Kamshet Hill Station – Paragliders Paradise

Kamshet is popularly known as paragliders paradise, as paragliding is one of the most common activities here. It is a small hill station located near Lonavala in the district of Pune and at an astounding altitude of 2200 Ft above the sea level.

Kamshet is located on the old Mumbai-Pune Highway and the hills along this route are dotted with ancient cave temples built by Buddhist monks, colonial hill stations which are also used at flying sites and old fortresses built by brave warriors. Kamshet presents a beautiful blend of serene beauty and traditional living. The splendid and stunning locations in Kamshet are bounded by tranquil lakes and placid hills. In addition to this, Kamshet gives its visitors an opportunity to experience the conventional village life, village markets and visit the typical village homes made with mud and stones. Overall, Kamshet is a perfect place to experience traditional ways of living in an contemporary environment.

Tourist Attractions in Kamshet

Owing to the paragliding activities in the region, Kamshet is among the top 10 adventurous places of India. Paragliding is one of the major attractions of Kamshet and a large number of sport aficionados come to Kamshet in search of top-notch paragliding facilities every year. The picturesque regions of Kamshet are surrounded by sunflower and paddy fields and are bounded by hills and serene lakes. One can soar high during paragliding and can glide over the mesmerizing scenery below.

Vadavali Lake is also one of the top tourist attractions in the region. This artificial lake created by the backwaters of Uksan dam lies 2200 Ft above the sea level and offers a stunning view of nature, lush green scenery and sparkling water.

Karla caves are one of the oldest tourist attractions of the region and these 3rd century caves are well known for their marvelous rock cut architecture. Built by Theravada Buddhist monks, these caves are located quite close to Lonavala.

Bhaja caves are also one of the most visited caves that were built in 200 BC. These 18 rock-cut caves are extremely famous for their group of 14 stupas, five of which are inside the caves and nine are outside them. Apart from these, one can also visit Bedsa caves, the Hinayana Buddhist caves that were built in 1st century.

Hotels

Owing to its close proximity to the twin hill stations, Lonavala and Khandala, there are several contemporary resorts near Kamshet. Apart from these, there are several mid-range to budget hotels and guest houses in the area equipped with all the modern amenities.

Since, Kamshet is famous as one of the best paragliding destinations in the entire region, there are many resorts in the area which offer packaged holidays including stay, food and paragliding lessons and trips. Thus, when you are heading towards Kamshet, it’s imperative to pre-book the hotels and resorts with your preferred services.

Where to Eat

There are various places to eat in Kamshet and tourists can enjoy the specialties of the region. Dabhade Misal Pav is quite famous in the region. Other specialties of the place include Pav Bhaji, Bhelpuri, Pithla Bhakri, Puran Poli and Nachnichi Bhakri. Mastani, a thick shake made with milk and dry fruits, is also one of the specialties of the region. One can also enjoy a wide range of non-vegetarian and seafood dishes.

Weather and Best Time to Visit

The weather of Kamshet is pleasant throughout the year, but monsoons are quite rainy and are accompanied by swift winds. If you are visiting Kamshet for paragliding and other adventurous activities, it is advisable to avoid visiting in monsoons as winds are quite strong during this season. You can visit anytime in summers or winters. However, if you are looking for a getaway holiday trip, the best time to visit Kamshet is from June – September, as during monsoons everything comes alive and nature is at its best. Also, visiting during winters from November to March will give you a tranquil and peaceful holiday experience while taking away all your stress.

How to Reach

By Air

The nearest airport to Kamshet is Pune Airport located at a distance of about 60 Km and Chhatrapati Shivaji Airport of Mumbai, located at a distance of about 110 Km from Kamshet. Taxi services are available from both Pune and Mumbai to Kamshet, and taxis charge around 2000 Rs. To drive you till Kamshet from Mumbai, and 1000 – 1200 Rs from Pune.

By Rail

The nearest railhead to Kamshet is Lonavala railway station located in the Konkan railway region. Lonavala is well connected to Mumbai and Goa, and it lies at a distance of about 16 Kms from Kamshet. The taxi fare of Kamshet from Lonavala is approx Rs 300.

By Road

Several state buses ply between Kamshet and other nearby areas. Apart from these, one can also board tourist Volvo buses to Kamshet from Mumbai and Pune.