Things to Do in Pune
This Weekend

Done with being a passenger? Kamshet is one of the best places in India to learn paragliding from scratch. Mantra Paragliding runs APPI-accredited paragliding courses that take you from total beginner to confident solo glider.

The P1 beginner course covers ground handling, kite control, weather reading, safe takeoff and landing, and in-flight manoeuvres — all under the supervision of internationally certified instructors. Kamshet's gentle, predictable flying conditions make it the ideal training ground.

Whether you're a Pune local wanting a new skill or a traveller planning a longer stay, a paragliding course is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have in the region.

After a day in the sky, the best thing you can do is slow down beside a lake. Lakeside Mantra in Kamshet is a boutique resort right on the banks of Pawna Lake — a perfect base for a Pune weekend getaway.

Think wooden cottages, misty mornings over still water, bonfires at night, and no city noise. Whether you're visiting for the paragliding or simply escaping Pune for a couple of days, Lakeside Mantra offers exactly the kind of unhurried reset that busy professionals dream about.

Pair it with a tandem flight or a paragliding course and you've got the ideal Kamshet itinerary — fly by day, rest by the lake at night.

Pune sits at the doorstep of some of Maharashtra's finest trekking terrain. Rajmachi, Tung Fort, Visapur, and Lohagad are all within 1–2 hours and offer spectacular ridge walks, ancient Maratha fortifications, and monsoon waterfalls that make every climb worth it.

The trails around Kamshet are especially rewarding — and if you're already there for paragliding, adding a morning trek before your afternoon flight makes for a genuinely epic day.

Pune is far more than an IT hub. The old city around Shaniwar Wada, Laxmi Road, and the Peths hides some of Maharashtra's best street food — misal pav, sabudana khichdi, thalipeeth — all served in tiny joints that have been around for decades.

Walk through Dagdusheth Halwai Temple in the morning, browse the antiques at Tulsibaug, and end with a filter coffee and a sunset view from Vetal Tekdi. Pune rewards slow exploration.

Pawna Lake near Kamshet is one of the most scenic spots in Maharashtra — and it's not just for watching. Kayaking, paddleboarding, and boat rides on the lake make for a brilliant half-day activity, especially when paired with a morning paragliding flight.

The calm, wide waters are beginner-friendly, and several operators around the lake offer equipment rental and guided sessions. Sunrise on the water, with the Sahyadri hills reflected in the stillness, is something you won't forget.

If you want to push your limits on the ground before taking to the sky, Della Adventure Park in Lonavala is one of India's largest adventure parks. Rock climbing walls, rappelling, zip-lining, and ATV tracks are all on offer — making it a full day of adrenaline just 20 minutes from Kamshet.

Ideal for corporate groups, college trips, or anyone who wants to tick off multiple adventure activities in a single visit.

The terrain around Kamshet and Lonavala is a mountain biker's playground — single tracks through forests, village paths with valley views, and technical descents that will test even experienced riders. Several operators in the region offer guided MTB tours with rental bikes.

Pair a morning bike ride with an afternoon tandem paragliding flight and you've built one of the best adventure days possible within reach of Pune.

Camping by Pawna Lake is one of Pune's most popular weekend escapes — and rightfully so. Dozens of campsites line the lake's banks, offering bonfire nights, stargazing, and the kind of morning silence that no alarm clock can replicate.

Book a lakeside camp on Friday night, fly with Mantra Paragliding on Saturday morning, and drive back to Pune Sunday refreshed. It's the perfect two-day itinerary for anyone within two hours of Kamshet.

For something a little different, archery and air rifle ranges have opened up around the Lonavala-Kamshet belt catering to the adventure tourism crowd. No experience needed — instructors guide you through form and technique, and most people are surprised at how quickly they get hooked.

A great add-on activity if you're making a full weekend of it in the region.

Rajmachi is one of the most rewarding fort treks near Pune — a 15 km trail through dense Sahyadri jungle that opens up to twin forts (Shrivardhan and Manaranjan) with sweeping views of the Konkan coast below. The overnight trek is especially popular, with a small village at the base offering homestay accommodation.

The trailhead is easily accessible from Kamshet, making it a natural pairing with a paragliding trip — trek on Saturday, fly on Sunday.

Bhushi Dam in Lonavala is a classic Maharashtra weekend destination — stone steps that disappear into rushing monsoon water, surrounded by green hillsides and chai stalls. It's best visited July through September when the overflow is at its most spectacular.

Combine it with a drive through the ghats, a stop at Kune Falls, and an evening at one of Lonavala's famous fudge and chikki shops for a classic Pune-region day out.

The Buddhist rock-cut caves at Karla and Bhaja are among the oldest surviving cave complexes in India, dating back over 2,000 years. Carved into the basalt cliffs of the Sahyadris, they offer a quiet, extraordinary window into ancient India — and they're just minutes from Kamshet.

