24 hour monsoon getaways

There’s something about the smell of wet earth, the incessant rain and wide open vistas that brings out the poet in most people. And what better way to soak in the ambience than to embark on a short rainy getaway? If the weekend is all you have, checkout these places around Mumbai…

Malshej Ghat
Imagine a cold, rainy trek or playing under a waterfall...like it? Then Malshej Ghat is for you, adventure lovers. Nature here is at its best. No wonder then that migratory flamingoes choose Malshej as their monsoon abode.

Close by you have Shivneri Fort (approximately 40 kms). The hill also has Buddhist Caves dating to the 3rd century. The place is
surmounted by a historic fort.

Getting there:   
Nearest airport is Mumbai, 154 kms. 
Nearest railhead is Kalyan. 
Mumbai-Malshej Ghat, 154 kms. via Murbad.

Bhandardara
Nestled among the Sahyadri Hills, Bhandardara is about green paddy fields, grey-blue skies, and brown streams that crisscross the whole land. The lush greenery here comes alive this season! You’ll find several attractions too — from Mount Kalsubai which is the highest peak in Maharashtra, to the Wilson Dam, Arthur Lake, the Umbrella Falls, the ancient Ratangad Fort and old Amriteshwar temple.

Getting there:
Bhandardara is situated 185 km. from Mumbai, in Ahmednagar District, Maharashtra, India. To reach Bhandardara, detrain at Igatpuri.  If you are travelling by road from Mumbai, turn right just a few kilometres after Igatpuri and enter Ghoti.
The nearest airport is Mumbai 177 km. away. 
Igatpuri, on the central Railway is the nearest railhead.

Lonavala-Khandala-Karla
Easily the most popular getaways for Mumbai’s crowd who like a convenient weekend holiday in the hills.  The destinations are just a three-hour road from Mumbai and if you want to relish in nature’s bounty, a trip here is a must-do. Having a vehicle is a plus here as you can drive around to places like Bhushy and Valvan Dams, Kaivalyadhama Yoga Hospital, Duke’s Nose, Ryewood Park and Tiger’s Leap. The rock-cut caves of Karla and Bhaja in the hills of Lonavala rank amongst the oldest finest examples of Early Buddhist temple art in India.

Getting there:
The convenient railhead is Lonavala, on the Mumbai-Pune line (118 km from Mumbai).

Amboli
Nestled in the southern ranges of the Sahyadri hills, Amboli is at an altitude of 690 m. It offers view that all the way up to the Konkan coast. One can go fishing at Hiranya Keshi or enjoy a picnic at Nagatta Falls. The Bauxite Mines are also 10 kms away.

Getting there:   
The convenient railhead is Sawantwadi, 28 kms on Konkan Railway.