25 Crazy Things to do in Pune city

When you are in Pune, you must try these crazy things to do in Pune city. From flying like a bird to skinny dipping like a fish to camping, cycling, trekking in Pune, all the fun activities are mentioned here. Whether you are an adrenaline junkie or need to add a little bit of adventure in your trip to Pune, this list of activities around Pune will be your best guide. Read up to the end to know about “Puneri Patya” (पुणेरी पाट्या)

If you are from Pune or visiting Pune, check my Pune Travel Guide here.

Paragliding in Kamshet, Pune

What better way to see the beautiful hills of Lonavala and the forts Visapur and Lohagad than from the top? No, I am not talking of drones! I am talking about my experience of Tandem Paragliding in Kamshet, Pune. Kamshet is the best place for paragliding in India, because it provides perfect weather and winds for flying, along with gentle slopes for landing. This makes it the best place for paragliding for beginners. Kamshet has numerous Paragliding schools where you can learn the sport in two weeks. And you can also fly tandem, with an instructor.

• Pune to Kamshet Distance: 47 km or 1-hour drive
• Best time to do Paragliding in Kamshet: Winter – Nov to Feb.
• Paragliding Cost in Jan 2019: ₹2,500 for 15 minutes tandem ride.
• Paragliding in Pune Address: Towerhill Paragliding Site, Kamshet, Pune.

Bungee Jumping in Lonavala near Pune

For better and extreme adventure, you can try Bungee jumping in the hills of Lonavala. Bungee Jumping is available near Pune as a part of the many adventures that Dellas Adventures provides. The jump is from a height of 150 feet. Moreover, it lasts for about 7-8 minutes. This is one of the best places for bungee jumping in India, near Pune.

• Bungee Jumping Location: Dellas Adventures, Lonavla.
• Distance from Pune: 72 km or 2-hour drive.

Things to do in Pune: Trekking near Pune

After you are done visiting the hills in Pune, you should try trekking up some of the old hill forts around Pune. All the forts around Pune have an interesting history. It is the story of the Marathas which is told and retold generations after generations. Trekking is one of the best things to do around Pune.

The most popular treks near Pune or popular forts in Pune: Sinhagad Fort Trek, Rajgad Fort Trek, Lohagad Fort Trek, Visapur Fort Trek, Rajmachi Fort, Raigad Fort, Tikona fort Trek, Tung Fort Trek near Lonavla, Shivneri Fort, etc.

Related Article: A Complete Guide to Trekking Near Pune.

The best time for trekking near Pune is the monsoon, ie from June to Sept, when you can experience the true beauty of nature. Alternatively, winter is also a good and safer time to visit the forts near Pune. Trekking up the forts near Pune is like a one day trip from Pune.

Camping at Pawna Lake near Pune

If you love the outdoors, nature and lakes, then Pawna Lake camping is a perfect budget trip near Pune for you. Youngsters from both Pune and Mumbai come here to spend the weekend. The Pawna campsite is complete with all the facilities including tents, live music, BBQs, Food, Washrooms, some Electricity points, and much more.

From the campsite, you can see the nearby mountains and excellent sunset. You can see the strangely shaped mountain called Dudhiware Khind. There are also many activities to do around Pawna Lake. In the monsoon, this area has the most perfect scenery. You can also visit Dudhiware waterfall in the monsoon (Jun – Sept).

• Pawna Lake Camping Cost: ₹ 800 to ₹ 1,200.
• Pune to Pawna Camp Distance: 59 km or 2-hour drive.
• Facilities at Pawna Lake: Live Music, Free BBQs, Bonfire, Camping, Food and Snacks, Games, Parking, and Washrooms.
• Activities near Pawna Lake: Camping, Rappelling at Dudhiware Waterfall, trekking at Tikona, Lohgad and Visapur.

Rappelling down Dudhiware Waterfall

Dudhiware Waterfall is located in Lonavla near Pawna Lake Camping area. The waterfall is almost 135 feet high, and rappelling is a sport where you descend a mountain in a controlled way. You will be provided with the right kind of equipment and high-quality ropes so that you can safely enjoy the rappelling experience. Alongside the mountain will be a cascading waterfall with fresh water from the mountains. Additionally, ziplines are also available here. This means you can swoosh through the lush green valleys.

