Amazing Monsoon Trekking at Rajgad Fort, Pune

Rajgad Fort, Pune

Amazing Monsoon Trekking at Rajgad Fort, Pune, Maharashtra

Rajgad Fort is one of the grand forts of the Sahaydris and lies at an altitude of 1400 m (4, 600 feet). Formerly known as Murumdev, Rajgad Fort was the capital of the Maratha Empire during the rule of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj for 25 years, before moving the capital to Raigad Fort. The Rajgad Fort was built with the treasure found on the adjacent Torna Fort. This was one of the favourite forts of Shivaji Maharaj and he stayed the most in this fort. Many historical events took place in this fort, such as the birth of Shivaji’s son, Rajaram Chhatrapati, his queen, Saibai’s death and Afzal Khan’s head is buried in the fort.

The fort is of great historic significance. Rajgad was home to Shivaji for over 25 years till he became Chhatrapati. Post coronation he shifted his capital to Raigad. The fort has witnessed lots of historic events, including the birth of Shivaji’s son Rajaram, the death of Shivaji’s Queen Saibai, the return of Shivaji from Agra, the burial of Afzal Khan’s head in the Maha darwaja walls of Balekilla, the strict words of Sonopant Dabir to Shivaji, and the Khandoji Khopade episode. Rajgad Fort is an iconic place located near pune. The place is historic and attracts many tourists to it. This fort can be considered as a Holy place as it was first capital of Hindavi Swarajya, established by Chhatrapati Shivaji Mahataj. Trek to this fort via Gunjavane & Chor darwaja is bit difficult, but will test your mental and physical ability.

The fort is divided into four parts, Padmavati Machi, Suvela Machi, Sanjeevani Machi, and Balekilla (small fort). The fort is an example of splendid design and construction. The diameter of the fort at the base is 40 km making it difficult for anybody to lay siege to it.

Sanjeevani Machi:

The three layer fortification of Sanjeevani Machi is simply a marvel and is located on the southwest end. This extends approximately for 2.5 km along with many cisterns. The lower layers of the fort were separated by fortified bastion along with gate in order to defend independently. There is also an underground escape route which leads directly to the outermost fortification.

Suvela Machi:

Suvela Machi, located on the eastern part of Rajgad fort, is a narrow strip that leads to a fortified end. Before the fortifications, there is a Hanuman temple and towards the right of the hanuman temple is Nedh. Nedh is a giant hole on the rock face about 3 m in diameter carved by years of erosion.

Padmavati Machi:

This part of Rajgad Fort was a military base as well as a residential area. The Padmavati Machi has a Lake, Padmavati Temple, Pali Darwaja, Chor Dwaraja, Gunjawane Darwaja, Diwankhana, Daru Kothar, Rajwada, and Ghod Tale. Besides these there is also a Samadhi of Saibai, Shivaji’s first wife.

Balekilla:

This site is one of the highest parts in the Fort Rajgad that includes caves, water cisterns and palaces. The entrance door of the Balekilla is called as Maha Dwaraja. From here, one can easily view the whole fort. Rajgad is amongst the most popular trekking destinations near Pune, Maharashtra. There are several trekking routes to reach the Fort. Trek to Padmavati Machi via Chor Darwaja is the most popular route and the trek starts from Gunjawane village. From Gunjawane the 4.5 km trek is a little bit tough and it takes almost 3 1/2 hours to reach Padmavati Machi. One needs to navigate a steep rocky incline to reach Chor Darwaza.

The trek via Pali Darwaza is a simple climb and it starts from Pali village. The 3.5 km trek from Pali should take approximately 2 hours to reach the fort. There is another route called Bhor route which starts from Bhutonde. From Bhutonde village, a 3 -4 hours trek will take visitors to Alu Darwaja of Rajgad. This route is not popular as other two routes. It is always recommended that visitors should carry their own drinking water and food.

