Kolad – A Medley of Experiences

Kolad

Kolad

A Weekend Getaway to Kolad

My blank-faced trip mates appeared as the car stopped in front of me. “Finally!” I exclaimed to myself. No mornings have felt happier than the ones I wake up to, to leave on an endless journey. We had to cover a distance of 120 kilometers to a destination that is close to nature in boundless ways – Kolad. Situated in the Raigad district, Maharashtra state, India; Kolad lies on the banks of river Kundalika and is a great weekend getaway option for Mumbai as well as Pune residents. Kolad is slowly becoming known to the adventure junkies for its picturesque backdrop of Sahyadris, green meadows, and waterfalls. Adventure lovers are now calling this an adventure sports destination as one could do rafting, rappelling, kayaking and many other activities here. Kolad is mainly famous for its white water rafting.

 Kolad

Taking National Highway 17, commonly referred to as Mumbai – Goa Highway, the road journey got exciting as we crossed off-ramps, byroads, narrow lanes, and mazes! I personally prefer road trips to as many places as possible. The weather added to the fun as we were visiting Kolad in the month of January during winters. I’d recommend rainy season, the months of June to August, as the best time to visit, though. For a reason best suitable! Read on, you’ll know why…

Kolad

Having a number of options, you have to travel a few kilometers from the village to find yourself accommodation in resorts and farm houses. The average cost per head is Rs. 1400 to 2000 for an overnight stay, inclusive of meals. After checking out 2-3 farm houses, we chose Pooja farms- a mesmerizing scenic farm house that serves best of food. The highlight of the place is the wooden cottage and their private escape to the backwaters of river Kundalika. Wow!

Kolad

Following the hectically whoopee day, it was time for some adventure. The moment I was waiting for…My favorite part of the trip- RIVER RAFTING! This high adrenaline sport of navigating a river involves several levels of difficulty. These difficulty levels referred to as “grades” occur due to rapids- turbulent part of the river rise due to sudden plunges in river’s height and rocks lurking in the river. We were all set to hit the blades across 12 kilometers of river Kundalika – a river that flows from the hills of Sahyadri to the Arabian Sea. Despite having only one gate of the dam open for our ride, the flow was good enough for a first timer and marked 2+ rapids.

Kolad

Ramesh, my guide on the raft had sensed my zest and decided to train me.

“What?! Training in a 2-hour ride?”

Kolad

As we got onto the raft, he began explaining me various parts of raft, terms, methods, techniques etc of river rafting. (Yes, just me. He didn’t care enough about others!) And, after a point, while others gave him hopeless looks, I was totally enjoying the attention! Oh sorry, the training I mean! His passion for the job showed and he made sure to mention all the basics of river rafting to us. He told me about other river rafting destinations like Manali, Rishikesh, Coorg, Uttarakhand and also promised me a discount on my visit to Manali. He was helpful, kind and generous.

Kolad

Now you must have realized why I recommended rainy season as the best time to visit Kolad. The rains make rapids in river Kundalika go up to grade 3+ and make it all the more thrilling.

You can find other water sports activities and adventure sports like Kayaking, parasailing, paragliding, zip lining etc here in Kolad. These activities can be booked in advance through travel agents who charge a certain percentage of commission. You can also book an entire trip through these agents who set tents at the riverside camp, manage your food, arrange adventure sports activities and usually charge a hefty amount for all of this! These packages are good for people who don’t have time for arrangements and want everything ready before hand to calmly make the most out of their trip. I like it the other way round because it gives me the liberty to do all that I want and not waste time on anything that disinterests me. However, this is purely a personal choice you have to make based on your time, interests and comfort.

Kolad
Overall, Kolad is an ideal place for vacation with family and friends. It is beautiful and adds ardor by offering a variety of escapades. One night, two days are enough to enjoy the destination fully. You may also take one day trip here provided you reach the place early morning. The day would start with rafting and be continued exploring locally. An overnight trip to Kolad will approximately cost INR 3500 per head. Including accommodation, food, petrol and river rafting fee of INR 600 (If booked well in advance) One may also book river rafting through agents at the resorts they stay in; adding a commission of INR 300 to 400.

A weekend getaway to Kolad will sure be a medley of adventurous activities. If river rafting and other adventurous sports including water sports send your adrenaline racing, then pack your bags and head out to Kolad. A package of adventure amidst nature awaits you!

 

Kolad

Kolad

 

This is a guest post by Pooja Akula. Taking deep interests in subjects like culture, lifestyle, urbanity and destinations, Pooja Akula turned her inquisitiveness into a profession and is a travel writer and video presenter. She is a hyperactive, fun-loving, vagabond girl who believes in living every moment to the fullest. She wishes to become a travel influencer some day.