• Waterfall Rappelling near Pune: Dudhiware Khind, Lonavla
• Pune to Dudhiware Waterfall distance: 75 km or a 2-hour drive.
• Best time for Dudhiware Waterfall Rappelling: Monsoon (Jun to Sept)
• Activities at Dudhiware Khind: Rappelling, Zipline, Camping, Trekking.
• Where to stay: Pawna Camping or Lonavla or Pune

Check this guide and list of Waterfalls near Pune

Fly at Hadapsar Gliding Centre 

You can spend a Saturday morning high up in the clouds above Pune, at Hadapsar Gliding Center. This is an excellent initiative by the director of Civil Aviation, in which you can try gliding at just Rs 187 ($ 2). You can sit beside the pilot in a two-seater glider. You can just enjoy the ride, or you can learn gliding. Moreover, you can aspire to become a trained glider here. This is one of the unknown things to do in Pune city.

On any Saturday, you just have to reach here early morning and reserve your spot. This is because only limited people are allowed to experience this in a day. Once they give you the token, you just have to wait for your turn.

• Address: Hadapsar – Saswad – Jejuri Rd, Sayyed Nagar, Vetal Nagar, Hadapsar, Pune, Maharashtra 411028
• Date & Time: Contact here 020-2699 1012
• Cost: ₹187

Flamingo watching at Bhigwan

While you can go bird watching in many places around Pune like Sinhagad valley, Pashan Lake, ARAI Hilltop, Taljai Hills, the star performer of the show – Flamingo can be seen at Bhigwan. Bhigwan is a small village near the backwaters of Ujjani Dam, near Pune. Thousands of flamingos arrive here in the winter: Nov-Jan to escape the winters from foreign lands. The Bhigwan Bird Sanctuary is the best place to watch not just flamingos but also many other birds. Furthermore, Bhigwan is the best place if you love eating fish.

• Pune to Bhigwan distance: 105 km or 3-hour drive from Pune city. Trains and Buses are available from Pune city to Bhigwan.
• Best Time to Visit Bhigwan: Winters ie. Nov-Mar, visit in Dec/ Jan to watch the bird Flamingo.
• Birds found at Bhigwan: Flamingo, Ducks, Herons, Raptors, Egrets, Painted Storks, Bar-headed Geese, Demoiselle Cranes, Waders and many more.
• Facilities at Bhigwan: Boating, Camping, Bird watching, Food particularly a variety of Fishes, Parking.
• Places to visit near Bhigwan: Bhigwan Bird Sanctuary, Ujani Lake, Mayureshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kumbhargaon Bird Sanctuary, Bhuleshwar Temple, etc.

Visit heaven at Kas Pathar

Kas Pathar is the most beautiful valley of flowers in Maharashtra. It is located near Satara. Kaas Plateau or Kaas Pathar is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. The biodiversity in the plants, flowers, butterflies, algae, and insects found here is very unique. Moreover, they are found only at Kas Plateau. The blooming season of the flowers here is from August to October. You can plan a one day trip near Pune city to this amazing spot. Once you reach the plateau, you will find a wonderland of flowers, that can be may or may not be found anywhere else on earth.

• Pune to Kas Pathar distance: 125 km from Pune city or 3-hour drive.
• Places to visit near Kas Pathar: Kas Plateau, Kaas Lake, Vajrai Waterfalls, Thoseghar Waterfalls in Satara, Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Best time to visit Kas Pathar: Aug to Oct
• Entry Fees to Kas Pathar: ₹100 – online booking at kas.ind.in.
• Food, Parking and Accessibility: Car Parking available, Food available near Parking area, Limited Accessibility to wheelchairs and strollers.
• Kas Pathar Most Scenic Video.

