Maharashtra is honored with a perfectly apt title of ‘Gateway to the Heart of India’. The fusion of western and eastern culture, the vast heritage, the diverse people, the rustic food, the advancement in tech, and the list goes on and on and on. The very thought of encapsulating the innate beauty of this state in a few paragraphs is completely ridiculous. The indefinite number of things this state has to offer can’t be savored in a single lifetime. It boasts of opening a window of limitless opportunities for every explorer in search of beauty, peace, luxury, felicity, and most of all adventure.
The mention of this state can galvanize every adrenaline junky into action. Blessed with the versatile topographical features and the tropical moderate climate befitting the abundance of adventure sports that one can seek to explore.
Here is a list of top 10 things to do in and around Maharashtra for the adventure travelers.
1) PARAGLIDING
Take a plunge into the skies being suspended under the shade of a canopy guided by the gushing winds. Maharashtra is a coveted attraction for the flying fanatics owing to the versatile nature of landforms.
The lofty peaks and rolling hills around the region of Kamshet are a sight to behold. Take in the brisk mountain breeze and savour the view of the lopsided hills cloaked with profusely green patches of thick vegetation and the glimmering lake in the callow light of dawn. The picturesque scenic beauty and the consummate weather makes this a pilgrimage for the paragliders. In the proper seasons of flying, the air is jam-packed with gliders and it appears as the venue for some kite festival. Do have a try at one this for it’s among the best activities to do in Maharashtra.
Other places that are worth checking out for this sport are Talegaon Dabhad, Virar, Saputara and Nashik.
2) TREKKING
Trekking holds the power of intoxicating the exhausted mind and enlivens the weary body. It gives you the chance to redeem your soul through bathing in the pool of nature’s offerings. And Maharashtra gives you ample opportunities for this purpose. This is no doubt one of the best adventure activities to do in Maharashtra.
Lohagad fort sits at the top of a hammock at an altitude of 1050m, is one of the most sought-after attractions for trekkers all around. This fort, positioned near Lonavala, is famous for Vinchu Kattu aka the Scorpion tail. The trek starts at the base at Malvia. Throughout the journey, you’ll feel a kinship with nature all around you. The monsoon season just embellishes the innate sublimity of the entire trek.
Or take a journey to the Everest of Maharashtra, Kalsubai Peak. Invigorate your spirits through breathing in the bracing air at an altitude of 5400 feet. Be blown away by the stunning view of the rivulets, lofty peaks, and the lush green valleys. Kalsubai Peak falls under the best places to visit in Maharashtra to try this activity.
3) PARAMOTORING / HUMMER CHUTING
When it comes to flying a 3-wheeled scooter with attachments of a giant propeller and an overhead air parachute, Ratnagiri takes the cake. With its picture-perfect view of the magical Arabian sea and the beach-brown forest touching the horizon, this place is harbour to the flying freaks.
Although it’s not like other places have nothing to show for. Paramotoring is also an option to consider in the cosmopolitan city, Mumbai. Sit back and relish the rising skyline off this majestic city.
4) CAVING
If the thrill of the mysterious caves gets you galvanized, then this state has a bountiful to offer you. The deep-pocketed heritage of Maharashtra has paved the way for the origination of many historical monuments including some caves. One can also get a buzz out of exploring the pristine caves born from the lap of nature.
Embrace yourself to get astounded by the intricate work from the age of Himayana phase of Buddhism. The Karla and Bhaja Caves, located near Lonavala has an abundance of beautiful things to scrutinize. The caves are curtained by a gorgeous waterfall that is a source of fascination for the visitors’ comings from all around the globe. Visapur and the Lohagad fort are also happened to be nearby.
5) RAPPELLING
Torna waterfalls, Dudhiware waterfalls, Dodhani waterfalls, Madheghat and the list is prolonged. They all equally give unique experiences of Waterfall Rappelling. A major portion of this list are located in either Mumbai or Pune and these two places are renowned to be in the possession of the best sites for this sport all over India. So if you want to demonstrate how strong your foothold is, these are the places to be. Surely this is one of the most invigorating things to do in Maharashtra.
Want to make the most out of your experience? Then plan an adventure-loaded trip to profound edges of the Sahyadri Mountains. Get the thrill of rappelling, the adventure of trekking and the joy of camping all fused into a single trip. Though the jewel of this trip is undoubtedly waterfall rappelling between two mountain cliffs standing with a height of 130 feet and 250 feet. After this, you’ll pass through the Devkund waterfall. The battle with the fierce waterfall will send you to achieve new levels of exhilaration.
