An unforgettable luxury camping retreat like never before!

Traveling during COVID felt like a distant dream during the last few months. With an everlasting lockdown period, going out for a vacation seemed almost impossible. However, with the increasing awareness, decreasing number of COVID-19 cases, and adequate precautions being taken by people were encouraging signs for travelers such as myself. Eagerly waiting to explore more and more new places without venturing into far-out locations, here's what happened when I actually decided to step out for the first-time post lockdown. Obviously, I was super excited to move out of the house arrest but had not expected to find something so beautiful within an hour and a half travel from my place.

It all started when we decided to simply head out for a bike ride towards Karjat one fine morning just to feel the fresh air and warm weather. During the ride, we decided to check out an environmental theme park that someone had mentioned to me. We got there only to learn that it was closed for the day. This was disappointing but sometimes the universe plays a very important role in letting you reach the destination you are bound to by adding such hurdles. That is exactly what happened to me that day.

Under normal circumstances, I would have headed out again and wandered around like a backpacker - eating anywhere, sleeping anywhere. But, like everyone else I was a bit paranoid during those distressing times and didn't want to take the risk of visiting a completely new place. Instinctively, I remembered that the team from moonstone hammock had reached out to me to visit their place at Karjat. My instincts have always helped me in making decisions (mostly right;) and I instantly called up the moonstone team to check if they were open to us visiting them.

As expected, the team from Moonstone was more than willing to host us. So finally, we set the destination to Moonstone Hammock on Maps and headed to this offbeat location. This was completely unplanned but turned out the best decision for us to plan a wonderful weekend retreat here. And we instantly decided to take more of this place into our lives by experiencing this place. That's right, Moonstone Hammock is an experience to cherish, and here's why I say that!

Aside from the lovely drive through the city to the off-road trail for reaching moonstone hammock in the midst of nature, this was ideally my first family outing after COVID happened! This place is a perfect getaway for a short stay of a night or two. Right from the time we stepped in there, this place enthralled a completely different vibe altogether.

Situated on the bank of the Ulhas River, this serene property near Shelu station is just a few kms before Karjat. It is a great place for anyone who is looking to indulge into a bunch of fun things to do - all at the same place.

A beautiful touch of camping in the forest, Moonstone offers different types of camping experience suitable for everyone. You can choose the type of tents as per your liking and comfort. Moonstone offers a wonderful one of its kind glamping tent experience. Glamping tents are the best for luxurious camping. Then there are the island tents which adds a WOW factor to the entire experience of camping. They are floating tents on the beautiful Ulhas river offering a mesmerizing backdrop of the mountains and the peaceful sound of flowing water.

Besides this, the camp is equipped to offer tons of other activities -

Kayaking in the river Ulhas Archery and rifle shooting Take a dip in the swimming pool Take a walk on the rocky riverbank Team up with your friends and other guests to play cricket, volleyball, football, or badminton Watch a blockbuster movie in an open theatre while sitting under the stars enjoying the cool evening breeze Sit and chit chat or play carrom, board games in the cozy Buddha café Simply while away your time relaxing on the hammocks

The Buddha café also has a mini library where the bibliophiles like me can enjoy the company of my favorite book. Moonstone has the perfect way for you to relax and rejuvenate with a live musical night, barbeque and bonfire after enjoying the activities.

Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Moonstone offers a calm and extremely pleasant stay under the clear sky that is perfect for stargazing. The most happening thing here is the live band. A special and famous band of musicians arrives during the weekends to treat you with live music filled with evergreen Bollywood and international melodies to hum along. Simply let your heart out with this live music that surely makes your evening brighter and livelier!

I had been there with my family and must say we loved it including my 11year old son. Our first camping experience and Moonstone made sure we had the best of it! The team of Moonstone follows all necessary sanitization protocols for COVID to provide you a safe environment to enjoy and make the most of it.

News is that they are coming up with a new adventure camping experience at Pawna among the beautiful mountain ranges of Lonavala. This campsite will offer beautiful sunsets over the Tungi fort, nature trails, star gazing, live band, yoga, photography, and delicious home-grown food. There are 3 nearby trekking trails for the adventurous soul in you. I am keen to plan my next weekend getaway at Moonstone Hammock, Pawna.

So, what are you waiting for? Set free the adventurer within you and, treat yourself to this lovely camping experience under the loveliness of nature and get pampered with the warmth of the service offered by Moonstone Hammock in these cold winters.

You can visit my website https://www.wanderneem.com/ or check out my profile on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wander_neem/ for more wonderful pictures and content :)