Tourist Places to Visit in Tlemcen, Algeria, North Africa, Africa

Tourist Places to Visit in Tlemcen, Algeria, North Africa, Africa

Tlemcen is a town and the administrative centre of Tlemcen province in the northwestern part of the country, holding a dignity of the spiritual home of Algeria. Tlemcen’s popularity is expanded by olive plantations and vineyards spread up around the town. With the produce of a large amount of leather, carpet, and textile products, Tlemcen has also been developing towards becoming one of the major industrial towns of Algeria.

Tlemcen is located 842 meters above sea level, between 34°52′58″ N latitude and 01°19′00″ W longitude, around 510 km southwest of the national capital, Algiers. The total area of Tlemcen measures 9,061 sq. km.

History of Tlemcen:

Tlemcen doesn’t have any valid theory about the origin of its name, although one theory claims that the name of Tlemcen may be a combined form of the two Berber language words Tala and Imsan, and its total meaning is “the dry spring”. Tlemcen originated as a military outpost during the Roman rule in the 4th century CE with name Pomaria.

Connectivity to Tlemcen:

Tlemcen hosts an international airport, named Zenata – Messali El Hadj Airport and is located around 22 km away from the centre of the town of Tlemcen. The airport handles flights from and to Paris, Istanbul, Algiers, Marseille, Lille and Lyon.

Due to its position near the northern coast line of Algeria, reaching Tlemcen from the other northern cities by bus, including the national capital, Algiers would be not a difficult task for visitors.

Culture, Shopping and Food in Tlemcen:

Tlemcen holds a rich cultural diversion, mainly in music and art activities as it saw the different cultures in its long history including Moorish, Berber, Andalucian and Ottoman.

Tlemcen’s textiles and handcrafts products are famous among visitors that are also colorful and affordable.

Here are some nice restaurants with both traditional Algerian and international crispy and crunchy dishes in Tlemcen:

Restaurant de l’Hotel Agadir
Restaurant de l’Hotel Ibis
Restaurant Equinoxe
L’Echappatoire

Things to do in Tlemcen:

City tours
Visiting nearby cities
Traditional shopping

Tourist Attractions in and around Tlemcen:

The Great Mosque:

The Great Mosque is the most important religious landmark of Tlemcen, dating from 1136. It is one of the illustrious mosques in Algeria, especially noted for its Almoravid architecture.

Sidi Boumediene Mosque:

The mosque dedicated to a luminary Andalusian mystic, Abu Madyan or Sidi Boumediene is Sidi Boumediene Mosque, located in El Eubbad district in Tlemcen and his tomb adjoins to a mosque. Sidi Boumediene was also popular as a great Sufi master.

Citadelle et Palais El Mechouar:

The Citadelle et Palais El Mechouar is one of the historic identities of Tlemcen, situated in the district of El Mechouar in Tlemcen. It is allowed for visitors and can be explored best through a guided tour.

Mansouah Minaret:

The Mansouah Minaret is a historic masterpiece holding a strong historical background and recives a large number of tourists year round. It is also one of the important landmarks of Tlemcen.

Water Fountain:

Located in downtown Tlemcen, the Water Fountain of Tlemcen is famous among both tourists and natives, where one can also enjoy the gondola lift riding that passes over the water fountain. Don’t miss it.

List of the other tourist attractions in and around Tlemcen includes:

Djebel Aïssa National Park
Fort Santa Cruz
Tlemcen National Park
Great Synagogue in Oran
Cathédrale du Sacré-Cœur d’Oran
Place du 1er Novembre
La Cathedrale du Sacre Coeur
Le Theatre d’Oran
Chapelle de Santa Cruz
Eglise St Louis
La Porte d’Espagne
La Fontaine d’Aucour
Marche Medina Jedida
Palais de la Culture

When to visit Tlemcen?

Throughout the year is best, especially the summer months between May and September are the most popular time to travel Tlemcen in Algeria.

Where to stay in Tlemcen?

