Maharashtra is no
longer just the commercial hotspot it is famed to be.
Breathtaking sights of sheer beauty mark the length and breadth of
this beautiful state- the imposing Sahyadris, with their steep
hair-raising cliffs, sprightly waterfalls, snaking their way
through ridges, mist shrouded forests which are the home of many
exotic animals, are the diverse elements which make up this state.
Major
Adventure Activities in Maharashtra
Rock
climbing and Trekking
Water
Sports
Exploring
the Wild life
Paragliding
Rock Climbing
& Trekking
The Karla
mountains, probably dating back to 160 BC, harbour the largest
cluster of Chaitya caves. Their sheer rock faces provide the
appropriate terrain for a rock climber to reach up to the white,
fluffy clouds. Another popular adventure spot could be at
Bhandardara. Bhandardara is 180 kms by road. It has one of the
most beautiful lakes in the country surrounded by majestic hills.
You can go off on long treks around the surrounding hills like
Ratangadh, a favourite fort of Shivaji or Kalsubai, the highest
peak in Maharashtra, to the sprightly Randha falls or to
Amriteshwar, a 1200 year- old temple.
Various forts in the Sahyadris also provide a good base for
trekking activities. Forts around Pune like the Sinhgad,Lohagad,
Visapur, Shivneri, Purandar, Rajgad, Raigad etc. are some of the
few forts. Besides this Pratapgarh near Mahabaleshwar, Panhala
near Kolhapur and Torna near Bhor are other exciting options.
There are various clubs and private institutions which organise
trekking expeditions on a regular
There is good news
for water sports lovers too. MTDC and various private clubs have
introduced water sports at various lakes, areas near irrigation
dams and the coastline. Imagine the rush of water and white foam
coming up as you kayak or windsurf in these clean waters. Aqua
sports no longer need be the preserve of a privileged few.
Panshet Aqua sports centers located 40kms near Pune has various
activities like speed boats, water scooters, kayaks, and
windsurfing. Esselworld at Gorai near Mumbai is an amusement
park with roller coasters and water slides. Here is another
place near the scenic Bhor
Ghats.
Esselworld Location
At
Gorai Village on the outskirts of Mumbai.It covers 64 acres of
thrill and adventure. It is the largest amusement park in
India.
How to
reach there:
From Mumbai
there are following options to reach Esselworld.
1) By
Ferry-From Malad Rly. Stn.
Take a
bus or auto to Marve Beach or from Borivali to Rly Stn to
Gorai creek. From here Esselworld's own ferries are
available to take you across.
2) By
Road
Take
the western express highway.
Turn off onto the Bhayander road, after Dahisar check naka
on the highway. From here onwards, it's a winding, 17km
semi ghat road to Esselworld. Easy to follow signs are
there.
3)
Direct bus services are also provided by Private Tour
Operators
Water
World at Pune-Khopoli Highway also provided a large
number of water sports activities.
Sailing
A
legacy of the British, sailing has been kept alive by
diehard enthusiasts who have made sailing the most
established water sport in the country. The main
centres are Bombay and Pune.
PUNE, has a number of picturesque lakes where you can
go out windsurfing, like Pawna, Panshet, Mulshi and
Khadakvasla. Equipment is available only at the
Khadakvasla Lake. Windsurfing on the crystal clear
water of these lakes is a unique experience. In the
summer months, you can get some super-sonic rides on
these fresh water lakes. Do not venture too far as the
wind here can drop without giving any notice and you
may take hours to sail back a distance which took only
a few minutes when the wind was strong. Rescue is not
available except if you are sailing out from the
Khadakvasla windsurfing centre.
Exploring
the Wild Life Maharashtra
is known for its rich collection of wild life both
flora and fauna. The forests abound in varied
vegetational types which make for extremely scenic
land scapes. Chikhaladara near Nagpur is full of
deep valleys and is home to Melghat tiger project
and Dhakana-Kolkaz National Park.
Melghat is famous for its Tiger and a greater part
of Project Tiger is being implemented here. Other
animals like Panthers, Bison, Sambar, Chital and the
flying squirrel are familiar sights.
Another wildlife sanctuary which is known for its
verdant hills and dales, is the Nagzira Wild Life
Sanctuary. Ambling around in these idyllic environs
is the sloth bear, tiger, four horned antelope, the
blue-bull, chital, barking deer, bison and the
panther.
The most beautiful of the National Park in
Maharashtra is the Tadoba and Nawagaon National
Park.
The wild life here includes the Nilgai, large eyed
Chinkara, Migratory birds and swarms of crocodiles.
The Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is a must for
ornithologists and which is the home of winged birds
like the golden oriole.
Paragliding
Tandem flights as
well as paragliding courses are available for amateurs. Flight
training schools are available around the Pune area. These have good
safety records. The mountains of the Western Ghats allow for smooth
sailing over vast stretches. Paragliding can be done near sea areas
too, however mountain area altitudes allow for a better overall
experience.
Flying and training
is available by the Pavna lake, Kamshet
(near Lonavala) with excellent flying conditions at all times other
than monsoon season, right up to June
first week. One could plan a day of fun and flying with their
friends and family or enroll for the basic course!
The Karla
mountains, probably dating back to 160 BC, harbour the largest
cluster of Chaitya caves. Their sheer rock faces provide the
appropriate terrain for a rock climber to reach up to the white,
fluffy clouds. Another popular adventure spot could be at
Bhandardara. Bhandardara is 180 kms by road. It has one of the
most beautiful lakes in the country surrounded by majestic hills. 
You can go off on long treks around the surrounding hills like
Ratangadh, a favourite fort of Shivaji or Kalsubai, the highest
peak in Maharashtra, to the sprightly Randha falls or to
Amriteshwar, a 1200 year- old temple.
Location
2) By
Road