The Kondana Caves, also spelled Kondhane or Kondane, are first century BCE Buddhist rock-cut caves hidden in the forest at the foot of Rajmachi, near Karjat. They are a short drive and a short trek beyond Karjat, which makes them a workable day trip from Navi Mumbai if you plan the journey. This guide covers what the caves are, how to reach them from Navi Mumbai, how long the trek takes, when to go and what to carry.
Trail conditions, water levels and local transport change from week to week. Start in daylight, check the weather and fix your return time before you leave. This is an independent guide and is not run by any trekking operator or heritage authority.
Kondana Caves at a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Where are they? | Near Kondane village in Karjat taluka, Raigad district, at the base of the Rajmachi hill fort. Wikipedia gives the coordinates as 18°50′21″N 73°23′04″E. |
| How old are they? | Excavated in the first century BCE, according to Wikipedia and Outlook Traveller, around the same period as the Bhaja and Karla caves. |
| How many caves? | Sixteen, according to Wikipedia’s introduction and Outlook Traveller. Wikipedia’s detailed description covers the first four. |
| Nearest railway station | Karjat on Central Railway, about 14 km from the caves according to Wikipedia and 15 km according to Outlook Traveller. |
| The trek | About one hour on foot from Kondivade or Kharvandi village, according to Outlook Traveller and a trek operator. Sources describe the difficulty as easy to moderate. |
| Entry | Outlook Traveller says the site is free to visit. There is no formal facility on site. |
| Best time | The caves can be visited year round. October to February is the most settled period, and the monsoon brings waterfalls and a slippery trail. |
What the Kondana Caves are
The group sits in a steep scarp and is hidden from view by the forest in front of it. Wikipedia describes the main cave, cave 1, as a chaitya, a prayer hall, about 66 feet deep and 28 feet high, with a stupa about 9.5 feet across and a ruined front that once had a wooden screen. Cave 2 is a vihara, a monks’ residence, with a pillared veranda and cells on each side, and caves 3 and 4 are plainer, with rows of small cells and water tanks cut into the rock. Outlook Traveller says the caves served as residence and meditation centres for monks.
Much of the detailed measurement in Wikipedia comes from an 1880 survey, and Outlook Traveller notes that a lot of the ornament has since been lost, so the caves today are more worn than older descriptions suggest. Outlook Traveller says the site is protected under Indian archaeological heritage law, and a visitor review mentions an Archaeological Survey of India board at the site. Do not touch the carvings, climb on the structures or leave litter.
How to reach Kondana Caves from Navi Mumbai
| Option | How it works | Plan around |
|---|---|---|
| By train and local transport | Take a Trans-Harbour train to Thane and change to a Central line local to Karjat, then go on by auto or taxi to Kondivade, the usual base. See the Mumbai local train guide. | Connections at Thane and Kalyan, and a return auto before late afternoon |
| By car | Drive to the Kondane and Kondivade base. A trek operator’s FAQ says the Khopoli exit is the quickest road approach to the Kondhane and Rajmachi base from Mumbai. | The rough village road beyond Kondivade, and parking near the trail head |
| By taxi or cab | Hire a cab with a driver for the day and agree the waiting time and return fare in advance. | Fare, waiting time and where the driver can park |
Road distances below are map estimates to Kondane village, checked on 21 October 2026 with the OSRM routing service on OpenStreetMap data, from the map point for each station. They are distances, not driving times, because traffic on the expressway and the village road will decide the time. Karjat station to Kondane village is about 13 km by the same method (route).
| Starting point | Road distance to Kondane village |
|---|---|
| Panvel | About 40 km (route) |
| Kharghar | About 49 km (route) |
| CBD Belapur | About 51 km (route) |
| Nerul | About 53 km (route) |
| Vashi | About 59 km (route) |
Autos from Karjat to Kondivade are the usual local option. One trekking blog reports that they run only until about 5:30 pm, so do not leave your return to the last minute. A direct Panvel to Karjat suburban line is still being built, and a UNI report of 22 September 2026 said services were expected around Diwali, subject to safety approval. Check the National Train Enquiry System and the Panvel railway station guide before you rely on it. Until it opens, go via Thane.
