Do you live in a city where day and night seems almost the same as this city “never sleeps”. Yes! We’re talking about Mumbai or Bombay city. Perhaps the busiest city in the country with frantic local train journeys from Borivali to Churchgate in scorching hot weather.
Where facing autowala’s NO! for a ride is even more depressing than getting rejected for an interview. Where “ghar se nikalte aur kuch dur chalte hi” you get drenched in sweat. I know, right. Its too much to go through that too in a single day!
Thankfully there are a few cooling and calm vacation places within the easy reach of this city where Mumbaikars can go and have a weekend getaway or mini vacations away from all the chaos of the city. These Western Ghats have serene beauties to pay a visit and enjoy its perks.
1.Matheran
One of the smallest hill stations in India, Matheran is located in the Western Ghats range and around 90 Km from Mumbai.
This Charming hill station can be travelled to by train by getting down at Neral Railway station and then uphill either by Toy Train or Horse rides or even hand-riskshaws. A road trip to Matheran can be equally refreshing. Some even like to hike up the hill.
This place has various resorts and hotels to stay at varying at prices according to the food, rooms and other services available.
Matheran is popular for its viewpoints, and this place offers number of opportunities to experience the best activities.
Panorama Point or Panther’s Caves offers scenic views, Charlotte Lake is the most popular tourist spot here.
Louisa point, Lake view point, Belvedere point, Malang point, are some places to go enjoy the mountains views at.
Have delicious snacks and zesty tea enjoying the sunset and sunrise points. This smallest hill station has the cutest markets. Leather shoes, belts and handbags are peculiar items here. Chikkis(a sweet snack bar), jute swings, mojdis, kolhapuri style footwear are some other items to buy.
2. Mahabaleshwar
Located towards the south of Mumbai, this hill station is a vast plateau of 150 km and bound by valleys on all sides of it. It is 285 km away from Mumbai.
Mahabaleshwar is also a pilgrim’s visiting spot as the River Krishna has its origin here.
Mahabaleshwar has all kinds of stay-at places; from luxury to eco-friendly resorts and low to high budget hotel the hill station provides you comfort of its own.
A popular tourist destination that Mahabaleshwar is, it has a number of attractions that can make you easily mesmerized by it beauty.
Venna Lake, Lingmala Falls are serenely beautiful. Pratapgarh Fort gives the view of the entire Mahabaleshwar. Mumbai point or sunset point with vibrant sun setting will make you fall in love with this place.
Mahabaleshwar is hub of strawberries and gooseberries. The locals have their strawberry farms and they even let you a tour of these farms and pick fresh strawberries. Mapro Garden is another fun filled experience to have a go when in Mahableshwar.
The best time to plan a trip to Mahabaleshwar is from February to June or July.
In the western Ghat mountains, there is located another hill station which is closer to Pune city. The Mumbai-Pune Expressway is the best link between the cities Mumbai and Pune, passes through Khandala.
3. Khandala
Khandala is home to vantage spots with sunset point, Rajmachi Fort, Waterfalls at Tamhini Ghat mountain Pass.
It is a dream destination for adventure lovers. Treks to Rajmachi fort, to the summit of Tiger’s Leap and to the Shrivardhan Fort gives the view this serene hill station.
This place is a great pick for relaxing weekend trips as it has good share nature’s ravishing beauty, cascading waterfall and misty valleys.
4. Alibaug
With all the hill stations around Mumbai, there is coastal town called Alibaug nearly 96 km from Mumbai to the south of the city.
This town has history stories to tell and beautiful coasts to enjoy an evening at. Beaches like Alibaug beach, Mandwa beach, versoli beach have to offer fun filled day for entire family.
Those who have likings for the past can spend the day visiting the historical attractions like Brahma Kund or Kolaba Fort.
Water sports- banana rides, jet skiing and persailing can be had fun with on the beaches.
Alibaug makes the perfect location for beachside campsites. The weekends are full of fun with camps over here.
Discover the best sea food dishes at Alibaug in restaurants and local joints.
5. Lonavala
Another hill station with green valleys, caves and rock carvings is located in Western ghats is 96 km away from Mumbai city. Situated in the Sahyadri range the hill station of Lonavala has so many things to offer and to visit at that you will get surprised by its varieties.
- Bhushi dam on the Indrayani river is a popular place to visit especially during monsoons. The water flowing over the steps of the dam and the rocky terrain attraction a large number of tourists during monsoons. You will find this place usually crowded.
- Lonavala Lake is sourced by the Indrayani river, it fills up during monsoons and dries up in the winter which also gives it a name as the ‘Monsoon Lake’. Other activities like bird watching and swimming are carried out here.
- Amrutanjan Point is an astounding picnic spot in Lonavala which gives an aerial view of the nearby town Khopoli and duke’s Nose. It has pleasant weather almost all the time of the year and has mystical surroundings.
- Karla caves and Bhaja caves are the two Buddhist rock-cut caves in Lonavala. The caves are existing here since 2nd Century BC. Karla cave has a temple located inside of Goddess Ekvira. Bhaja cave homes a group of 14 sublime stupas.
- Lohagad Fort is a UNESCO world heritage site in Lonavala. Its atop a hill near Malavali becomes an integrate of mesmerizing nature and ancient architecture. Its an easy trek to the fort and worth to visit because of lush green surrounding to enjoy a great monsoon trek.
- Lonavala is popular for chikki (sweet candy bar) which are made from mixed nuts and jaggery. Maganlal and Sons being the manufacturers of chikkis sell other similar products too.
Conclusion:
All these places are unique in their own beautiful way and will never fail to surprise you with how relaxing the experiences here could be. Be it the water sports at Alibaug beaches or treks at Lonavala to leisure time in Matheran, one will never return from these places with disappointment but a relaxed mind and heart filled to its content.
