23 Best Places to Visit Near Mumbai-Pune in Monsoon Season
Ever gazed out of the window on a rainy day with tea and fritters? Yes, we all have! Monsoon is finally here and we just can’t get enough.
Now, many people like to laze around in their beds or spend a rainy day watching TV. But the nature-lovers and trekkers of Mumbai can be found scouting the internet getting ready to participate in awesome treks around the area.
We’ve gone ahead and compiled a list of 23 of the best places to trek to around the Mumbai-Pune area. Enjoy!
1. Mahabaleshwar
It’s a scenic hill station in the Sahyadri mountain range in Maharashtra. It’s known tourist attraction and attracts a lot of trekkers.
Some of its popular haunts are — Krishnabai temple, 3 Monkey Point, Arthur Point, Venna Lake, Wilson Point, the Pratapgad Fort, and Lingmala waterfalls.
A trip will cost you roughly Rs. 5000 if you go with tour companies like Yatra.com.
2. Panchgani
Panchgani is a hill station located in the Satara district of Maharashtra and is famous as an educational center, cultivation of strawberries and as a beautiful health resort.
It’s an awesome place for trekking enthusiasts and the best nature points are Sydney Point, Table Land, Parsi Point, Devil’s Kitchen, Mala’s Fruit Products and Mapro Garden.
A trip will cost you roughly Rs. 3000/2 days if you go with tour companies like Holidayiq.com.
3. Lohagad Fort
Lohagad Fort is a hill-fort located in Pune, Maharashtra in Lonavala. It is a majestic fort and has been a part of Maharashtra’s glorious history for centuries.
It is a part of the Western Ghats which divide the basins of the Indrayani river and Pavana lake. It's a good trekking destination.
A trip will cost you roughly Rs. 4000/2 days onwards if you go with tour companies like Holidayiq.com.
4. Kolad
Kolad is a village in Raigad, Maharashtra and provides great opportunities for river-rafting and camping in the Kundalika river.
It is easily accessible by the NH-17 highway (Mumbai-Goa highway) and a trip will cost you roughly Rs. 2600/weekends if you want to stay overnight.
5. Kalsubai Peak
Kalsubai Peak is the highest point in Maharashtra at 1646 meters and is located in the Western Ghats. It attracts wildlife enthusiasts and trekkers alike due to the Kalsubai Harishchandragad Wildlife Sanctuary.
The shortest route to reach the summit of the peak is from the behind the Hanuman temple on the mountain.
A trip will cost you roughly Rs. 1700/person onwards if you want to stay overnight.
6. Bhandardara
Its a hill-resort village located near Igatpuri, Maharashtra in the Western Ghats. Tourists flock to the Wilson Dam and Arthur Lake, which are the prime attractions.
Bhandardara grants access routes to the Kalsubai Peak, the Wilson Dam and the Ratangad Fort for hikers and trekkers.
A trip will cost you roughly Rs. 1300/person onwards without transport.
7. Matheran
Matheran is a hill station in the Raigad district in Maharashtra on the Western Ghats. It’s famous for the Panorama Point that provides a 360-degree view of the surrounding region.
Alexander Pt., Rambagh Pt, Little Chowk Pt, Big Chowk Pt, One Tree Hill Pt, Belvedere Pt, Olympia Race Course , Lords Pt, Charlotte Lake, Pisharnath Mahadev Mandir, Celia Pt , Echo Pt., Porcupine Pt (Sunset Pt), Panorama Point (Sunrise Pt), Khandala Pt, Madhavji Garden & Point, Matheran Railway Station, Louisa Point, Mayra Point, Pisarnath Temple, Matheran Shiv Mandir are some of the important points to cover on your trek.
A trip will cost you roughly Rs. 2000/person onwards for 2 days 1 night.
8. Igatpuri
It's a hill-station town in Maharashtra in the Western Ghats and is known for the International Vipassana Academy for the technique of Vipassana. Tourists flock to Igatpuri for attractions like the Arthur Lake, Bhatsa River Valley, Dhamma Giri Meditation Centre, and Girisagar Waterfalls.
A trip will cost you roughly Rs. 14,865/person onwards for 3 days 2 nights.
9. Malshej Ghat
Malshej Ghat is a mountain pass in the Western Ghats range in Maharashtra and is particularly famous for its avian population like flamingoes, quails etc.
Malshej Ghat is famous for the Shivneri Fort, Harishchandragad, Pimpalgaon Joga Dam, and the Malshej Falls.