The trek
The usual route starts at Kondivade or Kharvandi village and climbs through forest to the caves. Outlook Traveller puts it at about an hour and a trek operator describes about one hour each way, with a gentle gradient. A route guide lists the order as Karjat, Kondivade, Kondane village, Thakurwadi, the start of the trek, and then the caves, and notes that the road is rough after Kondivade. The caves can also be reached by descending from Rajmachi village, which is a much longer walk and not a sensible add-on to a short day.
The operator says the waterfall above the caves, about 115 feet high, is seasonal and visible only in the monsoon, and advises watching it from a distance. Streams cross the trail in the wet months and the rock gets slippery. If the weather looks bad, postpone. For other routes, see the winter treks guide and the monsoon treks guide.
A day trip plan
- Leave Navi Mumbai early so you start the trek in the morning light. A trek operator’s own itinerary starts the climb at about 9:45 am.
- Allow roughly an hour up, an hour at the caves and an hour down, plus the rough village road at each end. These are source based allowances, not timed on the ground.
- Have lunch before or after at a Karjat eatery. Outlook Traveller says local places serve vada pav, poha and misal pav.
- Leave the base well before the late afternoon so you are not hunting for an auto or walking in fading light.
Karjat is also the gateway to Matheran by way of Neral, so the two can share a base if you want a longer break. See the Navi Mumbai to Matheran guide and the weekend getaways guide. For another hill trip from Navi Mumbai, see the Navi Mumbai to Lonavala guide.
What to carry
- Proper trekking footwear and a small daypack.
- Two to three litres of water and dry snacks. There are no formal facilities, and stalls near the base appear only in the trekking season.
- A torch, since the caves are dark inside.
- Rainwear and dry bags for phones and papers from June to September.
- Identity proof, a basic first aid kit and your own medicines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the Kondana Caves?
Near Kondane village in Karjat taluka, Raigad district, at the base of the Rajmachi hill fort. The nearest railway station is Karjat on Central Railway.
How far are the Kondana Caves from Karjat station?
About 14 km according to Wikipedia and 15 km according to Outlook Traveller. A map estimate for the road to Kondane village is about 13 km.
How long is the Kondana Caves trek?
About an hour on foot from Kondivade or Kharvandi village, according to Outlook Traveller and a trek operator. Sources describe it as easy to moderate.
Is there an entry fee for the Kondana Caves?
Outlook Traveller says the site is free to visit. There is no formal facility on site.
When is the best time to visit Kondana Caves?
The caves can be visited year round. October to February is the most settled period. The monsoon brings a seasonal waterfall and a slippery trail, so extra caution is needed.
How old are the Kondana Caves?
They were excavated in the first century BCE, according to Wikipedia and Outlook Traveller, around the time of the Bhaja and Karla caves.
Can I reach Kondana Caves by train from Navi Mumbai?
Yes, to Karjat. Go by Trans-Harbour train to Thane, change to a Central line local to Karjat, then take an auto or taxi towards Kondivade. A Panvel to Karjat suburban line is still being built and has no confirmed opening date.
Is Kondana a good day trip from Navi Mumbai?
Yes, if you start early, take the trek at a steady pace and fix a return time. The caves are about 40 to 59 km by road from the Navi Mumbai stations measured here, plus the trek.
Sources and a note on accuracy
Checked on 21 October 2026: Wikipedia’s Kondana Caves entry, whose detailed description rests on an 1880 survey, Outlook Traveller (updated 21 September 2025, marked as sponsored content), a trek operator’s Kondhane Caves page and the UNI report on the Panvel to Karjat line. Sources differ on the distance from Karjat, on the number of caves described and on the difficulty. Distances here are OSRM estimates on OpenStreetMap data. Entry rules, protection status and local transport can change, so confirm on the day.
Featured photo: Side View of the Caves by Photo Dharma from Sadao, Thailand, licensed CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons, cropped and resized.
NaviMumbai.com is an independent information site and is not affiliated with any trekking operator, transport operator or heritage authority.
