It was a long weekend and we all friends were excited for get together and visit some place. After discussion we planned for 1 day river rafting in Kolad, situated 120 Km away from Pune and 2 days Aurangabad. We all friends from different places reached Pune just one night before our journey starts for Kolad. In next 3 days what happened I will explain you in detail.
Day - 1:
We were group of 10 friends. Most of were denying to go river rafting because of the news "a girl was washed away in Kolad river rafting 2 days back." For river rafting you need to reach the starting point before 8:30 AM. It was night 4 AM and still we are in confusion whether to go or not. After lots of fluctuating decision between Yes or No we finally decided to face the fear.
We informed every one to get ready for river rafting. Around 6 AM we started our journey to Kolad. On the way to Kolad you will witness the stunning views of green hills, falls and dam besides the road. We felt like as if we are in lap of nature. Cool breeze, Cloudy weather, beautiful waterfalls took all our fear. You also can imagine by seeing the picture how beautiful it was.
We reached starting point of river rafting around 8:30 AM. You have to book for river rafting from Internet before coming here. There is no off line booking facility. Parking charge is 100 INR per vehicle.Our Van dropped us and went to finish point where we will reach after river rafting. Remember at finish point you will not find any auto or taxi. You have to arrange according to that. We put all our belongings in Van and went to starting point.Before heading for rafting they gave one form each to fill the name and details. After filling forms they gave us life jacket, helmet and raft. You can see picture.
After this they gave 15 min training on rafting. How to do rafting and how to protect your team and yourself if situation comes. In one boat only 8 persons and one rescue person are allowed. So 2 of our friend had to come in other boat.We took position on boat as per weight. Now its time to start rafting. You don't believe it was such a wonderful experience. We enjoyed a lot by rafting the boat and moving ahead beating rapids.
It was 14 Km long rafting and took 2.5 hrs to finish it. Just before the end point there was a swimming section. There we all jumped into the water. Our rescue person told water dept is around 55ft. Most of us didn't know swimming but thanks to life jacket.
We reached finish point and had some snacks there. After Snacks we returned back to Pune.
We had lunch in Pune and took rest. Around 6 PM we started our journey from Pune. Music was on its loud and every body was very happy as we are meeting all together after log time. We also danced with the beats of music. In between we stopped near highway side restaurant for dinner. After that we continue our journey to Aurangabad. Around 2 AM we reached our hotel which we pre-booked before coming.
Aurangabad is a city in Maharastra State of India. It is named after King Auranzeb and known for famous world heritage site Ajanta and Ellora caves. These caves were constructed during 2nd century BCE. In this period of time monastery were carved out of caves. After reaching Ajanta Ellora cave you will witness the culture and living style of people at that time.
Day 2:
It was Sunday. As Ajanta caves is closed on Monday so we decided to go Ajanta caves first. (Remember Ajanta caves is closed on Monday and Ellora Caves is closed on Tuesday.) It is around 100Km from Aurangabad and takes 2 hr to reach there. We stopped 4 Km away from Ajanta as our van was not allowed to go beyond that point. The place was surrounded by green hills and looks so stunning that it is difficult to express the beauty of nature here.We need to take dedicated tourist bus to Ajanta caves from there. There is entry fee of 10 INR per head to reach bus starting point. Than bus charged us 24 INR per head and entry fee for Ajanta caves is 20 INR per head. Good news for photographer there is no charge for still camera. They are only charging for video camera. The location was surrounded by hills and river flowing in between and lots of caves were carved in that hills. Some are small and some are big like a hall. You can see a picture of caves.
You will find a lots of paintings on wall which depicts their culture and beliefs at that time. They must be a great follower of Buddha. You will find lots of Carved Buddha on the cave walls.
