Harishchandragad Trek - Clouds Special

Harishchandragad via Paachnai in Ahmednagar District is a popular route for reaching the fort. This trail is considered the shortest and easiest, making it suitable for trekkers of all ages, including beginners.

To reach the top of Harishchandragad, there are multiple trails from different starting points. The fort is known for its prominent caves, including the Kedareshwar cave, which is famous for its Shiva lingam. Another notable feature is the Harishchandreshwar temple, built on basalt rock. The highest peak on the fort is Taramati, standing at an elevation of 1429 meters.

During the pre-monsoon season, particularly towards the end of May, there is a high probability of witnessing a cloud cover in front of Kokankada and the special attraction is a circular rainbow created due to a shadow of an object, also called as Indravajra. Kokankada is a concave-shaped cliff that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys. Seeing the cloud cover at Kokankada during this time is considered one of the rarest and most scenic experiences for trekkers.

Highlights:

• Attractions of HCG like Kedareshwar cave, pushkarini talav, Ganesh Mandir.

• The mighty Konkan kada.

• Sunrise from Taramati Peak.

• Indravarja*

• Fireflies sighting*

• Delicious local cuisine.

Trek facts:

• Grade: Easy

• Endurance: Low

• Total trek Distance: 9KM. Approx

• Highest Elevation: 1430 M

• Base Village: Paachnai

Itinerary:

Day 1

• Reporting time at Kasara - 11:00 PM (Board the 08:44 PM CSMT - Kasara Fast local train in Central line).

• Snack break at Kasara.

• Road journey from Kasara to Paachnai village by hired vehicle – 2½ hours.

• Night Ascent trek to Harishchandragad - 2 ½ hours approx.

• Rest for the day at the villagers' hut/cave.

Day 2:

• Wake-up call – 06:00 AM.

• Fresh up and breakfast – 1 hour.

• Ascent trek to Taramati Peak- 1 hour approx.

• Visit Harishchandragad Kokankada - 1 hour.

• Explore the Harishchandragad attractions – 90 minutes approx.

• Descend trek to Base village – 2 hours.

• Lunch Break at Paachnai Village.

• Return journey by hired vehicle from Paachnai village.

Price: ₹1500

Included

• Travel from Kasara by a private hired jeep.

• Breakfast & Veg Lunch on Day 2.

• Forest entry fee / permits.

• Our Expertise

  
  

Excluded

• Dinner on Day 1, Snacks break during travel or any personal expenses

Registration Process:

Step 1: Payment

• Online Payment: Book your seat by making an online payment on the event website.

• UPI/NEFT Payment: Alternatively, participants can make the payment through UPI or NEFT to RamblersIndia's Current Account. It's essential to share the transaction reference for verification.

Step 2: Fill Participation Disclaimer Form

• After payment confirmation, participants will receive a participation disclaimer form.

• Fill up the form accurately with the required details.

Step 3: Coordination

• On the day of the event, a WhatsApp group will be created for registered participants.

• The group facilitates travel coordination, event-related information, and ensures smooth communication among participants.

Trek Checklist

Clothing and Footwear:

• Trekking/Hiking Shoes:

   Sturdy shoes with a strong grip, suitable for the terrain.

• Full Sleeve Quick Dry Shirt/T-shirt:

   Quick-dry fabric helps keep you dry and comfortable.

• Full-Length Hiking Trousers:

   Protects your legs from scratches and insect bites.

Things to carry in a Rucksack:

• Water: Minimum 2 litres to stay well-hydrated during the trek.

• Cap/Hat: Protects your head and face from the sun.

• Food Items: Fruits, dry fruits, energy bars, and healthy snacks provide sustenance.

• Head Torch/ Hand Torch with spare batteries.

• Toiletry Kit and sunscreen lotion.

• Sleeping Bag/ Blanket, Mat.

• Extra Set of Clothes: Useful in case you get wet or need to change.

• Extra Pair of Socks: Keep your feet dry and comfortable.

• Flip-Flops: During Travel.

• Hiking Pole: Provides stability and support, especially on uneven terrain.

• Personal Medicines: Carry necessary medications and a basic first aid kit.

• Identity Proof: Carry a valid Government ID proof.

Event Disclaimer:

• Valuables: Participants are advised not to wear expensive jewelry or accessories.

• ID Requirement: Participants must bring an ID card for safety.

• Disclaimer: Participants must fill out a mandatory disclaimer form with accurate details after payment confirmation.

• Parental Consent: Participants below 16 years old must obtain parental consent.

• Punctuality: Participants are urged to avoid causing delays that inconvenience others.

• Notifications: Participants will be informed in advance of any itinerary changes or event cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances.

