REVIEW · INDIA STARGAZING

Tour De Small Town Maharashtra Nature Trekking and Star Gazing

5.0 · 2 reviews From $80 Operated by www.desibandhu.com · Bookable on Viator
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The most memorable part of this escape is the change of pace. Near Shahapur, you walk through a tribal village, pass farm work and old mud houses, then reach seasonal Sasubai Waterfalls. Back at Desibandhu Organic Farm, Saurabh brings you into village life through tree planting, a simple vegetarian meal, meditation, and star gazing.

I like the private format, since your group gets the experience rather than being folded into a large crowd. I also like the food: rice, dal, pickles, and papad prepared with cold-pressed oil and served with desi ghee. The main consideration is the weather. The waterfall depends on seasonal conditions, and the full experience may not suit you if you want a tightly timed sightseeing tour.

Key points

  • Sasubai Waterfalls: Trek through a tribal village and, when conditions allow, bathe beneath the falls.
  • Desibandhu Organic Farm: Take part in tree planting and see village wells, mud houses, and farm activity.
  • Local vegetarian meal: Eat rice, dal, pickles, and papad with desi ghee, followed by barbecued corn.
  • Quiet night outdoors: Add tent accommodation, a campfire, and star gazing in winter or summer.
  • Personal setting: This is a private activity for your group, with pickup options from Mumbai.
  • Flexible format: Choose a one-day or overnight trip, with meals included.

A small-town escape from Mumbai

Tour De Small Town Maharashtra Nature Trekking and Star Gazing - A small-town escape from Mumbai

This experience is designed for people who want rural Maharashtra rather than another city attraction. The setting near Shahapur gives you a chance to leave Mumbai behind and spend time around farms, village homes, forest paths, and water.

The day combines several activities that usually come as separate trips: a short nature trek, a waterfall visit, farm work, a village meal, meditation, and night-sky viewing. That variety is useful if you want more than a walk, but it also means the outing has a relaxed, mixed-purpose feel rather than a single main attraction.

The experience is private, so only your group takes part. That makes it easier to move at your own pace and gives the day a more personal feel. Saurabh, the owner of the farm, is the named host connected with the experience, and the program includes meditation with an expert.

You can choose a one-day outing or an overnight version. The overnight option adds tent accommodation, campfire time, and a longer chance to enjoy the farm after dark. Ask about the exact schedule when booking, since the supplied timing lists about 11 hours for the experience, while the main itinerary gives two hours for each of its two stops.

Trekking to Sasubai Waterfalls

Tour De Small Town Maharashtra Nature Trekking and Star Gazing - Trekking to Sasubai Waterfalls

The first stop is Sasubai Waterfalls Sakadbav. The walk takes you through a tribal village, with seasonal farm work visible along the way. You may see farmers working in the fields, a detail that gives the trek a useful connection to daily village life.

This is not presented as a hard mountain climb. Still, it is a trek, so you should be ready for outdoor walking and changing ground conditions. The waterfall is seasonal, and the weather affects both the walk and the water level.

When conditions are suitable, you can bathe in the waterfall. That is one of the most appealing parts of the day, especially during the monsoon. It is also the part most dependent on nature, so do not treat the waterfall as a guaranteed swimming stop in every season.

The waterfall visit lasts about two hours, including the trek and time at the site. You get a simple outdoor experience rather than a developed attraction with a long list of facilities. That is part of its charm, but you should plan for a basic setting.

I would treat the waterfall as a chance to slow down, not as the sole reason to book. Water levels, rain, and local conditions can change the experience. Since poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund, keep your plans flexible.

Village paths, old wells, and mud houses

Tour De Small Town Maharashtra Nature Trekking and Star Gazing - Village paths, old wells, and mud houses

The walk also gives you a look at the village itself. The route includes seasonal farm activity, old wells, and mud houses. These details matter because they show how the outing is tied to the local setting instead of simply using the countryside as a backdrop.

