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Brief Description of the Places of Interest

Bhaje Caves

BhajaCaves is a group of 22 rock-cut caves dating back to the 2nd century BC located in the district of Pune near Lonavla, Maharashtra, India. The caves are 400 feet above the village of Bhaja,on an important ancient trade route running from the Arabian Sea eastward into the Deccan Plateau (the division between North India and South India). The inscriptions and the cave temple are protected as a Monument of National Importance, by the Archaeological Survey of India. It belongs to the Hinayana Buddhism sect in Maharashtra. The caves have a number of stupas, one of their significant features. The most prominent excavation is its chaitya (or chaityagrha - Cave XII), a good example of the early development of this form from wooden architecture, with a vaulted horseshoe ceiling.

Karla Caves

The Karla Caves, Karli Caves, Karle Caves or Karla Cells, are a complex of ancient Buddhist Indian rock-cut caves at Karla near Lonavala,in Pune District, Maharashtra, India. It is just 10.9 Kilometres away from Lonavala. The shrines were developed over the period – from the 2nd century BCE to the 5th century CE. The oldest of the cave shrines is believed to date back to 160 BCE, having arisen near a major ancient trade route, running eastward from the Arabian Sea into the Deccan. The group at Karla is one of the older and smaller of the many rock-cut Buddhist sites in Maharashtra, but is one of the best-known because of the famous "Grand Chaitya" (Cave 8), which is "the largest and most completely preserved" chaitya hall of the period, as well as containing unusual quantities of fine sculpture, much of it on a large scale.

Lohagad Fort

Lohagad ("Iron Fort") is one of the many hill forts of Maharashtra state in India. Situated close to the hill station Lonavala and 52 km from Pune city, Lohagad rises to an elevation of 1,033 m above sea level. The fort is connected to the neighbouring Visapur Fort by a small range. The fort was under the Maratha Empire for the majority of the time, with a short period of 5 years under the Mughal Empire.

Rajmachi Fort

Rajmachi Fort (Killa) is one of the many historical forts in the rugged hills of Sahyadrimountains (Western Ghats). It consists of two twin fortresses Shriwardhan and Manaranjan, with a wide machi (plateau) surrounding the two Balekillas. Udhewadi is a small village of about 60 households (as per 2011 census report) situated on the machi, at the southern foot of ManaranjanBalekilla of Rajmachi Fort.

Lonavala

Lonavala is a hill station town in Pune district in the Indian State of Maharashtra. It is about 64 km west of Pune city and 96 km to the east of Mumbai. There are various places of interest around Lonavala. It is known for its production of hard candy chikki, and is also a major stop on the railway line connecting Mumbai and Pune. Both the Mumbai-Pune Expressway as well as the Mumbai-Bengaluru highway pass through Lonavala.Lonavala is also home to INS Shivaji (formerly HMIS Shivaji) which is the Indian Navy's Premier Technical Training Institute.

Lions Point – This is a viewpoint midway between Bhushi Dam and Aamby Valley which overlooks a deep valley and mountains known for its roasted corn and onion fritters. This point does not have any lions but is named so because it is associated with the Lions Club of Lonavala.

SAMPARC (Orphanage)–SAMPARCis working in the States of Maharashtra, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. SAMPARC is imparting its service since 30 years for child care, education and rehabilitation through Children’s Home, Education to poor children through Community Education Support Program, Skill development to rural school dropouts through Industrial Training Centre and Vocational Training Centre; Schools, & Junior College with hostel facility for poor, rural & tribal students

NarayaniDham – NarayaniDham is a temple constructed in 2002 in honor of the Hindu Goddess Narayani. It is at a distance of 2 km from the Lonavla railway station. The temple has idols of Durga Mata, SalasarBalaji (Hanuman) and Ganapati housed in a marble structure.

Wax Museum – It is a wax statue museum which contains statues of celebrities and politicians. This museum is 600 meters from Lonavala railway station.

Pawana Dam–PavanaLake, also known as Pavana Dam Reservoir, is a reservoir turned artificial lake in the Indian state of Maharashtra, formed by the Pavana Dam across the Pavana River in Pune district.The reservoir is 25 km from Lonavala and is increasingly getting popular as picnic and camping site for visitors from Pune and Mumbai. The reservoir was formed as a consequence of the Pavana Dam project in Maval taluka in 1973. The backwaters of the Pavana Dam formed a reservoir, and the Pavana Dam backwaters subsequently came to be known as Pavana Lake.

Korai Gad

It is a hill fort located about 20 km South of Lonavla in Pune district, Maharashtra, India. Its date of construction is not known but likely predates 1500. It is about 923 m above sea level. The planned township of Aamby Valley is built over the fort's southern and eastern foothills. The closest village is PethShahpur, about 1 km (0.62 mi) north of the fort.

