Kolad is a small town located on the lush banks of the river Kundalika. Due to it’s picturesque setting and close proximity to both Mumbai and Pune, Kolad is a hot-spot for those seeking thrills through adventure sports. Also known as the ‘Rishikesh of Maharashtra’ it’s most popular for white-water rafting, which takes place on the river here.
White-Water Rafting, Nature Trails & More: Get Adventurous At Kolad, Three Hours From Pune
What Is It?
How Do I Get There?
Kolad is a minimum 3-hour drive away from Pune, accessible via two routes. You can either take the Tamini Ghat route, which passes through Mulshi; or the highway route {via the Bangalore-Mumbai, Mumbai-Pune highways, the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, and a state highway road} which bypasses Lonavala, and has tolls.
What Is So Awesome About It?
Fed by natural means as well as excess water from the Mulshi Dam, the Kundalika river is the only spot in Maharashtra suitable for white-water rafting. The rafting is done on a stretch of 13-14km on the river, with grade II, III and IV rapids provided by the water let off by the nearby hydro-electric projects.
Rafting is a team sport – a lesson in endurance and communication. It’s a great way to bond with your squad, or get to know a new group of people. It doesn’t matter if you’ve done it before or not – there are well-trained, experienced professionals who can prepare and guide you through the activity, which can last for around 2hrs.
If you’re not the rafting kind, there are other outdoor activities like kayaking, canoeing, biking, trekking, zip-lining, and rappelling are also possible at Kolad. Luxurious riverfront bungalows, eco-friendly farm-stays, camping, and even glamping are the variety of options here for accommodation, if you decide to stay overnight, or make a weekend of it with bae.
When Should I Visit?
The optimum time to go white-water rafting is of course, during the monsoon season – from June to September. Summers can get extremely hot and the river can get a bit shallow – so it’s not worth the trip. We hear there are also winter batches for rafting that take place around November – February, but the monsoon is the only season that allows for all-day rafting.
Weekdays are cheaper than weekends, obviously. The approximate rate for *only* rafting is around INR 775/head on weekdays, and INR 1500/head on weekends and public holidays. There are several major travel and adventure companies {Kolad Rafting Club, Nature Trails, Kundalika Rafting, etc.} that host rafting and other activites – some include meals, day-trip, and overnight accommodation packages. These packages can range from INR 1250 {with meals} to INR 2500+ {with stay} depending on which company you book with.
Anything Else?
A lot of the host companies even offer help with arranging your transport, if you don’t have your own means. Remember to wear comfy clothing, sports shoes, and to carry a post-rafting change of clothes {trust us, you’ll need it}. Personal belongings {phone, camera, etc.} are not allowed onto the raft, so you’ll have to leave them on the riverside in your bag/car, or at your accommodation.
#LBBTip
Life jackets and all rafting gear and equipment will be provided by whichever company is hosting your activity, but we strongly advise that you know how to swim if you wish to partake. Remember to read all the event details and fine print while making your booking!