What is agro tourism?
Agro tourism, also called agri tourism or krushi paryatan in Marathi, is tourism built around a working farm. Instead of a resort with a pool and a buffet, you spend your time in the fields, the orchard and the countryside around them, and the farm family or team shows you how food is grown.
It works for city families who want their children to see where food comes from, for friends who want an easy day out, and for companies that want a team outing away from conference rooms.
How agro tourism started in Maharashtra
Maharashtra was one of the first states in India to organise agro tourism. In 2005 Pandurang Taware and the Agri Tourism Development Corporation demonstrated the idea on a farm at Malegaon, near Baramati, and it spread to farms across the state. Maharashtra later adopted an agri tourism policy to register and support farms that host visitors.
What a visit to an agro tourism farm near Pune includes
- Farm walks and seasonal crops: paddy, millets, vegetables and fruit trees, depending on the month. See our crop calendar.
- Farm food: simple Maharashtrian meals, often made with produce from the farm or nearby villages.
- Outdoor and indoor games: cricket, football, badminton, volleyball, carrom and board games.
- Nature: rivers, trails, birds and, in season, fireflies and monsoon waterfalls.
- Overnight stays: cottages or rooms on the farm, with all meals, for a slower weekend.
For a fuller list, read agro tourism activities you can enjoy on a farm.
Day trip or overnight stay?
| At The Farmstead | Day outing | Overnight stay |
|---|---|---|
| Timing | 8 AM to 6 PM | Check-in 1 PM, check-out 11 AM |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch and high tea | All meals |
| Price | Rs 1,200 per person weekdays, Rs 1,500 weekends | From Rs 7,100 a night for 2 in a Nest Cottage (weekdays) |
| Best for | Families, friends, school and office groups | Couples, families, offsites and weddings |
Prices are plus applicable taxes. See the day outing and stays for what each includes.
How to choose an agro tourism place near Pune
- Distance: under 90 minutes from Pune keeps a day trip relaxed. Mulshi is about an hour from Chandni Chowk.
- What is included: check whether meals, games and activities are in the price or charged extra.
- Real farm or resort: look for crops, trees and open land, not only a lawn and a pool.
- Group size: some places suit families, others large office groups. Ask about halls and games for 30 or more people.
- Season: the monsoon is green but wet; October to February is the most comfortable for outdoor time.
Agro tourism at The Farmstead, Mulshi
The Farmstead is a 6 acre farm on the Mutha river in Kharawade village, on the Temghar-Lavasa road. It has a food forest, open fields, fruit trees, riverside hammocks, lawns and a multipurpose hall, with cottages and suites for overnight guests. Guided nature trails run on selected days, fireflies light up the trees in season, and monsoon waterfall treks start nearby.
Take the virtual tour or send an enquiry with your dates.
Questions
What is agro tourism?
Agro tourism, also called agri tourism or krushi paryatan, is a visit to a working farm to experience rural life: farm walks, seasonal crops, farm food, outdoor games and time in nature, as a day trip or an overnight stay.
Which agro tourism places are near Pune?
Most agro tourism farms around Pune are in Mulshi, Maval, Bhor, Purandar and the Baramati belt. The Farmstead is in Kharawade, Mulshi, about an hour from Pune on the Temghar-Lavasa road, on the Mutha river.
Is agro tourism near Pune good for a one day trip?
Yes. A day outing at The Farmstead runs 8 AM to 6 PM with breakfast, lunch and high tea, indoor and outdoor games and time by the river, so you are home in Pune by evening. It costs Rs 1,200 per person on weekdays and Rs 1,500 on weekends.
Can we stay overnight at an agro tourism farm near Pune?
Yes. The Farmstead has Nest Cottages, Riverside Suites, AC Family Rooms and a villa with a plunge pool, all with meals included. A Nest Cottage for 2 starts at Rs 7,100 a night on weekdays.
Is agro tourism suitable for families with children?
Yes. Children get open space, farm walks, games and the river under supervision. At The Farmstead kids under 6 are free on a day outing and kids 6 to 10 pay Rs 750.
When is the best time for agro tourism near Pune?
Every season offers something different: green fields, waterfalls and paddy planting in the monsoon (June to September), pleasant weather and harvests from October to February, and fruit season in April and May.
Spend a day or a night on the farm
The Farmstead is a 6 acre agro tourism farm on the Mutha river in Kharawade, Mulshi, about an hour from Pune. Day outings run 8 AM to 6 PM with three meals; stays include all meals.