Weekend gateways from Mumbai

Summers have started making its presence felt in Mumbai and Mumbaikars might be looking for places where they can go to beat the heat and break the monotony of daily work lives. And they don’t have to travel long distances to find a place where they can put a hold on the rigmarole and find some time to get recharged. Here we list some of the top summer destinations near Mumbai.

Khandala & Lonavla

Conveniently located on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway at a distance of 93 Kms from Mumbai, the twin cities of Khandala and Lonavla have no parallels. The cities can be reached by a three hour drive from Mumbai. Situated 5km apart, Khandala and Lonavla are hot favourite as a weekend gateways from Mumbai. While in Lonavla, don’t forget to gorge on chikki, a sweet made of groundnuts and jiggery. Apart from the eating delights the tourists can indulge in several other activities that include trekking and camping.  A large number of travellers visit Lonavla during the rainy season when it is covered by mist. During their trip the tourists can go to visit Korigad Fort, the Tiger’s Leap, the Lohgad, the Karla caves and Bhaja caves.

Nashik

Situated at a distance of 167 Kms from Mumbai, Nashik is one of the prominent cities in Maharashtra. Beautifully located on the banks of the River Godavari, it is popular nationwide for the large production of onions and grapes. Considered one of the most tourist friendly cities, Nashik attracts a large number of tourists from India and the world over. The city is widely acclaimed for its religious as well as tourism importance. And the area around Panchavati is considered important for Hindu pilgrims. The Kalaram Temple situated in this locality is also the proud host of Kumbh Mela. While in Nashik don’t forgo an opportunity to visit Gargoti Museum and Coin Museum.

Igtapuri

Situated not far from Nashik, Igatpuri is a picturesque hill station in the hill of the Western Ghats. Surrounded by peaks, this small hill station is frequented by the travellers from around the world during the monsoon. Dhamma Giri Meditation Centre, Ghatandevi Temple and Bhandardara are prominent attractions that should be part of Igtapuri tours. During their trip, the travellers will come across an array of historic as well as natural attractions. The months from June to September and November to March are good for a visit to Igtapuri.

Karjat

Situated at a distance of 62 Km from Mumbai, Karjat enjoys a beautiful location amidst Bhorghat, Sahayadri and the Western Ghats on the banks of the river River Ulhas. Apart from its striking natural beauty, the destination called Karjat throws various adventurous options your way that include river rafting, trekking, hiking and mountain climbing. A large number of family vacationers from Mumbai also arrive to Karjat to spend some quality moments. There are a good number of attractions in and around the city that can be visited to add variety to your tours. Ulhas Valley, Bhor Ghat, Kondana Caves and Peth Fort are some of the major attractions situated in vicinity.