Camping in Kamshet

There are several unique campsites where you can set up camp in Kamshet. Here are a few examples:

1. Pawna Dam Camping

- Pawna Lake is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Kamshet.
- Despite being an artificial lake, it is a scenic retreat if you are looking for a weekend getaway.
- Because of its beauty, it is one of the most popular camping sites in Kamshet. Make sure you don’t miss the golden sunset when you are camping on the banks of the Pawna Lake.

Location: 17-22 kilometres from Kamshet railway station and Lonavala

Price: INR 3,360 approx.

2. Bhairi Caves

- Another popular campsite in Kamshet is Bhairi Caves.
- This is the ideal campsite for adventure lovers, who want to experience a multitude of activities such as trekking, hiking and mountain climbing, along with camping itself.
- To reach the caves, one has to go through dense jungles, climb a plateau, walk through grasslands and finally arrive at the cave which is carved into the steep face of a hill.
- The caves can accommodate up to 100 people at a time and offer some of the most breath-taking views of the surrounding landscape.

Location: 8km from Jambhivali village

Price: 1,800 INR approx.

3. Visapur Fort

- Visapur Fort is another striking tourist attraction in Kamshet, located at a comfortable distance of 20 km from Tiger’s Point in Lonavala.
- It is an ancient fort built atop a plateau that is covered with lush greenery.
- The campsites are located on top of the plateau near the main fort, which offers some amazing vantage point for views of your natural surroundings.
- You can even trek through the surrounding foliage and check out ruins of ancient temples and rocky rivers that flow through the area.

Location: Malavli, Maharashtra 410406

Price: 1,100 INR

4. Bhandar Dongar

- Bhandar Dongar is another adventure-seekers paradise because of the stunning views as well as the plethora of activities one can enjoy when they are there.
- One of the most popular places to go Kamshet campingis in Bhandal Dongar, a hill that is known for the ancient temple located at the summit.
- Except for its historical significance, it is also the point where activities such as paragliding are organized.
- You can also try your hand at hang gliding when you are camping in Bhandara Dongar.

Location: Bhandara Dongar Rd, Bhandara parisar, Sudhavadi, Maharashtra 410507

Price: 2,000 INR approx.

5. Shinde Wadi Hills

- Possibly the most popular paragliding take-off spot in all of Kamshet is the ShindeWadi Hills.
- Because of the popularity of the activity, several campsites have been set up in the surrounding areas.
- The Shinde Wadi hills are surrounded by plain land as well as forests. You can get breath-taking views when you set up camp in the nearby areas.
- These hills also used to be the vantage points for soldiers in wars during the British Raj and you can learn more about the history of the place from the local guides there.
- It is the ideal place to camp for adventure lovers and retreat seekers alike. 

Location: Shindewadi, Maharashtra 412115

Price: 1,500 INR approx.

The best time to visit Kamshet is between October and June, which sees the autumn, winter and spring seasons.

Summer: March and April are the summer months in Kamshet which is short and intense. Temperatures can go as high as 40 degrees Celsius which is uncomfortably hot and humid.

Monsoon: The monsoon season in Kamshet lasts from May to November. During this time, the town sees some of the heaviest rainfall and makes the landscape very picturesque. The hills, plateaus and jungles are lush green while the waterfalls showcase a very scenic picture.

Winter: Between December and February, the winter months descend upon Kamshet. These months are incredibly pleasant and see the maximum number of tourists. Minimum temperatures reach 13 degrees Celsius, which is rather bearable.

Kamshet is a small, quaint hill-town located at a mere distance of 45 km from the city of Pune. It can be found on the Sahyadri ranges of the Western Ghats in Maharashtra, which is on the western side of the Indian subcontinent. Here are the ways in which one can reach Kamshet:

By Air: The nearest airport is the Pune airport, which is located 55 km away from the town. From there, one can easily get buses and taxis to Kamshet. You can also hire a car from Chhatrapati Shivaji International Terminal in Mumbai, which is located at a distance of 210 km.

By railway: The railway station that is nearest to Kamshet is the station in Lonavala. There are frequent trains from all parts of the country that stop at Lonavala, which is 15 km away from Kamshet. A short taxi ride from the station can bring you to Kamshet within an hour.

By road: Kamshet is very well connected by road. Some paved roads and highways have been carved through the Western Ghats to easily access the town, whether you are travelling from Mumbai or Pune. There are also frequent buses that pass through Kamshet that come from Pune, Mumbai and Lonavala.

A weekend trip that consists of Kamshet camping and all the other peripheral activities that the town offers will cost each individual anything between 1,500 INR to 3,000 INR, depending on the scale and location of your stay.

Kamshet is a relatively rainy hill station in the Western Ghats, which means it sees frequent bouts of rainfall and it can get cold during the night, especially during the winter season. When it comes to clothes, make sure you carry comfortable pieces of clothing in which you can easily trek, climb and hike and won’t have any trouble when you are in camping.

Full sleeved clothes are a must for when you are going through jungles. Jackets and woolens are also essential to combat the chilly weather. As for equipment, the essentials will likely be provided to you by the camp organizers. However, it is best to be equipped from your end as well with basic necessities such as umbrellas, raincoats, flasks, ropes, medicines, sturdy shoes, binoculars for sight-seeing, sunscreen for sun protection and food and water.

Yes, most of the camps that you book when you plan to go Kamshet camping will provide you with food and safe drinking water. However, as a precautionary measure, make sure you carry your own supply of drinking water when you are traveling because you can never be too sure.

You can also carry specific foods that you like- snacks, meals and anything else you might want to carry. If you don’t wish to carry your own food, then you need not worry. There is provision for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks throughout the day when you are in Kamshet.

Yes, it is safe for a solo female traveler if she wants to choose Kamshet as her destination. It is relatively unknown trekking and camping site which is not frequented by as many people who visit Lonavala and Khandala every year. However, it is still relatively close to Pune and is well connected by road and rail.

Lots of women from across the country who want to go camping choose to go to Kamshet. As a precaution, however, it is ideal that women should have their safety measures in place, and travel with a trusted tour company who will arrange the tour. Even if they are backpacking through the region, it is best to research the place thoroughly beforehand and to keep safety measures on hand for emergencies.

The climate in Kamshet remains moderately cool throughout the year because of the frequent rainfall experienced by the region. The monsoon months last from June to October when the temperature varies between 21 degrees Celsius and 26 degrees Celsius.

For the remainder of the year, the temperature stays between 20 degrees Celsius and 27 degrees Celsius. It also experiences some arid weather during the summer months.

When you go camping in Kamshet, you will be entitled to a well-protected and sturdy tent that will be set up for your stay. These tents are located at close proximity to each other, like a small community with clean, hygienic and user-friendly washrooms.

Sleeping bags are also provided with the tents, and should you require, you can also ask for a mat and other basic amenities that are available for your taking.