You will also find Shanti Stupa in cave and also big pilers standing in front of the cave. By seeing all this things one thing will must come in mind how they were able to construct all this majestic things that too by cutting hills and without any machine. You can see picture of majestic pilers and Shanti Stupa
Here not only caves and carves in which you will be lost. There is stunning view of green hills and small river flowing in between which will keep your travel enthusiasm on.
There is a view point on the top of one hill. From there you will find a stunning view of oval shaped caves and beautiful waterfall.
It took around 3 hr to complete Ajnata caves. Then we return back by tourist bus to starting point where our Van were parked. We returned back to Aurangabad. After reaching Aurangabad we took lunch and as it was almost evening we didn't go anywhere. We came back to hotel room and took rest. You will get lots of restaurants in Aurangabad from standard to quality restaurant. Mostly the food is cheap. You can fill your stomach in 100 - 150 INR.
We stayed in hotel Sparkling pearl which is near CIDCO bus station. It charged us around 1300 INR with one extra bed per night.
Day - 3:
We planned to visit first Ellora Fort and then Bibi ka Maqbara. So as per the plan after having breakfast we headed towards Ellora cave. It is 30 Km from Aurangabad and took 1 hr. Entry fee is 30 INR per head for foreigner it is around 500 INR per head. No charge for still camera. Ellora cave is the mixture of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. You will find fantastic architecture of rock cutting here. Entire hill is carved into temple. You can see picture how beautifully they made it.
Your exploration will start from Cave no 16. There are around 29 small and big caves. You will find ancient school, temples, rooms here. By this you can imagine how civilized they were. Here also you will find paintings and carves on wall.
Here construction is more and developed than Ajanta. You will find long pillar corridor and more developed constructions.
It will take around 3 hr to cover all the caves. If you are historic enthusiastic then you will never bore here. There are lots of things to explore, their culture, their living style, their beliefs and lots more things. Around 2 PM we left Ellora and headed towards Bibi ka Maqbara. On the way to Ellora there is also Daulatabad Fort. It is almost ruined. If you don't have time than you can skip it. We also skipped as we need to leave for Pune. We reached Bibi Ka Maqbara. It is like a Taj Mahal in Agra. As it was already 4:30 PM and we had to reach Pune by 9 PM and there was long queue in ticket counter,we returned back . Unfortunately I was only able to click the photo of gate.
We returned back to Pune and had party all night. Here Our trip ended and we all returned back to respective place.
Day - 1:
We were group of 10 friends. Most of were denying to go river rafting because of the news "a girl was washed away in Kolad river rafting 2 days back." For river rafting you need to reach the starting point before 8:30 AM. It was night 4 AM and still we are in confusion whether to go or not. After lots of fluctuating decision between Yes or No we finally decided to face the fear.
We informed every one to get ready for river rafting. Around 6 AM we started our journey to Kolad. On the way to Kolad you will witness the stunning views of green hills, falls and dam besides the road. We felt like as if we are in lap of nature. Cool breeze, Cloudy weather, beautiful waterfalls took all our fear. You also can imagine by seeing the picture how beautiful it was.
We reached starting point of river rafting around 8:30 AM. You have to book for river rafting from Internet before coming here. There is no off line booking facility. Parking charge is 100 INR per vehicle.Our Van dropped us and went to finish point where we will reach after river rafting. Remember at finish point you will not find any auto or taxi. You have to arrange according to that. We put all our belongings in Van and went to starting point.Before heading for rafting they gave one form each to fill the name and details. After filling forms they gave us life jacket, helmet and raft. You can see picture.
After this they gave 15 min training on rafting. How to do rafting and how to protect your team and yourself if situation comes. In one boat only 8 persons and one rescue person are allowed. So 2 of our friend had to come in other boat.We took position on boat as per weight. Now its time to start rafting. You don't believe it was such a wonderful experience. We enjoyed a lot by rafting the boat and moving ahead beating rapids.
It was 14 Km long rafting and took 2.5 hrs to finish it. Just before the end point there was a swimming section. There we all jumped into the water. Our rescue person told water dept is around 55ft. Most of us didn't know swimming but thanks to life jacket.
