Things To Do in Kamshet

Kamshet is 65 km from Pune and best known as Maharashtra's paragliding capital. But beyond the skies, there's excellent trekking, ancient Buddhist caves, the quiet Uksan Lake and some of the darkest skies in the region.

1. Paragliding

Kamshet is the paragliding capital of Maharashtra and one of the top sites in India. The hills rise sharply from a wide valley creating strong, predictable thermals ideal for both tandem flights and full training courses. The main operators are Temple Pilots (Asia's top-rated APPI-certified school) and Nirvana Adventures, both with excellent safety records. Tandem flights with a certified pilot cost ₹2500–3500 for 15–20 minutes — no experience needed. Training courses (P1 through P4) run 3–14 days. Best season: October through May. Flying is suspended during monsoon (June–September).

2. Uksan Lake

A serene reservoir nestled 14 km from Kamshet town, Uksan Lake is the quieter, less-touristed side of Kamshet. The lake is surrounded by Sahyadri hills and has excellent early morning light for photography. Lakeside walks, birdwatching along the banks, and overnight camping are popular. Our CosmicStays property Venus Villa sits right by the lake — one of the most peaceful spots in the region.

3. Birdwatching

The farmland, lake edges and scrub forests around Kamshet are productive birdwatching terrain. Species regularly seen include Indian roller, white-throated kingfisher, red-wattled lapwing, black-winged stilt, painted stork (winter), osprey, various bee-eaters and several warblers. Uksan Lake attracts waterbirds especially in the post-monsoon season. Early morning (6–8 AM) is best.

4. Stargazing

Kamshet's elevation and distance from city lights make it an excellent spot for naked-eye stargazing. On clear nights between October and March the Milky Way is clearly visible from open areas. The plateau above the paragliding sites and the area around Uksan Lake offer particularly good skies. Many CosmicStays properties here have open terraces or lawns suited for a night under the stars.

5. Trek to Bedse Caves

Ancient Buddhist rock-cut caves dating from around the 1st century BC, located in Bedse village, 9 km from Kamshet. The caves are less visited than the famous Karla and Bhaja Caves and considerably more atmospheric for it. The main chaitya hall (Cave 7) has a large stupa and elaborately carved pillars with animal capitals of exceptional quality. The approach involves a 30–45 minute climb of approximately 400 steps from the village. Both caves face east — visit in the morning for the best light on the carvings. Combine with Bhaja Caves (10 km from Kamshet) for a full day of cave exploration.

6. Trek to Tikona Fort

The triangular peak of Tikona Fort (20 km from Kamshet, near Pawna Lake) offers commanding views of the lake and the surrounding Sahyadri range. A moderate 45-minute trek from the base village. See our Pawna guide for details.

Stay at Venus Villa in Kamshet — lake views, open skies and the paragliding sites a short drive away.