How much adventure can you pack into 12 hours? Dhvani Solani checked in at Kolad's Empower Activity Camp, and rafted through choppy waters, negotiated a Burma bridge, went rock climbing, rappelled downhill and hit bull's eye in target practice. Here's to a heady adrenaline rush that will put your skills to the ultimate test
How much adventure can you pack into 12 hours? Dhvani Solani checked in at Kolad's Empower Activity Camp, and rafted through choppy waters, negotiated a Burma bridge, went rock climbing, rappelled downhill and hit bull's eye in target practice. Here's to a heady adrenaline rush that will put your skills to the ultimate test
The thought of having to meet someone associated with the military force is always met with some amount of apprehension: Will he bark orders at me? Will he find me terribly unfit to tread on his property? Will he make me run as I hold a heavy gun over my head? Gulp. 
Meeting Brigadier Sushil Bhasin who served 34 years in the Indian Army at his campsite seemed like a daunting task as we headed to his campsite. The Brigadier, along with his cousin Colonel Naval Kohli, run Empower Activity Camps, which is three hours from Mumbai, in Kolad. Thankfully, the 59 year-old jolly, verbose, mustachioed Army man turned out to be anything but stern.
Empower, spread over 50 acres of green, is nestled between a lake on one side (dry at the moment) and a towering hill on the other. Though largely visited by kids and corporates seeking experiential learning and tips on team building that come along with a dose of adventure, we recommend this place for families and groups of friends too. Friendly staff dressed in military-print cargo pants marched us to our Swiss style cottage, made almost entirely of brick and wood. You can choose from cottages, tents and dormitories that can accommodate up to 120 people. My daredevil quotient was put to the test with a series of test-drives at Empower.
Raft Through troubled waters
Around this time of the year, the Kundalika River is reduced to a sluggish stream by evening. However, it was in bubbling form in the morning, when we arrived, thanks to the excess water from dams that feed the river at dawn.
The Brigadier had booked us a seat, which meant that I was bundled off on to a sunshine yellow raft with a group that was carrying a band of corporates. Our Nepalese instructor, Raju, handed out life jackets and helmets, gave us demos, dos and donts before we set out. "Forward paddle", he commanded and we were off, rowing our way downstream.
The Kundalika River is a calm water body. There are Grade II and III rapids, yes, with some hilarious names including Boom Shankar, Johnny Walker and Morning Headache, but they are not particularly exciting, even for a first timer.
So what Raju does is add spice -- like the time he deliberately oared our raft into a tree springing from the middle of the river. Since I was seated at the rim of the raft, I was too shocked to hold on to the rope and fell into the water that carried me downstream, in a rapid gush. I panicked as I went underwater only to surface a moment later to make my way to the raft as my concerned co-rafters watched my flip-flops.
Further downstream, you are allowed to jump into the waters for a swim or lie back and float around. dysurfing at its best. The two-hour adventure will include encounters when your raft gets upturned by rival rafts too. A word of advice: don't forget to wear floaters.
Be the hit man
Back at the camp, there are several activities that you can have a go at. First on our list was target shooting. From under a makeshift shed, I held a heavy air gun that seemed heavier after the rafting session, and took aim of the tin cutout of a deer. Click. I pressed the trigger. Bang! That was an imaginary sound in my head. The bullet was far from the target. Two, three, four more rounds and finally, I managed a hit at what looked like the skull of a tin cutout of a man. Ouch!
Burma Bridge Buster
At the campsite, you get to run through an entire obstacle course, with one of the OMG-inspiring activities being the Burma Bridge. The hanging bridge consists of a bottom cable with knots on which you precariously tip toe to reach the end, taking support of the handrails by the side. A harness prevents you from plunging to your death and famous words that usually accompany adventure -- Don't look down -- are negated since this is what you have to precisely do, with each step. How difficult could crossing a rope bridge be? Very, particularly if a gentle gust of wind causes the bridge to sway perilously. One wrong step means that you will be hanging by a thread and would need to be rescued with the help of a tall ladder. It's a must-do to test your balancing skills.
What a rock-star!
In the backyard of Empower are hills where tribals reside, and which serve as the perfect backdrop for an adventure set-up. On one of the undulating hills, the Empower guys had set up a rock climbing and rappelling (descent from a rock face) session for us.
This one's not too strenuous and gives you a fantastic top-angle view of the surrounding areas. We sought our way up with help from an encouraging bunch at the bottom and an impish baby monkey sitting on a rock edge above us.
The 200-feet climb is then supplemented with a quick lesson in rappelling and a rapid climb down; minor bruises and cuts surface seem battle wounds by now. As I zipped down and spotted a flight of birds heading home in a V-shaped formation, my sore legs and arms reminded me to call it a day. Sleep came easily en route home. So did a sense of achievement.
Give these a shot too
*Raft building
*Flying Fox
*Parasailing
*River Crossing
*Zorbing
*Hot Air Ballooning
*Paint Ball
*Trekking
*Monkey Crawl
*Commando Crossing
How to Reach
>> By road: If you're driving down, take NH 17 from Vadkaal Naka. NH 17 leads straight to Kolad where the road bifurcates towards Pune and Goa. Take the Pune route. Your journey will take you through Panvel, Karnala, Wadkal, Nagothane to Kolad. Take the first left from Kolad to go to a village called Sutarwadi. The left turn will have you pass a railway crossing.
>> You can also take a State Transport bus to Mahad from CST or Dadar TT and alight at Kolad. Local transport might be available from Kolad but we suggest it's best to hire a vehicle in advance.
What to carry
>> Sun hat or cap / sunglasses
>> Waterproof sunscreen
>> Chocolates and dry fruits as pocket snacks
>> Water bottle
>> Photo Identity
>> T-shirt or shirt, track pants or rafting shorts and a change of clothes, including innerwear
>> Windcheater
>> Floaters
>> Mosquito repellent
>> Sports or canvas shoes
At Empower Activity Camps, 263, Sutarwadi, Taluka Roha, Raigad District, Kolad. Call 02194-255105 / 9423093607
A stay by the river? Good Heavens!
At Empower, we bumped into Brigadier Bhasin's friends -- Sarita and Shyam -- who run a cosy homestay by the Kundalika River. The affable duo will encourage you to be a pro in l'arte di non fare niente (Italian for the art of doing nothing).
Swing on the hammocks by the lazy river, sit in the 'baithak' and sip on wines, share stories around the bonfire, cuddle up in one of the rooms of their gorgeous bungalow -- named Good Heavens -- or in the lovely outhouse. For adrenaline seekers, the couple can fix up rafting, boating and other adventurous activities. We'd suggest you waste no time and book the outhouse for Valentine's Day.
Call: 02194205032 / 9833863432
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