We reached finish point and had some snacks there. After Snacks we returned back to Pune.
We had lunch in Pune and took rest. Around 6 PM we started our journey from Pune. Music was on its loud and every body was very happy as we are meeting all together after log time. We also danced with the beats of music. In between we stopped near highway side restaurant for dinner. After that we continue our journey to Aurangabad. Around 2 AM we reached our hotel which we pre-booked before coming.
Aurangabad is a city in Maharastra State of India. It is named after King Auranzeb and known for famous world heritage site Ajanta and Ellora caves. These caves were constructed during 2nd century BCE. In this period of time monastery were carved out of caves. After reaching Ajanta Ellora cave you will witness the culture and living style of people at that time.
Day 2:
It was Sunday. As Ajanta caves is closed on Monday so we decided to go Ajanta caves first. (Remember Ajanta caves is closed on Monday and Ellora Caves is closed on Tuesday.) It is around 100Km from Aurangabad and takes 2 hr to reach there. We stopped 4 Km away from Ajanta as our van was not allowed to go beyond that point. The place was surrounded by green hills and looks so stunning that it is difficult to express the beauty of nature here.We need to take dedicated tourist bus to Ajanta caves from there. There is entry fee of 10 INR per head to reach bus starting point. Than bus charged us 24 INR per head and entry fee for Ajanta caves is 20 INR per head. Good news for photographer there is no charge for still camera. They are only charging for video camera. The location was surrounded by hills and river flowing in between and lots of caves were carved in that hills. Some are small and some are big like a hall. You can see a picture of caves.
You will find a lots of paintings on wall which depicts their culture and beliefs at that time. They must be a great follower of Buddha. You will find lots of Carved Buddha on the cave walls.
You will also find Shanti Stupa in cave and also big pilers standing in front of the cave. By seeing all this things one thing will must come in mind how they were able to construct all this majestic things that too by cutting hills and without any machine. You can see picture of majestic pilers and Shanti Stupa
You can see the rooms also where ancient people used to live. Its like modern rooms like we have now. By this you can imagine how civilized they were.
There is a view point on the top of one hill. From there you will find a stunning view of oval shaped caves and beautiful waterfall.
It took around 3 hr to complete Ajnata caves. Then we return back by tourist bus to starting point where our Van were parked. We returned back to Aurangabad. After reaching Aurangabad we took lunch and as it was almost evening we didn't go anywhere. We came back to hotel room and took rest. You will get lots of restaurants in Aurangabad from standard to quality restaurant. Mostly the food is cheap. You can fill your stomach in 100 - 150 INR.
We stayed in hotel Sparkling pearl which is near CIDCO bus station. It charged us around 1300 INR with one extra bed per night.
Day - 3:
We planned to visit first Ellora Fort and then Bibi ka Maqbara. So as per the plan after having breakfast we headed towards Ellora cave. It is 30 Km from Aurangabad and took 1 hr. Entry fee is 30 INR per head for foreigner it is around 500 INR per head. No charge for still camera. Ellora cave is the mixture of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. You will find fantastic architecture of rock cutting here. Entire hill is carved into temple. You can see picture how beautifully they made it.
It will take around 3 hr to cover all the caves. If you are historic enthusiastic then you will never bore here. There are lots of things to explore, their culture, their living style, their beliefs and lots more things. Around 2 PM we left Ellora and headed towards Bibi ka Maqbara. On the way to Ellora there is also Daulatabad Fort. It is almost ruined. If you don't have time than you can skip it. We also skipped as we need to leave for Pune. We reached Bibi Ka Maqbara. It is like a Taj Mahal in Agra. As it was already 4:30 PM and we had to reach Pune by 9 PM and there was long queue in ticket counter,we returned back . Unfortunately I was only able to click the photo of gate.
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