Start your morning here before heading to the flying site for a tandem flight. The contrast between ancient rock and modern flight is a surprisingly powerful way to spend a day.

Maharashtra's wine country is closer to Pune than most people realise. The Nashik wine belt is a few hours north, but closer options like Fratelli Vineyards in Akluj and smaller estate wineries in the Pune district offer tasting sessions, vineyard walks, and long lunches among the vines.

For a more refined weekend away from the city, pair a paragliding morning with a vineyard afternoon — it's an unexpectedly sophisticated Pune day trip.

Bhimashankar, about 110 km from Pune, is one of Maharashtra's most biodiverse wildlife sanctuaries and home to the Indian Giant Squirrel — the state's official animal. The forest trek to the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga temple passes through dense Shola forest and is one of the most beautiful walks in the Western Ghats.

Best visited October through February when the weather is cool and wildlife sightings are most common. An early start from Pune gets you there and back in a day.

Sinhagad — Lion's Fort — is the trek that every Punekar has done at least once. It sits 30 km from the city, rising sharply from the plateau to offer a commanding view of the surrounding valleys. The climb is steep but short, and the top rewards you with history, cool winds, and some of Pune's best roadside pitla bhakri.

Go early on a weekday if you want the fort largely to yourself. On weekend mornings it becomes a communal Pune ritual — thousands of people making the climb together at dawn, thermoses of chai in hand.

Pune has one of India's most vibrant performing arts cultures, quietly rivalling Mumbai for the depth and variety of its theatre, classical music, and dance scene. Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir, Tilak Smarak Mandir, and Yashwantrao Chavan Natyagruha host productions ranging from experimental Marathi theatre to Hindustani classical concerts year-round.

Check local listings — a Friday evening at a good Marathi play followed by a Saturday morning paragliding flight is a deeply Pune kind of weekend.

The Aga Khan Palace in Pune holds a significant place in Indian history — it was here that Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi were interned during the Quit India Movement, and it's where Kasturba passed away. The grounds are serene and the museum inside is thoughtfully curated.

A quiet, reflective morning here sets the tone for a day of bigger experiences. It's also one of Pune's most beautiful colonial-era buildings, surrounded by well-kept gardens.

Pune has been a centre for alternative wellness since the days of Osho's ashram, and that spirit persists. Several retreat centres in and around the city — from the Osho International Meditation Resort in Koregaon Park to quieter ashrams in the hills — offer weekend programmes in yoga, meditation, and Ayurvedic treatment.

If your idea of a Pune weekend involves slowing down rather than speeding up, these retreats offer genuine rest alongside serious practice. Pair with a stay at Lakeside Mantra in Kamshet for a complete mind-and-body reset.

Maharashtra has a handful of natural hot springs, and Akloli near Igatpuri is among the most accessible from Pune. The sulphur-rich waters have been used for centuries for their therapeutic properties, and the setting — surrounded by forest and hill — makes the soak feel genuinely restorative.

Best combined with a trek or a drive through the northern Sahyadris for a full day out of the city.

Pune's café scene has quietly become one of the best in India. From specialty third-wave coffee roasters in Koregaon Park to independent bookshop cafés in Aundh and Baner, the city rewards those who wander slowly with a good cup in hand.

Some standouts: Pagdandi Books Chai Café for the atmosphere, The Flour Works for the food, and any of the roasters in the Kalyani Nagar neighbourhood for serious coffee. Pune is a city where you can easily lose a morning to a good table and a good book.

Pune's evenings have a distinct character — less frenetic than Mumbai, but with serious options for those who want them. FC Road is the student heartbeat of the city, lined with budget restaurants, live music venues, and the kind of street food that tastes best after midnight.

Koregaon Park is the more polished option — rooftop bars, artisanal cocktail spots, and a crowd that tends to be well-travelled and eclectic. Either way, Pune nights have plenty to offer.

Katraj Zoo is one of Maharashtra's better-run zoological parks, home to tigers, leopards, Indian pythons, and a snake park that is genuinely fascinating. The adjacent Katraj Lake and butterfly garden make it a full half-day for families.

It's a reliable, well-priced option for a morning with kids before heading out of the city for the afternoon — and the snake park alone is worth the entry fee.

Adlabs Imagica is India's most ambitious theme park — and it sits right on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway near Khopoli, making it easily accessible from either city. Roller coasters, a snow park, a water park, and live entertainment across two parks make it a full day (or two) of family fun.

Book tickets in advance on weekends and school holidays — it gets busy. Pair with a Kamshet paragliding trip for a full action-packed long weekend.

For a very different kind of retail therapy, ditch the malls and head to Laxmi Road and Tulsibaug in the heart of old Pune. This is where the city still shops the old way — narrow lanes packed with textile merchants, jewellers, copper and brassware, and the best prices on traditional Paithani sarees in the city.

Go on a weekday morning to avoid the weekend crush. A walk through the adjacent Kasba Peth neighbourhood — one of Pune's oldest — adds genuine historical texture to the experience.