Trek to Ankai & Tankai Fort
Trek to Ankai and Tankai Forts
Trek Fees: 1500/_
Meeting point – 12:30 AM at Kasara station ticket counter.
• Travel till the base village by local jeep and reach by 05:00 am.
• Breakfast at Base Village
• Start trekking after an introduction round.
• Reach the top by 09.00 am,
• Explore both the forts and click some memories.
• Start Descend by 12.00 PM and reach the village by 2.00 PM.
• After meal will start our return Journey by 3:30 PM.
• Reach Kasara by 07.30 PM and then sayonara till next journey..
Train timings: Mumbai_CST 9.32 PM (Saturday Night) Byculla 9.40.23 PM, Dadar 9.50 PM, Kurla 10.00 PM Ghatkopar 10.06 PM, Thane 10.27 PM, Dombivili 10.51 PM Kalyan 11.03 PM, Kasara 12.13 AM
Contribution Includes:
Travel from Kasara-to-Kasara Local Jeep Transport
Morning breakfast & Tea, Afternoon meal
Entry charges
Cost Exclusion:
Train travel till kasara and Personal expenses
Charges of emergency Medical evacuations if any
Insurance and any item/event not listed in the inclusion list
Cancellation Policy:
No refund if the cancellation requested is less than 2 days.
No show No Refund.
The Ankai Tankai Fort trek near Manmad in Nashik is a popular, relatively easy, one-day trek to twin hill forts known for ancient Jain and Hindu caves, rock-cut architecture, Agast Muni Temple, and views of the Satmala range, perfect for weekend explorers looking for history, caves, and panoramic sights with manageable climbing time (around 1 hour to the top from the common entrance).
The forts were built around 1000 years ago in the 12th century by the Yadava dynasty of Devgiri.
The site has ancient cultural roots, evidenced by the presence of Jain and Brahmin (Hindu) caves at the base and on the hills, dating from the 10th to 12th centuries.
Located in the Satmala Range, these twin forts were primarily built to monitor the vital Surat–Aurangabad trading route.
The forts witnessed shifts in control between several major empires over the centuries:
Mughal Empire (1635): Captured by Khan Jahan, a general under Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, through the bribery of the fort commander.
Nizam Rule: Control later passed from the Mughals to the Nizam.
Maratha Empire (1752): The Marathas gained control of the forts following the Treaty of Bhalki.
British Occupation (1818): During the Anglo-Maratha War, Lieutenant-Colonel McDowell’s detachment arrived on April 5, 1818. After a brief show of force with cannons, the fort keeper surrendered without a battle.
Architectural and Defense Features
Natural Defense: The Ankai fort is built on a hill with near-perpendicular cliffs on all sides, making it exceptionally difficult to scale.
Seven Gates: To reach the plateau of Ankai, one must pass through seven strong fortification lines.
Military Infrastructure: Historical records from the British capture note that there were approximately 40 guns (cannons) and a garrison of 300 soldiers stationed at the fort at that time.
Religious Sites: The mountain is home to the ashram of the Agasti Rishi and ancient temples dedicated to Shiva and Lord Vishnu
Key Highlights:
Twin Forts: Ankai and Tankai are built on adjacent hills, sharing a common fortification.
Rock-Cut Caves: Features ancient Jain caves (with idols and carvings) and Brahmani caves at the foothills.
Historical Significance: Built to guard the historic Surat-Aurangabad trade route.
Structures: Includes water tanks (lakes), Agast Muni Temple, and ruins.
Views: Offers stunning vistas of the surrounding region, including Hadbi-chi-Shendi and Gorakhnath Fort on clear days.