Captains Log; Star Date 2801.2012
Get off the NH17 just after Kolad, on to SH60 (Kolad - Mulshi – Pune). Take a left some 9 km down the SH60 on to a narrow mettled road and head to village Kamat via, Turtaoli and Gaolwadi. Take a right onto a gravel road just before the village and head to the Big Red Tent (BRT) campsite on the banks of the Kundalika (GPS Co-ordinates N18° 26’ 16.6” E73° 15’ 56.9”).
The site is smaller as compared to their Khopoli campsite but the location is superb to say the least. The surroundings have a forest like feel. The rear of the campsite opens out into a section of Kundalika’s backwater.
The site is equipped with decent spaced out tents, hammocks and common bathrooms. The place has basic facilities, and you help yourself to whatever, right from pitching up your own tent to getting your barbeque ready. The hosts, a couple, are around to help and support.
There’s no provision for electricity, so you depend on the moonlight and lanterns once the stars are out. Cell phones don’t work here as yet.
Spend the evening kayaking in the safety of the still backwaters.
Reece the river bank for a flat area to pitch tent. It’s up just as it starts to get dark. It’s pretty chilly so we layer the base with foam mattresses, duhri and a blanket to insulate against the cold ground.
The night’s pretty quiet. The outer cover of the tent keeps the dew out effectively. By morning the dew drops are almost like rainfall!
Captains Log; Star Date 2901.2012
Mist seems to rise from the river water as the sun starts to rise.
Leisure walk up to Martini bridge.
After breakfast I am all set for the day’s event – Rafting down the Kundalika.
The tumtum picks us up from the campsite for the start point which is about a half an hour ride from the Campsite, past Sutarwadi on the SH60, near the Bhira Dam.
The Dam releases water every day at about 930 – 10 in the morning and this water gushes down the Kundalika. A 12 km section of the river provides for a decent rafting opportunity with 2+ grade rapids.
Brief instructions on the basics of rafting from instructors from Wild River Adventures, gear – life vest and helmets and a paddle and we’re good to go.
The instructor puts us through a practice session, in calm waters, to ensure we’re clear of the instructions – forward, all back, right forward left back, right back left forward, and how to pull a guy back into the raft, just before we hit the fast flowing river.
Adrenalin rises as the raft lines up to hit the current. Adrenalin pumps harder as the raft hits the current. All forward! Paddles dig in deeper and push harder.
The raft hurtles down the river along with current – bobbed up and down by the rapids. All the time, the instructor, at the rudder position, is in full control of the raft.
As things get calmer down-river, were told its safe enough to jump overboard!
The water isn’t all that cold, the life jacket keeps you afloat and the current just pushes you down-stream. For about half an hour we’re just floating down, effortlessly.
Get hauled back into the raft as we get close to the broken bridge.
Land close to BRTs campsite.
Get off the NH17 just after Kolad, on to SH60 (Kolad - Mulshi – Pune). Take a left some 9 km down the SH60 on to a narrow mettled road and head to village Kamat via, Turtaoli and Gaolwadi. Take a right onto a gravel road just before the village and head to the Big Red Tent (BRT) campsite on the banks of the Kundalika (GPS Co-ordinates N18° 26’ 16.6” E73° 15’ 56.9”).
The site is smaller as compared to their Khopoli campsite but the location is superb to say the least. The surroundings have a forest like feel. The rear of the campsite opens out into a section of Kundalika’s backwater.
The site is equipped with decent spaced out tents, hammocks and common bathrooms. The place has basic facilities, and you help yourself to whatever, right from pitching up your own tent to getting your barbeque ready. The hosts, a couple, are around to help and support.
There’s no provision for electricity, so you depend on the moonlight and lanterns once the stars are out. Cell phones don’t work here as yet.
Spend the evening kayaking in the safety of the still backwaters.
Reece the river bank for a flat area to pitch tent. It’s up just as it starts to get dark. It’s pretty chilly so we layer the base with foam mattresses, duhri and a blanket to insulate against the cold ground.
The night’s pretty quiet. The outer cover of the tent keeps the dew out effectively. By morning the dew drops are almost like rainfall!
Captains Log; Star Date 2901.2012
Mist seems to rise from the river water as the sun starts to rise.
Leisure walk up to Martini bridge.
After breakfast I am all set for the day’s event – Rafting down the Kundalika.
The tumtum picks us up from the campsite for the start point which is about a half an hour ride from the Campsite, past Sutarwadi on the SH60, near the Bhira Dam.
The Dam releases water every day at about 930 – 10 in the morning and this water gushes down the Kundalika. A 12 km section of the river provides for a decent rafting opportunity with 2+ grade rapids.
Brief instructions on the basics of rafting from instructors from Wild River Adventures, gear – life vest and helmets and a paddle and we’re good to go.
The instructor puts us through a practice session, in calm waters, to ensure we’re clear of the instructions – forward, all back, right forward left back, right back left forward, and how to pull a guy back into the raft, just before we hit the fast flowing river.
Adrenalin rises as the raft lines up to hit the current. Adrenalin pumps harder as the raft hits the current. All forward! Paddles dig in deeper and push harder.
The raft hurtles down the river along with current – bobbed up and down by the rapids. All the time, the instructor, at the rudder position, is in full control of the raft.
As things get calmer down-river, were told its safe enough to jump overboard!
The water isn’t all that cold, the life jacket keeps you afloat and the current just pushes you down-stream. For about half an hour we’re just floating down, effortlessly.
Get hauled back into the raft as we get close to the broken bridge.
Land close to BRTs campsite.
Birds spotted:
- Indian Roller
- Rosy Minivet
- Bhraminy Kite
- Black Drongo
- Small Sunbird
- Greater Coucal
- Small Bee Eater
- Rufous Backed Shrike
- Little Cormorant
- Red Wattled Lapwing
- Little Egret
- White Breasted Kingfisher
- Grey Hornbill
- Brown Headed Barbet
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