A trip will cost you roughly Rs. 2500/night onwards.
10. Alibaug
Alibaug is a coastal town and one of the most famous tourist destinations of Maharashtra. You can reach Alibaug using the Mandwa Jetty (sea route) from the Gateway of India.
The main tourist attractions of Alibaug are Alibag beach, Alibag Fort, Magen Avot Synagogue, Kashid Beach, Kanakeshwar Mandir, and Nagaon Beach.
A trip will cost you roughly Rs. 2200 for 2 days onwards.
11. Lonavala
Lonavala is a hill station in the Sahyadri ranges near Pune famous for its lush greenery and peanut brittle candy (‘chikki’).
Some of the tourist attractions are Tiger’s Point, Lonavala Lake, Visapur Fort, Lion Point, and Bhushi Dam.
A trip will cost you roughly Rs. 3500 for 2 days and 1 night onwards.
12. Khandala
Khandala is a hill station 3 km from Lonavala and one of its best hiking points is the Duke’s Nose which offers a panoramic view of Khandala.
Some of the tourist attractions are Duke’s Point, Karla and Bhaja Cave, and Amrutanjan Point.
A trip will cost you roughly Rs. 3500 for 2 days and 1 night onwards.
13. Mulshi Dam
Mulshi Dam is a dam located on the Mula river near Pune, Maharashtra and is a bustling tourist destination.
It is especially beautiful during the monsoon season when tourists can be seen camping and hiking near it.
Its is a 2 hours drive from Pune and a trip will cost you roughly Rs. 4600/2 days.
14. Durshet Nature trails
Located in serene Pune, Maharashtra, Durshet Nature Trails allows people to get away from the city’s chaos.
Activities like rappelling, ziplining, nature walks, and camping is a great attraction for tourists.
A trip will cost you roughly Rs. 1750/person.
15. Amboli
Amboli is a hill station in Sindhudurg, Maharashtra and lies in the Sahyadri ranges.
It’s a famous tourist destination for rejuvenating and relaxing in one of the many holiday resorts.
A trip will cost you roughly Rs. 1250/person.
16. Shrivardhan and Harihareshwar
Shrivardhan and Harihareshwar are resort cities in Raigad, Maharashtra. They’re famous as it was the home of the Peshwas (royalty of Maharashtra).
They’re known for their beaches and holiday resorts, palm groves and mango plantations. A trip will cost you roughly Rs. 1200/person.
17. Tapola
It’s famously called the Mini Kashmir of the West and is famous for its Shivsagar Lake.
It’s the best for water sports like river rafting, kayaking, and boating. A trip will cost you roughly Rs. 1220/person.
18. Thoseghar Falls
Thoseghar Waterfalls are located 20 km away from Satara, Maharashtra. They can go upto 200 meters in height. The region is surrounded by a lake and woods.
A trip will cost you roughly Rs. 2100/person.
19. Karnala Fort
The Karnala Fort is located in Panvel, Maharashtra. It lies within the Karnala Bird Sanctuary. Its a popular tourist destination for trekking and hiking. The Bhavani Temple is a holy site which adds peace to the beauty of this place.
A trip will cost you roughly Rs. 3000/person.
20. Vihigaon Waterfalls
It is a seasonal waterfall located near Thane, Maharashtra. They’re also called as Ashoka Waterfalls.
It’s a good sport for water activities like rapelling. And its a good spot for hiking and camping.
A trip will cost you roughly Rs. 6999/person.
21. Randha Falls
Randha Falls and Umbrella Waterfalls are located in Bhandardara. Trekking and sightseeing are good as the Amruteshwar Temple are nearby.
A trip will cost you roughly Rs. 2000/person.
22. Lavasa
It is a hill station and deeply resembles an Italian city called Portofino close to Pune.
Jet Skiing, kayaking, dirt biking, and trekking are some of the activities that tourists enjoy at Lavasa and ending at sightseeing at Temghar Dam.
A trip will cost you roughly Rs. 6000/person.
23. Bhimashankar
It is a town located near Pune and is one of the twelve ‘Jyotirlingam’ Shrines. It’s covered and surrounded by rainforests.
Tourists flock here for trekking through the rainforests and the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary is another favorite destination.
A trip will cost you roughly Rs. 2000/person.
And if you feel that all these destinations aren’t enough, you could just wander around in your imagination and enjoy the raindrops sliding on your window!
