Karnala Maharashtra – Karnala Bird Scantuary,Karnala Fort best weekend getaway

Location and Getting There:

State : Maharashtra
Distance : 61 kms S from Mumbai
Location : Just across the thane Creek and to the right 10kms from Panvel
Journey Time : By road 1 ½ Hrs from Mumbai
Route : Take Vashi Bridge to Panvel and then NH17 to Karnala
How to reach there? By Car : From Panvel you can take the right turn on to NH17. After Palaspe Fata and Shirdun the entrance to karnala comes up to your left down 10 kms. Or You can hire auto from panvel to karnala.
Karnala the destination just outside the Mumbai where you will find refreshing air , energizing walks , soothing greenery in short it’s a completely revitalizing getaway. Karnala is the best weekend getaway from Mumbai and pune. Karnala is mainly famous for Karnala Bird Sanctuary where you will encounter elements of natural world like Thick forests, Chirping birds, frolicking squirrels, mashrooms and toadstools, flitting butterflies, monkeys swinging in the trees and much more… When to Go : Best time to visit karnala is between November to February if you want to go for Birding. Even after monsoon when the landscape is incredibly green karnala looks more beautiful.
For Inquiry : Deputy Conservators office, Wildlife division, LBS road, Naupada, Thane. Ph: 022-25402522

What to see and What to do at karnala ?
Karnala Fort The peak of karnala fort is crested by a Thumb Shaped pinnacle- which is also known as Karnala ‘ThumsUp’. It is actually a 1538 Ft high Volcanic Plug.If you are going for trekking you have to start your hike to the fort early , so midday heat can be avoided.

There is small Bhavani Temple on the fort. When you reach the fort the you can see amazing views and stunning beauty of sahyadris . You can here the loud swishing of black faced ‘langur’ in the trees. At the base of pinnacle there are some rock caves and water tanks of Buddhist origin which go back to an era when monks spent time here meditating. Note : Carry Water , Some sanck as when you will reach top you will get quite thirsty .

Karnala Bird Scantuary:
Karnala Bird Scantuary is permanent home to about 150 species of natural aviators. It is also temporarily visited by 40 spices to migratory birds.
The best time to visit is November to February. You can see some birds in Monsoon also. But Birds are not the only attraction in these forests . you can see various types of trees and vines.you can examine how these trees make efforts to reach out for sunlight and supports its own little plant system of orchids, ferns, bracket fungi, mashrooms, creepers etc. It is the home for some birds like Golden orioles, Red vented bulbuls, paradise fly catchers,hornbills, vultures, owls etc. In winter large no. of migratory birds comes here and make this place as their home. If you have pair of binoculars, bring them along for much better viewing.

Where to Eat and Stay in Karnala? On the highway just at the entrance of karnala bird sanctuary there are some hotels like hotel Ekvira, Hotel Karnala … etc. where you can get both veg and non veg food.
There are some resorts like The woods resort (near Sanctuary) Tel: 02143-226101-10 022-24091133
Rishi Garden Resort (on NH17) Tel: 02143-226150,226370 022-24114795
There are some Rest Houses inside the sanctuary Tel: 02143-256072
Mumbi Office : Deputy Conservators office, Wildlife division, LBS road, Naupada, Thane. Ph: 022-25402522
You can book whole bungalow , or particular rooms as per your choice.

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