You are not just being taken to a viewpoint, taking a photograph, and leaving. The village walk places the farm and waterfall within a lived-in rural area. That can make the experience more meaningful for anyone interested in local work, food, and everyday surroundings.

The description does not give a fixed walking distance or trail difficulty. If you have limited mobility or want to know the exact path, ask before booking. Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed, but the activity remains outdoors and includes trekking.

Lunch at Desibandhu Organic Farm

Tour De Small Town Maharashtra Nature Trekking and Star Gazing - Lunch at Desibandhu Organic Farm

At Desibandhu Organic Farm, lunch is one of the main reasons this trip feels different from a standard countryside excursion. The meal includes rice, dal, pickles, and papad, prepared with pure cold-pressed oil and served with desi ghee.

The menu is simple, familiar, and vegetarian. If you enjoy food that reflects its setting, this is a strong part of the experience. The meal is not described as a restaurant-style spread, so you should expect traditional home-style food rather than a long menu or polished dining service.

That simplicity is useful after the trek. You get a meal connected to the farm and village setting, rather than a generic stop on the way to the next attraction. The food also adds value to the price because meals are included in the one-day and overnight options.

You should mention dietary needs before the trip if they matter to you. The supplied information confirms a vegetarian meal, but it does not list substitutions, allergies, or a separate menu.

Tree planting and farm activities

Tour De Small Town Maharashtra Nature Trekking and Star Gazing - Tree planting and farm activities

The plantation activity gives you something practical to do instead of only looking around. You take part in tree planting at the farm, which adds a conservation element to the visit.

The tour also includes farm activities, though the exact tasks can vary. Seasonal work is visible during the village trek, and the farm setting gives you a closer look at how rural life is organized.

I like this part because it changes the balance of the day. You are not simply consuming an experience. You have a small role in caring for the place, even if the activity is brief.

The tree planting should not be treated as a full agricultural workshop. The available information does not specify the tree species, planting time, or the length of the activity. Think of it as a hands-on addition to the farm visit.

Meditation, corn, and the slower part of the day

Tour De Small Town Maharashtra Nature Trekking and Star Gazing - Meditation, corn, and the slower part of the day

Meditation with an expert is included at the farm. This suits you if you want quiet time built into the trip. It also gives the day a pause between outdoor activity, food, and evening entertainment.

The meditation element may not suit everyone. If your ideal day involves constant movement, it could feel slow. That is not a flaw, but it is an important part of the tour’s character. This is meant to be a reset from city life, not a packed attraction schedule.

Barbecued corn adds an easy social moment, especially if you choose the overnight format. It works with the campfire atmosphere and gives you another taste of local, uncomplicated food.

The experience does not specify the exact barbecue arrangements, so you should not assume a large cookout or a full dinner menu. Corn is the named barbecue item, while the main meal is the vegetarian village lunch.

Star gazing after sunset

Tour De Small Town Maharashtra Nature Trekking and Star Gazing - Star gazing after sunset

Star gazing is offered in both winter and summer. The farm setting away from central Mumbai can make the evening feel much quieter than a city night, though the actual visibility will depend on clouds, weather, and local conditions.

The experience pairs star gazing with meditation, a campfire, and tent accommodation on the overnight option. Together, these activities create a gentle evening rather than a formal astronomy program.

If you want telescope use, named constellations, or a technical astronomy lesson, ask what is included before booking. The information confirms star gazing, but it does not promise equipment or a specialist astronomy presentation.

This is best for you if you enjoy simply looking up, sitting outdoors, and having time without a strict schedule. Families, couples, and small groups seeking a calm break may find the night portion more appealing than people looking for nightlife or high-energy entertainment.

One day or overnight: choosing the right format

Tour De Small Town Maharashtra Nature Trekking and Star Gazing - One day or overnight: choosing the right format

The one-day option works if you want the waterfall, farm lunch, plantation activity, and a short break from Mumbai without committing to a night outdoors. The listed duration is about 11 hours, so it is still a full day.

