This beautiful place is close from Panvel on Mumbai Goa Highway - NH17, precisely about 12-15 Km form Panvel Bus stand . You can take a panvel city Bypass at Kalamboli Junction to avoid mad’ning traffic of the city . The early you are its better! Reach with sufficient water bottles and snacks stuffed on you bagpack as there is no hotel or supply as you enter the sanctury . each bottle / plastic can however attracts refundable deposit of rs 100/- at the entrence .
As you walk along the Tar road it leads to a starting point( 200 meters) form where there are 2 distinct ways to reach the pinnacle . birdwatching is very much possible depending upon time, temperature and you can spot sunbirds, fantel, flycatchers, Shikra, drongos, bulbuls, etc and many more if you are luckey but need patience and silence too . look more particularly near the small waterbodies and marshy places around .
The pathway towards the top is preety challangeing for amatures and tests your physical abilities and teamwork( of course in group) . The jungle is thick and has many surprises such as gient pods dangling on treetops, gient mushrooms and thick cripers and climbers with very unusual formations around trees . once you are at the top its simply breathtaking view of the entire region . Its fabulus!
The fort has mostly ruined structures but one is left to imagine the old legacy .
Avarage time to reach till base of the Karnala Pinnacle is 2 and half hours and back journey can be accomplished in 1.5 hrs .
One can enjoy the Lemon shurbat at th base camp( starting point) on weekend days organized by a Mahila bachat Gat( Women Saving group) . Its the best I have ever had in recent times at 7/- per glass .
They also arrange a delecious working Lunch( Called Jhunka Bhakr) with prior intimation .
For foodies better visit saikripa dhaba( about 4-5 km before Karnala( start back towards panvel and check it on your left side of the highway) which serves awsome nonveg.
For Pure veg try the Yusuf Meherally centers kitchen( Check on net for the contact nos and give intimation before you go there! This place is about 3-4 kms ahead of Karnala BS on the same road toward Pen( Goa Highway).
A gr8 attraction next to the UM centre is GO-GREEN NURSERY . Its a must visit for nature lovers!
The arrangements provided by forest department are no no! you can stay close to this place on various resorts facilities such as panorama, Woods, Kamats, etc .
If you are at panvel by 7.00 all this can be covered and you are back by 5.00 Pm at Panvel on same day including the fort visit .so.good luck! and love Nature love life!