Visit the Enchanted Forests near Pune

Inside some forests in the Western Ghats near Pune, a different world awaits you at night. This is due to the bioluminescent mushrooms that light up the whole forest in monsoon from June to October. The correct name for these bioluminescent mushrooms is Mycena Genus Fungi. You can see it in the forests in Ahupe village, Bhimashankar or Chorla Ghat, Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, Goa. These forests are certainly the best kept natural secrets of Maharashtra and Goa. If you ever visit them, take care not to disturb the natural habitats of the species residing here.

Whitewater rafting in Kolad near Pune

Chances are that you have already heard of white water rafting on the Kundalika River near Pune. You can head over to Kolad with your squad and have the best rafting experience in the rapids of Kundalika river. If you are alone you just have to contact the providers before and they can include you with another group. The people here are extremely professional. After a short training lesson and taking care of safety measures, you are ready to get drenched in this adrenaline spiking adventure.

• Pune to Kolad distance: 146 km or 3-4 hour drive.
• Best time for whitewater rafting in Kolad: Monsoon (June to Sept) is the best season to experience the rapids at Kundalika river.

Kayaking in Panshet near Pune

If the rapids and water rafting are a bit too extreme for you then you can try kayaking at Panshet. Panshet is the best place for Kayaking near Pune. The backwaters of Panshet Dam are extremely scenic with the hills and mountains surrounding on all the sides. Furthermore, at Panshet boating, you can go kayaking, boating with the pedal boat or go on a motorboat ride, or go for speed boats too. It totally depends on what you like.

• Kayaking near Pune: At Panshet Boating
• Pune to Panshet distance: 41 km or a 2-hour drive.
• Where to stay: Panshet MTDC Resort
• Parking and Food: Available near Panshet Boating area.
• Activities at Panshet Boating: Kayaking, Speed boat, Pedal Boat, Motorboat ride, Bird watching.

Go Skinny Dipping near Pune

Skinny dipping? Yes, in Pune you have a lot of places for trying this out. And even if you are not up for skinny dipping, you can and must take a simple dip at the backwaters of dams near Pune. Pune city is surrounded by dams like Khadakwasla Dam, Panshet Dam, Mulshi Dam, Pawna Dam, Varasgaon Dam and Temghar Dam. The backwaters of Khadkwasla Dam is the most visited and popular place near Pune city for taking a dip. There are also a lot of resorts and camping spots around these backwaters. You can plan your stay in a resort, or go camping near these backwaters. Try skinny dipping at midnight near Pune at any one of these spots.

Be sure to take care of water levels and depths. And do not try this after heavy rains in the monsoon because all these dams are surging with loads of water.

Go for a Long Drive near Pune

As Pune is surrounded by scenic hills, anywhere you go near Pune is a scenic long drive. You can take your car or a bike and head over to Dive Ghat near Saswad, Hadapsar, or Malshej Ghat, Tamhini Ghat or Amboli Ghat for a drive of 3-5 hours near Pune. In the monsoon, almost all of these places have an abundance of fog, clouds, waterfalls, greenery and local people selling hot roasted Corn with lemon or hot peanuts. Is there any better way to enjoy the monsoon in Pune?

• Pune to Malshej Ghat distance: 120 km or 3 hours drive.
• Pune to Tamhini Ghat distance: 57 km or 2 hours drive.
• Pune to Dive Ghat distance: 22 km or 45 mins drive.
• Pune to Amboli Ghat Waterfall distance: 353 km or 6.5 hours drive.

A cycling trip in Pune

Just a few years back, Pune was known as सायकलींचे शहर -The City of Cycles. Each person in Pune had a cycle and that was the best way of transport. Today with urbanisation and new vehicles everything has changed. You will find the old people from Pune still clinging to their old rusty cycles and the good old days even today.

So, these are some of the scenic routes along which you should go cycling/ biking are –

• Pune to Panshet Dam
• Pune to Lavasa Hill City
• Pune to Mulshi Dam
• Lonavala- Khandala
• Pune to Sinhagad Fort
• Pune to Jambhulwadi Lake

Pune to Panshet cycle trip in Pune: This is my all-time favourite, be it cycle or a bike. First, you have to start from Sinhagad Road in the city, then after Khadakwasla Dam, take a right. Majority of the route is along the backwaters of Khadakwasla, which are extremely scenic. If you start in the morning, then even better.

