Places nearby            Caves, Forts & Pilgrimage    

           Hill Stations            Beaches            Wildlife Parks           MTDC Resorts 

Hill Stations : 

The curving, craggy range of the Sahyadri mountains forms a spine along the coastline of Maharashtra. The Western Ghats, which form a part of the range, are home to several charming hill stations. In fact, even in the Colonial era, people travelled up to some of these small towns to escape from the searing heat of the plains of Maharashtra. Many hill stations have retained their old-world charm, making them an ideal weekend getaway or holiday haven.  

Lonavala 

Situated 106 kms southeast of Mumbai, Lonavala is a popular hill resort, an ideal place to unwind after the stress of city living. This secluded little town has many interesting sights to offer - Lonavala Lake, Bhushi Dam, Tiger's Leap, Ryewood Park, Tungarli Dam and Barometer Hill, among many others. However, the most notable tourist sites are the ancient Buddhist caves of Karla and Bhaja. Set amidst lush green surroundings, with abundant waterfalls, these caves are considered examples of some of the oldest and

best preserved chaityas and viharas in India, with fine sculptures and exquisite carvings. For hiking enthusiasts, Lohagad and Visapur forts are nearby.  

Getting there  

By Air: Nearest airport is Pune, 66 kms.

By Rail: Lonavala is on the Mumbai-Pune line of Central Railway. Mumbai-Lonavala distance by rail is 118 kms. Pune-Lonavala distance by rail is 64 kms.

By Road: Lonavala is on the Mumbai-Pune road, Mumbai - Lonavala distance is 104 kms and Pune-Lonavala distance is 66 kms. There are regular buses and a train to the town from Mumbai and Pune and the journey takes about three hours from Mumbai and one hour from Pune. 

Best time to visit

All through the year! However, Lonavala is at its charming best during the monsoon (mid-June to mid-September), with the lush green landscape and crystal clear air full of the heady aroma of wet soil. 

Accomodation

MTDC Holiday Resort, Rye Wood Park- 22 rooms, budget and luxury hotels. 

Mahableshwar 

Mahabaleshwar was once the summer capital of the British Bombay Presidency, prized for its cool, pleasant weather. The hill resort is an ideal family getaway, with plenty of leisure pursuits - boating and fishing at Venna Lake, sight-seeing at Elphinston, Babington, Bombay and Kate's Point, trekking at Pratapgadh fort and the refreshing waterfalls Chinaman's, Dhobi and Lingmala falls. You will always find something to thrill you at Mahabaleshwar. Hospitable inhabitants , cane handicrafts and ripe, luscious

strawberries make it hard to leave. 

How to get there 

Daily luxury buses from Mumbai are available, courtesy MTDC. Mumbai-Mahabaleshwar journey takes about seven hours. It is 117 kms from Pune. A convenient railhead is Pune.  

By Air: Nearest airport is Pune - 120 kms.

By Rail: Nearest railhead is Wathar, but Pune is convenient.

By Road: Mumbai-Mahabaleshwar via Pune 290 kms.

Mumbai-Mahabaleshwar via Mahad 247 kms. 

Best time to visit 

Any time during the year, except during the monsoon. 

Accomodation 

MTDC Resort, 110 rooms and six dormitories, economy lodges and luxury

hotels.

Panchgani 

A cluster of five hills, Panchgani is full of breathtaking valleys, winding rivers, scenic mountains and scattered hamlets. Some of the more famous sights in Panchgani include the panoramic Tableland, Kamalgad Fort and the Ganesh temple at Wai, en route to the Panchgani caves. The climate is splendid and the hill station is home to a number of elite boarding schools.

How to get there 

By Air: Nearest airport is Pune, 98 kms.

By Rail: Nearest railhead is Wathar, but Pune is convenient

By Road: Mumbai-Panchgani - via Pune, 265 kms. Mumbai-Panchgani - via

Mahad, 266 kms. State Transport buses ply from Satara, Pune, Wai, Mahabaleshwar and Mahad. MTDC also runs a daily bus service to Panchgani from Mumbai. 

Best time to visit :Throughout the year 

Accomodation

MTDC Hotel, economy lodges and luxury hotels. Hotel `Five Hills - special

rooms (64 blocks). The Silver Oak restaurant has a beer bar. 

Amboli 

A less well known, but splendidly beautiful hill resort, Amboli is situated at an altitude of 690 m in the ruggedly sculpted Sahyadri Mountains. Engulfed by dense forests and steep valleys, this tranquil mountaintop retreat has some of the best panoramic views of the region. Popular tourist sites are Hiranya Keshi, Nagarta Falls and Narayangad. A photographers' paradise! 

How to get there 

By Air: Nearest airport is Belgaum, 64 kms.

By Rail: Sawantwadi, 28 kms on the Konkan Railway is a convenient railhead.

By Road: Mumbai-Amboli, 549 kms. Pune-Amboli, 390 kms.

Ratnagiri-Amboli, 215 kms.

State Transport and luxury buses run from Vengurla, Belgaum, Sawantwadi and Ratnagiri. 

Best time to visit 

Throughout the year, except during the monsoon. 

Accomodation 

MTDC Resort, economy lodges and luxury hotels.

Panhala

The heroic history of the Maratha empire echoes around every cliff and pass at Panhala, to this day. The huge stone walls of Panhala fort speak of the heroism of Chhatrapati Shivaji, the founder of Maratha empire, and his escape from the mighty forces of Siddi Johar. The Sambhaji temple, Teen Darwaza, Raj Dindi and Someshwar temple also evoke the grandeur and glory of the past. Other famous sights include the Blue Basalt temple on the sacred Jyotiba Hill, the 7th century AD Mahalaxmi temple at the nearby town of Kolhapur and the wildlife sanctuary at Radhanagari. The climate is delightfully

cool at the altitude of 978 m from sea level.

How to get there 

By Air: Nearest Airport is Belgaum, 123 kms.

By Rail: Nearest railhead is Kolhapur, 18 kms on the South Central Railway.

By Road: Mumbai-Panhala, 428 kms via Kolhapur. Kolhapur-Panhala, 18 kms.

Best time to visit:Throughout the year 

Accommodation 

MTDC Resort, self-contained rooms (14 blocks), dormitory (1 block-15 beds)

and tents, economy lodges and luxury hotels. 

Chikhaldara

Chikhaldara is full of deep valleys. The valleys are full of velvet mist and majestic trees. A very popular summer retreat, Chikhaldara is better known for it's Melghat Tiger Project and the Dhakana- Kolkaz National Park. With abundance of natural scenery, exciting wildlife, breathtaking waterfalls and a placid lake, the beauty of Chikhaldara is overwhelming. The climate is always breezy and walking on the clouds often becomes a reality. 

How to get there  

By Air: Nearest airport is Nagpur, 150 kms.

By Rail: nearest-railhead is Badnera.

By Road: Mumbai-Chikaldara, 763 kms. Nagpur-Chikhaldara, 230 kms.

Amravati-Chikaldara, 100 kms. 

Best time to visit 

Throughout the year, except during the monsoon. 

Accommodation 

MTDC Resort, economy lodges and luxury hotels, self-contained rooms (20

blocks)