Question 1

What are the famous places to see in Karnala?

Accepted Answer

1. Karnala Fort: At an elevation of 1500 ft above sea level, the remnant of the 13th-century Karnala fort overlooks the dense green forests of the  Bor Pass of the Sahyadri. The 3 hrs long Karnala Fort trek through the winding trails hidden amidst trees, shrubs and small rocky stairs, is perfect for beginners. Basalt Pillars of the fort atop the hill is a very unique medieval era architectural design only visible in Karnala Fort.2. Karnala Bird Sanctuary: An hour drive from the crowded city of Mumbai, is a heavenly paradise filled with green trails, chirping birds, occasional waterfalls, and much more explore-worthy sights. Currently protected by the Wildlife  Protection Act, it is home to some of the most beautiful and rare migrating birds as well as rare Indian resident species of birds. Covering a vast expanse of 12 sq km, the Bird Sanctuary has 222 bird species, in addition to numerous wild animals like bison, deers, elephants, ferrets, foxes, hare, and much more. The trail to the iconic Karnala Fort is through the bird sanctuary and takes approximately 90 minutes to reach.- Location: NH 66, Karnala, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra 4102063. Prabalgad Fort: The Prabalgad Fort is the proud example of the defeat of the Bahmani Sultanate in the hands of the mighty  Maratha Regime. Creating a natural boundary between Panvel and Matheran, the fort is over 2000 ft above sea level. Green forests, zigzag steps naturally curved on the rocks leads to the top of the hill where the fort is located. The Irshalgad Fort and the Kalyan Fort can be seen from Prabalgad. Surrounded by clouds, mist, and fog, the Prabalgad Fort is best explored between October and April.- Location: Raigarh district, Maharashtra4. Bot Lake: The Bot Lake is considered as one of the most beautiful lakes in Karnala Region because of its wonderful scenic beauty that is just remarkable to behold. Coming over to this place, you will be welcomed by the sounds of the chirping birds, and tranquilising silence of the forests. It is one of the best places in Karnala for photography. You can visit this place with your loved ones during the weekends to have fun and spend some quality time. The best time to visit this place is in the course of the monsoon season as the overall beauty is amplified by the drizzles. 5. Ambarnath Shiva Temple: Located on the bank of Vedavati river, 50 km from Karnala is the ancient 11th-century. Probably built by King Chittaraja, the temple of Ambernath Shiva is a stone-built architectural beauty not worth missing out on. Protected by UNESCO as a world heritage site, the Hemadpanti style temple is believed to have great relevance to the Pandavas of the epic Mahabharata era. Accessible through roads and rails alike, the temple authorities serve prasadam between noon and 2 pm every day for the devotees and tourists who visit the temple complex.6. Bhavani Temple: The Bhavani Temple is yet another beautiful place of tourist interest in Karnala that you can visit to seek blessings of the almighty. The temple holds a beautiful idol of Hindu Goddess Lakshmi. The temple is located on top of the hill and in the middle of alluring natural beauty. You will come across a number of water tanks which are believed to be existing since ages.

Question 2

What are the best things to do in Karnala?