Panshet to Lavasa: Best Road Trip near Pune

Panshet to Lavasa is a beautiful road trip through the Amby Valley and along the backwaters of Khadakwasla, Panshet and Varsgaon dams near Pune. The scenery and nature here are untouched because many people don’t know about it. And the road is rough and dusty (no tar roads here). But, I can guarantee you the landscape and scenery here is nothing like anywhere else near Pune. You can pack a lunch and have a nice picnic near the water. When you reach Lavasa you can come back to Pune, or follow a similar route to Mulshi dam ahead.

Watch a video from my Panshet to Lavasa Trip in last winter.

This route can be dangerous in the heavy rains, due to proximity to the backwaters of the dam.

Water Parks in Pune: Take a splash!

Whether you are feeling burnt of summers in Pune or just want a good relaxing weekend – The waterparks around Pune are the best getaways to relax and beat the summer heat. You must plan a one day trip to a water park in Pune on a weekend.

Quick List of Water parks in Pune

• Adlabs Imagica Water Park:
  • Address: 30/31, Sangdewadi Khopoli Road, State Highway 92, Off Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Khalapur, Khopoli | Timings: 10.30 am to 7.00 pm | Ticket Price: INR 899/adult; INR 799/child | Website: www.adlabsimagica.com
• Sentosa Resorts and Water Park:
  • Address: Mumbai-Pune Expressway, 1 km Before Ravet, Ravet, Pune, Maharashtra 412101 | Timings: 10.00 am to 6.00 pm | Ticket Price: Adult: INR 300, Kids: INR 250 | Website: www.sentosaresortspune.com
• Krushnai Water Park:
  • Address: Gat No. 186, Donje Gaon-Sinhagad Road, Sinhagad Base, Donje Gaon, Maharashtra 411025 | Timings: 10.00 am to 6.00 pm | Ticket Price: Weekday: Adults- INR 500 per head; Kids (above 4 feet)- INR 400 per head; Weekend: Adults- INR 600 per head; Kids (above 4 feet)- INR 500 per head. | Website: www.krushnaiwaterpark.com
• Diamond Water Park:
  • Address: Water Park Road, Lohegaon, Pune City, Maharashtra | Timings: 10.00 am to 5.30 pm | Ticket Price: Weekdays: Adult- INR 600; Children- INR 500; Weekends & Public Holidays: Adult- INR 700; Children- INR 600 | Website: www.diamondwaterpark.com
• Wet’ n Joy Water Park
  • Address: Wet N Joy Waterpark and Amusement Park, Old Pune Mumbai Highway-NH-4, At-Mundhaware, Post-Takve Pune (In Lonavala) | Timings: 10.00 am to 6.00 pm | Ticket Price: Weekdays: INR 370; Child: INR 370; Weekends: INR 550; Child: INR 650 | Website: www.wetnjoy.in

Go Ice Skating in Pune

You might think that Pune has a tropical climate and there is no chance for some snow fun in Pune city. You are wrong. Pune has its own Ice rink, with a state of the art snow park, snow zones and Freeze Bar which is also a snow-themed lounge. This unique experience is located at Essel World Freeze which is inside the Inorbit Mall at Vimannagar. The technology used here is imported from Europe. This is one of the craziest things to do in Pune city.

• Ticket Price:
  • Arctic Circle: INR 225/- for 30 minutes of ice-skating. Package includes ice-skates and protective skate-gear. Training through professional trainers is complimentary.
  • North Pole: INR 225/- for 30 minutes inside snow zone. Package includes protective specialized jacket, shoes and a complimentary pair of socks and gloves.
  • Combined Pack: INR 400/- a value-added packaged offering both Arctic Circle and the North Pole.
• Timings: Everyday 11.00 am to 10.pm
• Address: Unit No S 301, Third Floor Inorbit Mall, Pune Nagar Road, Viman Nagar, Pune – 411014
• Contact: +91 9665381485.

