The topography of India lends itself beautifully to all manner of adventure sports. With the world becoming an oyster, you can travel to find your very own shot of exhilaration. Tourism boosted by the establishment of nature-based adventure sports venues, usually located away from densely populated areas, improves the economic prospects of the locals. Additionally, it draws attention to places, which may be off the well-known circuits, but have equal historical or traditional scenic value as that of a popular destination.
Here are five adventure sports you can indulge in when in Maharashtra. The adrenaline rush is sure to put you on cloud nine.
Devgad, in Sindhudurg district, famous for its Alphonso mangoes, temples, trekking, and petroglyphs, now boasts of the only coastal zipline in Maharashtra.
This zipline was started by Vaishnavi Joil, IT engineer and robotics expert, to alleviate the financial hardships of her people. The zipline is a 12-mm-thick Usha Martin steel wire rope. Set at approximately 280 feet from sea level, it covers a length of 1,885 feet.
There are ziplining sites at many other spots across the internationally recognised bio-diversity ranges of the Western Ghats. A few of them, run by various clubs, are on the outskirts of Mumbai. You can choose from the Mulshi zipline 153 kms from Mumbai; the Kolad zipline across the River Kundalika is 113 kms away, and Palghar is 114 kms away from Mumbai.
Where: Devgad coast, Sindhudurg
Distance from Mumbai: Approximately 494 km by road
Best time to visit: December to April
Head to Hadapsar, Pune, to ascend high into the sky, flying almost as free as a bird while sitting strapped inside a glider. The gliding centre, set up back in 1951, comes under the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India. It boasts of GCP fly Sailplanes, and a LET L-23 Super Blanik plane. While throughout the week, it operates as a training centre for the courses it runs, on Sundays, it is open to the public for joy rides.
The flight duration is a maximum of seven to eight minutes or could be shorter, depending on the weather. You will have to queue up as early as 5 am, as bookings are on a first-come-first-serve basis. The centre remains shut during the monsoons.
Where: Hadapsar, Pune
Distance from Mumbai: 150 km by road
Best time to visit: October to late May
Conquering a rough mountainous terrain on a specially designed cycle will give you a high like no other. While going uphill will get your heart pumping, the descent is also an adrenaline rush. Maharashtra, with its long chain of Western Ghats, is ideal for mountain biking, and Pune leads the state with its multitude of clubs and trails.
Ranging from easy, smooth trails for amateurs and beginners to challenging tracks that leave even the most experienced bikers exhilarated, the hills around Pune have it all. Some well-known paths are Vetal Tekdi, on the outskirts of Pune, the Pashan Trail Park near Baner, and Temghar Valley, around 50 kms from Pune. You can choose from the Sinhagad trails, Symbiosis Hill tracks, and the Spirit of Mowgli Pump Track and Café, perhaps the only built and maintained course in Maharashtra.
Where: Pune
Distance from Mumbai: Around 150 km by road
Best time to visit: December to April
Waterfall Abseiling
If you thought coming down a rock face was thrilling, you must try waterfall abseiling. The descent is double the excitement as water pounds onto you. The best season for abseiling in Maharashtra is either at the beginning or the end of monsoon. The rain-fed Vihigaon falls, near Igatpuri, are now also known as the Asoka falls, since the Shahrukh Khan-starrer Asoka, was shot here. The Dhabosa in Palghar is one of Maharashtra's highest and perennial waterfalls, and therefore a year-round attraction.
Where: Vihigaon near Igatpuri, and Dhabosa, Jawhar, Palghar
Distance from Mumbai: Jawhar is 135 km from Mumbai, and Vihigaon is 116 km by road
Best time to visit: June to September
The wet, rough-and-tumble of white-water rafting is an experience you will not forget in a hurry. In Maharashtra, Kundalika river, close to Kolad, and Vaitrana river, near Pune, offer grade 1 and 2 rapids. During the monsoon, these turn into grade 3 and 4. Ravalje and Bhira hydroelectric plants release water into the almost 15 km-long River Kundalika, making it ideal for the adventure sport. The River Vaitrana is fed by its namesake dam.
Where: River Kundalika, Kolad; and River Vaitrana, near Pune, Nashik district
Distance from Mumbai: River Kundalika is 117 km away from Mumbai; and River Vaitrana is approximately 84 km away.
Best time to visit: After September for grade 1 and 2 rapids, and June to September for grade 3 and 4.
Tip: Factor into your schedule the weather and waiting time for all nature-based activities.
