Karnala Bird Sanctuary Panvel trek

Planned trips sometimes don’t go as expected. Unplanned trips, on the other hand, sometimes turn out to be the best adventures. This was exactly what happened when my friends and I decided to trek the Karnala Bird Sanctuary and Fort. Initially, we were considering a visit to Adlabs Imagica in Khopoli, but the entry tickets were Rs. 1900 per head—a bit pricey, we thought. So, we devised a backup plan: Karnala Bird Sanctuary and Fort. On my road trips to Goa, I had always seen this place and wanted to visit it.

Karnala Fort, located in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, has a rich history. It has been conquered by prominent rulers from the 1200s until 1818. The Tughlaq rulers, Nizam Shah, Shivaji Maharaj, Aurangzeb, Peshwas, and the British have all ruled this fort at different points in time. The fort overlooked the Bhor pass, a major trade route between the Konkan and Vidarbha regions during that era.

Our trip to Karnala Bird Sanctuary Panvel

Early one morning, a group of four of us started our journey at 6 a.m. The Karnala Bird Sanctuary is about 60 km from Mumbai and 13 km from Panvel, located on the Mumbai–Goa National Highway (NH-17). After a stopover for breakfast, we reached Karnala by 8:30 a.m. It seemed like we were the first to arrive at the ticket counter, which felt good as we would have the place to ourselves without any crowd.

Karnala Bird Sanctuary is an easy trek with forest trails that lead to the fort, so you don’t need to make your own route. However, there are many rocks and wild grass to cross along the journey. It took us two hours to reach the pinnacle where the fort is located. Once at the top, the view is amazing, like most pinnacle views. Non-trekkers (like me) will feel proud once they reach the top, amazed at the climb they have accomplished. The fort is in a dilapidated state but has some ruins, like fort walls and entrance frames, indicating its historic existence.

The Karnala Bird Sanctuary is home to more than 100 species of birds, including rare ones like the Ashy Minivet and the three-toed Kingfisher. Unfortunately, we didn’t spot any on the trek. What we did see were some caged rabbits, sparrows, and parrots at the starting point of the journey near the small canteen, which offers basic snacks like bhajjias, tea, and nimbu paani. We rewarded ourselves with two glasses of nimbu paani each after finishing our trek. From there, we headed back home and arrived at 4 p.m.

What we did right on this trek:

The most important thing we did right was to start early. By the time we reached the pinnacle it was 10am which is fairly good. On our way back, the heat got very harsh and while we saw fellow trekkers heading towards the pinnacle, we were glad we were heading back.

What we didn’t do right on this trek:

While most of us were dressed for the trek, one among us wore knee-length shorts which was not a good idea as the mosquitoes were torturous and there was wild grass and plants.

The trek was quite a climb and we thirsty souls fell short of water.

Important tips for trek to Karnala Bird Sanctuary

1. Start early – it gives you more time to linger around the place.

2. Better to drive down with your vehicle or hire one. Using public transport may get you there easily but returning is a problem as it is difficult to get a return transport on the National Highway.

3. Take the contact number of the ticket counter, if possible. You are heading into the wild and climbing peaks that can be quiet and lonely. Just a safety measure!

4. It is a safe trek from the point of view of wild life existence. At least we didn’t encounter any.

5. Carry a handy bag to keep your litter (if any) with you through the trek. It would be a shame really, if you came for a nature-trek and littered nature.

Karnala Bird Sanctuary Entry Fees

Entry ticket – 60 Rs (Adult)

Parking charge – 150 Rs

(Note: It is advised to check with their office for updated information about prices)

Karnala Bird Sanctuary Timings

The Karnala Bird Sanctuary is open from 7am to 4pm. It is advised to begin your trek early to avoid the afternoon sun.

What to pack for Karnala Bird Sanctuary trek

Carry lots of water in a reusable water bottle. Check out this outdoor military water bottle with an aluminum cup and pouch.
You must wear good trekking shoes, preferably waterproof. Chappals are an absolute NO for any trek. I’ve invested in this pair of shoes that double up as my riding boots.

Resorts near Karnala Bird Sanctuary

Visava Amusement Park and Resort is just three minutes away from Karnala Bird Sanctuary, offering a convenient spot for post-trek relaxation and fun. Additionally, RiverRock Villa by Anavrinstays, located just four minutes away, is a cozy and comfortable retreat close to nature.