Fishing or Angling near Pune

For this, you need to get help or ask the locals. There are various rivers and dams near Pune. You can find good fish holes near Panshet, Khadakwasla dams. But much of the fish comes to Pune from Ujjani dam Backwaters. Consequently, you can try fishing at small villages near Ujjani like Bhigwan, where fishes are found in abundance. You can also try angling at rivers like Bhima, Indrayani, or Nira river, which have good quality fish. The rivers inside the city are quite polluted, hence no chance of fishing in Pune. In any case, you will need a bit of patience and help from a local.

• Indrayani River – Vadgaon, Pimpalgaon, Maharashtra.
• Bhima River – Rahu Pimpalgoan Road, Pimpalgoan, Maharashtra
• Veer Dam on Nira river– Sarola, Satara Road, Maharashtra.

Watch the best Sunrise/Sunset in Pune

There are a few places or hills in Pune from where you can see the best sunset. Watching a breezy sunset in Pune or a sunrise in Pune should definitely be on your plan of Pune trip. You can see the sun going down and lights flickering on one by one throughout the city. This is one of the best things to do in Pune.

Following are some of the places where you should head over to watch nature’s show!

• Khadakwasla Dam backwaters – 14 km or 45 min from Pune
• DIAT hill – Near Khadakwasla Dam, Pune
• Nilkantheshwar – Near Panshet Dam, 38 km from Pune.
• Dighi Hills – 18 km or 50 min drive from Pune.
• Dive Ghat – Near Hapadsar, Saswad
• ARAI Hilltop Lake – In Kothrud in Pune.
• Parvati Hill near Sarasbaug.
• Pune Race Course
• Z Bridge, Omkareshwar Bridge, Shivaji Nagar Bridge.
• Taljai Hills Forested Area – Near Sahkarnagar in Pune.
• Lakaki Lake – Model Colony in Pune.

Jump High at Skyjumper trampoline Park, Pune

You can bring out the kid in you at this place in Pune. The Skyjumper trampoline Park in Pune has more than 100 interconnected trampolines and different types of play areas. The place is good for everyone above 3 years of age. And adults and kids have different designated play areas. Also, some discounts are given for people above the age of 40. There are some special grip socks which you have to buy before you can start off with your jumping. You can also play basketball, do rock climbing here. The staff teaches you stunts and jumps if you request them. What more do you need?

• Skyjumper trampoline Park, Pune Address: Fountain House, Level-02, Creaticity Mall, Shastrinagar, Yerawada, Pune, Maharashtra 411006
• Skyjumper trampoline Park Timings: Mon-Fri: 12.00 to 10.00 pm, Sat: 10.30 am to 11.00 pm, Sun: 10.30 am to 10.00 pm
• Skyjumper trampoline Park, Pune Website: skyjumpertrampolinepark.com/pune/
• Skyjumper trampoline Park Ticket Prices: INR 400 – INR 2,200, depending on time, age and type of entry.

Things to do in Pune: Witness Pandharpur Palkhi

पंढरपुरची वारी or Pandharpur Palkhi is an annual pilgrimage, with a palanquin and processions from the towns of Dehu and Alandi in Pune district to the temple of Lord Vithoba in Pandharpur, Maharashtra. All the people walk through Cities and Ghats for 21 days to reach Pandharpur. They go through the scenic route of Dive Ghat near Pune. After that, the Waari or Palkhi reaches Pandharpur on the auspicious occasion of Aashdi Ekadashi. The people from the Palkhi carry the पादुका or Padukas or Footwear of the saints. This pilgrimage takes place in the months of June or July.

Two main Palkhi’s are – Saint Dyaneshwar’s Palkhi which starts from Alandi and Saint Tukaram’s Palkhi that starts from Alandi. Numerous other Palkhis join these two important Palkhis. While the women carry Basil or Tulsi plants on their head. The men carry टाळ or Taal – a pair of small hand cymbals and make high-pitched percussion sounds and sing Bhajans all along the way. The Pandharpur Palkhi is a happy event with a celebration of our life and God Vithoba.

