Wet-n-Wild

Get into the spirit of adventure this monsoon, urges Achal Dhruva as he suggests three lesser known scenic hideaways near Mumbai that offer a range of activities like white water river rafting, trekking, river-crossing and more...

It's a malady that afflicts denizens of Mumbai on weekends, the first signs of which usually crop up with the rolling of the dark clouds over the city and finally flaring up with the onset of the rains. Hordes of Mumbaikars escape the city, almost like migratory birds, for run-of-the-mill resort holidays descending upon a few so-called popular and over-crowded destinations like Khandala-Lonvala, Matheran, Mahabaleshwar, Malshej Ghat, and Bhandardhara where more often than not you will bump into half your office crowd and even your mother-in-law.

There are however scores of relatively undiscovered sites that one can get away to and take a short break from this madding crowd. Mumbai is blessed with the proximity of the Sahyadri Range and its rugged topography, extensive forest cover, huge lakes, waterfalls, historic forts and rocky pinnacles offer a plethora of weekend getaways for a 'wet-n-wild' holiday. If you are yearning for a bit of adventure and a chance to experience the rustic beauty of Maharashtra without the frills of luxury, read on.

View of the lake at Shetty Farms Pic: Achal Dhruva	The thundering cascade behind The Revival (Hans Adventure Holidays)
Sitting area of the villas of Camp River Wild	Tenting experience at The Revival Pic: Achal Dhruva

Camp River Wild

If you are looking to be one with nature and figure high on the adventure barometer, you can head for Camp River Wild, which is located on the banks of River Kundalika near Kolad (on the Mumbai-Goa highway) 140 kms from Mumbai.

And if you are a white water rafting addict, then Camp River Wild can be your most preferred weekend destination this monsoon. Visitors can opt for the commercial runs on the waters of Kundalika that Mercury Himalayan Explorations (MHE), a Delhi-based adventure company organises in conjunction with Camp River Wild.

Rafting is done over an 8 kms stretch, a journey filled with high thrills over rapids lasting almost three hours. Apart from rafting, there are other activities like river-crossing, jungle treks, rock-climbing (post-monsoon) and boating.

Camp River Wild is an eco-friendly retreat spread over 360 acres amidst thick forest that gives it a lost-in-the-wilderness feel. Its structure exudes an old-world charm with eight villas and two log cabins that are set among thick foliage. The spacious (700 sq. ft. each) villas have a split level construction with the sitting area on the lower level and the bedroom with an attached toilet on the upper level. Adorned with antique colonial style furniture, what immediately catches the eye is the huge poster bed, wall clocks, lamps, paintings and a large collection of books and magazines. An ideal place to do things at one's own pace. Take long walks along the meandering paths of the property or simply sit on the river front deck adjoining the restaurant and gaze at the mist-shrouded mountains in the distance while listening to the twittering of the birds.

Revelers enjoying at Shetty Farms Pic: Achal Dhruva	River-crossing on Kundalika near Camp River Wild
A peacock gets a balcony seat to the monsoon magic at The Revival	The huge lake across the road from The Revival (Hans Adventure Holidays) Pic: Achal Dhruva

The Revival (Hans Adventure Holidays)

This small farmhouse in the wilderness, set amidst nine acres of cashew and mango plantation, is the brainchild of Retd. Group Capt. Hemant Khatu. A subsidiary of his company Hans Adventure Holidays, The Revival was built to rekindle the spirit of adventure among visitors.

Located in Suttarwadi village, 13 kms from Kolad, The Revival is ideal for a back-to-nature holiday with family and friends with its proximity to a huge lake, forested area and waterfalls.

With two bedrooms, a spacious hall and a terrace, the farmhouse can accommodate a group of 20 persons at one time. There are six large tents pitched in the middle of the mango plantation and the property is inhabited by a menagerie of birds and animals including teams of ducks, geese, peacocks, hens, and rabbits that keep you company. And if you are lucky, you can also sight wild boars and deer.

Hans Adventure Holidays also offers a host of activities like river-crossing, boating and jungle walks. But the more popular ones are lolling in the nearby gushing stream and getting a good massage under the huge 40 feet waterfall. With their team of trainers, the place also hosts a lot of outbound training programmes for corporates from Mumbai and Pune.

However, the image that lingers in one’s mind is that of sitting on the terrace of the farmhouse whilst nursing a large peg, watching the twilight sky brightening up with flashes of lightning announcing the approaching rains over the distant mountains, accompanied by deafening rolls of thunder. It is almost a surreal experience.

Shetty Farms

Road to Shetty Farms Pic: Achal Dhruva	View of the rooms and the pool at Shetty Farms Pic: Achal Dhruva
Being one with nature at Shetty Farms Pic: Achal Dhruva	Master of all you survey, the observation terrace of The Revival Pic: Achal Dhruva

Best described as a personal hideaway, Shetty Farms boasts of perfect location. It is a sprawling property with 280 acres of land set against a backdrop of mountains and houses a rippling lake and two waterfalls. Of this, only 60 acres has been developed while the rest of the property is thickly forested.

Located near Jamrung village, 30 kilometers from Karjat, it has a picture postcard setting during the monsoon. The property, with its profusion of green is mesmerising and intoxicating and having a face off with your wild side seems like the most natural thing to do. Sitting under the waterfall at midnight and watching a swarm of fireflies do a ballet and skinny dipping in the lake in torch light is simply an unforgettable experience.

The area outside the restaurant at Camp River Wild	View of Kundalika from Camp River Wild

And for those who prefer to tread on safe waters, the swimming pool adjacent to the rooms is equally enjoyable. All in all, it's a haven for water babies.

There are plenty of other attractions in the vicinity to ensure an adventure-filled weekend. Peth Fort is just a two-hour easy trek from Ambivali village, which is about 5 kms from Jamrung. The lake behind Ambivali village at the base of the mountain also makes for an excellent spot to cool off after the trek.

While the spot scores fantastically on the location front, the accommodation is basic. Situated on an elevation overlooking the lake, the place has four single rooms - two have attached toilets while the other two come with external toilets. The single rooms with attached toilets are tiled and have a raised platform as the sleeping area. It also has a large room that can be used as a dormitory.

However, it scores low for the rather small windows that are too high up and provide poor ventilation with absolutely no view. Mattresses and bed sheets are provided and so is hot water for baths. The caretaker cooks excellent Maharashtrian-style meals complete with nachnichi bhakari and warm, spicy gauthi chicken. If you can be a bit adventurous and make do with some basic accommodation, Shetty Farms could very well be your dream weekend getaway.