Kaas Plateau Tour with stay

An exclusive Kaas plateau tour, a valley of flowers situated on a high hill plateau near Satara in Maharashtra, is known for flora with seasonal blooms on the valley especially at the end of the monsoon season and is considered as one of the richest biodiversity hotspots in the Western Ghats, India. Along with the kaas plateau,we will be visiting other famous attractions in and around the Satara region. 

On this tour, we will be Visiting Kaas Plateau in the morning and then to Bamnoli. Next day we will be visiting Sajjangadh fort. The Road through these spots offers very scenic views. This trip is suited for all ages, it involves a walk at the Kaas plateau.

Attractions of the event:

Kaas plateau and Kumudini lake - The beautiful valley situated at an altitude of more than 1000m above MSL has a bio-diverse range of species of flowers; Kaas is also listed in UNESCO World Heritage sites. There will be a guided tour by the field expert about different species of flowers. Kumudini Lake, is a small lake inside Kaas flower plateau which is full of beautiful kumudini flowers. 

Stay and Boating at Bamnoli: The boat ride to the Triveni Sangam and Datta Mandir is a thrilling experience, as you pass through the picturesque Shivsagar Lake of Koyna Dam. A night stay on the banks of the lake at Bamnoli after much travelling  sounds like a wonderful way to relax and unwind in nature

Sajjangadh Fort - The stunning Sajjangadh Fort is situated amid the rugged landscape of the Western Ghats, located roughly 16 kilometres from Satara. It is one of West India's protected monuments and is primarily recognized as a pilgrimage site. The fort was used as a residential and defensive structure until it was turned into a monument.

Baramotichi Vihir: It also known as the 'Twelve Pillar Stepwell', is a magnificent example of ancient Indian architecture. It is a circular stepwell with twelve pillars that support the structure. The stepwell is around 30 meters deep, and its walls are adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures. The stepwell also has an underground chamber, which was used for various purposes in ancient times.

 Itinerary:

DAY 0 -

• Depart by hired vehicle from Dadar East at 10:00 PM with pickup points at Chembur, Vashi & Panvel.
• Pune pickup points are Wakad Bridge, Sus Bridge and Chandani Chauk. 

DAY 1 -

• Reach base village - 06:00 AM.
• Fresh up & breakfast at a Hotel near Kaas Plateau - 2 hours.
• Explore Kaas plateau and Kumudini lake- 3 to 4 hours.
• Travel by bus to Bamnoli village.
• Lunch Break at the Hotel - 1 hour. 
• Boating in Koyna backwaters.
• Dinner and rest for the day in rooms. 

DAY -2 

• Travel by bus to Sajjangad from Bamnoli - 2 hours.
• Hike to the Sajjangad - 30 min
• Explore Sajjangad - 1 hour.
• Travel by bus from Sajjangad to Baramotichi Vihir - 1 hour approx.
• Baramotichi Vihir tour - 30min.
• Lunch Break - 1hour.
• Return Journey - 6-7 hours approx.

Price: 

From Mumbai: ₹4500 

From Pune: 4100

Inclusion

✔ Travel from Mumbai/Pune in an AC Vehicle

✔ Breakfast on Day 1, 2

✔ Veg Lunch on Day 1, 2

✔ Dinner on Day1

✔ Accomodation on sharing basis 

✔ Kaas entry fee

✔ Sajjangadh fort entry

✔ Boating Charges at Tapola backwaters

Exclusion: personnel expenses like cold drinks, snacks, packaged water bottles.

Registration Process:

Step 1: Book Your Seat

• Visit the event website and book your seat by completing the registration process. ( Refer to the Manual Payment if you want to pay using UPI/NEFT).

Step 2: Fill Mandatory Disclaimer Form

• After payment confirmation, participants will receive a participation disclaimer form.
• Fill up the form accurately to provide necessary information.
• Compliance with the disclaimer is mandatory for participation.

Step 3: WhatsApp Group Creation

• A WhatsApp group will be created in the evening on the day of the departure.
• All registered participants will be added to the group.
• This group serves as a platform for communication, updates, and coordination among participants.

Checklist

Clothing and Footwear:

• Sandals/ Floaters
• Full Sleeve Quick Dry Shirt/T-shirt: Quick-dry fabric helps keep you dry and comfortable.
• Full-Length Hiking Trousers: Protects your legs from scratches and insect bites.

Things to carry in Rucksack:

• Water: Minimum 2 litres.
• Cap/Hat: Protects your head and face from the sun.
• Food Items: Fruits, dry fruits, energy bars, and healthy snacks provide sustenance.
• Toiletry Kit and sunscreen lotion.
• Poncho/ Raincoat/ Umbrella.
• Extra Set of Clothes: Keep 2 to 3 pair of extra set of clothes.
• Flip-Flops: During Travel.
• Personal Medicines: Carry necessary medications and a basic first aid kit.
• Identity Proof: Carry a valid Government ID proof.