The Pandharpur Palkhi stops for the night in Pune city. You can join them on their way to Pandharpur. Or you can help provide food and accomodation to them in Pune. Alternatively, you can just take the दर्शन or blessings of the Palkhi, when it arrives and stays for a day in Pune. Whole Pune city prepares and helps for welcoming the Pandharpur Palkhi up to its departure. This ritual of Pandharpur Palkhi is being performed every year for more than 700 years.

Be a part of the 10 day Ganesh Festival

The Ganpati festival which lasts for 10 days in September, is the time when the Pune city gets crazier. The city is decorated from right to left, up and down. This festival was started by legendary freedom fighter – Lokmanya Tilak in Pune for the first time. This is the best time to visit Pune city and have a dip in the rich culture of Pune.

There are numerous Ganpati Pandals by मंडळs, mandals (or groups) in every nook and corner of Pune. Some मंडळs or groups just have a beautiful decoration with an idol of Lord Ganesha. However, many मंडळs or groups go the extra mile to make some interesting exhibits like fully operational statues showing some historical or mythological stories, replicas of other great temples from across India or even live performances depicting stories from the time of Chp. Shivaji Maharaj, massive fountains or anything with a special message. There is a competition among these groups, and the best decoration or exhibit gets awarded. While you cannot visit every मंडळ or group in even 10 days, it is believed that you should pay you respects to the top 5 Ganpati Mandals in Pune – मनाचे ५ गणपती – Manache 5 Ganpati in Pune.

1. Kasaba Ganapati – Kasaba Peth
2. Tambadi Jogeshwari – Appa Balwant Chowk
3. Guruji Talim – Laxmi Road
4. Tulshibaug Ganapati – Tulshibaug
5. Kesariwada Ganapati – Narayan Peth

On Ganpati Visarjan learn to Play Dhol/Tasha

On the last day of this 10-day festival – गणपती विसर्जन processions are carried out across the city, where these top 5 Groups will be the first to immerse the idols in water. These are then followed by numerous other groups immersing their Ganesha idols. The processions last for more than 2 days, sometimes even 3 days.

A lot of youngsters dress up in traditional Marathi attire and take to the roads. And then they play the Maratha drum-like instruments called Dhol and Tasha together in sync. Moreover, they compete and then the best Dhol-Tasha Pathak is awarded. Later in the night, crazy DJs and sound systems replace the Dhol-Tasha in these processions. Thousands of people from all over India, come over to experience this unique Ganesh festival in Pune and Mumbai every year.

Go watch a Marathi Natak (Drama Play)

You should go watch at least one नाटक when in Pune. नाटक or Natak or Marathi Dramas or Plays are still performed regularly in Pune. Punekars love watching them all the time. It is the best way to spend a few hours in Pune city. And you will get smitten by the variety, culture and art buried deep in the performances. You can book your tickets with bookmyshow.com. Some of the notable नाट्यगृहे or Natyagruha – a place where Dramas are performed are mentioned below:

• Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir – JM Road, Pune.
• Bharat Natya Rang Mandir – Sadashiv Peth, Pune.
• Tilak Smarak Mandir – Tilak Road, Pune.

Puneri Patya – Get amazed or angry!

Punekars, that is the locals from Pune have a quirky sarcastic way to explain a situation. Punekars are blunt and direct. This sarcasm overflows throughout the city and you can read some of it even on the signboards! Such type of sarcastic signboards are called the “Puneri Patya” (पुणेरी पाट्या ).

For eg, one such signboard hangs outside the local crematorium. It says “Drive safely if you don’t want to end up here!” Do you see how a simple fact is explained effectively in a few sets of words?

Another one says “हो मी गाढव आहे म्हणून मी गेट समोर गाडी लावतोय! ” which means, “Yes I am a donkey, that is why I am parking my vehicle in front of your gate!” These Puneri Patya can be found all over the city. And there are also exhibitions held full of them.

Ok, one last one- This was written on a car “आह्मी रस्त्यावर मुक्काम करत नाही कृपया हॉर्न वाजवू नये” which means “We are not sleeping on the road. Please do not sound the horn”

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Pune Travel Guide

If you are from Pune or visiting Pune, check my Pune Travel Guide here.