Maharashtra’s Valley of Flowers: Where vibrant wildflowers and rare orchids bloom

New Delhi: Kaas Plateau, popularly known as Maharashtra’s Valley of Flowers, turns into a floral paradise on earth as an umpteenth number of wildflowers, delicate orchids, rare lithophytes, and ground-hugging herbs start blooming after the monsoon rains arrive. Nestled in the Sahyadri range in Satara district and spanning across 1,000 hectares of land, this UNESCO World Heritage site attracts nature lovers, photographers, and travellers from across the country during its short-lived flowering season every year. The best time to visit the Kaas Plateau is the monsoon months from August to October.

Also known as Kaas Pathar, this amazing landscape comes alive with gorgeous blooms in pink, purple, yellow, and white. This valley boost of more than 850 species of flowering plants and many of these are found nowhere else in the world. The name Kaas originated from the Kaasa tree or Elaeocarpus glandulosus. It’s a native species revered by local communities. Here we have given a detailed travel guide to Maharashtra’s Valley of Flowers. Scroll down.

Kaas Plateau is situated 25 km away from Satara City. Experts recommend travelling to the Kaas Plateau by road to enjoy the view. If you are travelling from Mumbai, the plateau is a 279-km journey via NH48, taking around five hours by car. From Pune, it’s a three-hour drive covering 140 km.

By Air: Pune Airport is the nearest, about 140 km away.

By Rail: Satara Railway Station is well-connected to Mumbai and other major cities.

By Road: From Satara, taxis and buses cover the roughly 25 km journey to Kaas Plateau.

While visiting the Kaas Plateau, you can explore nearby attractions. Here is the list.

1. Wildflower photography

Wander through the flower valley and wonder at the sight of wildflowers in the vibrant colours. Take photographs of rare flora and learn about it like a botanist.

2. Saunter around Kaas Lake

Not only flowers, you can enjoy walking lazily around the Kaas Lake, which is at a short distance from the plateau. Kaas Lake is surrounded by hills and wild greenery. Other than photography, you can organise a family picnic.

3. Vajrai waterfalls

If you are ready to drive a little, there is one of India’s tallest plunge waterfalls, known as Vajrai Waterfalls. It’s a treat to the eyes and ears as the monsoon-fed water makes a thunderous sound.

4. Ajinkyatara Fort

From Ajinkyatara Fort, you can soak in the panoramic view of Satara city and the surrounding valleys. It’s an ideal spot for history buffs and hikers to learn about the Maratha heritage.

5. Trek through Kaas Pathar

If you are looking for an immersive nature experience, the Kaas Pathar Trek is the perfect place, where there are many trails dotted with wildflowers.

The best time to visit Maharashtra’s Valley of Flowers is between August and October. With online booking already open on September 4, now is the ideal time to secure your spot and witness Maharashtra’s spectacular Kaas Plateau bloom before it disappears. Here is the list of things you must remember.

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This is the time when the Kaas Plateau is at its peak beauty, with an enchanting view of wildflowers carpeting the landscape. So, plan your trip and soak in the beauty of this UNESCO-listed biodiversity hotspot.