Khadakwasla Dam & Sinhagad Fort hike with fire-cooked meal

Hike a Maratha fort and eat lunch cooked over fire, then watch the dams at golden hour

A car tour from Pune visiting Khadakwasla Dam, Sinhagad Fort and Panshet Dam with an English-speaking guide, private transportation and an authentic Maharashtrian lunch. You hike roughly 1 to 2 km on the fort, listen to stories of the Maratha Dynasty that ruled the region, and finish at a scenic dam known for bird watching. The tour runs 6 to 8 hours and includes bottled water, parking and an air-conditioned vehicle. You choose between an SUV or sedan at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Khadakwasla Dam and Sinhagad Fort

• Visit Khadakwasla Dam
• Hike 1-2 km at Sinhagad Fort
• Listen to historical stories at Fort

The experience

If you have a free afternoon in Pune and want to leave the city without arranging a driver, this tour handles the transport and the stops. You're picked up from your hotel and driven to Khadakwasla Dam first: a major drinking water source for the city and worth seeing at dawn when the light is soft. From there the car takes you to Sinhagad Fort, a hilltop stronghold of the Maratha Empire that sits outside the city. The hike up is short (1 to 2 km), and as you walk, your guide tells you the history of the dynasty that once ruled Pune from this ridge.

Lunch happens on the fort itself: an authentic Maharashtrian meal cooked over fire, with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. After eating and resting, you drive to Panshet Dam, located further from the city and known for seasonal bird watching and for the way light hits the water in late afternoon. The whole day runs between 6 and 8 hours. You travel in an air-conditioned car (SUV or sedan, your choice at booking) with bottled water provided, and all parking fees are covered.

The tour is led by a guide who speaks English and knows the forts and the region. If you're visiting Pune for the first time and want to see both water and history without piecing together buses and directions, this covers the main landmarks in one drive. The moderate hike on the fort is the most physical part of the day.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned SUV or sedan (your choice at checkout).
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• English-speaking guide.
• authentic Maharashtrian lunch cooked over fire with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.
• bottled water.
• all parking fees.

Options for this experience

2 options

Sedan car tourUp to 2 per booking · Guide in English · 08:00Sedan car tour, pickup is included

Tour in an SUVUp to 5 per booking · Guide in English · 08:00SUV, includes pickup

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to12h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by CityZest

Is this one for you?Pick the SUV for more legroom on the full-day route covering three dams and a fort. The sedan suits shorter trips or solo travelers.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What is Sinhagad Fort and why is it worth the hike?

Sinhagad Fort is a hilltop stronghold from the Maratha Empire that once ruled Pune. The hike is 1 to 2 km, and your guide shares the history of the dynasty as you walk, so the climb is as much about learning the region's past as it is about the views from the ridge.

What kind of lunch is included and does it work for vegetarians?

Lunch is an authentic Maharashtrian meal cooked over fire on the fort itself. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options are available, so you can choose what suits you at the time of booking or let your guide know when you're picked up.

When is the best time of day to visit Khadakwasla Dam?

Khadakwasla Dam is most beautiful early in the morning when the light is soft. If you book this tour, your guide will time the first stop to catch the dam in good light before moving on to the fort.

What happens at Panshet Dam and why is it the last stop?

Panshet Dam is located further from the city and is known for seasonal bird watching and scenic photography. It's the final stop because the light in late afternoon is ideal for photography, and the drive there gives you a chance to rest after the fort hike and lunch.

Do I need to be very fit to do this tour?

The hike on Sinhagad Fort is 1 to 2 km and is the most physical part of the day. You should have at least a moderate level of fitness. The rest of the tour is spent in the car or resting at lunch, so most of your time is not strenuous.