Type                             Sondai is a hill fort.     

Difficulty level            Sondai fort is Medium to trek. 

Height                         Sondai is 1200 ft. (365 meters) high above sea level.     

Base village / District / Taluka   Sondewadi / Raigad, Maharashtra, India.

Karjat is one of the most loved ends for trekkers. This is a focal area for trekkers to visit spots like Rajmachi, Peth, Songir, Peb, Irshalgad, Bhivgad, Dhak and Bhimashankar. Sondai, a generally less known prominent fortress is additionally inside the compass. 

This fortification is a piece of the Matheran range. In spite of the fact that it doesn't have any structural leftovers, the picturesque perspectives it offers and the last 15ft of rock patch makes it an exciting background. This fortress was probably constructed as a watch Tower. 

Sondewadi and Vavarle are the base towns of the Sondai fortress. Sondewadi town is arranged at 1/fourth stature of this stronghold. The pathway from this town goes to the stronghold which takes 15-20 minutes to reach to the level. Here we can see the course originating from Vavarle town.

From here we can see 2 banner posts at the highest point of the fortification (from one of these banner post, i.e. at the precipice of rock fix, one can reach to the top with the assistance of a stepping stool which is kept there). 

Further, there are cut steps in the rock. Here exist the two abutted storages which are cut in rock and hold water throughout the entire year. At the same time in summer, the water level falls and we can haul out water utilizing rope. From here we can see the neighboring Gavari slope which appears taller than this post. At the upward side of the level, cut steps are there. In the wake of climbing them, at the left side we can see the dried storage while at the privilege side, there has a step to rise. 

We ought to uproot our footwear here and get up and go to the summit. This is a consecrated spot devoted to Sondai Devi and it is prescribed to appreciation the convictions of local people). There are solid footings too a step to move to the summit.

In the wake of climbing this rock patch, at the privilege side there are two reservoirs, in which one is an enormous with two rock columns in it and its water is not consumable. The second reservoir is little contrast with the first.There is very little place to move around at the highest point of the post. Here we can see two three-cut icons that are set under the tree. 

One of them is Sondai Devi's object of worship/statue. From the top, we can see the Matheran Mountain Range, Morbe Dam, Vavarle Dam and adjacent surroundings.

Time to reach the top

It takes around 2 hours from Sondewadi and 3 hours from Vavarle village

Minimum Duration 

1 day.

Best time to visit the fort

Summer season is the best time to visit the fort. As in rainy season the way of the fort is slippery.

Water Availability 

Yes, water is available on the fort. In the cisterns in which water is there all year around and is potable for drinking.

Accommodation Availability

No, shelter is not available on the fort, however, the plans could be possible in the schools of Vavarle Thakarwadi and Sondewadi by asking the villagers.

Fortifications, Bastions, Rock patch, cisterns, carved idols, Statue of Sondai devi.

way from Pune to Sondai Fort

Pune to By Bus

From Pune there are ST (State Transport) buses available to Karjat, distance between Pune to Karjat 100 kms. From Karjat station there are ST (State Transport) buses and local transport is available to Borgaon phata, from this phata walk 3 kms on the road along Morbe dam takes us towards the Sondewadi village.

Pune to By Train

From Pune junction there are trains available to Karjat station, Pune junction to Karjat is around 92 kms, From Karjat station there are ST (State Transport) buses and local transport is available to Borgaon phata, from this phata walk 3 kms on the road along Morbe dam takes us towards the Sondewadi village. 

Pune to By Road

Route of Pune to Sondai Fort 

Pune - Chakan - Manchar - Narangaon - Karjat - Borgaon Phata - Sondaiwadi - Sondai fort.

Way from Mumbai to Sondai Fort

Mumbai to By Bus

From Mumbai there are ST (State Transport) buses and local transport available to Karjat, distance between Mumbai to Karjat are 63 kms,From Karjat station there are ST (State Transport) buses and local transport is available to Borgaon phata, from this phata walk 3 kms on the road along Morbe dam takes us towards the Sondewadi village.

Mumbai to By Train

From Mumbai there are trains available to Karjat, from Mumbai to Karjat is around 85 kms, From Karjat station there are ST (State Transport) buses and local transport is available to Borgaon phata, from this phata walk 3 kms on the road along Morbe dam takes us towards the Sondewadi village. 

Mumbai to By Road 

Route of Mumbai to Sondai fort 

Mumbai - Kalyan - Asangaon - Karjat - Borgaon Phata - Sondaiwadi - Sondai fort.

Prabalgad

One of the greatest fortresses in the sahaydri ranges. Considerably greater than Harishchandra gad.Prabalgad lies on the Prabal level in the middle of Matheran and Panvel and can be seen from the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.

The Ulahas River hurries to the east of the fortress. The Gadhi River, and the Chanderi and Peb posts are to the west. To the south is the Patalganga River and Manikgad fortress and to the north is the Karnala stronghold..

Matheran

Matheran is a Hill Station and a city board in the Raigad area in the Indian condition of Maharashtra. There are around 38 assigned look-out focuses in Matheran, including the Panorama Point which gives a 360-degree perspective of the encompassing region furthermore the Neral town.

Starting here, the perspective of nightfall and first light is sensational. The Louisa Point offers a clear as can be perspective of the Prabal Fort. Alternate focuses are One Tree Hill Point, Hart Point, Monkey Point, Porcupine Point, and Rambagh Point, and the sky is the limit from there.