Maharashtra's adventure pocket invites all thrill seekers to try a range of water adventure sports in the Kundalika river.
Zostel Kolad is a comprehensive holiday destination just 3 hours from Mumbai and Pune in Maharashtra. Nestled on the banks of the Kundalika river, the hostel features a workstation area, and umpteen outdoor nooks to unwind.
Zostel Homes Bhor is a fully solar-powered chalet just 70 km from Pune and 210 km from Mumbai. It is also home to India’s first 15/46 kWh AC-coupled solar system, so you’re not just escaping the city, but leaving its footprint behind too.
Adventure Activities in Kolad
Known for the Kundalika White Water Rafting, Kolad has not one but many water adventures to offer. Located right by the river, Zostel Kolad is at a walking distance from the adventure hub, where you can try water activities such as jet ski, banana boat ride, ziplining, and kayaking. In-house, we also offer bungee jumping and boating at night, along with the mandatory adventure of crossing a river in the boat to reach the hostel!
As an outdoor adventure lover, you can also look forward to many soulful hikes, village walks, and explorations, more of which I’ll describe in this Kolad travel guide. Yet another highlight of Kolad is riverisde camping, where you can pitch your own tent and spend the night barbequing, stargazing, and sleeping in the wilderness.
Places to Visit in Kolad
Tamhini ghat
Bringing a bounty of waterfalls, lakes, and green valley views to the palette, Tamhini Ghat is a mountain pass that falls between Pune & Kolad. Tagging along as its exploration-worthy counterpart is the Devkund Waterfall. While you can take your vehicle all the way to the Tamhini viewpoint, the waterfall is a 4-5 km hike after a certain point, where you’ll need to park your vehicle.
Insider info: Sunrise; sunset are the best times to visit the ghat. If you’re in Kolad during the monsoon season, the lush and blooming foliage of this valley is bound to leave you stunned!
Sudhagad Fort
Recently declared as a wildlife sanctuary, this area features ruins of a fort, ancient temples, plateaus, a granary, lakes, and more. Nestled in a remote village called Pali, the base of the fort is reachable by vehicles. Then it is a nearly 30-min hike to the top of the fort, where stunning views of the sanctuary await you. The fort is at a distance of 25 km from Zostel Kolad.
Avchitgad Fort
A small fort at just 15 km from the hostel, Avchitgad is perched up on one of the hills of the Sahyadri range of Maharashtra. While its history dates back to the early 1800s, there are only some ruins to explore here, but the hike makes it worth the while. From the base, it will take you around an hour to reach the top of the fort, making for a fun li’l adventure on a pleasant day.
Raigad Fort
Seized by the great Shivaji Maharaj in the 1650s, the Raigad Fort is popular till date as the place from where the king administered his Maratha Kingdom. Entailing a glorious past, the village of Mahad, where the fort is situated, was the hub of traders at the time. Currently, history enthusiasts and curious travellers climb the many steps that lead to the fort. The hike is about an hour long. Alternatively, you can opt for the ropeway.
When in Mahad, you can also visit the serene Mahad Lake, which entails with a local history of its own.
Murud Janjira Fort
One of the sturdiest marine forts of the country, the Murud-Janjira Fort is located on an island. It was built by Sambhaji Maharaj (the son of Shivaji Maharaj) back in the day to control the many ports. Now in ruins, it was a living fort in the 16th century, when it boasted top-notch security and rugged fortifications. The fort is at an hour’s drive from Kolad. Once in Mahad, you take a ferry to reach the fort which is built on a rock in the middle of the sea.
Kulaba Fort
An island fort just off the shore of Alibaug, Fort Kulaba is a protected monument popular amongst the tourists. You can visit this fort when in Alibaug, which makes for a great day trip from Kolad.
On your way to Alibaug; Murud, you can also visit the Birla Temple, a shrine showcasing stunning architecture.
Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary
Home to sacred groves, waterholes, open grasslands, and plenty of birds, the Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary is a delight for anyone who loves a raw encounter with nature. While there are four different trails in the sanctuary, the best one is approached from Roha, very close to Zostel Kolad. It is recommended to spare half a day for exploring the wilderness.
Unere Hot Springs
Located near the village of Pali on the way to the Sudhagarh Fort, these hotsprings are sparsely explored at best. They are at about a 30 min drive from the hostel.
