Located around 110 kilometres from Mumbai, Kolad is a small hamlet in the beautiful Raigad district of Maharashtra. Often called the Rishikesh of Maharashtra, the village boasts of numerous scenic valleys, which offers stunning views of the surrounding mist-laden hills and dense evergreen forests. The verdant greenery, clear streams and a peaceful ambience add to the beauty of this quaint hamlet.
Kolad is a treasure trove of sightseeing attractions, and caters to all kinds of tourists. Some of the best attractions in Kolad City include the Kundalika River, which is the hub of white water rafting in the region. You can also visit the serene Tamhini Ghat, and soak in picturesque views of the surrounding hills. Or you can enjoy a fun-filled and memorable picnic at the Bhira Dam, while enjoying views of the gorgeous Devkund Waterfalls. Other famous attractions of Kolad include the ancient Ghosala Fort and the Kuda Caves. You can also enjoy camping and bird watching at the tranquil Sutarwadi Lake, or enjoy the history at the Talgad Fort. For adventure sports lovers, you can go trekking at the Plus Valley, or hike to the Devkund Waterfalls.
From water sports like white water rafting and boating, to adventure activities like hiking, camping, nature walks and trekking, Kolad has a lot of thrilling activities for travellers. Due to its advantageous location, you can also enjoy paragliding in Kolad when the day is clear.
Kolad experiences a typical tropical climate, with pleasant weather throughout the year. While the summers here are a little humid as compared to the other seasons, the monsoons are the best time to enjoy a river rafting experience in Kolad. Furthermore, the rains during this time make the entire region come to life, with the waterfalls and rivers flowing at their full speed, the forests and valleys experiencing the blooming of flowers and plants and an overall soothing and calm atmosphere. The months from November to February make up the cold winter season in Kolad, when the village transforms into a winter wonderland with dipping temperatures and beautiful sceneries. This is also a great time for sightseeing, hiking and other activities.
Entry is open from all domestic states.
The nearest airport to Kolad is the Mumbai airport. Flights are functional to Mumbai from Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore and 10+ other destinations.
Local transport in the city is functional including buses and taxis.
Thrillophilia recommends you follow all guidelines issued by the government to stay safe and practice good personal hygiene as you travel.
Travellers can now travel to different districts of Maharashtra without much restrictions. However, tourists are required to present a negative RT-PCR report on arrival.
All famous landmarks and tourist attractions closed till further notice to curb the rising cases of covid-19
Hotels in Maharashtra are now allowed to reopen and function with 100% capacity.
The arriving passengers will have to fill a self-declaratory form and undergo screening at the Mumbai airport. Passengers who are found to be symptomatic will be taken to the quarantine facility directly.
Lockdown in the entire state of Maharashtra has been extended till the 30th of September. Although, inter-district travel restrictions have been eased under unlock 4.0
It is located on the River Kundalika and is popularly known as the Tata Powerhouse Dam. Apart from the fact that it helps to generate electricity for the local people of the village, the Bhira dam is quite popular amongst the adventure seekers too.You can also indulge into activities like water rafting as the flow of the river is pretty decent making you have the best experience. People also visit this place to do boating or just spending some time clicking photographs and enjoying the calming sound of water flowing.Location: Patnus Maharashtra, Kolad India.Timings: Rafting starts at 8:30 am.
Flowing from Sayahdri hills and originating from a small town known as Bhira, Kundalika river is extremely popular for river rafting. It is the fastest river in India making the rafting experience worthwhile. It has become one of the favorite places to visit in Kolad by tourists not just to participate in the rafting activity but also to relax amidst nature and flowing water.Location: Kolad, Maharashtra, India.Fees: Approximately Rs. 800 on weekdays and Rs. 1200 on weekends.
It is the most famous attraction and one of the most visited places in Kolad. It is a hill fort which is situated in Roha town of Raigad district and is surrounded by Sahyadri mountain ranges. People go on Avchitgad fort trek that goes through lush green forests making it a worthwhile experience for the trekkers. It is widely famous for its beautiful architecture and the amazing history that is associated with it.Location: Nidi Tarf Ashtami, Maharashtra 402109.
If you are a lover of arts and crafts, then Kolad Museum will prove to be one of the most amazing places to visit in Kolad. Here, you can spend time strolling around and admiring the sculptures of birds, humans, and different shapes that are beautifully carved out of bamboo and different kinds of woods. This place is also known as the Kolad's Kashta Shilpa and houses the work of the most talented Ramesh Ghone.Location: Ratwad, Maharashtra 402112.
