The afternoon wind was strong but smooth. We were camped at the base of the Sahyadri Hills in Western Maharashtra, waiting to leap off cliffs and soar like vultures. Our group leader, Sanjay, had scoured the local terrain for months before striking upon this remote site: a glorious set of five arched hills, each peaking at a thousand feet.

"Behind me the ridge fell steeply, a few hundred feet. I took a deep breath, step backwards and fell into the void. This was the end of a rich life, diverse, full of adventure. This was the end. There was a sudden tug and I was lifted upwards. My single sail above billowed, and I was soaring a thousand feet above Kamshet. Miniature cattle were ploughing the field. Village dolls were drawing water from the well. Toy cars were moving slowly on a silver thread, Like a Brahmany kite I surveyed the land and was astonished at my elation and equainimity so high above the earth, held aloft by a single 13 pound sail powered only by the wind currents sought by the birds."

Vrushali Haldipur defies gravity and discovers that when you are para-gliding ground realities are for those with a weak heart.

Kamshet is a peaceful scenic place. The undulating paddy and sunflower fields are fringed by hills and dotted by lakes. This hill station is located in the Western Ghats (hills) off National Highway NH 4 which traces the ancient trade route that linked the west coast to the hinterland. In the hills along this route are ancient cave temples, medieval hill fortresses and colonial hill stations. 110 kilometers away from Mumbai city (on the Mumbai-Pune Highway) and 45 kilometers from Pune, the university town famous for the Rajneesh Ashram, Kamshet is easily accessible by road and rail. The immense lakes in the area and the altitude keep the temperature cool and add to the unspoilt beauty of the place.

One minute your feet are touching the ground and the next you are floating high in the sky.

Paragliding finds its place on the front page
Pasabai and Vijay hangout at takeoff, Sanjay looses height for landing

25 budget holidays for the family across the country

In Mumbai’s backyard, Kamshet is a pretty holiday spot and great paragliding site. Check out Nirvana Adventures specially designed adventure holiday package (4 days/3 nights) for a family of four.

Our main emphasis is on teaching people how to fly and enjoy the purest form of free flight known to man.

A popular travel-cum-adventure show with Manav Gohil as the anchor indulging in his passions i.e. paragliding and other adventure sports, traveling and also his new found love for acting.

Kamshet, the town that once saw history being made, is today witness to the country's newest leisure and recreational revolution including paragliding, hang-gliding, microlite flying, water rappelling and rock climbing...