Programme # 1

BHAJE CAVES, ORPHANAGE, LIONS POINT KHANDALA,NARAYANI DHAAM MANDIR, LOHAGAD, PAWNA DAM, CAMP FIRE, karla caves

Fees: Per person INR 2999/- (inclusive of in-camp transportation, stay, meals, and guide) YHAI MEMBERSHIP MUST (INR 170/- Inclusive of 18% GST)

Day – 1: FRIDAY

• Reporting 10 am – Trekking programme briefing, introduction & breakfast
• 11 am – Training at Bhaje Caves
• 3-30 pm – SAMPARC orphanage visit – Bal Asha Ghar - Tea and Snacks
• 5 pm – Acclimatisation Walk at Lions Point and Lonavala NarayaniDhaam
• Return to YHM, free time and dinner.

Day – 2: SATURDAY

• 6 AM – Trek to Lohagad – Packed Breakfast at destination.
• Lunch at YHM
• 3:30 pm – Visit to Pawna Dam Sight Seeing and boating
• 7 pm - Back to YHM (Rest & freshening up)
• 8 pm - Dinner
• 9 pm – Camp fire and Cultural activities fire & coffee

Day – 3: SUNDAY

• 8 am – Trek to Karla Caves
• Lunch at YHM and departure

Programme # 2

karla caves, orphanage visit, LIONS POINT KHANDALA, NARAYANI DHAAM, RAJMACHI FORT, LONAVALA WAX MUSEUM, CAMP FIRE, KORAIGAD, lonavala market

Fees: Per person INR 2140/- (inclusive of in-camp transportation, stay, meals, and guide) YHAI MEMBERSHIP MUST (INR 170/- Inclusive of 9% CGST)

Day – 1: FRIDAY

• Reporting 10 am – Trekking programme briefing, introduction & breakfast 
• 11 am – Training at Karla Caves
• 3:30 pm – SAMPARC orphanage visit – Bal Asha Ghar - tea and snacks
• 5 pm –Acclimatisation Walk at Lions Point and Lonavala NarayaniDhaam

Day – 2: SATURDAY

• 6 AM – Trek to Rajmachi Fort Trekking (Packed Breakfast at destination).
• Lunch at YHM
• 3:30 pm – Visit to Lonavala Wax Museum
• 7 pm – Back to YHM (Rest & freshening up)
• 8 pm – Dinner
• 9 pm – Camp fire and Culture activities fire & coffee

Day – 3: SUNDAY

• 8 am – Trek to KoraaiGad & Visit to Lonavla Market Khandala
• Lunch at YHM and departure

Things to carry

• Keeping COVID-19 pandemic in mind everyone has to ensure about their health and fitness and must carry a medical certificate containing information about their body temperature and oxygen levels along with them. (Compulsory).

• Carry your YHAI membership ID or receipt along with you or a photo of the same in your phone.
• Carry one government ID (ADHAR CARD or its Xerox or in phone) AAROGYA SETU APP SHOULD BE THERE IN EVERYONES PHONE.
• Good grip quality shoes – Must (Please check soles of your shoes and get them stitched if necessary). Use the shoes at least for 10 days before the programme so that there is discomfort during the trekking.
• Personal Medication
• Torch / Head lamp
• Some ready to eat food. Plum cakes, Biscuits etc.
• Toiletries (Napkin, face wash, tissue paper etc.)
• Cap, goggles, sunscreen, moisturizer, mosquito repellent etc.
• Carry a small bag to carry your water bottles and medication on the trek. 
• Camera (Optional).Carry on your own responsibility.
• Winter wear (Jackets, warmers or sweaters) – (as per season )
• Extra Pair of Clothes (as per schedule)
• Slippers (optional – at the end of day / trek so that your feet can relax)
• Please avoid wearing Gold and other ornaments.
• Pack your bags to save them from getting wet.

Advisory

• Leader’s decision will be final & binding to everyone till the completion of the trek.
• You'll not be allowed in the camp if your body temperature and oxygen levels are not fit as per the COVID rules. 
• Alcohol is strictly not allowed on the trek.
• Smoking is not promoted but in case someone can't control it urges he / she should smoke away from the group & not without disturbing trek schedule.

• Everyone is expected to follow safety protocols defined by the leaders.

• Leaders have been given rights to take disciplinary actions up to the extent of removing participant.

• Polluting trek route of the destination is strictly prohibited & any participant found doing so may have to face disciplinary action.

• Any expenses and tickets are to be borne by the participants