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Mumbai He Uttam Thikaan Aawe, says the soul of every Mumbaikar, and for the obvious reasons! The dreamers hub encompasses a clump of marvels for the traveler of every kind. On a travel spree, one could uncover Mumbais unique bazaars, visit some of its architectural grandeurs, map the alleys of the prolific film city, or simply move to the hills shrouded in clouds in the break from the plains below. While a lot has been said for sight-seeing within the citys boundaries, it is the picturesque charm of the hill stations near Mumbai that is often underrated.
Mumbai is hemmed by a number of less crowded and less polluted hill station that are just perfect to satisfy the wanderlust of a traveler who fancies serenity and tranquility in the embrace of hills.
Come let us take a quick excursion to the hill stations near Mumbai. Chala Nighuya.
According to our map the first stop is Khandala. Easily accessible by the nearby cities, Khandala is famous for hiking, and is located at the top of bhor ghat that connects to the Deccan plateau and the Konkan plains. Its a view that will surely calm the eyes. Khandala has places like the cobra head hill that allows a beautiful scenic view of the whole area; it is surely the perfect place for asking out to your better half.
It is the twin hill station to Khandala and is located 64 kilometers away from the city of Mumbai. Travelling to Lonavala is a one-time experience that one should enjoy. Waterfalls, greenery, cool weather, calmness everywhere, are the things that sooth the senses of an individual. This place is very famous for the shooting spots and a well-known house of big boss is located in the hills of Lonavala. Telling more about it will break all the suspense, so we halt for now.
Amboli is a hill station located in the Sahayadari hills, which automatically makes it rich in its flora and fauna. It is widely famous for Hiranyakeshwar temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is located inside a cave, and according to the locals, the cave is the source of water in the Hiranyakshi River. The beautiful area has a pure air due to extensive greenery and is inhabited by a lesser number of people.
As the name suggests, it is the largest and highest plateau in the hills of Mumbai. It stands at 4,721 ft above the sea level and is surrounded by green hills. There are points that we cannot miss and they are Wilson point from where sunset and sunrise can be seen, the elephant rock that is shaped naturally like a standing elephant and the Lingmala falls that have the waters falling from an enormous height of 600 feet! Dont miss these points.
Dont get surprised if you see strawberries in a large number. Located 285 kilometers away from Mumbai, the Panchgani hill station is famous for the strawberry farms where strawberries are cultivated in every summer, turning the green farms into pink. Devils kitchen, Maphro gardens, Parsi land and table point are a few tourist attractions where you can enjoy the view during evening.
Matheran is tagged as the smallest hill station of India due to its small area of just 49 kilometers! Indeed small and can be toured in one day. But, that doesnt mean it does not have any specialties, it does have the attraction according to the space it covers. Since the area is small, it is inhabited by animals like gray langur, deer, squirrel and mongoose. Do take your cameras to click these friends with tails.
Bhandardara is a hill station that has waterfalls, mountains and lakes with a sense calming ambiance. Located in Akole, Ahmed nagar on the western coast of Mumbai, there are many trekking spots that Bhandardara offers. The mesmerizing place is well connected by roads and railways. But one should be careful while taking the road route due to bhandardaras narrow roads.
Malshej Ghat is the best place for the ones who adore the mountainous regions and orthinologists. Located at a height of 700 meters above the sea level and 154 kilometers from Mumbai, Malshej ghat is a mountainous pass rugged in the lofty hills of Western Ghats. Being a pass, it has deep woods that are a residence to the wild animals and birds like the big cats, rabbits, peacocks, quails and flamingoes. One can reach here via roadways in all seasons except the monsoons. Gear up for a road trip.
Lets clear one thing about Chikhaldara. The actual name is Keechakdara and theres a story behind it. It says that the Pandava Bheema killed Keechak and threw him in the valley, thus, it came to be known as Keechakdhara. Youll be surprised to know that this is the only coffee growing area in the whole of Mahashtra is the Vidarbha region of Chikhaldara. Inhabited by wild dogs and tigers, Chikhaldara abounds in wildlife. Ensure your safety before heading towards this scenic beauty.
The vicinity of Toranmal is a plateau as well as a hill station. Once entered, it gives a feeling of a completely different world due to the cool comfort in the snugness of the mountains. Toranmal is situated between two hills with a chief attraction Yashwant lake. The lake is full of the lotus flowers and has a depth of 27 meters, very deep indeed. Here youll get to see more of the natural beauty than tourist spots. Pack your bags and youll not be disappointed.
Panhala is a city and a hill station located in Kolhapur. The historical roots of Panhala have deep connections with Shivaji and the Maratha Empire. The Maratha warrior spent his childhood in Panhala fort that is a major tourist attraction. According to the local people, the fort premises are haunted and many have reported hauntings like horses galloping. Thats creepy but fascinates. Dare to go there!
Jawhar is known for its picturesque setting and a vibrant cultural heritage. It was the capital of the princely state of Jawhar in 1918. Presently, it is a beautiful spot with many waterfalls where you can take a bath and enjoy. Dabhosa falls have water falling from a height of 300 ft and covered with herbs on both of the sides, so these falls might give a cure of an allergy. Do carry a bag because you may find something useful.
Igatpuri is famous for the ancient meditation technique vipassana. One of the most well connected hill station is a major tourist attraction in Maharashtra. The best and most comfortable way to reach here is by the railways. Igatpuri has the spots like Bhatsa river valley that is famous for boating, Amruteshwar temple dedicated to lord Shiva, Ghatan Devi temple and the serene 5 waterfalls. Theres too much to see here.
Surrounded by the villages, Lavasa is a city built in Western Ghats of Pune in the architectural design of Italian town Portofino. The construction began in the year 2010 and till date, it has achieved its all targets and is working on further modifications. The beauty of this place is cannot be defined in words. Book the tickets, fly to Pune and admire the site.
The right place for weekend holidays, excursions, trekking and any other adventure sport you wish for. Well connected by roadways, railways and airways, Karjat is located in Sahayadri hills. It is blessed with an economy that is growing continuously. The place is fully fledged with farm houses which can add a star in the relaxation after a long tiring day spent doing outdoor activities. Choose your mode of transport and head towards Karjat.
Saputara means abode of serpents. This beautiful hill station is located in Dang forests near Sahayadari hills. The area is full of greenery and is a home to deer on a large scale. It has many points that shouldnt be missed by the visitors like the sunset point, gira falls and the most beautiful rose garden. Take your partner to Saputara and do the iconic pose and let her know how much you love her.
Situated at 120 kilometers south of Mumbai, Alibaug is a coastal town in Raigad district and has witnessed the historical naval battle fought between Kanhoji Aangre and Siddi of Janjira in 1706. The English and Portuguese jointly attacked Kanhoji but were unable to defeat him. Main pillar of economy in Alibaug is tourism and the most famous spot is the beaches like Kihim beach that is famous for the coconuts. Plan a trip to mumbai on the weekends as you may found a celeb enjoying a small vacation in the sea facing bungalow.
Conclusion
Mumbai is a city that has something for everyone. People seek refuge in the hill stations near Mumbai to take a break from hectic schedules. Spending a quality time in these hill stations, with family or friends, never goes waste. Honestly, none can go back disappointed once theyve spent a vacation in the hill stations located near Mumbai. Aapan Aapalya Trip Aanand Asha.
