The western of the country has a lot to offer, from beaches to green valleys, and from wildlife
sanctuaries to lakes. With some of the busiest cities all around the region, it makes up with a variety of weekend getaway options that make for fun and relaxing days off.
Lonar Lake
A little less than 500 kms away from Mumbai, in the Buldhana district this ancient lake had come into existence after a meteor collision about 50,000 years ago. It is a mesmerizing and natural lake, bound to leave you fascinated by its natural beauty. With its rich flora and cool
breezes, it makes for the perfect option for a weekend trip near Mumbai.
Hosting a number of birds in its nest, the lake is bound to soothe your soul with bird watching and natural beauty. It also makes for a perfect option for hindu devotees to spend their weekend exploring the number of temples around the area. As beautiful as it is during the day, it is equally serene at night with its starlit skies and makes for an impeccable camping spot.
Sandhan Valley
Known as the ‘Valley of Shadow’, the Sandhan Valley in Igatpuri, about 180 kms away from
Mumbai, is a trekking site, and gets its nickname because of the narrow, sunlight-disrupting gorge that it embarks. The trek consists of 2 rappels, making it one of the very difficult and challenging treks for the trekkers. It is a well-known camping spot with bonfires under the starry sky at night. It is not your regular tourist spot, but it is a beautiful destination amidst nature that makes for a peaceful weekend getaway.
Kaas
If you love the Mumbai rains, Kaas could be your perfect weekend trip destination in the monsoons. The valley of flowers is covered in a variety of hues of flowers and make for a beautiful sight for the tourists. The barren plateau comes to life during the months of September and October and gets covered in diverse species of flora and is definitely a sight to
behold. Just 140 kms from Pune and about 270 kms from Mumbai, this valley makes for a magnificent tourist attraction.
Tarkarli
If you seek adventure or if you set out to relax, Tarkarli will cater to it all. It is a beach paradise with the only scuba diving opportunity in Maharashtra and also offers delicious Malvan food for the foodies. It offers adventure sports, local delicacies, peaceful beach sights and a lot more. Around 500 kms from Mumbai, you choose your kind of weekend here- a relaxing time or an adventurous stint.
Matheran
Just 50 kms from Mumbai, Matheran is definitely a scenic beauty covered in green, with gorgeous and splendid sights that will leave you nothing but enchanted. During the monsoons, it makes for the best weekend getaway option. It’ll help you detox your mind, body and soul with everything that it encompasses.
Kutch
The white-sand desert of Kutch is like no other place in the world that encompasses the rich culture of Gujarat. It is white as it has salt residues and thus makes for a beautiful sight. Its main attraction is its Rann Utsav, organised here during Winters. It is all about Gujarat- folk dances and songs, tented stays, gujarati delicacies, camel rides and a lot. Kutch makes for a very distinct weekend experience full of culture and heritage.
Gir National Park
One of India’s most popular national parks, Gir is home to Asiatic Lions, Indian Leopards and a variety of wildlife. It encompasses several resorts for visitors and caters to the wildlife enthusiast in you, in safe yet close proximities of the national park.
