Camping in Maharashtra

Camping in Maharashtra overview

Camping in Maharashtra allows you to get away from the city, sleep under the stars and unwind in the lap of nature. Maharashtra offers a wonderful camping experience with lush hills, scenic lakes, rivers and gushing waterfalls adding to the beauty. You don’t have to travel far to get to some of the best camping places in Maharashtra. You’ll find that most beautiful campsites are located right on the outskirts of the city.

Camping near Mumbai or camping near Pune serves as a perfect casual getaway with friends and family. Some of the best camping places in Maharashtra include Lonavala hilltop, Bhandardara, Sandhan Valley, Pawna Lake and many more. All you need is your camping gear and some great company, and you’re good to go!

Lonavala hilltop

The campsite is about 8 km away, halfway up to Rajmachi Fort and looks out on a scenic valley on one side and high hills on the other. The monsoon transforms the campsite into a lush paradise and the region is abundant with waterfalls, streams and natural ponds.

During the winter, the atmosphere is wonderfully cool and you'll wake up to the mist swirling low, almost touching the ground. You'll camp in comfortable weatherproof tents, enjoy a lively bonfire and you can even enjoy a few short treks.

Camping at Pavna Lake

Experience lakeside camping on the banks of Pavna Lake, near Lonavala. The environs of Pavna Lake are rich green and the gleaming lake offers the most fantastic view. You can enjoy a swim in the lake during the day and when evening rolls around, bringing with it a nipping chill, you can enjoy a warm bonfire and delicious BBQ.

Bhandardhara camping

Bhandardhara is one of the best camping places in Maharashtra. With beautiful landscapes of the Sahyadris offering stunning views, Bhandardhara has many campsites, each giving you a different experience.

You can enjoy lakeside camping, camping in the jungle and fireflies camping. Bhandardara is one of the best spots to witness the dance of twinkling fireflies. It also serves as a great trekking destination that you can combine with your camping trip. Enjoy an evening with a bonfire, BBQ and sleep in cosy tents beneath the stars.

Camping at Sandhan Valley

You can amp up your camping experience with a trekking adventure in Sandhan Valley. This beauty is a water-carved valley, situated in the Western Ghats. Also known as the valley of shadows, the tall rock walls of the valley keeps the sunlight away from you as you trek through deep gorges, narrow passageways, over cliffs and huge boulders.

This adventure also involves rappelling as the craggy and steep gorges are perfect for this activity. When night falls, you'll be camping right next to a clear pool in the middle of this rocky landscape. With a bonfire to keep you warm, you can gaze up at the stars as you fall asleep

Kolad camping

Another one of the best camping places in Maharashtra is Kolad. Located on the banks of the Kundalika River, Kolad offers a thrilling rafting session to add to your camping experience. A typical Kolad camping package lets you check in to your campsite in the afternoon.

Spend your evening relaxing, taking in the views and enjoying a bonfire and barbeque night. Your accommodation choices range from alpine tents, Swiss tents, cottages to treehouses, villas, and dormitories for larger groups.

You'll spend the next day battling rapids of Grade II and III on the Kundalika River. You can also sign up for other adventure activities like bungee jumping, kayaking, ziplining, etc. The best season to go camping in Kolad is during the monsoon season when the Kundalika River is full and the surroundings are flourishing with lush greenery.

Itinerary: Most camping packages includes an afternoon or evening check-in, an easy day of fun in the midst of nature, a bonfire and a barbecue session before a delicious dinner. After that, you’ll retire for the night to your tents. In the morning, you’ll awake to wonderful misty views and fresh clean air. After a hot cup of tea and breakfast, your trip ends.

What to carry for camping in Maharashtra

Your operator will provide most of the equipment required for camping, so you don’t have to worry about things like tents. You should carry extra blankets for the cold weather and make sure you have insect repellent, sunscreen, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and your personal medicines.

Best season

Winter is usually the best time for camping. The weather is cool during the day, and the nights get wonderfully chilly. It’s a good idea to carry extra warm clothes and blankets during this season.

However, during the summer and spring months, it can be very pleasant to camp near a lake or the ocean, especially as you only check-in in the evening. Monsoon Camping near Lonavala is growing in popularity now, with people heading out to enjoy the rainy weather and the cloudy skies.

Camping in Maharashtra Trip Summary

• State: Maharashtra
• Nearest city: Lonavala
• Total days: 2 days
• Grade: Easy
• Season: October - February
• Avg temperature: 15 to 35 degrees Celsius

Best time to go/Weather

Camping in Maharashtra is open all year round but the best time to enjoy is during the winter season from October to February. You'll wake up to a beautiful misty morning and thereafter the day stays cool and pleasant, while the nights bring in a biting chill. It's the ideal atmosphere to bundle up and warm yourself in front of a campfire.

During July to September, the monsoon season, the Sahyadris get drenched in the rain that transforms the entire landscape into a green paradise. You'll discover many streams, waterfalls and natural ponds along with rich flora and fauna.

The weather can get really hot during the summers; hence, it is recommended to go camping beside a lake or ocean as the climate there is relatively cool.