Weekend Getaways for Mumbaikars!

Life without traveling is a sin. Don’t be rude to yourself and please move out from the hustle bustle of your chaotic life every now and then. To make your planning easy for the long weekends, here am I listing down ‘5 Must Weekend Getaways for Mumbaikars’. Say hello to serendipity and Go, travel! 

Highlight: 2015 has amazing list of weekends and if you manage to do a little strategic thinking (read, sick leaves) you have a whopping 58 days of travel! Now read on...

#1 BRT - Karnala/Vasind/Kolad/SH92

Ring in 2015 Camping with BRT!

This one's my personal favorite! :) Start the first day of the New Year on a fresh, natural note. Enjoy the last starry night of the new year in the privacy of your tent and you could wake up to catch the first rays of 2015 in a serene natural setting. There is no better way to start the New Year with a resolution to have a FANTASTIC 2015! Yes, all this at the Big Red Tent!

What's more? You get to spend the evening around the warm glow of a campfire while enjoying the an earthy coal flavored barbecue meal. And for those seeking some adventure, they have rafting and kayaking, and short treks at dawn of 2015 to catch the first sunrise! 

Each of their campgrounds also have their own unique touch,from releasing lanterns into the sky or releasing diyas into the river with a new year resolution to mark this special day. 

Note: I have been to BRT Karnala a couple of times, it is bliss!

#2 Malshej Ghat

Source: Purple leaf Holidays

One among the best drives out of Mumbai is 150 kms away to Malshej Ghat. Unadulterated charm of nature is what attracts tourists to this place.

How to go?

• Drive via NH222; 3 hours’ drive via Thane and Kalyan in the direction of Ahmednagar.
• Train: Hop on a Central line Local to Kalyan, get down and take a ST Bus for Ahmednagar, which takes about 2 hours to reach Malshej.

Safety tip: If you are driving to Malshej Ghat, make sure that the tyres and brakes are in good condition. Also, stay away from cliff sides while sightseeing.

#3 Kolad

Source: Places near pune

No sign of modern technology to haunt you here. A perfect antidote to the hustle bustle of Mumbai. Go River Rafting, Camping and enjoy the Tamhini waterfalls. A refreshing break awaits you at Kolad, 120 kms approx. from Mumbai. Either drive, take a MSRTC bus or train. In case you are driving, Kolad is on the NH17 on way to Goa.

#4 Bhandardhara

I did a weekend trip to Sula Vineyards and Bhandardhara a year back in college. Fell in love with the serenity of this place.

 

The view of Pravara River from the MTDC Resort, Bhandardhara. You can go boating or just sit down by the river and enjoy the calm beauty.

A travel secret, with less places to stay but a long list of options to lose yourself in nature; that’s Bhandardhara. I got a chance to visit this scenic beauty in the winters of 2013 (Mumbai winters, pun intended). Don't forget to visit the Umbrella waterfalls, beauty indeed!

• Bhandardhara is a 40 km drive ahead of Igatpuri, and 180 km from Mumbai.
• You have Maharashtra state transport buses from Dadar or private buses from Nashik. 
• You can even take a train to Nashik and hire a private vehicle for Bhandardhara.

Watch out for: Mount Kalsubai – Maharashtra’s highest peak. It is doable, just don’t forget your hiking shoe.

#5 Diveagar, Shrivardhan and Harihareshwar

Source: http://shrivardhankatta.com/

Spectacular sunsets by the beach and a drive to uplift your soul; Divegar, Shrivardhan and Harihareshwar is a perfect trifecta of Raigad. MSRTC offers regular buses to Shrivardhan from Mumbai Central. Divergar is 20 kms from Shrivardhan.

• Soul uplifting break, a photogenic paradise.
• Watch out for: Bankot Fort – a Maratha’s fort.

If you are planning to go to Lonavala with a big group of friends or family; one can stay at Manasi Bungalow. I have been planning to visit this myself soon. They open for NYE bookings. The villa can accommodate 45 people comfortably (Just imagine the New Year party fun!).

These are just some of the places one can head for an amazing weekend out of Mumbai. Please feel free to add to this list. I am sure there's:

• Panchagani
• Murud Janjira
• Mahabaleshwar
• Lavasa
• Della Adventure and more to be added to this list!

Be ready to explore, travel & dream more, always! :)

See you on the other side.
Wanderlust Girl