With birds chirping, water flowing, and dense forest in the background, Sukeli waterfalls is located about 7 km away from Kolad Village. It is a haven for both nature lovers and adventure seekers. People come here to have a relaxing time away from the hustle-bustle of the city. The place also offers many activities like rappelling and trekking which are ideal choices to have a fun time with your friends.Location: Mumbai – Goa highway.
This lake is a paradise for nature lovers and is known to be one of the best places to visit in Kolad. People come here to have a mini getaway from the noisy city and to enjoy the peacefulness that this place has to offer.It is also loved by bird watchers as they can witness different types of birds flying here and there. The lake is located in the Konkan region of Maharashtra which is surrounded by mountains everywhere. The place has lots of homestays around where people can stay while they are on the trip to this beautiful lake.Location: Kolad, Raigad, India.
It is situated in the Sahyadri mountain ranges and attracts people because of its aura and the various fun activities it has to offer like rafting, boating etc. People visit this place to chill for a while amidst nature and it has become one of the peaceful places to visit in Kolad. It is a popular site amongst nature lovers as they are inclined towards the sound of gushing waters and greenery around.Location: Kolad, Maharashtra, India.
It is situated in Janjeera hills which is about 27 km away from Murud and stands at an altitude of 200 m above sea level. It is a group of 15 rock-cut Buddhist caves that will remind you of the popular Ajanta and Ellora caves as soon as you enter it.You can witness the sculpture of two elephants at the entrance and a series of paintings and stupas of Lord Buddha can also be seen during the visit to Kuda caves. You can explore the caves while learning more about its history.Location: Kude, Maharashtra 402111.
Kolad is blessed with a pleasant climatic conditions all year round. While most people prefer making a trip during the monsoons, you can experience the beauty of this endearing village in almost all seasons.
1. March to June
Summers in Kolad can be hot and humid. The temperature during this time of the year can vary from 28 to 40 degree Celsius. A lot many tourists are seen flocking to this destination to enjoy the cooling water sports and escape the heat.
2. July to September
Kolad is prone to heavy rainfall during the monsoon season. The temperature can range from anywhere between 24 degrees to 29 degrees during this season. However, don’t let this stop you from making your trip to Kolad, as this is the right time to visit the village and the river in all its glory.
3. November to February
Although not very cold, Maharashtra winters can get chilly by evening if you’re anywhere near the forested areas. During the winter season, the temperature in Kolad ranges from 12 degrees to 33 degrees. While this may seem extreme to some, this is considered as the ideal time to visit Kolad.
Luckily, it isn’t much of a hassle to reach Kolad. Situated hardly three hours away from Mumbai and Pune, it is easily accessible with a short road journey. Here are a few favourable modes of transport you can choose from:
By Bus:
State transport buses going from Mumbai to Ratnagiri can take you via Kolad. These are ideally swift and take you through in little to no time. There are several AC Volvo and Seater buses available for those who don’t mind spending a pretty penny on the travel.
By Train:
Kolad lies under the Konkan railways in India, and there are several shuttles you can pick for your journey. Kolad station is also connected with some of the major cities of Maharashtra. And of course, you don’t want to miss out on the scenic journey that Konkan railway takes you through!
By Car:
The most preferred mode of transport is a car ride from Mumbai or Pune. A short ride of two and half hours, this mode is ideal if you’re travelling in a group of four to six people. The route to Kolad is a sight to behold and is full of verdant sceneries and waterfalls during the monsoons.
Resorts in Kolad go hand-in-hand with peace and quiet. In fact, every window you look out from will promise you a view to remember. Here are a few popular resorts around Kolad that offer you the best of everything under one roof:
1. Adventure activities and stay: Experience Kolad in its raw and rugged form at Adventure Activity and stay resort. They have numerous packages which allow you to experience enthralling activities and adventures such as wall climbing, kayaking, rappelling and flying fox to name some.
2. Pooja’s Farm: Want to experience the splendour of nature like never before? Pooja’s Farm is a getaway packed with placid moments by the river that helps you rejuvenate before you head back to your busy life. What’s more? You can stay in a quaint cottage looking over at the frondescence up close.
3. Doctor’s Farm: Doctor’s Farm is a 15 acres sprawling resort looking out at the River Kundalika. Guarded by the lush, evergreen thicket, this retreat is ideal for nature enthusiasts who are willing to explore the thriving wildlife in Kolad.
