Kolad is a village in Raigad district on the banks of the Kundalika River, about 117 km from Mumbai on the old Mumbai-Goa highway. It is not a town with grand monuments. People come for a weekend of rafting in the monsoon, for a night at a riverside resort, and for the green hills and waterfalls of the Sahyadri edge above it.
The river is the key to the place. Excess water from Tata Power's hydro chain at Bhira is released upstream, reaching Kolad in the late morning, which is why rafting slots follow a rhythm. In the rains the Kundalika runs fuller and the rapids are livelier; at other times the run depends on releases, so it pays to check before you travel.
Beyond the river, the surrounding landscape is full of small hill forts such as Talagad, Ghosalgad and Avchitgad near Roha, the ancient Kuda caves towards the coast, and the Tamhini Ghat road climbing towards Pune. Most are short drives from Kolad, and several are gentle enough for older visitors.
Kolad suits short breaks of one or two nights, especially from Mumbai and Pune. It is best from October to February for forts and drives, and from June to September if you want the monsoon river, with the caveat that monsoon access to treks such as Devkund has been restricted in recent years.
Before you plan
Kolad at a glance
- Best months
- October to February for forts and drivesOctober to February for forts and drives; monsoon (June to September) for rafting, with heavy rain and trek closures; April-May is hot and humid
- Ideal trip length
- 1-2 nights1-2 nights; two days covers rafting plus one or two forts
- Airport
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj…Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai (BOM), about 129 km by road; Pune (PNQ) is the other option, roughly 80 km from the station as the crow flies, longer by road
- Railway station
- KoladKolad (KOL) on the Konkan Railway, with few halting trains daily; Roha (about 13 km north) has more services
- Getting around
- Private car or hired driver is easiestPrivate car or hired driver is easiest; MSRTC buses and autos link Kolad with Roha and Mangaon
- Daily budget
- Highly variable: depends mostly on…Highly variable: depends mostly on resort choice, rafting operator and car hire; check current rates with providers
- Senior comfort
- Moderate: river and forts involve…Moderate: river and forts involve uneven ground; Tamhini Ghat and short fort walks like Ghosalgad are more manageable
- Language
- Marathi locallyMarathi locally; Hindi and English are widely understood in resorts
Prices, opening hours and weather change. Recheck live details before booking.
Best time to visit Kolad: October, November, December. Month-by-month weather →
How many days do you have?
Kolad itinerary
One good day
1 day in Kolad
Start early with a short walk up Ghosalgad, about 8 km south of Roha. Return for a late lunch and a rest. In the late morning or afternoon, check the dam release with your operator and raft the Kundalika if everyone is fit; otherwise watch from the bank and enjoy a quiet evening by the river.
Day-by-day plan →Two days
2 days in Kolad
Visit Ghosalgad in the morning and Talagad around midday if energy allows, then take a long lunch and rest. Enjoy the river or a resort lawn in the evening.
Day-by-day plan →Three unhurried days
3 days in Kolad
Spend the morning at Ghosalgad and Talagad, then rest through the afternoon and watch the river at sunset.
Day-by-day plan →