Facebook & LinkedIn: Pooja Akula
Instagram & Snapchat: pooja_akula
Youtube Channel: That’s About It! 

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117 thoughts on “Kolad – A Medley of Experiences”

    1. I saw a majority of locals…especially youngsters. However, localites did mention that they meet a lot of foreigners in the months of June to August.

    1. Kolad is the only white water rafting destination in Maharashtra. And, I’m glad you like the click. It is taken from a GO Pro 5 🙂

  1. Didn’t know about this place in India, looks like a must-do for those who love adventure activities. Bit worried about your guide only bothering to train you and no-one else on the excursion though – that would not be reassuring for me!

    1. Hahahaha! They will surely not only train you…unless you make them believe how fascinated you are by this sport! Plus, the general guidelines were explained to everybody on the raft. I was lucky to have all the extra information 🙂

  2. It’s good to know that there are adventure destinations so close to Mumbai. Think I always assumed you would need to head to Goa or Kerala. Looks beautiful

    1. Mumbai has some beautiful nearby destinations for adventure sports…
      Kolad for white water river rafting
      Della Adventures in Lonavala for crazy 40 adventure sport activities
      Goa for para sailing, jet skiing, banana and bumper rides
      Tarkarli for Scuba diving, snorkeling and dolphin spotting.

  3. Great post. I love this place and keep going back every year. The village turns into a green wonderland post monsoon.

  4. Next time we should plan a trip together. My husband too likes such long drives.
    btw never knew of Kolad. I have to go there. Very exciting pictures.

    1. India has about 25 white water river rafting destinations alone and few of them mark one of the best rafting experiences with 4+ to 5 rapids. I will shortly help you with a link to all of these destinations 🙂

  5. I’m not surprised given the breadth and diversity of the country, but white water rafting and India are not a connection I’d ever considered before this!

    1. I mentioned this to Marcus and Mellisa in the above comment…India has about 25 white water rafting destinations. Few of them marking 4+ to 5 rapids.
      You must surely consider rafting in India. I shall help you with a link to all destinations shortly 🙂

  6. I’ve done rafting a few times, it was in Africa and in France. I must say, I really loved it. Even though the one in Africa (Zimbabwe) is really really wild and tough. But it’s a fun adventure filled with lot’s of adrenaline. I did not know you could do it as well in India, so on my bucket list for now 🙂

  7. This sounds a great place for the adventurous – I know my son would particularly love the activities you mention, from the rafting to the zip lining, plus the location looks gorgeous too.

    1. Mumbai has some beautiful nearby destinations for adventure sports…
      Kolad for white water river rafting
      Della Adventures in Lonavala for crazy 40 adventure sport activities
      Goa for para sailing, jet skiing, banana and bumper rides
      Tarkarli for Scuba diving, snorkeling and dolphin spotting.

  8. This place sounds enchanting! I have never been an adventurer myself but would be willing to give water rafting a go after your wonderful review. 🙂

  9. This looks like a great place to visit. I have only done white water rafting once but it was so much fun I would love to try it again. I have also done zipling which is great too. Think I could fill a weekend with activities here.

    1. India has about 25 white water river rafting destinations alone and few of them mark one of the best rafting experiences with 4+ to 5 rapids. I will shortly help you with a link to all of these destinations 🙂

  10. Thanks for introducig Kolad; now I know about one more place that I could have a nice getaway from Mumbai! Rafting is fun and I would love to do that in Kolad, too! @ knycx.journeying

  11. I have never been white water rafting, but I really want to go! I’m nervous about falling out of the boat, but I’m sure that’s something you get over once you fall out for the first time 😛
    What was the water temperature here?

    1. Hahaha! True, falling out of the raft is totally fun! The water temperature here could have been around 15 to 17 degrees.

    1. India has so much to offer in terms of adventure sports. I can share a few more links to help you learn more if you want 🙂

  12. I don’t know much about Kolad, but river rafting there sounds like a lot of fun. I’ve done class 2 rapids once before so I can only imagine how much more thrilling it would be in the rainy season when it’s bumped up to a class 3.

  13. I love the pictures of you rafting! I have no idea how you managed to even take pictures! I would have definitely been clutching on to the raft instead haha

  14. That looks like so much fun. I’ve never been whitewater rafting even though there are a lot of places nearby. I’ve never heard of Kolad so thanks for putting another destination in India on my radar.

  15. I’ve always wanted to go white water rafting – it looks like such fun and pretty exhilarating – looks like you had a really great time trying it out!

