Main Info
Tapola Overview
The small village of Tapola is nestled amidst the lush green and mystical hills of Mahabaleshwar. Known for its raw beauty, Tapola is a satellite village which is commonly referred to as ‘Mini Kashmir’ of Southern India. When you visit this place, you will realize that the time has stood still here. You will be fascinated by the sober and easy-going lifestyle among the locals. The early morning sight of people milking cows and lazy afternoon that give way to a quaint evening will mesmerize and instil composure in you.
In addition to a beautiful lake located in Tapola, there are many forts situated in the nearby dense forests filled with mysteries and interesting fables. You can explore various forts including Jaygad and Vasota which in turn offers a panoramic view of the surroundings from its top. An excursion to Tapola involves a visit to a lot of interesting and adventurous activities.
It is one of the best places to visit in Sahyadri hills for those who love nature and are adventure enthusiasts. You ought to undertake the popular jungle treks to forts such as Jaygad and Vasota. You can also visit a few of the unexplored islands which are situated in a long 90 km stretch of the lake. In addition to this, you can also opt for boating in the beautiful Shivsagar Lake. Alternatively, you can take a stroll across the village and explore the local lifestyle and cuisines.
More on Tapola
Tapola Eco Agro Tourism
As a part of an excursion to Tapola, you can enrich your knowledge about the Tapola Eco Agro Tourism. The village is popular for promoting agro-eco tourism and as a part of the excursion team, you can directly interact with the locals and learn about their lifestyle. You can also visit the schools to have an interactive session with the students and the teachers and perhaps get insights about their contribution in promoting the eco-tourism.
Furthermore, you can visit the strawberry farms and after getting permission from the owner, pluck a few berries to savour its taste. The locals here are welcoming and if requested, you can also have a unique experience of milking, feeding and taking care of the cows. The most interesting aspect of eco-tourism here is carrying out various fun-filled water sport activities in Koyna reservoir. Here, you can opt for swimming, kayaking and water scooter rides.
Attractions of Tapola Lake
The central attraction of Tapola village is its lake. The pristine water of the lake, calm ambience and lush greenery around will soothe your senses. It is one of the popular spots to undertake trekking and organize a picnic with family and friends. Various organizers host a couple of adventurous water sport activities such as boating, kayaking and swimming. The region is also famous for paragliding and kite flying. Thus, for those who are adventure enthusiast, this village is a must-visit place while your trip to Mahabaleshwar.
There are many mysterious forts situated amidst the dense jungles of Tapola village. You can opt for a trek to forts like Vasota and Jaygad. The narrow trek trail is filled with dense foliage and is easy to navigate, thus making it suitable for beginners. In addition to this, you can also explore a number of islands that are located in the long stretch of the lake. The islands are known for their mind-boggling sunset and sunrise views.
Tapola River Camps and Resorts
Tapola is known for its treks and camping activities. It is one of the most visited trekking destinations in Mahabaleshwar that offer an amazing ambience to trek and camp around the Tapola Lake. In addition to a number of water sports, you can also engage in eco-agro tours such as Sakha Niwas Agro Tourism, Nisarga Agro Tourism & River Camp and Mahabaleshwar Agro Village. Few of the popular hotels in the region are Manorama Resort and Hotel Lake View Sagar. These hotels are affordable and equipped with modern amenities.
How to reach Tapola?
The city of Mahabaleshwar is well connected to neighbouring cities including Mumbai and Pune with roadways and trains. Once you reach Mahabaleshwar, you will have to head towards Aaram Chowk to reach Tapola. There are many signboards installed on the way for easy navigation.
