Flight, camera, action!

Dhvani Solani took up the challenge to fly, ride an ATV and see the world upside down in one adrenaline-packed experience at Lonavla's Della Adventure

Over time and thanks to its proximity to Mumbai and Pune, Lonavla's serene charm has been replaced with slot machines, a real estate boom and overcrowded picnic spots.



Despite this commercial takeover, our curiosity was sufficiently piqued when we heard of a mega adventure zone, off the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.

Della Adventure, a 36-acre adventure and recreational zone, boasts of a mind-boggling 42 adventure activities, 29 hobby and lifestyle activities, three restaurants, a music lounge, coffee shop and a 1,500-seater amphitheatre.
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We decided to test our reflexes and dare quotient for a series of test-drives.



ATV RIDES: Taming the monster
After I strapped on my helmet and blood-clotting padding and stepped on to the 200 cc All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV), it was one fun-filled ride on the undulating dirt track that separated the stage and the massive amphitheatre. But the real fun began when I took my seat on a 700 cc Yamaha Raptor, a roaring tiger that made the 200 cc seem like a purring kitten. Push the throttle and fly like the wind; at times, there's a scary out-of-control feeling too. Hang on to dear life, don't forget to switch gears for an exprience that is filled with several power-packed, heady moments
Cost: Rs 1,000 (200 cc for 15 minutes); Rs 2,500 (700 cc)



ZORBING: On a roll
How did Jack feel as he fell down the hill? We didn't break our crown but we were to get a fair idea of what that might have felt like, as we squeezed ourselves into a massive, inflatable, translucent zorb ball. You are strapped to the inner layer of the orb, while the outer layer acts as a shock absorber. As a teenaged boy was strapped up opposite me, I was scared that he might turn a little deaf at the end of it thanks to all the screaming. Battling a mounting claustrophobia, I took a deep breath as the crew pushed our sphere to freefall down the 200 feet grassy pathway. The feeling was a combination of an adrenaline rush and a desire to throw up. Yelling out to stop doesn't help. The multi-coloured world rushed past, and just as I had begun to enjoy it, the ball reached the end of its ride. I pushed myself out, needing several seconds to straighten out my wobbly walk.
Cost: Rs 500 per person



FLYING FOX: Superman ishtyle
When James Bond used an ordinary leather belt to rappel from the clutches of the enemy, he put an unforgettable image in my head. At Della Adventures, it isn't as rustic I had the opportunity to fly on, supposedly, India's longest, permanent 550-feet zip line, as I clutched a harness that held me in case my hand slipped, though it left my legs dangling in mid-air. It's possible to zip through the line in seconds. But as my imaginary cape blew in the wind, and I tried to stretch out my fisted right hand, much like Superman, I could feel a surge of adrenaline and power rushing through my veins. Attempt this at night not only will it do justice to your undercover superhero identity, but will also give you a spectacular view of the expansive space, lit with golden and indigo hued lights.
Cost: Rs 1,000 per person

What we liked
Paintball
Jet ski experience
Paragliding / Parasailing
Flying radio-controlled planes / helicopters
Dining at PNF, which also has an al-fresco section
The restrooms: Yes, apart from the obvious reasons, the restrooms are a quirky detour. Ask for permission if you belong to the opposite sex. The men's restroom sports vertical wall-mounted LCDs facing the urinals, playing pre-recorded videos of women gesturing, giggling, winking, using a measuring tape or a magnifying glass and flirting. The women's restroom has a man's torso with a spout instead of the body part that it closely resembles. Not an original idea, but it deserves a dekko for the chuckle factor.



Coming soon...
We've primarily heard of Jimmy Mistry from the superbike discussion threads, thanks to his well-documented passion for Harleys and Ducatis. Della Adventure is the brainchild of this young, self-made millionaire and architect who took us on a round of Della Enclave, which lies on one side of Della Adventure. This site boasts of 24 luxury villas, as part of Phase One. We also got a sneak peek into Mistry's soon-to-be-opened luxurious tent site (with 100 tents, each equipped with an LCD, refrigerator and Jacuzzi) set in scenic locales. Also coming up are timber chalets.

We also tried
Archery: Practice professional archery in one of the three glass-framed ranges.
Radio-controlled cars: Kiran Verma of the Indian Aeromodellers Club oversees this section.

How to reach
Take the Khandala exit on Mumbai-Pune Expressway. After crossing Kamath's look out for Della Adventure signage; it's a 2 km drive thereon.
AT: Kunegaon, Lonavala; 10 am to m; CALL: 9870989369

What we didn't like
Dog Walks / Milking Jersey cows: Why would anyone would spend Rs 150 on this is beyond our understanding
Karaoke: We loved the open-air set-up and the awesome sound system, but spending Rs 2,000 for a 30-minute session is criminalu00a0
Caged ducks and emusu00a0
The courteous 1,000-people-strong staff and their attention to detail was top-class, but the steep rates might make this a one-time-visit place