Bhandardara

To experience the best of Bhandardara tourism, enlisted are the key places to visit in the city:

1. Umbrella Falls: Sprawling from a height of about 500 feet, the Umbrella Falls is a phenomenal beauty amid the majestic lush green Sahyadri Hills in the Bhandardara city. The name of the falls is derived from the way the waterfalls on the rocks in the form of an umbrella.

Location: It is located under the Wilson dam, close to Arthur Lake.

2. Arthur Lake: Formed from the waters of the river Pravara, Arthur lake is a perfect destination in Bhandardara city to enjoy the tranquillity and peace of nature. Boat riding, camping and long walks are the key activities of fun at the lake.

Location: The lake is located adjacent to the Wilson dam and acts as its reservoir.

3. Randha Falls: It is one of the spectacular falls of the Bhandardara city. The gushing waters of the falls spills and splashes on the rocks beside the Ghorpade Devi Temple. You can spend a quiet and relaxed time, sitting on the rocks beside the falls.

Location: The falls is located near the Bhandardara Dam.

4. Agastya Rishi Ashram: A pious temple and Ashram in Bhandardara city, created as a mark of devotion to Rishi Agastya. It is phenomenal in organizing the Mahashivratri Mahayatra. Devotees of the heavenly saint visit in large numbers to offer their prayers and seek blessings.

Location: The Ashram is located in the Akole Taluka along the banks of the river Pravara.

5. Kalsubai Peak: Situated at a height of about 5400 feet above sea level, Kalsubai Peak is highest in the Sahyadri Hills. It serves as a paradise for trekkers and adventure enthusiasts with its different mountain trails. A temple atop the peak is dedicated to the local deity Kalsubai.

Location: The peak is present within the premises of the Kalsubai Wildlife sanctuary in Bhandardara city.

6. Wilson Dam: Constructed in 1910, it is India’s largest earthen dam. Connected with the Arthur Lake and located on the river Pravara, the dam speaks about the sheer excellence of engineering, design and construction. There is a garden present at the base, beaming with plant life and glittering waters of the small streams.

Location: The dam is present near Aloke Taluka, nestled within the Sahyadri mountain ranges.

7. Ratanwadi Village: A pristine hamlet near the Kalsubai Peak, consisting of the Amruteshwar Shiva Temple and the renowned Ratangad Fort. About 30 to 40 small huts can be seen at the village scattered across the hill slopes. It serves as the base or the starting point for the Ratangad trek.

Location: As the name implies, the village is located at Ratanwadi.

8. Ratangad Fort: The fort is almost 400 years old and symbolizes the historical significance of the place. There are 4 gates at the fort, named as Konkan, Ganesh, Trimbak and Hanuman. You can observe many water cisterns inside the fort, which were essentially used to store potable water.

Location: The fort is situated at Ratanwadi in Bhandardara city.

9. Amruteshwar Temple: Established about 1000 years ago, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple houses a beautiful pond and a hot spring. The walls and columns of the temple, made of black stone, display intrinsic sculptural images of the God.

Location: It is located in Ratanwadi in Bhandardara city.

10. Harishchandragad Fort: Located at a height of about 4665 feet above sea level, the fort proclaims the bravery and pride of the Maratha rulers. You can observe the stunning landscape of the adjacent areas from the topmost point of the fort.

Location: The fort is present at Malsej Ghat on a hilltop.

The best things to do as part of Bhandardara tourism:

1. Fireflies Festival: Spend a night in the forest camp, surrounded by the glittering fireflies. It is a perfect picnic spot for nature admirers amid the bright fireflies lighting up the dark trails of the forest.

Location: Bhandardara Lake.
Price: Approximately INR 1440 per adult.
Timing: 2 days and 1 night.

2. Trek to Kalsubai: The trekking route to Kalsubai Peak is an exciting and challenging experience for the trekkers and hikers. The trek passes across lush green forests and fields and offers an enigmatic view of several mountain ranges.

Location: Starts from a village called Bari and ends at the peak.
Price: Approximately INR 688 per adult including breakfast and tea.
Timing: 2 days and 1 night.

3. Ratangad Trek: The adventurous trek spans across the historic Ratangad Fort and the captivating views of Chor Darwaza, Tryambak Darwaza and large water tanks inside the fort. You can witness the panoramic landscape with the mountain ranges and gorgeous valleys.

Location: Starts from Ratanwadi Village and ends at the fort.
Price: Approximately INR 1400 per adult, including breakfast, lunch and evening snacks.
Timing: 1 day.

4. Sandhan Valley Trek: Sandhan is a stunning valley nestled within the majestic Western Ghats mountain ranges. Trekking towards the 2 km long valley is thrilling and exciting.

