For our recent trip to Kolad, I was researching for accommodation options when I came across Kundalika Rafting – a Nature Trails Resort, an eco-tourism resort with a focus on nature and generating local employment. The online pics and reviews were good, so we booked a one-night stay in a superior deluxe tent. They had multiple options and packages (for meals and activities) available and I booked our stay to include dinner and breakfast (there didn’t seem to be any other options close to the resort). We didn’t book any adventure sports / activities in advance and chose to decide on them after arriving at the resort.

The booking slip had a Google Map link for the camp location, and we used it to drive to the camp. The camp is in a small village of Kamath and at least a 30 – 45 minutes’ drive from the main town of Kolad. Due to the distance from the main town, it is advisable to have your own transport to reach this place. For the last 30 minutes of the drive, there was absolutely nothing around (no signage either) and for a while we were not sure if we were going in the right direction. But Google Maps showed the correct location and we finally reached the camp.

The booking slip also mentioned the check in time as 5.00 pm; so we reached the camp around that time and immediately loved the quiet tranquility of the place. The camp is surrounded by a small jungle and hills in the background. There are 20 tents and a big common dining hall (I loved the posters in this hall!) and a large playground. Our superior deluxe tent was spacious, clean and cozy with a good air conditioner and all working facilities in the bathroom. There were enough charging points in the room, though Wi-Fi was only accessible in the dining hall. Our room did not have a river view and we were ok with it. Due to the remote location, there was patchy or no phone network, no shops around and apart from the basic toiletries in the bathroom and drinking water, everything had to be ordered. So I suggest carrying everything you need with you such as cold drinks, toothpaste, toothbrushes etc.

When we checked in they informed us that we have an option to try any of the following adventure activities such as Zipline, Burma Bridge, Tarzan Swing, Kayaking, Laddering, and Treasure Hunt but after our long drive we just wanted to relax. The timing for most of these activities is from 5.00-6.30 pm and with the late check-in time and the long drive, I just felt a bit rushed. If, at the time of booking, the property can inform their guests of the timings / options for these activities, I think it would give people like us an opportunity to plan accordingly and try some of these on the first day of arriving itself. We decided to just try river rafting and after booking our rafting trip for the next morning, we just walked to the river and enjoyed a beautiful sunset all by ourselves.

We had dinner and breakfast at the camp, both served 20-30 minutes later than the scheduled time, but the spread was good –  food was local (All Maharashtrian fare), fresh and tasty. I especially loved the rice rotis and the ussal. People all around were really helpful, honest and polite and helped us whenever we asked for anything. While rafting, we couldn’t carry anything with us and left our wallets, phones etc. in our room. Since our lock was defective, we couldn’t lock the room and when we got back everything was just as we had left it.

The only issue I had here was lack of proper information dissemination. People are very polite and helpful but the attitude is extremely laid back. You need to ask for everything and only then get the required information.

Overall, if you are looking to visit Kolad for a quick rejuvenating weekend getaway from Mumbai or Pune, this camp is a good option to enjoy some quiet time with nature and a hand at river rafting. Apart from some minor hiccups, we had a good stay and enjoyed our time here.

This is not a sponsored post and these views are personal and based on our own experience. We paid for the stay and the river rafting trip.