Event Policy:

• Mandatory Disclaimer Form: Accurate completion of the online disclaimer form is required. If incorrect details are provided, participants will be asked to refill the form without exception.
• ID Card Requirement: Participants must bring a valid ID card for safety verification purposes.
• Punctuality: Participants are expected to adhere to the schedule and avoid delays to respect the time of others.
• Parental Consent for Minors: Participants under the age of 18 must have written parental consent to participate in the event.
• Itinerary Modifications & Event Cancellations: Participants will be informed in advance of any changes to the itinerary or cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances.
• Weather and Organizer Authority: We reserve the right to cancel, postpone, or change the event location due to unexpected weather conditions. Ramblersindia or the tour leader will not be held responsible if entry is restricted by local authorities. In such cases, an effort will be made to select an alternate nearby location, taking participants' preferences into consideration.
• Expense Responsibility: Participants are responsible for expenses not included in the event fees. If additional expenses arise due to location changes, participants will be informed and required to cover the extra costs.
• Misconduct and Prohibited Activities: Misconduct, including alcohol consumption, smoking, or any form of intoxication, is strictly prohibited. Playing loud music or teasing animals during the tour is not allowed.
• Personal Hygiene and Environmental Responsibility: Participants should avoid wearing deodorant or perfume on the event day. Adherence to the Leave No Trace principle is mandatory—do not litter or leave plastic waste behind.
• Accommodation: Basic accommodation will be provided, typically in villagers' homes or simple stay facilities with triple or quadruple sharing arrangements.
• Forest Guidelines: All participants must follow the Forest Department's guidelines, particularly at Kas Plateau.
• Blooming Conditions: Flowering at Kaas Plateau depends on various natural factors such as rain, temperature, and humidity. Ramblersindia and the tour leaders are not responsible for limited or no blooming.
• Washroom Facilities: Basic washroom facilities will be available at the stay location. Participants should exercise caution when hiking in forested areas.
• Group Coordination and Cooperation: Participants are expected to maintain discipline, cooperate with fellow participants, and contribute to a positive team environment.
• Safety Disclaimer: While safety is a priority, Ramblersindia and its designated tour leaders are not liable for severe injuries or fatalities.
• Personal Belongings: Participants are responsible for safeguarding their personal belongings. Ramblersindia is not liable for theft, loss, or damage to personal items.
• Payment and Registration: Participants are responsible for paying any convenience fees associated with the payment gateway used during registration.

Payment Policy:

• Third-Party Payment Gateways: We utilize third-party payment gateways for a smoother registration process. The total amount at checkout includes both the main event fee and a convenience fee, which is borne by the customer and displayed before finalizing the payment.
• Manual Payment Option: Participants may opt to manually transfer the payment via UPI (Unified Payments Interface) or NEFT (National Electronic Funds Transfer). A transaction ID or reference number will be provided for this purpose. The manual payment option is available for only one hour from the time the ticket is marked as unpaid. If the payment is not completed within this time frame, the order will be automatically cancelled.
• Transaction Confirmation for Manual Payments: Participants paying through UPI or NEFT (where the convenience fee is not applicable) must confirm their payment by providing the transaction reference via email or WhatsApp.
• Service Availment: No refunds, discounts, or concessions will be issued if participants choose not to use specific services provided during the event.
• Withdrawal: In the event that a participant withdraws from the event after registration, the amount paid cannot be carried forward to future events. Refunds will be processed according to the refund policy in place at the time of withdrawal.

Refund Policy:

• Refund Medium: Refunds will be processed through the same payment medium used for the original transaction. Payments made via UPI will be refunded to the UPI ID, while bank transfers will be refunded to the designated bank account.
• Processing Time: Refunds will be initiated on the event date or the next business day. Refund processing time may vary between 3 to 10 working days, depending on the payment gateway. In case of delays, the recipient should contact the payment gateway support for assistance.
• Refunds will be initiated on the event date or the next business day and processed within 2 days.  
• For UPI payments, refunds will be transferred to the UPI ID.  
• For current account payments, we will request either the UPI ID or bank account details for processing.  
• Refunds cannot be issued to a payment wallet or phone number—only UPI IDs are valid.
• Refund Issuance: Refunds will not be issued in cash or coupons unless previously agreed with the participant. Refunds will not be processed on weekends due to team unavailability.
• Exclusion of Convenience Fee: Refunds exclude the convenience fee. If the payment includes a convenience fee from a third-party gateway, only the event fee will be refunded. For instance, if the event price is ₹1000 and the convenience fee is 5% (making the total paid amount ₹1050), the refund will be based on ₹1000, excluding the convenience fee.

Refund Percentages for Cancellations:

• 50% refund for cancellations made three or more days before departure.  
• 40% refund for cancellations made two days before departure.  
• 30% refund for cancellations made one day before departure.  
• 20% refund for cancellations made on the day of departure.  
• No refund will be provided for no-shows.
• Event Cancellation: In the event of a cancellation by the organizer, the full event fee will be refunded, excluding the convenience fee. Any personal transportation costs (e.g., train, bus, flight, or cab) will not be refunded.