  16. For the first time I read about Kolad and after reading this I could not stop my self from planning a trip there, and experiencing white water rafting.

    1. Oh, Rishikesh is one of the best rafting destinations in India. River Kundalika has a swimming spot as well 🙂

  17. For 7 years I lived in Mumbai. I had planned river rafting in Kolad so many times but always failed to make it happen. After seeing your blog, I realized what I have missed.

  18. stacey veikalas

    Growing up in Colorado we area rafting family for sure! I had no idea Kolad even existed, much less a great rafting destination! Looks like an amazing place!

  19. Kolad is definitely on our bucket list. We love these adventure sports, but didn’t know they were available. India has so much natural beauty, and this is great way to experience it – up close and personal. Thanks for introducing thrilling Kolad.

  20. This is something that I would like to try by myself! Especially if there are so attentive teachers because I have not much experience. Rainy season is from June to August, right? It would be cool because it is when I can take holidays in Europe

  21. Wow this looked like such a fun adventure!! I have never been water rafting, but my dad did once and he couldn’t stop talking about how much of a workout it is… can’t wait to try it now.

  22. I’ve always wanted to try river rafting. It looks like so much fun, but I’m not sure if I’m athletic enough to do it. I need to get into shape before I give it a shot 🙂 I also love road trips! I did one last year and can’t wait to go on another.

  23. This is pwrfect for people who are looking for adventure. It sure looks amazing and exciting out there. It’s definitely a lot of fun.

  24. This looks like such an adventure! While I’ve known about Kolad for some time now, haven’t been there yet! Thanks so much for sharing!!

    –http://quirkyengineer.blogspot.com/

  25. Blair villanueva

    Wow i could imagine myself shouting with laughter while doing the rafting! It’s fun, quite scary, adrenaline boosting fun.

  26. Kolad Rafting adventure is joyful, multiple sensations … the exhilaration and thrill from nature. The whitewater and the experience; will be in awe of the spectacular scenery.

  27. that was a very extreme adventure! looks very exciting! i hope i could try that activity too someday! gonna visit Kolad someday too!

  28. Wow!!! Sounds like you had a great time at Kolad! I’ve also tried river rafting and It was a great experience though not much exciting like yours. After reading this article I really want to try it again!

  29. A great and awesome experience! This is totally fantastic. Having fun with this kind of place is feels like heaven.

  30. Wow, this really looks like so much fun! What an experience. I love trying new adventure activities when I travel! It looks like this tour was so worth it! 🙂

  31. This looks like a great weekend trip. I haven’t gone river rafting since I was a little kid and hadn’t even thought about it, but your post makes it sound like a lot of fun!

  32. There are so many amazing opportunities in India! I seriously cannot wait to get there next year. I know I’m going to love driving the Goa Highway. I love the photo of you staring our the window – it’s so super wanderlusty!

  33. I went white water rafting for my first time in Nepal and it was SUCH a thrill but I’m a bit of a scaredy cat so I need to wait a while until I get back on that raft 😛 But haha the training “one-on-one” anecdote is pretty funny.

  34. I have not tried river rafting yet. But it is really high on my bucket list. This river rafting trip seems to be wonderful. And the Goa highway is also wonderful – plan to take it from Bangalore.

  35. Kolad sounds like an incredible destination – I did white water rafting for the first time in Costa Rica and LOVED it – such a thrilling adventure! So I think I’ll make a note to add Kolad during the rainy season to next years list. Thanks for the tip!

  36. There truly is so much to do in India. River rafting isn’t exactly for me. I think I would enjoy the searching of the perfect nights stay while in Kolad. Your room for the night looked very nice.

  37. I love rafting .I did it with my hubby in Kulu and Rishikesh.But now motherhood makes holiday have a totally new flavour.Great pics.One day Kolad will again be a possibility!

  38. I didn’t know it was a guest post. lol I find the part where this Ramesh make interest of teaching the writer about the rafting. Anyway, does the 2000 rupees cover all the meals? Just wondering, though.

  39. I have heard a lot about the river rafting at Rishikesh. Will love to hear a comparison of Kolad. Although the experience seems to be awesome. And also have heard a lot of good things about the Mumbai – Goa highway drive. Have got to try that also

  40. River rafting is not only a thrilling adventure sport, it is also a gateway to the adventure world for person like me who is looking to start things. I visited Rishikesh recently and as your rafting trainer mentioned, Rafting in river ganga is major adventure sport in rishikesh also just like kolad. we had great fun and adrenaline rush in those 2 hours in the middle on the waves on Ganga. This post has freshened the memory as it happened just yesterday. It was nice to read the experience of a fellow travel enthusiast. Keep posting.
    Regards

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