Compared to the most other Algerian cities, Tlemcen owns an upgraded hospitality industry with all kinds of accommodation centres including hotels, vacation rentals, BB and inns. A list of the reputed hotels in Tlemcen, Sidi-Bel-Abbes (95 km) and Oran (175 km) includes:

Hotel les Zianides
Ibis Tlemcen
Renaissance Tlemcen Hotel
Hotel Stambouli
Hotel Belkaid
Hotel Residence Pomaria
Hotel Beni Tala
Le Raja Hotel
Hotel Eden Airport
Hotel Eden Belabbes
Best Western Plus Liberte Hotel
BEST WESTERN Hotel Colombe
Le Meridien Oran Hotel & Convention Centre
Hotel Residence Le Timgad

Places to Visit in Tindouf, Algeria, Africa

Places to Visit in Tindouf, Algeria, Africa

Tindouf is an Algerian city coming under the Tindouf Province, located near the border of Algeria with Mauritania, Western Sahara and Morocco. It is one of the commercial centres of Algeria, identified for the Algerian military bases. The commune of Tindouf comprises five localities like Tindouf-ville itself, Garet Djebilet, Aouinet Bélagraa, Chenachène and Oum El Achar.

Lying around 400 meters above sea level, Tindouf is located around 1740 km southwest of Algiers, the capital of Algeria. Tindouf sprawls over a total area of 70,009 sq. km and geographically coordinates with 27°40′31″ N latitude and 8°07′43″ W longitude.

History of Tindouf:

The history of Tindouf begins with its foundation, made by the people of the Tajakant tribe in the vicinity of Saharan oasis in the year 1852 but it remained only for a few decades, which was devastated by the Sahrawi tribe, Reguibat in 1895. It saw some growth during the French rule and was founded officially following the independence of Algeria from French in 1962.

Conenctivity to Tindouf:

Tindouf Airport is catered by Air Algerie with frequent lights services from Algiers, Constantine and Oran. The airport is not far from the city centre, only 7 km, which can be crossed by minibus service or by hiring airport taxi or pre-booked private transfers.

Tindouf is connected to many northern cities by highway but regular bus service is not sure, so it is advised for visitors use either flight or hire car from Algeria or any other northern cities when coming from the northern Algeria.

Shopping and Food in Tindouf:

Like the rest of Algeria, Tindouf owns less developed hospitality industry and shopping sector, so it is advised for visitors to bring some food packets and water bottles before going Tindouf.

Things to do in Tindouf:

Village tours
Hiking
Bike riding

Places of interest in Tindouf:

Garet Djebilet:

Garet Djebilet is one of the localities of the commune of Tindouf well known for iron mines. It is in the proximity of the Algerian border with Mauritania, around 140 km from Tindouf. It also houses an airport.

Tindouf Airport:

The Tindouf Airport is a joint public and military airport having connection with the national capital, Algiers and Constantine and Oran. The airport is modern, located around 443 meters above sea level.

Âouinet Bel Egrâ:

Located around 160 km from Tindouf, Âouinet Bel Egrâ is a village belonging to the Tindouf commune, home to a Saharawi Refugee camp, named Dakhla.

Oum El Achar:

Oum El Achar is situated close to the Morocco border housing many archeological sites and traditional food corners. It can be reached by a rental vehicle from Tindouf.

List of other places of interest in Tindouf, Bechar and Adrar includes:

Chenachène
Bechar Regional Museum
Movie theatre in Bechar
Kenadsa longwave transmitter
Oued Béchar
University of Béchar
Bechar Fort
Mosques in Bechar
La Grande Poste d’Alger
Jamaa El Kebir
Musee National du Bardo
La Rue Didouche Mourad
Le Musee National Des Beaux Arts
Museum of Modern Art Algiers
Cathedrale du Sacre Coeur

Best time to visit Tindouf:

Tindouf features a hot desert climate with very less rain throughout the year and mild winters and very hot summers. Generally the ending and beginning months of the year are ideal to travel Tindouf to avoid extreme hot weather.

