Are you an outdoor enthusiast, but find it hard to take time off and get out of the city like most of us? If that's the case, then the Karnala Bird Sanctuary on the outskirts of Panvel is a great place to get outside city limits without having to travel too far.
Karnala is a hill fort soaring above the Raigad District, along Mumbai-Goa Highway. At 1,440 feet above sea level, it is an easy to moderate climb thats ideal for beginners and trekking newbies. The bird sanctuary is home to several species of native birds, and you can carry along bonoculars for a better chance at spotting them in their own forrested habitat.
The trek organised by Treks & Trails, winds up 3 kms from the base to the top of the fort. Start at 7.45 from Panvel Station (the meet up point) and start the climb from the base at 9 AM. The trek will take approximately 2 hours to the top. Once there, enjoy your meal and after break you will head back down. You should reach Panvel railway station around 4:30 PM and can catch a train back to Mumbai from there.