The overnight option makes more sense if the campfire and star gazing are central to your plans. Tent accommodation lets you stay on the farm and enjoy the evening activities without rushing back.

Meals are included with the available trip options. The information does not give tent specifications, room arrangements, or a detailed overnight schedule, so ask about sleeping arrangements before you pay for that version.

Pickup is offered, and transport from Mumbai is available. That is a real benefit for a countryside outing, since arranging your own route can add time and stress. The exact pickup point and transport details are not stated, so confirm them in advance.

What the $80.43 price means

Tour De Small Town Maharashtra Nature Trekking and Star Gazing - What the $80.43 price means

At $80.43 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day outside Mumbai. The value depends on how many parts of the experience you use.

You are paying for a private activity, transport options, meals, a guided nature outing, farm participation, and, depending on your choice, tent accommodation and an overnight stay. If you would otherwise arrange separate transport, food, and a waterfall visit, the package can make practical sense.

The value is weaker if you only want a quick waterfall walk. The tour’s appeal comes from the combination of activities and the personal farm setting. You should compare it with the cost of arranging a private vehicle, meals, and a rural overnight stay on your own.

Group discounts may improve the price for families or friends. Since the activity is private, sharing the cost across a small group could make it more attractive than booking separate seats on a larger tour.

Who will enjoy this experience most

I would recommend this for you if you want:

  • A peaceful break from Mumbai
  • A private outing with your own group
  • A rural setting with farm and village contact
  • Vegetarian local food
  • Light adventure mixed with quiet activities
  • A chance to take part in tree planting
  • An overnight campfire and star-gazing option

You may want a different trip if you need a precise schedule, advanced trekking, luxury accommodation, or a formal astronomy lesson. The appeal here is its plain, personal style. You come for village life, nature, food, and a slower day.

The waterfall is also weather-dependent. During poor weather, the experience may be moved to another date or refunded. That protects you from losing your money, but it means you should keep your travel plans flexible.

Booking and cancellation advice

You receive confirmation at booking. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes within that period are not accepted.

The cut-off follows local time. Weather can affect the outing, and the experience also requires a minimum number of participants. If the provider cancels for either reason, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund.

Because the activity is private, only your group participates. That is useful if you want control over the pace, but it also means you should confirm the pickup plan, overnight details, and exact timing before departure.

Should you book this Maharashtra nature escape?

Book it if you want a full rural day rather than a single sightseeing stop. The strongest reasons are the private farm setting, the waterfall trek, the traditional vegetarian meal, and the chance to combine tree planting with meditation and star gazing.

I would choose the overnight version if sitting by a campfire and sleeping in a tent are important to you. Choose the day trip if you mainly want the waterfall, lunch, and farm activities.

The best approach is to arrive with flexible expectations. You are not buying a polished resort experience. You are buying time in a village, a simple meal with ghee, outdoor activity, and a chance to slow down near Shahapur. For the right kind of weekend, that is exactly the point.

FAQ

Where does the tour take place?

The experience is based near Shahapur in Maharashtra, with activities at Sasubai Waterfalls Sakadbav and Desibandhu Organic Farm.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately 11 hours. One-day and overnight options are available.

Is pickup from Mumbai available?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and transport options from Mumbai are available. The exact pickup details are not provided, so confirm them when booking.

What happens at Sasubai Waterfalls?

You trek through a tribal village, see seasonal farm activity, visit the waterfall, and may bathe there when conditions allow.

What food is included?

The local vegetarian meal includes rice, dal, pickles, and papad prepared with cold-pressed oil and served with desi ghee. Barbecued corn is also included as an activity.

Is tree planting part of the experience?

Yes. You can take part in a plantation activity at Desibandhu Organic Farm.

Is star gazing available year-round?

Star gazing is offered during both winter and summer. Actual visibility depends on weather conditions.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in this private activity.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants may lead to a new date, another experience, or a full refund.

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