6) WINDSURFING
The wonderfully fractal fringes of this hefty state are gifted with the most pleasing tropical air currents of the Arabian sea. This state houses some of the most beautiful beaches all over India. Gushing waves at the shoreline make its beaches an anchorage for the wave-riders. It’s among the best water sports in Maharashtra.
The daredevils who crave the adrenaline of this sport can come to the adventure hub, Goa. The ravishing beaches with flax-gold sand, jewel-blue sea and the spurting waves make this state a heavenly destination for surfers. Dona Paula Beach, Bogmalo Beach, Baga Beach, Calangute Beach, etc. are few such beaches where one can go to try this sport. These are among the most famous places in Maharashtra to try this activity.
Mumbai, the city where dreams are made itself is blessed by beaches on which surfing is a dream for some people. Clear blue water and the soaring waves provide a lot of scope for surfing. The Mandwa Jetty has some windsurfing training facilities.
The beaches of Lakshadweep Island are also no less.
7) HOT AIR BALLOONING
Have a comforting evening revelling in the joy of a bonnie view amidst the fading cloud above the skyline of Maharashtra. Simultaneously have a mild rush of adrenaline of flying through the skies. Expel out all the weights and have a consoling ride on a giant balloon. This is surely one of the best activities to do in Maharashtra.
Lonavala, a beautiful hill station on the fringes of Maharashtra. This place gets crowded with travelers every year due to the number of attractions it harbours. One of those attractions being the Hot-air balloon safari of Lonavala. You can enjoy the sight of the inherent beauty of the Sahayadri Mountains, the surging and plunging water down the aquarium-blue waterfalls, the lush green forests and the blissful lakes.
Hot air ballooning can also be enjoyed in Goa, one of the most buzzing states of India. To have a rustic bird’s eye view of the renowned beaches of Goa, do take a swing at this adventure activity.
8) CYCLING
It’s time for some healthy and salutary take on adventure. Cycling, an activity that is prominent for its benefits of curing both physical and mental ailments. It’s invigorating and also can generate a mild thrust of adrenaline. Maharashtra extends a wide range of tracks that allows you to indulge in this activity with full zest. Hop on and get a closer look at the culture and heritage of this state.
Take a ride to the through the tourists’ places of Mumbai such as the Gateway of India, Prince of Wales museum, Rajabai Clock tower, etc. Or have a rougher off-road ride through the rugged terrains of Sukapur-Chanderi via Ashas Wadi. You can also have a bike ride on the coastal roads of Maharashtra. For a one-day cycling tour Kihim, Alibaug, and Nagao are extremely good options.
9) WILDLIFE SAFARI
Maharashtra is not only blessed with the majestically beautiful landforms and intrinsically ravishing greenery. The Flora and fauna of this place are truly diverse and distinctive. And to explore this ethereal aspect of this lively place, one must take a journey of the wildlife safari. Interact with the animal kingdom and be awestruck by the vivid and extremely disparate terrain life.
The wildlife safari through the safeguarded sanctuaries of Maharashtra comprises of Sanjay Gandhi National park, Pench National Park, Todabo national Park, Nagzira wildlife sanctuary, Bor Wildlife sanctuary, and many more. A trip through any of these sanctuaries would compel you to appreciate the beauty of nature and wildlife on a deeper and more meaningful level.
10) GIANT SWING
The mere memory of our childhood days when we used to rush towards the swings in the neighbourhood park, is enough to bring a rush of dopamine in our brains. It’s time to trigger that nostalgic memory in the most daring way possible. Rev up the fear factor and brace yourself to have a surge in your adrenaline like never before. It’s time for a swing ride. This thought is sure to cross your cerebrum that “swings aren’t that scary”. So, let me put a full stop to your delusion.
How would you exactly feel about a riding a swing at an altitude of 500 feet from the bottom? The normal reader’s feet must be frozen but an adrenaline junkie’ must be galvanized and dying to know where he/she can try this. You can quench your thirst for adrenaline in the Valley of Shadows, Sandhan valley. Don’t miss the chance to try this because it’s one of the best adventure activities in Maharashtra.
This is a 4-part trip consisting of the Burma Bridge, The Flying Fox, The Giant Swing and finally rappelling down the valley. These are all exciting and thrilling activities but The Giant Swing is truly something else.
