Panhala Fort Trek: 12 Forts Series

Panhala Fort Trek: 12 Forts Series

1 Day

Fixed Departures

  • Guaranteed Available Packages
    Sunday
    September 28, 2025
    $27
    50
    Available

Giripremi Adventure Foundation is proud to launch a unique and enriching trek series – a journey across the 12 majestic forts recently recognized as the UNESCO World Heritage Site under the name “Maratha Military Landscapes of India.” Spanning from August to December, this 6-month series will take adventurer through 12 historically significant forts, each echoing the valor, strategy, and legacy of the Maratha empire. What makes this series truly special is that every trek will be accompanied by a subject expert who will share in-depth insights into the history, architecture, and strategic importance of each fort – making it not just a physical adventure, but a deeply immersive historical experience.

गिरिप्रेमी अ‍ॅडव्हेंचर फाउंडेशन अभिमानपूर्वक सादर करत आहे एक आगळीवेगळी दुर्गयात्रा :शिवरायांच्या गडकोटांची दुर्गवारी” – अलीकडेच जागतिक वारसा स्थळ म्हणून मान्यता मिळालेल्या १२ दुर्गांची साहसी व शैक्षणिक ट्रेक मालिका. ऑगस्ट ते डिसेंबर या कालावधीत, पुढील ६ महिन्यांमध्ये आम्ही महाराष्ट्रातील या १२ गडांवर ट्रेक्स आयोजित करणार आहोत. प्रत्येक ट्रेकमध्ये एक तज्ज्ञ मार्गदर्शक सहभागी होणार असून, गडाचा इतिहास, रचना आणि त्याचे मराठा साम्राज्यातील सामरिक महत्त्व याबाबत सखोल माहिती दिली जाईल. ही मालिका केवळ ट्रेकिंगपुरती मर्यादित नसून, मराठ्यांच्या शौर्याचा आणि वारशाचा साक्षात्कार घडवणारा एक प्रेरणादायी प्रवास ठरणार आहे.

Overview

Trek Fee: INR 2381 + 5% GST = INR 2500/-
(Nisargnaad membership benifits are not applicable for this trek series)

Age Group: 10-70 year old (Children of age 10-15 must be accompanied by a Adult Guardian for the trek.)

Eligibility: Average fitness level required

*** Giripremi Adventure Foundation’s prime focus is on Safety First.
**INR 8+ GST will be levied as platform fee for seamless service and continued user experience on our website. Further transaction charges will be levied as per policy of PayU India Private Limited based on choice of payment mechanism at trekkers end!

About Panhala Fort

  • Panhala Fort is believed to have been built during the Satavahana period. This theory is supported by the nearby Pandavdara and Kohale caves. Over the centuries, the fort was ruled by several dynasties, including the Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas, Shilaharas, and Yadavas. Its current structure was shaped by Bhoja II (1178–1209 CE). Originally known as Brahmagiri, the name Panhala was given by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. During the reign of the Bijapur Adilshaha, Panhala served as their western capital. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj captured the fort in 1659, but it was soon recaptured by the Bijapur forces. Following Afzal Khan’s defeat, Shivaji’s swift military campaign brought Panhala back into the Maratha Empire in 1660. In 1701, the Mughals seized the fort, but it was reclaimed by the Marathas in 1707. Between 1710 and 1772, Panhala served as the capital of the Kolhapur princely state. In 1844, the British took control of the fort. Architecture and Features: Strategic Location: Panhala, a triangular-shaped fort, is situated approximately 700 feet above the Kolhapur plateau. It is the largest fort in the Sahyadri range, with a perimeter of about 7 kilometers. Its robust fortifications and well-placed bastions make it exceptionally strong. Fortifications:The oldest fortifications are on the citadel (Balekilla), which was fortified with bastions and a deep moat, and had only one entrance on its eastern side. Unique Bastions:The bastions feature a distinctive design. Inside the fort walls, taller semicircular bastions were constructed, offering dual functionality as defensive and watchtower bastions. Notable examples include: Pusati Bastion:It has two bastions of equal height built one after the other. Kali Bastion:This circular bastion features a semicircular groove to allow a cannon mounted on a horizontal wheel to rotate 180 degrees—a remarkable innovation of its time. Gates:Of the three main gates, the Teen Darwaza (Triple Gate) and the Wagh Darwaza (Tiger Gate) on the western side remain intact. Their robust construction and intricate design testify to the fort’s architectural excellence. Panhala Fort stands as a testament to its strategic importance and the engineering ingenuity of the time, enduring centuries of conflict and harsh conditions.
From $27
/ Adult

Trek Info