Show of hands for the chillout zone

Mumbaikars in search of a relaxed camping destination can dance around the fire. Rusticville near Lonavla is a campsite that offers plenty of switch-off time. Sleep in tents, cook your meals and engage in fun and games in a sprawling space that overlooks the Pavna Valley

There is something to be said about the convenience of city life. Lots, actually. But perhaps there's more to be said about the by products of that popular lifestyle choice: Stress and heart failure, for instance.


You could try your hand at volleyball, fly kites or play board games inside
any of the five huts before checking out in the morning.u00a0Pic/Satyajit Desai

And so, with backpack slung casually over shoulder, gentle prod from fellow colleagues, and a frightening amount of determination, we set out to brave what some might deem: The great outdoors. Others? An overnight camping trip.

First checkpoint
At one o'clock on a cruel summer day, we find ourselves outside gate number three of SEEPZ, in Andheri (pop quiz: what's the full form of SEEPZ?). We're there to bum a ride with co-founder of Rusticville, Ashutosh Modi.
Introductions over with (Ashutosh used to be a software engineer), and bags stashed in the dickey, we're off. The stream of chatter slowly dies down to a trickle, soon to be replaced with the vacant enthusiasm of a voice on the radio followed by the most recent chartbuster. Around two hours into the drive, we stop to grab a bite at Food Plaza on the Pune Expressway. With only the last leg of the journey left, staring out of the window becomes an activity of serious import: Must. Absorb. Nature. Good.

It's almost five o'clock when we fall out of the car and walk the last few metres to the site located at the base of Tikona Fort. 15 tents in pretty colours, including pink, green and yellow are perched towards the further end of the two-acre spot, the entrance to which lie two scarecrows. The two-person tents are standard size, we're assured, but camping virgins be warned: They are compact. So, unless you're looking to snuggle up with your bestie or lover, it's a good idea to request for one tent for yourself. hanging rooms and toilets are located on one side of the square-sized property, so you don't have to worry about waiting till sunset to be kind to your bladder. The washrooms are strictly functional, so leave your shampoo at home. Check-in is at 4.30 pm and dinner is served at 10.30 pm, so you have about six hours to play with. Your options include trekking to Tikona Fort, watching a TV serial or a match on the projection screen, playing board games or communing with nature. Chilling, fellow slob, is the only thing on the agenda.


The best way to enjoy your weekend escape to RusticVille is to go with
a big group of friends

Sunset valley
At around six o'clock, we got busy gasping at the breathtaking sunset, backgrounded against the staggering view of Pavna Valley. Once the sky fell silent, it was time for the life on the barren farmland to take its place. A symphony of crickets and the occasional croaking of a frog, served as background music, punctuated only by human laughter and voices. pened in November of last year, Rusticville was founded by friends Ashutosh Modi and Vaibhav Shah, who were keen to start their own business around travel. "I went on a camping trip to a vineyard while studying in Canada. I loved the experience so much that I thought of bringing it back home," says Ashutosh. The crew has grown since to include Navneet Daga, adventure enthusiast Sachin Gaikwad, caterer Ananta and farmer Kashinath.

Food fight
By eight o'clock we were famished. An hour later we were close to rabid. Salvation came in a foil tray packed with marinated chunks of cottage cheese, cauliflower, capsicum, tomato and onion (Rs 250). For Rs 300, non-vegetarians can barbecue 250 gm of marinated chicken. We enjoyed playing cave man grilling the veggies (never mind that cave men were more likely to have grilled wild boar than cottage cheese), and had even more fun eating the scorched bits. Soon enough, it was 'dinner' time. The vegetarian dinner includes roti, two sabzis, dal and rice. Well-fed and ready to retire to our tents, we looked up at the night sky, pleasantly surprised to find millions of stars twinkling back at us. Our work was done.

P.S. The full form of SEEPZ is Santacruz Electronic Export Processing Zone.

How to Reach
*u00a0Once you reach Vashi, head towards Panvel.
* At Panvel, hit the Pune expressway and head towards Lonavala.
* Keep going till you reach Kumar Resort. Take a right.
* Take the left at Shivaji chowk.
* Keep going till you get to the Y junction of Ambedkar Chowk. Take a right.
* Follow the directions for Amaraja Estate.
* Look out for a small restaurant called Shantai Garden. Take the immediate right after you cross it.
* Follow the directions to Paud.
* Drive another 6 km from there.
* Take a left on the dirt road, where you can see a mobile tower on top of a hill.
Tip: Ask for directions to Tikona Fort if you get lost on the way. Rusticville is approximately 105 km or three and a half-hour-ride by car from Vashi.

Info you can use
* Cost: Rs 1,800 per person (inclusive of stay, dinner, BBQ equipment, private bonfire and breakfast)
* Check in time: 4.30 pm
* Check out time: 10.30 am

Must carry
* Bottle of water
* Change of clothes
* Face towel
* Slippers
* Sunscreen
* Toilet paper
* Mosquito repellant
* Basic toiletries
* Personal meds

Log on to www.rusticville.com;
Call 930423345;
Email info@rusticville.com