Location: Starts from Samrad Village and ends at the valley.
Price: Approximate price per adult is INR 1700 which includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, evening tea.
Timing: 2 days and 1 night.

5. Adventurous trek to Randha and Umbrella Falls: If you wish to experience the gushing waterfalls sprawling across the rocks, then you must venture into the adventurous trek to the two famous waterfalls of Bhandardara – Randha and Umbrella Falls. The trek also involves sightseeing of the adjacent places – the Wilson Dam, the Amruteshwar Temple and the splendid Bhandardara Lake.

Location: Behind the Wilson dam and near the banks of the river Parvara.
Price: Approximately INR 950 per adult including tea and snacks.
Timing: 1 day.

6. Bhandardara Sightseeing: Embark on a 1 day sightseeing across the prominent places of Bhandardara – Kalsubai Peak, Umbrella Falls, Arthur Lake, Amruteshwar Temple, Agastya Rishi Ashram and Wilson Dam. You can also enjoy boating in the scenic Bhandardara lake.

Location: Bhandardara.
Price: Starts from INR 942 onwards for 1 adult.
Timing: 1 day.

7. Ajoba Trek: Trekking to the Ajoba Hills is popular among trekker and adventure lovers. You can witness the enchanting Valmiki Ashram along the hills with its pristine water streams.

Location: Ajoba Hills.
Price: Starts from INR 1600 onwards per adult including breakfast, evening snacks and tea.
Timing: 1 day.

The prominent and famous camping sites of Bhandardara tourism:

1. Bhandardara Lake Side Camping: Camping at the Arthur Hill lakeside is one of the best ways to spend a relaxing vacation onto the lap of a picturesque location. Comfortable tents, campfires, music, dance and sumptuous food enhance the fun-filled experience of the guests at the campsite.

Location: Bhandardara Lake.
Price: NR 950 per adult including dinner, breakfast, tea, snacks and even a provision for BBQ cooked by the staff though in limited quantities.
Timing: 1 day and 1 night.

2. Bhandardara Dam Camping: The campsite at the Bhandardara Dam is one of the favourite vacation spots for nature admirers, surrounded by the magnificent waterfalls and the captivating views of the Western Ghats. You can engage in multiple indoor and outdoor sports activities at the camp location, that includes volleyball, badminton, dart game, cards.

Location: Bhandardara Dam.
Price: Starting from INR 1035 onwards per adult with evening snacks, dinner, breakfast and options for self-cooked BBQ.
Timing: 2 days and 1 night.

3. Sandhan Valley Camping: Camping at the Sandhan Valley is a stunning weekend escapade within the beautiful Madan and Alang mountains. Different adventurous activities like rock climbing, trekking and canyoning can be experienced at the campsite.

Location: Sandhan valley.
Price: Starting from INR 4750 onwards per adult including evening tea and snacks, breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Timing: 3 days and 2 nights.

4. Bhandardara Fireflies Camping: Camping in the dense green forests lighted by the sparkling fireflies is a phenomenal experience at Bhandardara. You can spend a relaxed evening gazing at the stars and enjoying the beauty of the darkness with the campfires, music, food and beverages.

Location: Bhandardara Lake.
Price: INR 1440 per adult with breakfast, tea, evening snacks and dinner.
Timing: 2 days and 1 night.

The nearest railway station is at Igatpuri, situated at a distance of about 45 km from Bhandardara and on the Mumbai-Nashik rail route. Express trains ply in sufficient numbers from both Mumbai and Pune to reach Igatpuri. You can board a bus or hire a cab from the station to reach Bhandardara.

Bhandardara is well connected with the different cities of Maharashtra and the prominent cities of India by rail, road and air.

- By Road:
The distance between Mumbai and Bhandardara is 190km and the distance between Pune and Bhandardara is 175 km by road. Buses and cabs are available from both the cities to reach Bhandardara via the national highways.

- By Rail:
The nearest railway station is at Igatpuri, located at a distance of about 45 km from Bhandardara and lies on the Mumbai-Nashik rail route. You can either hire a cab or board a bus from the station to reach the place.

- By Air:
The nearest airports are Mumbai International Airport and Pune International Airport located at a distance of about 177km and 79km respectively from Bhandardara. Buses and cabs are available from both the airports to reach the place.

For 3 days and 2 nights, the price starts from as high as INR 4750 onwards per adult whereas if you want to spend only 1 day then the price starts from as low as INR 950 onwards per adult.

The budget required for Bhandardara tourism depends mainly on the duration of the trip, the tour package selected, the type of hotels you prefer to stay in and the kind of vehicles used.