Camping, Overnight stay in a tents is not new in India . Such camping trips are quite common in the northern regions of India. However it is nice to see that this trend is catching up in the state of Maharashtra too.
Camping site, the one i visited is organized by the group "Pawna Blue water Camping". The official website is as follows
http://www.pawanabluewater.com/
Typical Package includes
Time 4:00 pm to 11:00 am
Snacks : pakoda (fritters), tea at evening
Free time for games : You can play Cricket, Badminton, volleyball, football in the open space adacent to tents or can try hands on Archery. Also one can enjoy board games like chess, Carrom.
One can just enjoy the evening sunset time at the banks of the lake.
As the sun goes down and night stars starts lightening up the sky you are served with Barbecue ( veg or Non-veg as per your choice). Generally the quantity is kept limited for the Barbecue and is served hot fresh..
Enjoy your time over chit-chats and have a gala time...
Dinner: Unlimited served in buffet style...
After a healthy dinner just enjoy the chills in the air with a warmth along with your partner. Star gazing , spotting a shooting star games takes a troll on you.
As the moon rises over the sky windy chills makes it more harder to be comfortable. Alas camp fire to the rescue. Warm up your soul just sitting next to it or dance around it. Ghost stories will surely send chiils through the body at such times ;). A friend with a guitar and a beautiful voice will be just a cherry on the top.
Then its time to get in to your tents and have a good night sleep. Tents are provided with a pillow and blanket. It will be better to carry an extra blanket during the winters.
Wake up to the tune of chirping birds in the morning.Go for a walk along the lake. just enjoy the beauty of nature with fresh rays of the morning. have a natural spa to the feet sitting on banks of the lake.
Then its time to pack up the bags have breakfast and leave.
Sanitary facilities are provided at a separate location away from the tents and were found to be kept clean for the use.
Siteseeing Nearby
1) Trek to Tung Fort
This is the fort which first catches your eye on the way to Pawna lake. After one crosses Dudhiwara khind (a nice photo stop) there is a spot marked on the way depicting the first gaze at this mighty hilltop fort. A steep scenic trek leads to the hilltop fort. Difficulty is medium. But the view from the top is just marvelous as the fort is covered with Pawna lake water from three sides.
2) Trek to Tikona fort 3 kms away
Dominant hill fort in Maval with a height of 3580 ft. A simple trek of 45 mins can take you to the top. Monsoon will be the best time to enjoy this trek as the fort will be covered in dense fog comping upwards from the valley.
3) Trek to Lohgad ( 18 kms away)
One of the well preserved fort situated at the height of 3400 ft. one can reach to the top stepping over the stone stairs laid all along till the top of the fort. Every turn at the stairs will give you a scenic view. So much to explore on top. And is famous spot for a one day trek during monsoon near Lonavala.
4) Enjoy drive along Pawna Catchment
5) Dinosaur Park: A theme park of Dinosaurs
Recently opened new attraction nearby Lonavala. Easily spottable en route Lohgad, Pawna Lake. Newly started and under improvement. Nicely arranged guided tour. One can either walk around or take a mini bus ride to visit the different attractions in the park. Overall will be a good experience for the children seeing a moving Dinos and learn some basic information about the different types of displayed dinosaurs. It is also coming up with an added attraction - wax museum in a short time.
6) Lonavala :
- Bhushi Dam during Rainy Season
- Wax Museum
- Tiger point
- Rajmachi Point.