Torna, the first
Shivaji took Torna in 1646, aged 16. Aurangzeb later renamed it Futulgaib for how hard it was to take.
After the trail · the almanac
The trek in four numbers
Two of Shivaji's forts, joined by one ridge, in the Sahyadri south-west of Pune.
1,403m
Torna, the high point
16–18km
Rajgad base to Velhe
26years
Rajgad as the Maratha capital
58km
Pune to Gunjavane
💪 Easy to moderate🍂 Sep–Feb⛺ 1 night💧 No water on the ridge
Day by day
Two days, step by step
The Bikat Adventures plan, Pune to Pune.
How high you are on each kilometre
- Day 1Pune → Gunjavane → RajgadPickup 12 pm, climb from 3 pm, Padmavati temple by 5 pm, then the fortAbout 3 km on foot⛺ Tents or the temple
- Day 2Rajgad → Torna → Velhe → PuneSanjivani machi, the ridge, lunch on Torna at 1 pm, down from 4 pmAbout 4 h to Torna🚙 Pune by 8 pm
Stories and nature
Two forts and a ridge
Rajgad, the seat
Rajgad was the first Maratha capital for almost 26 years. Shivaji's wife Saibai died here in 1659, and his son Rajaram was born here in 1670.
Gold from Torna
While repairing Torna, Shivaji is said to have found buried gold, and to have used it to build Rajgad.
World Heritage
In 2025 Rajgad was inscribed by UNESCO as part of the Maratha Military Landscapes of India.
When to go
After the rains
Bikat's Torna guide calls September to February the best time. Its Rajgad guide says any season works.
Sep–Oct
Flowers on the ridge after the monsoon.
Nov–Feb
The clearest views. Winter nights near 10 °C.
Jun–Sep
Green, but slippery rock. In 2025 tourism here was barred from 22 June to 30 September.
Mar–May
Hot, with no tree cover on Torna.
Plan your trip
Start in Pune
Bikat drives the group from Pune to Gunjavane and back from Velhe. By bus, go to Velhe or Margasani.
- Pune🚙 58 km to Gunjavane, about 2 h
- Gunjavane🥾 Rajgad, the ridge, Torna
- Velhe🚙 Back to Pune
Buses run from Swargate to Velhe in about 1 h 45 min. For Gunjavane, get off at Margasani, 6.6 km away, and take a shared taxi.
Cost
Bikat charges ₹3,500 + 5% GST, Pune to Pune, with tents and meals. Treks and Trails runs it as a night trek for ₹1,499.
Water
There is no water source on the ridge. Carry 3 litres.
Torna by 5 pm
By the District Collector's order, nobody may stay the night on Torna.
Permits
No permit is needed for either fort.
Good to know
The small things
Cash, signal, water, permits and help on the way. Checked October 2026; confirm with your operator.
Bus to the base
Buses run from Pune to Velhe, but not often. For Rajgad, get off at Margasani, 6.6 km from Gunjavane, and take a shared taxi. Bikat Adventures: Rajgad guide
Or via Nasrapur
Take any bus towards Satara, Kolhapur or Bangalore to Nasrapur, 36 km from Pune. Shared taxis and autos go on to Velhe. Bikat Adventures: Torna guide
Signal on the tops
There is no signal in Gunjavane or on the climb. The Balekilla gets all major networks. On Torna a few bars of Airtel and Jio come and go. Bikat Adventures: Rajgad guide
Food at the base
Small restaurants in Gunjavane serve food, pack lunches and refill bottles. A small shop on the plateau below Rajgad sells refreshments. Velhe hotels also pack food. Bikat Adventures: Rajgad guide
Leave the tanks alone
Don't swim in the fort tanks or put your feet in them. Local people drink from them. Treks and Trails
Where to sleep
Camp near or inside the Padmavati temple. Some Gunjavane hotels rent tents, and a few have basic rooms. Bikat Adventures: Rajgad guide
Toilet tents
Bikat sets up portable toilet tents. There is nowhere to bathe. Bikat Adventures
No offloading
You carry your own bag. Bikat has no option to offload it. Bikat Adventures
Carry ID
Treks and Trails asks for one identity proof with your address. Treks and Trails
Age limits
Bikat takes trekkers from age 9. Under-18s need a parent or guardian. Over-60s need a doctor's certificate. Bikat Adventures
What to pack
Your checklist
Tick items as you pack. Your ticks stay saved on this device.
Clothing
Shoes
Gear
Papers and money
Health
List from Treks and Trails: Rajgad to Torna things to carry.
Rent or buy
Where to get gear
Many operators lend tents, sleeping bags and spikes. Ask yours before you rent.
Pune before you leave
Decathlon Amanora MallBuy · sports and outdoor gear, bagsAmanora Mall, Lower Ground Floor, Mundhwa Road, Hadapsar · Website
Shop details are from each shop's own page. Phone to confirm prices and stock.
Who runs it
Choose an operator
We found 5 operators with a Rajgad–Torna page in October 2026. None showed an open batch date, so ask before you plan.
Prices are base prices from each operator's own page (October 2026); most add 5% GST. Ratings are what each operator shows, not an independent audit. Names marked † show last season's price or one seen only in a search snippet.