Kamshet is getting popular as the paragliding capital of India. It is in the state of Maharashtra. Surrounded by the Western Ghats and floored with Sahyadri Ranges' beauty, Kamshet is a beautiful place with rich flora and fauna.

Districts/Region

Pune district, Maharashtra, India.

History

The paragliding at Kamshet is operated by Sanjay and Astrid Rao. Sanjay Rao identified the sport of paragliding in 1996. The duo has owned the land in Kamshet since 1994. They recognized the potential of paragliding training in the hills in this region and initiated Nirvana Adventures in 1997. This has helped in changing the face of the remote location of Kamshet forever.

Geography

Kamshet is in Pune District in Maharashtra, India, 110 KM from Mumbai, and 45 KM from Pune. It is 16 KM from the twin hill stations of Khandala and Lonavala. Kamshet is home to small villages that are built in the traditional style - with mud, thatch and reeds.

Weather/Climate

The Kamshet has a hot-semi arid climate year-round with an average temperature ranging from 19-33 degrees Celsius.
April and May are the hottest months when the temperature reaches up to 42 degrees Celsius.
Winters are extreme, and the temperature can go as low as 10 degrees Celsius at night, but the average daytime temperature is around 26 degrees Celsius.
The annual rainfall in the region is around 763 mm. 

things to do

One can get engaged in Nirvana Paragliding and visit Vadivali Lake, Uksan Village for natural beauty. Nirvana Adventures runs training programs in paragliding at Kamshet 12 KMaway fromLonavala. Training season at Kamshet goes on for almost eight months, from October to June.

Nearest tourist places

One can plan to visit the following tourist places along with Kamshet paragliding.

• Pawna Lake: The crystal clear water of the Pawna lake is surrounded by tall mountains. With the sparkling lake and clear sky views, the Pawna lake is perfect for paragliding to enjoy the picturesque views of the entire Kamshet. Pawna lake campsites are located at a distance of 17.1 KM from Kamshet Railway Station.
• ShindeWadi Hills: ShindeWadi Hills is popular for paragliding rides among both the experienced as well as the inexperienced gliders. It provides the perfect combination of a suitable height and a perfect take-off point. It is at a distance of almost 2 KM from the Kamshet town.
• BhandaraDongar: It is a hilltop that enchants your soul with its gorgeous views. It is accompanied by the divine temple of SantTukaram and its presence adds up a heavenly bliss to the region. 23 KM away from the Kamshet
• Bedsa Caves: Located slightly far from Kamshet, Bedsa Caves is a group of rock-cut Buddhist monuments dating back to 1st century CE, one of the ancient caves of Maharashtra tracing back to the Satavahana period. Known for the beautiful, exquisite carvings, the caves contain four tall pillars. The main cave called the 'Chaitya' has a prayer hall.
• Kondeshwar Temple: Constructed using stones, carved out in an ancient dry masonry architecture. The rocky terrain makes it a tough climb up to the temple and therefore it is advisable not to be visited during monsoonseason.

Special food specialty and hotel

Maharashtrian dishes are the specialty of this place such as ZunkaBhakar and Misalpaav. Other dishes are also available in the region.

Accommodation facilities nearby & Hotel/Hospital/Post Office/Police station

Hotels and resorts are available in the vicinity of the Kamshet.
Several hospitals are around Kamshet.
The nearest post office is at a distance of 0.3 KM.
The nearest Police station is at a distance of 0.4 KM.

Visiting Rule and Time, Best month to visit

June to September is the rainy season in India, the recommended time for paragliding in Lonavala and Kamshet is October to May. As paragliding is the main sport here. It is advisable to avoid visits during rains as the winds are strong. Cool winters and warm summers are the best time to visit Kamshet. Waterfalls can be spotted here during monsoons.

Language spoken in area 

English, Hindi, Marathi