Kamshet is a small town located 16 k.m. from the twin hill stations of Lonavala and Khandala in the state of Maharashtra, and is rather more popular as the paragliding hub of the state. It is set on the enchanting hills of the Western Ghats and is a tranquil place home to small villages consisting of old houses that are made up of mud, reeds, and thatch. The locals here are content with their lifestyle of simple living. It falls within the province of Pune district and lies ahead of Lonavala and Khandala. From Pune it is about 56 k.m. away, whereas Mumbai, the state’s capital is about 118 k.m. away. It is a place which is surrounded by untouched and unpolluted natural beauty. It is scenic enough to tempt you to take out your camera and start taking pictures. Its close proximity to Pune and Mumbai brings huge hordes of tourists to the place. As the place is an all-weather tourist destination, there is a continuous flow of tourists. The good thing is that there are sufficient number of hotels in Kamshetso finding a suitable lodging won’t be a difficult task.
The location of the place is about 2200 feet above the sea level on an ancient trade-route. It is an old township set in the midst of lush greenery. The hills around the town are dotted with fortresses and cave temples, and are the perfect excursion destinations from Kamshet. There is a small railhead that connects the place to rest of the state. The railway line runs along the mighty Indrayani River and passes through some very scenic sites in the region. Additionally, there is a National Highway that passes through the place. There are several interstate buses running from different parts of the state, which are the economical modes to access the place.
It is basically the adrenaline activities that bring large number of backpackers to the place. The place is the base camp of a number of adventure clubs with world-class facilities for paragliding, mountain biking, trekking etc. Paragliding is an activity that you must try; gliding over the beautiful countryside over the lakes and lush greenery is an experience like no other. If you are a professional you could go for solo flights and if you are a beginner, there is tandem flight that you can experience.
Located at a distance of about 12 k.m. from the town is a popular tourist site called Vadivali Lake. It is a scenic lake patched in the middle of lush greenery. The lake is an artificial lake, which is a result of the backwaters of Uksan Dam. Located at an altitude of about 2200 ft above the sea level, it is one of the largest and highest lakes in the region. An excellent motorable road connects the lake to the town. There are many guest houses located on both sides of the lake, which you can pick in order to relish an exquisite holiday experience.
Other significant places to visit in Kamshet are: Karla Caves, Kondeshwar Temple, Bhaja Caves, Vishweshwar Temple, Bedsa Caves, and Sangameshwar.
Dimpy Roy
Dimpy Roy is a travel writer working with an Online Travel Guide. She guides travelers about hotels in Kamshet and choose the best one.