Kaas Pathar: Guide to Maharashtra’s Magical Valley of Flowers

A sprawling landscape exuding colourful vibes! Isn’t this so dreamy? Stealing from your dream is the breathtaking destination of vibrant flowers. Kaas Pathar is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site known for its heartwarming beauty! Whether you are a wanderer or love knowing about different cultures, this is just the perfect place to be! 

Nestled in the lovely community of Maharashtrians, you can find a plethora of restaurants serving authentic cuisine. Moreover, Kas Pathar is a widespread area for you to roam, encapsulate beauty in the camera or even plan a photoshoot. Exploring exceptional floral diversity is sure to allure your heart. Treebo hotels are located in different parts of Maharashtra so get ready for a comfortable stay too!

Kaas Pathar: What is so Special?

Did you learn about the flat landscapes known as a Plateau in the geography subject? Kaas Plateau is one of the iconic places where you revise your learning in real life! That sure is exciting. So, let’s get into details as to what’s the hype about this place.

1. Floral Diversity 

Imagine a place where you can find more than 40 species of flowers blooming in their glory. While the plateau is home to more than 500 species of flowers, it differs in different parts of the location. It is more like walking into the pink valley and straightway going to the yellow valley! 

That is exactly why Kaas Pathar attracts visitors from all over the country. Since the flowers bloom in a specific season, their colours keep changing every week. Considering the cycle of the flower blooming period, you sure can be lucky to witness them all!

Species of Flowers: Hitchenia Caulina, Habenaria Grandifloriformis, Gloriosa Superba, Costus Speciosus, Argyreia Baseana and Celosia Argentia

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2. Seasonal Bliss

Know that you are stepping into a protected natural zone. It is an absolute bliss to witness the change in atmosphere and the colours of the land with seasons. A sunny day is when all flowers come to life and set a bed for you to admire. Similarly, monsoon season is the best due to the healing aroma of the soil. It literally feels like stepping on the purest land of the Earth. 

3. Unique Fauna

You simply cannot take away fauna from the hotspots of nature. Kaas Pathar is a huge space and there are various restricted areas too. That’s where you can find a variety of animals and migratory birds. Apart from animals, you can meet the little mesmerizing guests of flowers – the butterflies! They are flying all over the plateau in vibrant shades.

4. Wildlife Safari

Yes, you are invited to witness the wild as Kaas Plateau offers safari tours. There are two options to explore the dense forests. One is trekking and the other is a safari tour. It is best to reach the place early on to avoid a rush. Indian leopards, tigers and deer generally reside on this plateau. 

Timings: 6:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Kaas Plateau or Kas Pathar is an ideal place to learn about environment conservation, biodiversity and ecology. Environment enthusiasts, nature lovers and students get an amazing opportunity to connect with nature in a soothing way.

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How to Reach Kaas Plateau? 

Kaas Pathar is located close to the city of Satara at a distance of 25 kilometres. You need to reach Satara to reach the final destination. Pune (112 Km) and Mumbai (255 Km) are the major cities to reach Satara. 

Both the cities are well connected by roadways and railways to Satara city. It takes around 7 to 9 hours from Mumbai and 2 to 4 hours from Pune. You can also opt for a private vehicle, cab or state-run bus to reach Satara.

To reach Kas Pathar, you can easily get a bus from Satara. Take a bus to Bamnoli or Tetli where it will also drop you to Kaas. 

Once you reach Kaas, you can find a queue for visitors to reach the plateau via a free bus service. Note that this service begins from the main region of Kaas. 

Entry Fee 

Kaas Plateau is open to all citizens of India and foreign nationals on all days.

• The entry fee is INR 150/- on all days.
• The entry is free for children below 12 years of age.
• The guided tour costs INR 100/- per hour for a group of 10 people.
• A bicycle ride costs INR 50/- per hour for an individual. 

School and college students can enter the location at INR 40/- per person with a letter from the school/college principal. 

Timings

It is important to note that Kaas Pathar management only allows 3000 visitors in a day. You must reach the place well in advance to avoid a rush

Slot 1: 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Slot 2: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Slot 3: 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Places to Visit Near Kaas Pathar 

1. Ekiv Waterfall 

Ekiv Waterfall is one of the mesmerizing sites near Kaas Pathar. If you are looking for an adventure, the climb to the top is through the rocky terrain. As the water cascades, the lush green surroundings add to the glory. You can also find food stalls nearby for some delicious Maggi and local delicacies. Make sure to photograph the scene. The visit to this place during monsoon season is truly a blissful experience!

2. Vajrai Waterfall 

Step into the beauty of verdant landscapes as you witness the famous Vajrai waterfall. The plunge waterfall is one of the must-visit attractions near Kaas Plateau. Due to its popularity, you are certain to find it packed during the prime seasons. Water cascades from three steps and creates a heartwarming viewpoint for you!

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3. Kaas Lake

Up for a serene picnic experience? If yes, Kaas has heard you! Kaas Lake is a close point to the plateau. The lake is surrounded by lush green trees and you can adore the beauty. It is ideal to click a few pictures, rest by the lake and enjoy your time.

4. Bamnoli

A secluded village tucked away from the chaos resides right in the heart of Maharashtra. Bamnoli is a popular destination for boating and its backwaters. Moreover, you can find a plethora of camping options in the dense forest. If history excites you, Bamnoli happens to be the gateway to the Vasota fort. You can find a few locals catering to tourists with respect to local food and accommodation.

Best Time to Visit Kaas Plateau 

Here’s the important thing you need to know about Kas Plateau. The wildflower blooming season is between August to October. However, the place is open to the public from mid-September to mid-October only. It is important to check the weather and booking options beforehand.

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Things to Know Before You Visit Kaas Pathar 

• If you are dependent on public transportation once you reach Kaas, prepare yourself for long queues which is a general thing for such a site.
• You can mainly find authentic Maharashtrian cuisine which is a combination of sweet, sour and spicy flavours.
• It is advisable to cover yourself completely to avoid contact with insects.
• The place is not commercialized so carry your food and enough water.
• It is a huge space and you wouldn’t want to miss out. Hence, wear comfortable trekking shoes or similar.
• Be ready to walk since different flowers are found in varied areas.
• You must not pluck flowers, sit on them or even harm them during photography. The forest guards are highly responsible and you must respect the beauty of this place by honouring the rules.

Kaas Pathar is a heavenly destination but also invites adventure. It is more like a backpacking trip where you jump from one place to another only to gather the best of memories. Get ready for walking, appreciating and satisfying your thirst for wanderlust!