Have friends in Mumbai Pune and want to spend time together or want to have a perfect relaxing weekend with your family? But aren’t we all tired of taking the weekend trip to the same old Lonavala and Mahabaleshwar? So if you are young at heart and do not look behind easily on the paths less traveled, so here is a list of,
10 untrodden locations/places to visit near Mumbai-Pune.
Valley of Flowers: Kaas plateau
A UNESCO world heritage site, Kaas has colorful wildflowers from purple to white to green to yellow, stretching over a 1000 hectare area. The serene landscape and picturesque greenery are overlooked by a 16th-century Ajinkyatara fort from a height of 3300m. Approximately 01 km away from the plateau is Kamudini Pond dipped in fog, covered with thousand of Kamudini Flower floating on it and lots of cactuses at the edges. One can also visit Bamnoli lake; 10 km away from Kaas Plateau.
| Best season to visit | During and after Monsoon |
| Distance from Pune | 137 |
| Distance from Mumbai | 267 |
| Things to do | Photography, outdoor camping, trekking and caving |
Crocodile and Dolphin Safari at Dapoli
Want to see dolphins and crocodiles closely but never got the chance? Want to enjoy a weekend leisurely? A weekend to Dapoli not only offers you tranquil waves crashing on to sand but also amazes you with adventurous water sports activities. “Crocodile Safari” in Maldoli backwaters of Vashishth River gives you an opportunity to spot crocodiles basking on the bank of backwaters. Whereas a boat ride from Karde beach to deep sea offers you early morning Safari, sighting Dolphin Pods. Unhavare about 20 km from Dapoli is known for hot sulfur springs believed to have medicinal value. Enjoy a dip in the hot spring if you are on a long holiday in Dapoli.
| Best season to visit | September to February |
| Distance from Pune | 184 |
| Distance from Mumbai | 267 |
| Things to do | Sightseeing, safari, dip in hot spring, water sports, Konkani cuisine |
Cherapunji of Maharashtra: Amboli
Amboli lies in the Sahyadri hills of Western India, one of the world’s “Eco Hot-Spots”. It’s a paradise for Amphibian and Reptiles lover. You may have heard experts saying that “Forest gets Alive at night.” It’s time to come and feel it in Amboli, during exclusive “Night Trails”. And even if snakes and amphibians is not your calling, Amboli is enchantingly beautiful just after the monsoons, when the entire region is covered in a lush green carpet, with flowers blooming everywhere! Mist shrouded jungle paths and huge waterfalls are some of Amboli’s magical sights.
| Best season to visit | August to March |
| Distance from Pune | 348 |
| Distance from Mumbai | 489 |
| Things to do | Sightseeing, safari, photography, Konkani cuisine |
Troplical Paradise: Maachli Farmstay
Situated in beautiful village Parule, on Konkan coast and in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra, Maachli offers tropical paradise away from all the hustle bustle of the cities. The Cottages are conceptualized as Maachli which is a regional term for the huts made to protect the crop. The cottages are tucked away in a very dense plantation, thus offer abundant, rich, pollution free and healthy environment for the Nature lovers. A 15-minute drive from the property enables you to be amidst the near-white beaches along the seas. The host’s mother herself strives to provide Saraswat cuisine to the guests. It’s a treat for food lovers.
| Best season to visit | All Year Long |
| Distance from Pune | 412 |
| Distance from Mumbai | 555 |
| Things to do | Hikes, pottery, sightseeing, boat ride |
Dual City: Nashik
Famous for its numerous temples, the city is also much famed for its numerous vineyards and wine tasting tours. Sula Vineyard is popular all across the nation for being the finest place in the country to produce wines. Then, what can be better than packing your bags for a tour to these vineyards and getting a chance to taste the wines relaxing in the vineyards itself? Offering many thrilling activities as well for the travellers to indulge in, Nashik is a good option for a driveable vacation.
| Best season to visit | October to March |
| Distance from Pune | 211 |
| Distance from Mumbai | 182 |
| Things to do | Hikes, caving, wine tasting, adventure sports, pilgrimage, sightseeing, shopping |
Turtle Festival: Velas
Velas is a small eco-village in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. It is well known for its beaches which reflect nature in its best preserved and pristine form. An NGO named Sahyadri Nisargmitra and the villagers committee has taken the initiative to conserve Olive Ridley Turtles by providing protection to their eggs till they hatch. It’s indeed a magical moment to see a baby turtle coming out of the egg and then finding its way to the sea by taking those little baby steps. Besides Velas beach, there are several other tourist attractions like the Bankot Fort and the Harihareshwar Temple.
| Best season to visit | February to April |
| Distance from Pune | 194 |
| Distance from Mumbai | 224 |
| Things to do | Bird watching, ferry rides, sightseeing |
Blessed with all: Bhandardara
Bhandardara, in the Sahyadri ranges, is bestowed with all the nature’s blessings. From lush greenery to waterfalls to the mountains in the backdrop, it becomes a perfect weekend gateway for city dwellers. Apart from its scenic beauty, Bhandardara has its share of historical places too. If you are a history buff, make sure you visit Ratangad Fort. Amruteshwar Temple and Kalsubai Temple are the known temples in this hill town. The place also hosts fireflies’ festival in the pre-monsoon season.
| Best season to visit | All Year Long |
| Distance from Pune | 172 |
| Distance from Mumbai | 163 |
| Things to do | Camping, trekking, bike and cycle rides, ecotours, caving |
Abode of peacocks: Morachi Chincholi
A village with more peacocks than people, Morachi Chincholi is actually an unofficial peacock sanctuary. It’s a great weekend getaway for natural rejuvenation. The mango farms, the tractor ride, the bullock cart ride and the peacock dances give a glimpse of rural life. One can also visit Nighoj village around which is famous for the potholes of river Kukadi & hub of other birds.
| Best season to visit | June to January |
| Distance from Pune | 55 |
| Distance from Mumbai | 188 |
| Things to do | Bird watching, star gazing, magic and puppet shows |
Durshet
Set against the stunning Sahyadri ranges, Durshet is situated between two Ganesh temples of Pali and Mahad and is just off the highway near the village of Khopoli. Nestled amidst a pictorial landscape, resorts in Durshet are ideal to rejuvenate your mind and put your soul at ease. It offers a plethora of activities such as butterfly trails, nature trails, waterfalls exploration to name a few. The proximity of this place with famous attractions like Sidi Ashtavnayak Temples at Pali and IMAGICA Park are some other added perks that make this escapade worth visiting.
| Best season to visit | September To February |
| Distance from Pune | 98 |
| Distance from Mumbai | 76 |
| Things to do | Bird watching, star gazing, magic and puppet shows |
BhimaShankar
Bhimashankar is a popular temple town. It is among one of the twelve traditional ‘Jyotirlingam’ shrines in India. For people having a great interest in nature and trekking, Bhimashankar is an ideal destination to visit. The Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary has rich fauna and numerous sacred groves, making it a beautiful place to visit especially during the offset of the monsoon season. Lush greenery and calm surrounding make it the best picnic spots near Mumbai and Pune.
| Best season to visit | October to March |
| Distance from Pune | 127 |
| Distance from Mumbai | 213 |
| Things to do | Trekking, pilgrimage, wildlife safari |