Adventure Sports in Pune
Want to spend the weekend doing something different? Pune offers adventure sports enthusiasts the opportunity to spend fun-filled weekends in the city. Artificial rock-climbing facilities are available for those who want to experience the thrill of rock climbing in Pune. The gliding centre is one of the few in India and offers flying enthusiasts the experience of a lifetime.
Artificial Rock-Climbing in Pune
Interested in stretching a limb and learning what rock climbing is all about before doing the actual thing? Pune offers facilities for artificial rock-climbing, where walls as high as 50 feet simulate the rock-climbing experience. These climbing walls are at Raje Shivaji Vyayam Mandal (Shivaji Nagar Gaothan) and Annasaheb Magar Stadium (Pimpri). The fee could be Rs 100 per climb.Gliding in Pune
If you have always thought of flying but never wanted to go through the rigours of a pilot's course, then gliding is just the thing for you. One of the few of its kind in India, the Gliding Centre of Pune offers the thrilling adventure. Joy rides with trained pilots are available on Sundays while training courses offer a more in-depth experience of the sport. Pilots can avail three Super Blainik L23 aircraft which are two-seater gliding planes at a cost of about Rs 187 per trip. Pilots’ licenses are also available after a 2 to 12-month training course.Paragliding in Pune
Soaring like a bird is the stuff dreams are made of and the sport of paragliding makes this come true. Paragliding facilities are available near Pune at Kanifnath, about 20 km from the city, on Saswad Road. At an elevation of 1,000 feet, it is a good place for ridge and thermal soaring. Enthusiasts can experience the sport at other places nearby such as Khadakwasla, Purandar, Mulshi, Panshet and Pawna.Adventure Sports near Pune
Pune’s proximity to the Sahyadris makes it ideal for adventure sport enthusiasts. These include trekking, rock-climbing, rapelling, paragliding, white water rafting, kayaking, snorkelling, cave exploring and camping. These activities are organized by private operators in Pune. Spend an adventure-filled weekend trying out a new sport or reliving the joys you have never tried before.Trekking near Pune
Several forts near Pune make it a trekker’s delight with adventurous trekking trails leading up to forts perched high up on various peaks. These include the forts of Raigad, Lohagad, Torna, Pratapgad, Sinhagad, Harishchandragad, Kalsubai, Vasota, Ratangad and Alang. Situated at 820 metres, Raigad is a steep climb up some 1,500 steps which lead to the fort. The climb begins down below at Pachad village, which is 40 km off NH 17.
The Raigad to Torna route is a trekkers’s delight with spectacular views and unspoilt wilderness. A distance of 30 km it passes through a number of remote villages and could take 2-3 days. Torna Fort is at an elevation of 1,403 metres and can also be reached from the village of Velhe, some 50 km from Pune.
Lohagad Fort is another interesting trekking destination. Situated 1,052 metres above sea level, its 52 km from Pune and can be reached from Malavli, 9 km away. Pratapgad is easily accessible from Satara, 109 km from Pune and Mahabaleshwar which is 120 km away. Only 30 km away from the city, Sinhagad, at an elevation of 1,312 meters, offers panoramic views and is an easily accessible trekking trail.
White water rafting
Being amidst the rapids can send the pulse racing and this is what white water rafting is all about. The River Kundalika at Kolad, 114 km from Pune, is the ideal place to experience the thrill of white water rafting. The water released from the Bhira Dam everyday makes it ideal for this activity. It can be best experienced during the monsoon season. It could cost from Rs 1,400 per person. Visitors can opt for camping or farmstays nearby.Kayaking
Kayaking on a river or lake is another exciting water sport near Pune. Enthusiasts can head out to Bhatghar Dam, about 50 km from Pune city, to indulge in the sport. They can also experience it on the River Kundalika at Kolad, 114 km away.Paragliding
Paragliding, a popular adventure sport, delivers the thrill of soaring amidst the clouds. It can be experienced from many spots around Pune including hill stations of Panchgani, Kamshet, Tapola and Bhandardara. It could cost around Rs 1,500 per session. Courses are also available for beginners.Parasailing
Want to do something different on the beach? Parasailing, a version of paragliding where the parasail is towed behind a vehicle, takes places on beaches such as Alibaug, Diveagar and Murud.Snorkelling or Scuba Diving in Pune
Experience the wonderful underwater world with snorkelling or scuba diving in Pune. While snorkelling can be tried by amateurs, scuba diving requires more skill. The exciting water sports can be pursued at a number of beach resorts in Sindhudurg district, about 368 km from Pune. These include Tarkarli, Malvan, Devbaug. It could cost around Rs 300 per person per session. PADI Open Water Diver Certification courses are also conducted by Maharashtra Tourism.
Camping near Pune
Camping, a popular activity for all age groups, is possible at many locations around Pune. It could be part of some other adventure activity like trekking or white water rafting. Some family camp sites at Tikonapeth, Mulshi, Kolad, Panshet, Kamshet and Nilshi offer all basic facilities.Waterfall Rappelling in Pune
A new adventure sport, waterfall rappelling is for those who are accomplished at rock climbing and like water too. The sport consists of descending down a rock face through a flowing waterfall. One can enjoy Water Rappelling in Kolad, Lonavala, Mulshi and Malshej Ghat.Jet Skiing
Interested in racing on the water? Jet skiing is a popular and exciting water sport. It is available at Lavasa, Alibaug, Kashid and Murud. It could cost from about Rs 300 per person per ride.Adventure Plus at Yeoli, near Pune, offers a range of adventure sports including kayaking, zipline, rock climbing, rapelling, zorbing, biking, sky walk, aeromodelling and army obstacle course.
Della Adventure Park in Lonavala offers bungee jumping, swoop swinging, zorbing, zipline, rocket ejection, mountain biking, rock climbing and trekking.
Kamath Residency Resorts at Nagothane in taluka Roha, 131 km from Pune, offer facilities for adventure water sports such as white water rafting, kayaking and river crossing.
Nature Trails’ Forest Lodge at Durshet, 97 km from Pune, offers adventure activities such as trekking, white water rafting, rapelling, rock climbing and kayaking.
Camping with all basic facilities near Pune is offered by Rusticville, Big Red Tent, Nature Knights, Native Place, Surya Shibir and YMCA Camp Lakeside.