Accommodation options in and around Tindouf:

There are modernized hotels less in number in Tindouf, so it is suggested for visitors to book desired hotel rooms well in advance through online. The prominent hotels in Tindouf and Bechar (around 800 km) are as follows:

Bechar Hostel
Xaluca Maadid Arfoud
Kasbah Hotel Chergui
Auberge Les Pyramides
Bordj Taghit
Palmeras Y Dunas
Hôtel Kasbah Kanz Erremal
Hotel Maghreb Arabe
Hotel Antar
Kasbah Le Touareg
Complexe Touristique De Merzouga
Hotel Haven La Chance

Best Tourist Places to Visit in Tiaret, Algeria, North Africa, Africa

Best Tourist Places to Visit in Tiaret, Algeria, North Africa, Africa

Tiaret is a town situated in the province of Tiaret in central Algeria, between 35°22′ N latitude and 1°19′ E longitude, around 245 km southeast of the city of Oran and 265 km northeast of Algiers, the capital of Algeria. There are many archeological sites, including Jedars surrounding Tiaret drawing a large number of tourists year round.

Agriculture is the backbone of the Tiaret’s economy and in recent years, industries have also been the part of the economy of Tiaret. The economy of the other parts of the province of Tiaret also depends on agricultural activities. Tiaret covers a total area of 20.086.62 km².

History of Tiaret:

It is believed that, the name of Tiaret may be derived from the Berber language in which Tiaret means ‘lioness’, indicating the presence of Barbary lions in Tiaret in the past. Although ruled by many eminent powers, Tiaret considerably developed during the French rule who built it around 1845.

How to reach Tiaret?

Tiaret has a domestic airport, named Abdelhafid Boussouf Bou Chekif Airport, with scheduled flights only from the national capital, Algiers, served by Tassili Airlines. The airport is located around 16 km away from Tiaret which can be crossed by bus or rental vehicle.

Reaching Tiaret from Algiers by bus would be not a difficult task for visitors as buses are regular between these two cities and other important northern Algerian cities.

Shopping and Food in Tiaret:

One can find all sorts of shops in Tiaret but relatively upgraded, so it is advised for visitors reach either Oran or Algeria to buy a variety of colorful traditional handicraft products and branded clothes at affordable costs.

Restaurant Youcef is a famous restaurant in Tiaret offering a menu with updated traditional and international delicacies.

Things to do in Tiaret:

City tours
Shopping
Walking

Tourist places in and around Tiaret:

Jedars:

Situated around 30 km away from the city of Tiaret, the Jedars are the sepulchral monuments dating from the 5th to 7th centuries. It can be explored best through a guided tour.

Mechra-Sfa:

Mechra-Sfa is a peninsula featuring a plenty of megalithic monuments. It is situated in the valley of the Mina River, a few kilometers away from Tiaret.

Great Synagogue of Oran:

Located around 240 km from Tiaret, the Great Synagogue of Oran is a former synagogue showing a blend of Neo-Mudejar and Moorish Revival architectural style constructed in the year 1880. Currently it is a mosque.

Santa Cruz Fort:

Originally constructed by the Spanish between 1577 and 1604, Fort Santa Cruz is a fort located on a hill in Oran, around 240 km from Tiaret. It is considered as one of the historical identities of both Oran and Algeria.

List of other attractive places in Tiaret includes:

La Cathedrale du Sacre Coeur
Qasr el-Bey
Le Theatre d’Oran
Eglise St Louis
La Gare d’Oran
Chapelle de Santa Cruz
Marche Medina Jedida
La Fontaine d’Aucour
Porte de Santon
Cathédrale du Sacré-Cœur d’Oran
Place du 1er Novembre
Palais de la Culture
La Porte d’Espagne

Ideal time to visit Tiaret:

The ideal time to visit Tiaret in Algeria depends on visitors’ interest and the most popular time is between May and September.

Where to stay in Tiaret?

As like other Algerian cities, Tiaret has a lack of modernized hotels, so it would be better if visitors drive towards the Oran city (around 240 km) to have memorable hospitality services. The prominent hotels in Tiaret and Oran are as follows: