Untouched camping by the river: Wai, Maharashtra

Untouched places in the Sahyadris that people know about are Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani. But they don’t know there is a place right below Mahabaleshwar which is still unknown with its greenery and peacefulness.

Situated on the banks of the River Krishna, Wai is small town just a two hours drive from Pune and a four hours drive from Mumbai.

Our campsite is in the small village of Golewadi just 30 mins from Wai bus stand. A place which is famous for strawberries and authentic Maharashtrian hospitality away from the chaos and rush of Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani. On the banks of Dhom dam is our campsite.

There is a lot to explore in Wai from temples to forts to strawberry farms to water activities. If you are looking for a peaceful weekend getaway and are not interested in commercial tourist places like Mahabaleshwar or Panchgani, then Wai is a perfect place for weekends.

Wai

If you love to trek, there is a fort known as Kamalgad Fort which is an easy trek. The view from the top is really amazing. You can see the whole Sahyadri range and on one side, you can see Mahabaleshwar and on the other Panchgani.

If you love adventure, then you can do lots of water activities. When it comes to food there are many authentic Maharashtrian dishes like Pithla Bhakri, Misal Pav and Vada Pav.

There are two options for stay in Wai, first, you can book any resort. There are a few resorts or you can pitch your own tent near the Krishna river or Dhom dam. But staying in a tent can be an issue because of washrooms and food. Though you can order food from local houses, but washrooms will be a big issue.

Or you can ask any of the locals to pitch your tent in their lawn on near their house and you can use their washrooms. They might also provide you with food. Locals are really helpful and friendly. Best time to visit Wai is November to February, if you are not interested in rain or don’t like rains.

You can visit Wai during the monsoon, but you will not be able to stay in a tent because of the rain. We do have camps in the rain, because we have everything on our site like proper weather shades and washrooms. Or you can take a cottage on rent.

In the monsoon, Wai has a different look. Everywhere you will see greenery, the dam will overflow and the River Krishna will be full of water. Fishing is also an activity at that time as are water sports like boating, swimming. Make your own boat or raft and just surf in the river.

Wai is a good place, if you are looking for a new and undiscovered place.

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