Tapola – Mini Kashmir

Tapola famously called the mini Kashmir of the west is a rustic hamlet with a magnificent lake - Shivsagar. From Mahabaleshwar Tapola is just 25 kilometers away and the drive to Tapola is a picturesque one with vistas galore on either side of the road.
Jungle treks from Tapola is very popular with trekkers. There are many unknown forts in the dense forest around the lake in Tapola like Vasota and Jaygad. Though one cannot reach the forts easily, still the view of these forts and forest nearby is magnificent in itself.

Tapola is a great off beat destination where nature has been more than generous. The lake offers an unique option of travelling to different sightseeing options around Tapola by water way. There are numerous islands without a name in this 90 km long reservoir and exploring this vast water body in itself can make an amazing vacation plan!! Jungle treks especially the trek to Vasota fort also is gaining in popularity amongst tourists.

If you are a water sports enthusiast Tapola is the place to head to. Be it boating, water scooter rides, kayaking or swimming Tapola will certainly not make you feel confined. There are many strawberry farms and nurseries of Gerberra around Tapola. Apart from the Shivsagar boat club and the seasonal waterfalls around there many options of sightseeing if you take boating in Tapola lake. Bamnoli at the end of the Kas plateau on the shores of Shivsagar lake is a beautiful village by the lake. Ascend the ghats from Bamnoli and you are at the beautiful seasonal flower beds of Kas.
Around Tapola : The major sightseeing spots around Tapola apart from the obvious and popular options of Panchgani, Mahabaleshwar and Pratapgad is Bamnoli, Vasota, Kas Pathar, Thoseghar waterfalls and Chalkewadi windmill power plant. Thoseghar waterfalls and Chalkewadi windmill power plant is approximately 50 kms from Bamnoli. You will have to use local transport from Bamnoli to visit Thoseghar waterfalls and Chalkewadi windmill plant while traveling from Tapola.

Adventure Sports in Tapola : Tapola is an upcoming site for paragliding along with Panchgani. An ideal location for high flying the site will soon capture the imagination of flying enthusiasts.

How to reach : Approx Distance from Pune to Tapola is 140 kms.

Best Route : Pune - Wai - Mahabaleshwar - Tapola