• Fireflies sighting and Indravarja or clouds formation is based on weather conditions, we aren’t responsible if there is change in the weather pattern that may impact the sighting.

• Weather Conditions: We have the right to cancel the event or withdraw due to unexpected weather changes.

• Respect: Participants are expected to respect customs and traditions, especially at religious sites.

• Expenses: Participants are responsible for expenses not explicitly mentioned.

• Event Timing: The schedule may be subject to delays or advances due to unforeseen conditions.

• Prohibited Substances: Alcohol, tobacco, and narcotics are strictly prohibited during the event and the homestay.

• Littering: Participants are urged not to litter and to keep the environment clean.

• Facility Information:  A basic washroom facility is subject to availability at the place of breakfast.

• Cooperation: Participants should maintain discipline and cooperate with fellow participants.

• Team Ramblersindia, or the trek leader at the site, may not be held responsible if the entry is closed by local authorities or governing bodies.

• Personal Belongings: We are not responsible for personal losses such as theft or damage to personal belongings. Participants are usually expected to take personal responsibility for their belongings and exercise caution to prevent such incidents.

• Safety Disclaimer: While safety is a priority, the organizers are not liable for severe injuries or fatalities.

• Emergency Evacuation: Participant is liable for any emergency evacuation costs and any legal proceedings arising from accidents or injuries during the event. Ramblersindia, along with its trek leaders and hired local guides, will not be held responsible or accountable for any such incidents.

• Liability & Risk: Please be advised that if a participant decides to withdraw from the activity at any stage, they will be solely responsible for making their travel arrangements from that point onward. Our team will not be liable for any transportation, lodging, or other related expenses due to the participant’s decision to exit.

• Personal Belongings: We are not responsible for personal losses such as theft or damage to personal belongings. Participant is usually expected to take personal responsibility for their belongings and exercise caution to prevent such incidents.

• Payment and Registration: The Participant is responsible for bearing the convenience fees charged by payment gateways.

Payment Policy:

• Third-Party Payment Gateways: We utilize third-party payment gateways for a smoother registration process. The total amount at checkout includes both the main event fee and a convenience fee, which is borne by the customer and displayed before finalizing the payment.

• Manual Payment Option: Participants may opt to manually transfer the payment via UPI (Unified Payments Interface) or NEFT (National Electronic Funds Transfer). A transaction ID or reference number will be provided for this purpose. The manual payment option is available for only

  one hour

   from the time the ticket is marked as unpaid. If the payment is not completed within this time frame, the order will be automatically canceled.

• Transaction Confirmation for Manual Payments: Participants paying through UPI or NEFT (where the convenience fee is not applicable) must confirm their payment by providing the transaction reference via email or WhatsApp.

• Service Availability: No refunds, discounts, or concessions will be issued if participants choose not to use specific services provided during the event.

• Withdrawal: If a participant withdraws from the event after registration, the amount paid cannot be carried forward to future events. Refunds will be processed according to the refund policy in place at the time of withdrawal.

Refund Policy:

• Refund Medium: Refunds will be processed through the same payment medium used for the original transaction. Payments made via UPI will be refunded to the UPI ID, while bank transfers will be refunded to the designated bank account.

• Processing Time: Refunds will be initiated on the event date or the next business day. Refund processing time may vary between 3 to 10 working days, depending on the payment gateway. In case of delays, the recipient should contact the payment gateway support for assistance.

• Refunds will be initiated on the event date or the next business day and processed within 2 days.

• For UPI payments, refunds will be transferred to the UPI ID.

• For current account payments, we will request either the UPI ID or bank account details for processing.

• Refunds cannot be issued to a payment wallet or phone number—only UPI IDs are valid.

• Refund Issuance: Refunds will not be issued in cash or coupons unless previously agreed upon with the participant. Refunds will not be processed on weekends due to team unavailability.

• Exclusion of Convenience Fee: Refunds exclude the convenience fee. If the payment includes a convenience fee from a third-party gateway, only the event fee will be refunded. For instance, if the event price is ₹1000 and the convenience fee is 5% (making the total paid amount ₹1050), the refund will be based on ₹1000, excluding the convenience fee.

Refund Percentages for Cancellations:

• 50% refund for cancellations made 10 or more days before departure.

• 40% refund for cancellations made 7 days before departure.

• 30% refund for cancellations made 6 days before departure.

• 20% refund for cancellations made 5 days before departure till the day of departure.

• No refund will be provided for no-shows.

• Event Cancellation:

  In the event of a cancellation by the organizer, the full event fee will be refunded, excluding the convenience fee. Any personal transportation costs (e.g., train, bus, flight, cab, hotel) will not be refunded. If the event is forwarded to another Organization, an extra fee needs to be paid by the participant if the other organizer's fee is higher than our event fee.