Accepted Answer

1. Take a trek to the Kalavantin Durg: The trek to reach the top of the cliff on which the beautiful ruins of Kalavantin Fort remains is regarded as one of the most treacherous treks in Maharashtra. Overlooking the Prabalgad fort on one side and the Irsalgod on the other side, the fort offers a breathtaking 360-degree panorama unlike any other. Certainly not for the faint-hearted, the narrow steep 3km long climb through a huge number of stone stairs engraved on the side of the mountain is an adventure unlike any other.- Location: Prabalmanchi, Panvel, Maharashtra 4102062. Visit the Smart Eco-park: Created as an initiative to make people aware of the current environmental degradation, the Smart Eco Park in Panvel is a true learning experience for children and adults alike. Spread over acres of lush green undulating terrain, the Smart Eco Park is an experimental approach to what the next 50 yrs hold for us as we move towards a dystopian future. The park is modeled around the experimental idea as to how to survive the upcoming years when scarcity of provisions like water, fuel, etc becomes an integral part of life. The Park is accessible on a prior booking basis for a large group of over 20 people. Best enjoyed during winter months, the Smart Eco Park is often referred to as an unforgettable learning experience all.- Location: 18/1, Usarli Budruk, Panvel Dundra Road, New Panvel, 4102063. View the sunset from Little Chowk Point: A splendidly beautiful and breathtaking viewpoint overlooking the Sahyadri Range and the Karnala Fort, the Little Chowk Point in Matheran is one of the most visited hotspots to explore near Karnal. The beautiful and tall Ganesha Idol perched atop the viewpoint is an additional attraction here one cannot miss out on. A short half a day is enough time to dedicate to visit the beautiful and verdant sunset spot located in the southernmost tip of Matheran in Maharashtra.- Location: Dist Raigad, Matheran, Maharashtra 4101024. Take a boat ride to the Khanderi Fort: Located on the Kanhoji Angre Island 5 km off the coast of Maharashtra is the ethereally beautiful Khanderi Fort. The uninhabited island on which the fort is located also has another fort on the opposite end known as Underi Fort. Critical to the Maratha Empire as guard posts, these forts have their underground freshwater source which makes them self-reliant despite the isolated location. The 22 ft tall lighthouse in the fort can be seen from as far as 12 miles out in the sea.- Location: Khandheri Island, Maharashtra5. Explore the beauty of the Kharghar Hills: The 27 km long winding roads leading to the lush green Kharghar Hills is a beautiful drive worth exploring. A non-alcoholic zone, Kharghar Hills is the perfect explore worthy spot for families despite its secluded and densely forested location. The green hillocks surrounding the area is surrounded by numerous creeks, waterfalls, and hiking trails that make it an enchanting yet perfect getaway for a weekend adventure. Most famous of all the small hotspots in Kharghar Hills is the stunning and cascading Pandavkada waterfall that plunges into the rocky terrain, thus creating a natural turquoise blue water pool.- Location: Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra 4102106. Spend some relaxing time at Sagar Vihar Garden: Offering a spectacular view of the vasi skyline and facing the natural forested area of the Panvel Creek, Sagar Vihar Garden is just 30 kms from Karnala. Beautiful flower gardens and shrubberies covering the acres of garden area offers travellers a chance to spend some time amidst greenery and pollution free zones. Half a day tour of Sagar Vihar Garden does not need one to spend much money or tiring hours of uphill climb. Perfect for a quick break from the monotony of urban life, the garden is also one of the best picnic spots.- Location: Sagar Vihar, Vashi, Maharashtra 400703

Question 3

How to reach Karnala?

Accepted Answer

Karnala is located about 65 km from Mumbai, close to Panvel on the way to Lonavala. You can reach this place by taking cabs from Mumbai or else taking a train to Panvel from Mumbai and then covering the rest distance by road.

Question 4

What is the best time to visit Karnala?

Accepted Answer

The best time to visit Karnala would be from the month of October to the month of May. In this phase of the year, the climatic conditions remain pleasant making it easy for tourists to enjoy sightseeing at various places.

Question 5

How do I get to Karnala bird sanctuary?

Accepted Answer

The Karnala Bird Sanctuary is located at a distance of 17 km from the  city centre of  Karnala. It takes about 20 minutes to cover the distance by road via NH 66.

Question 6

Is karnala trek easy?

Accepted Answer

The trek can be considered as easy as there are only 2 - 3 patches of rocky climb. Karnala Trek takes about 1 to 2 hours to complete from the bottom of the hill to the top. The trek is located at an altitude of about 1500 ft above  the sea level.

Karnala Tourism

What makes Karnala a must-visit destination?

Karnala Most Popular Activities

Group Day Outing to Jashan Farms

Visava Waterpark & Beach Resort Day Out, Karnala

Karnala Fort Trek From Pune

Trusted Parrtners

Why Choose Thrillophilia?

3 Million+

4.8/5

Curated With Love

24/7 Assistance

Karnala Handbook

Handpicked Experiences

Local Guides & Authentic Stories

Hassle-Free Planning

Exclusive Deals & Best Prices

What travellers say

Frequently asked questions

Explore Karnala

India & International Packages