Kaas Pathar near Pune - Ideal Monsoon Getaway

Sources: Google

Name: Kaas Pathar / Kaas Plateau / Kas Pathar / Valley of flowers

State: Maharashtra

Location: 25 km from Satara / 125 km from Pune

Famous for: Wild floral beauty, dense forestation, scenic beauty, valleys and lake

Serves as: Ideal weekend destination, picnic spot, monsoon retreat

About Kaas Pathar

Around 25 km from Satara, one finds a beautiful valley spread over ten square km area of wild flowers (a beauty of it's own) known as Kas Pathar (Valley of flowers). Kas Pathar means Plateau of Flowers. This Kas Plateau now finds it's place in UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. What we find here is hundreds of species of wildflowers blossoming at a specific period of time annually. And that's not all! The Kaas Plateau or Kaas Pathar located on high hill plateau is home to various different species of butterflies.

Kas Pathar is a must visit place between late July to early October. The biodiversity that one finds during this season is miraculous. The plateau is formed of basalt rock. These basalt is exposed to erosion and atmospheric changes, which allows thin layer of soil to accumulate on the rocks. Neither black nor laterite, this soil suits the floral shrubberies that grow over endlessly throughout the plateau.  Largely formed of basalt rock, this plateau has certain uneven surfaces which allows formation of small puddles. These puddles form home to beautiful marshy flora. Various shrubs, small trees, grassland, around 850 species of flowers (many of those endangered) and most of them native to this particular region along with native, beautiful butterflies is what one should expect to catch a glimpse here. Out of the 850 listed floral species, 624 species are listed to be part of red data species.

The climate overall at Kaas Pathar is cool and peaceful. What one gets to see is a large, thick carpet of flowers and grass of different colours and sizes. Kaas Pathar near Pune is a ideal visiting place for picnic lovers, trekkers and nature lovers. Being surrounded by dense forestation, this picturesque beauty is a must visit. Kaas Pathar is indeed an ideal monsoon getaway!

Best Time To Visit Kaas Pathar

Sources: Google

Kaas Pathar or Kaas Plateau can be visited throughout the year, but ideally the best time to visit Kas Pathar is from late July to early October, i.e. during monsoon, when the beauty of Kaas Pathar is at it's best. We get to enjoy the annual flowers, small puddles with it's beautiful floral marsh and dense green forestation.

What to do at Kaas Pathar

Just relax

Enjoy the picturesque view

Let the magical spell of floral vegetation enchant you.

Visit the Kaas Lake.

Enjoy the floral species - few endangered and few endemic.

Bird watching

Watch the numerous species of butterflies.

Go trekking.

Entry Fees and Timings of Kaas Pathar

Timings of Kaas Pathar: 6 am to 6 pm

On Saturdays, Sundays and during government holidays: INR 100 per person for 3 hours

Rest of the week: INR 50 per person for three hours.

Parking charges extra

Places of Interest near Kaas Pathar

Other than enjoying the scenic beauty of Kaas Pathar, one can visit Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary, Vajrai Waterfalls, Kanher Dam, Sajjangad Fort and Thoseghar Waterfalls . There are few temples too in the vicinity such as the Yevteshwar Temple and the Ghatai Devi Temple.

How to reach Kaas Pathar

Sources: Google

Reaching Kaas Pathar by road: Located around 25 km from Satara and 280 kms from Mumbai, Kaas Pathar can be visited either by motorable road via Satara or also from motorable road via Tapola.

Reaching Kaas Pathar by train: One can also visit Kaas Pathar by train from Mumbai and Pune. From Mumbai it takes 7 to 8 hours to reach Satara by train and 4 hours approximately from Pune. Once you reach Satara station, you have options of buses and auto-rickshaws. Cars can also be rented from Satara. ST buses run from Satara to Bamnoli Village at regular intervals. It takes around an hour to reach Bamnoli and charges are not more than INR 50. Koyna Express, Sahyadri Express and Mahalaxmi Express ply 7 days a week between Mumbai to Satara.

Reaching Kaas Pathar by air:  Karad airport is located 65 km from Satara. Mumbai and Pune are the other nearest airports. Then one can follow the road route or the train route mentioned above.

Where to Stay in Kaas Pathar

Accommodation options ranging from good hotels to cheap lodges are available for stay when you plan to stay overnight in and around Kaas Pathar.

Camp Koyna Riverside Eco-Resort - Around 11 km from Kaas Pathar

Motel Swagath Plaza - Around 37 km from Kaas Pathar

Hotel Radhika Palace in Satara

Hotel Radhika Palace offers comfortable accommodation along with other facilities such as free wifi zone, hot water, TV, travel help desk, laundry service, room service etc. One gets standard room in price range of INR 1200 to INR 2000.

Contact details of Hotel Radhika Palace near Kaas Pathar

Hotel Radhika Palace
New Radhika Road
Karanje
Satara
Maharashtra

Telephone number of Hotel Radhika Palace - 021632 233133

Kaas Pathar Village Resort near Kaas Pathar

Just 10 minutes away from Kaas Pathar this resort allows its visitors to enjoy and experience village life. A perfect holiday getaway, Kaas Pathar Village serves organic food other than offering best facilities.

Contact details of Kaas Pathar Village Resort

Kaas Pathar Village Resort
At Kaas - Bamnoli Village
Jawali Taluka
Satara District
Maharashtra

Telephone number of Kaas Pathar Village Resort - 08291008666

Tips to remember while visiting Kaas Pathar

1. For maintaining the sanctity and beauty of Kaas Pathar, only 3000 visitors are allowed per day to visit.

2, Please try and avoid walking on flowerbeds and plants.

3. Don't pluck flowers or any plants. Just watch and enjoy the beauty.

4. It is advisable, basically common sense to pick up litter. Don't throw plastic bottles, paper or any other litter on Kaas.

5. Don't take your vehicle inside but park it at the destined parking area. A good walk will do you good!

6. Don't consume alcohol and avoid smoking  on the Kaas Plateau.

7. No chewing gum and throwing it on Kaas. It can be harmful for pollinating bees and other small fauna.

8. Make sure you start and finish your visit by 6 am to 6 pm. Allow the wildlife it's privacy and space.

9. If you find anyone plucking flowers or littering on Kaas Pathar, be frank and try to stop him/her in kind, gentle words.

10. Please act as responsible tourist or citizen and help preserve the beauty of Kaas by following the instructions. By doing so, you are allowing this beauty to stay so for years and years to come.

Kas Pathar Online Booking

If you wish to visit Kaas Pathar, it is advisable to do Kas Pathar online booking. One just has to fill the online reservation form where you need to fill in the details  of your arrival date, contact information, number of people visiting and date of departure. This can be done from their official website, just click on Reservation and submit the details.