treks, went in a very good natural surrounding but didn’t give back anything to nature, just tried to water the plants whenever we visited other forts. So this all was in my mind from last year & with the government push we did the plantation on Korigad. J

Yes, just because our govt pushed it ( Forest dept) have seen the banners of 2 crore tree plantation on 1st July 2016 in Thane.Step taken by government to increase the forest cover. So I decided this time to do it for sure.  
Fortunately one of my friend Priyanka Jadhav works in Thane forest dept, I contacted her & got additional information about the tree plantation activity, so got to know that some of the NGO’s who will be doing the plantation, but unfortunately not able to get in touch with them inspite of many follow up. so I requested Priyanka to help with the saplings from forest dept itself. she assured for some saplings.

On 2^nd july I went to forest dept to collect the saplings, after doing multiple rounds in 12 bunglow area of thane east I reached to concern department  as Priyanka was on leave on that day so it was quite difficult for me to reach the exact office. Finally after waiting for 2 hours I managed to get 6 saplings, the person was offering me more saplings to take,  but it was difficult for me to carry hence I took only 6 (2 Vad(banyan), 2Gulmohar (Delonix regia-scientific name) & other 2 were other species of Gulmohar.

Rohan & Pravesh was trying to get some saplings from their end & we planned to have at least 15 saplings to plant, so pravesh got 1 Sapling of Jambhul (Jamun/Black plum/Indian Blackberry), & we buy  3 saplings of Peru(Guava), Jambul & kadulimb (Neem/Margosa ) from nursery to make total count of 10 & Rohan purchased some tools to dig. So all set.. & ready to go..

Next day morning Pawan came to my home, as I needed someone to help me to carry the saplings.

& we left from my home towards station , then pawan told me that his friend Pranjal & Hardik also joining & they are coming by their car, so I told him to go with them & carry these saplings. So he went by road & I joined other members in train. Pravesh & Rohan was capturing the great 2 reserved seat with full Tashan which helped us (9 people) to get it in that coach J 
Our car-driver was waiting at the entrance of railway station, so we all get in the car to leave for Korigad met pawan & their friends on the way.

(Sagar-Sumo-Lonavala-07249651326)

Took a halt at tiger point or lion point..all the points on that way are similar... Lonavala tourist waley public ko mast yeda banati hai..Public ko bhi to wahi chahiye..at lions point karkey ek selfie upload..attiger point karkey ek..at monkey point...anyways but that's how some people like to enjoy & express...& we just want to climb that mountain..& click photo... JJJ
Reached to base..Where to stop exactly is the question for those who are visiting first time , so there is a bus stop (Chk Pic) & a big signal pole you can see just exactly in 45degress right to bus stop.Restaurants are available around bus stop, so you can get the food supply there, These road leads to ambey valley hence there are many visitors along this way.

The challenge to reach Korigad is transporation no local transporation is available ST bus at 8:30/8:40am & then at 12 noon from lonavala bus stop which is a 15 mins away from Lonavala station & return ST is at 5pm from Korigad.  Also there are ambey valley private buses ply from lonavala station near Police station area dont know the exact place but after inquiring with locals he told me that these buses available for ambey valley per hour. Commuting to this area is very expensive if you are hiring a private vehicle its just a 30 km distance from Lonavala station & private vehicle charge around 2500-2800 RS (yr 2016) for a return trip.

So we started the Trek around 11am, its a quite simple road nothing confusing just follow the mudded route.. initially follow the big signal pole from signal u have to keep moving to your left.... keep walking ..on the way..u can find a small tea shop... people there can guide you to choose the track.. after a 30mins walk you can see the stairs.. then you are on right track..just follow the steps for another 30 mins u will reach the top.

At the entrance there is a small temple surrounded by beautiful lake. Explore the fort,  it will take around 2 hours to do complete round of the fort. At the top a villager serve Kanda-bhaji, Vada-Pav & Tea. Start walking to south direction till you see another temple that will the last point from there you can get to see the ambey valley & Airforce runway. 

One word description for the fort is its a "Younger brother of Fort Visapur" J

Thank you for reading..

Keep exploring destination on your own...