My Sojourn In the Mini Kashmir of Maharashtra - Tapola

“Nope, this time I will not differ, we are going to Kashmir”.

I agree that our Kashmir plans are on the cards since long and each time they are getting postponed, but trust me, we will go shortly and certainly, said husband.

“Nahi, I want to get surrounded by just lakes and hills, wanna experience the Kashmir feel and that too this weekend only”.

Dear Wifey, it’s your Kashmir cravings and not chocolate craving! How possible this weekend? Array yar! Okay, okay, will try, said husband.

Planning a Kashmir Gateway

Hello travelers, do you have this type nok-jhok at home while planning the holidays? Well, we do have them often. Finally I trusted him and he added “Mini” to my Kashmir cravings and that’s how we landed in the heaven: 

Tapola – the mini Kashmir of Maharashtra

Tapola has beauty, love, that Kashmiri charm, yogic stillness and soothing vibes.

Shiv Sagar Lake appeared as a creator’s magic. We were impressed by the quietness of the silver hued lake and with mesmerizing views of Sahyadri hills.

It was a month of January and the weather was unusually pleasant, with breezy day and somewhat chilled night. The best time to visit is October to March when you can enjoy sightseeing along with outdoor activities.

A picturesque hamlet!

Monsoons here are lush greens and foggy, just perfect quaint gateway for your chai-pakoda and serenity. Nirvana for the nature lovers – Tapola offers dreamlike appeal with seasonal waterfalls and blooming wild flowers all around.

Where is it?

India’s favorite hill stations include Mahabaleshwar as one entry, but if you want to try out less crowded and quiet place, drive up to Tapola, situated at 30 km from Mahabaleshwar. Tapola is located at around 150 km from Pune and 275 km from Mumbai.

There are strawberry farms all around you!

Home to gerbera farms and beautiful strawberry fields, Tapola is a must visit for strawberry lovers. What makes it remarkable is 85% of India's total strawberry produce is from this place. Sloppy hills and pleasant weather are just perfect for the strawberry, gerbera and of course for us too!

Things to do

Visit the farms, chat with locals and farmers, make your hands dirty, handpick fresh strawberry under the guidance of the expert, get them back home for Rs.350 per Kg and I got to know the secret of AC leaves which keep the strawberry in cooling atmosphere inside packaged box. How eco-friendly cold storage facility from ancient times!

Learn about agro-tourism at Tapola

You can give a boost to agro-tourism and homestays here that provide tents and room facility along with other activities to keep you engaged.

Stay in lake view room with rustic farm feel, go for boating and scooter rides or just swim, tick-out kayaking from your bucket list, enjoy a night camp fire along with a barbecue, and play instrumental music if you know how to.

Trekker's basecamp

Our itinerary also included farm fresh and piping hot local Maharashtrian cuisine and a small jungle trek through dense forest of Tapola. For all trekkers, make it as a base camp for many exhilarating treks around the area, yes, for Vasota too that is located in Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary.

Soul satisfying stay

A great place to find solitude or for family picnic or for just two of you. You will certainly fall in love with the simplicity of this place.

A lake side romantic candle light dinner would be your surprise gift for the partner and yes, star gaze and explore the night sky together, it would be worth, trust me.

Get up early and do not miss the sunrise, morning bliss and bird chirping here. Enjoy your breakfast by the lake.

When we returned to our normal routine, I thought of recreating Tapola at home and revive my memories of my visit. I gave it a try. 

Have a look what I did.

We rediscovered the joy of being with nature at Tapola. I remember how it felt to be young and stress free on this charming paradise!

Ready to travel for free? Earn credits and redeem them on Tripoto’s weekend getaways, hotel stays and vacation packages!

Explore the best of travel inspiration on Tripoto Instagram!