Top 5 Hill Stations in Maharashtra for Weekend Getaways During Monsoons

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The geography of Maharashtra shows its divine nature in full glory, especially during the monsoon period. The rainy season does bring lot of urban civic issues to the city of Mumbai and many other cities in Maharashtra, but people here are always hungry for their chance to make the best use of the wet climate, that allow them to break free and escape in the lush green wild areas where they can expect some serenity and pleasant climate. Life in the city like Mumbai and Pune and many others can be tough, where most families work hard to make their ends meet. However, during the weekends they ensure that they compensate for that by holidaying on some of the top hill stations that are available throughout Maharashtra. The great land of Maharashtra is gifted with some of the best hill stations on the Western side of India that come alive during the rainy season. Here we find out more about the top 5 hill stations in Maharashtra for weekend getaways during monsoons.

Matheran

Located in the Western Ghats not too far away from Karjat you will find Matheran that offers some great weekend getaway experience to the travelers and visitors around Mumbai and Pune. The hill station is just 100 kilometers from Mumbai and 120 kilometers from Pune and the nearest station Neral is easily accessible through Central Railway. The hill station is 800 meters above sea level and offers great green lush hills and natural landscapes that come alive during the monsoons. While Matheran is more popular during the summers, I would suggest people to enjoy it during the monsoons too as it will offer complete peace of mind and guess what it is the only hill station in India which does not allow any cars or automobiles.

Visitors can park their cars down the hill near Neral, or they can drive them up to Dasturi car point and then move further up on horseback, take a walk,  hire man-pulled rickshaw or take a mini-bus. I would personally prefer to walk which is around 30 minutes time, but you get to explore nature more up close and personal than in the bus or man-pulled rickshaw. You can enjoy Echo Point, Charlotte Lake, One Tree Hill Point, Panorama Point, Shivaji’s Ladder and Hart Point when you are here. Trekkers and nature lovers can enjoy some great time here on weekends and get the best accommodations at affordable rates. If you are bored of Lonavala and Khandala commotion on weekends try Matheran this monsoon.

Amboli

Amboli is usually called the wettest destination in Maharashtra that gets nearly 750 centimeters of rainfall every year and what better time to visit this place then the monsoons. Located in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra Amboil is 690 meters above the sea level offering a spectacular hill view of the Konkan Coast. If you love being in the clouds with your partner, I guess you should pack your bags for Amboli. You will find some breathtaking views of waterfalls and local fauna and flora. You will also find some migratory birds here so nature lovers can get great value for money holiday experience.

I would certainly recommend this place for couples and newlyweds if they are looking for new destinations for their honeymoon trip. If you are using train services then go for Konkan Railway and get down at Sawantwadi railway station and take MSRTC bus to reach Amboli. This place is around 496 kilometers from Mumbai and 346 kilometers from Pune so travelers make sure you keep travel time in mind.

Bhandardara

Welcome to the picturesque Bhandardara that certainly deserves to be among the top 5 hill stations in Maharashtra for weekend getaways. Located in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, this hill station is just 185 kilometers from Mumbai. This place is a paradise for nature lovers and one can explore the fauna and flora of the region. Bhandardara gets good amount of rainfall so get ready to soak yourself near Wilson Dam, Umbrella Falls and Randhaa Falls. Trekkers can pull up their socks for some trekking adventure here to take over Mount Kalsubai, the highest peak in Maharashtra.

Watch out for Wilson Dam which is the largest earthen dam in India and also one of the oldest dams in Asia. Shutterbugs can keep their cameras ready for some great pictures at Arthur Lake. Bhandardara is around 163 kilometers from Mumbai and 137 kilometers from Pune and travelers can get down at Igatpuri railway station and hire taxis or take local state bus to reach here.

Chikaldhara

One of the coolest hill stations in Maharashtra, Chikaldhara is located in Amravati district of Maharashtra and offers great hill station experience for nature lovers and couples. Surprisingly, this place is for coffee-lovers because Chikaldhara is the only coffee growing area in Maharashtra. The hill station is 1,118 meters above the sea level and gets plenty of rainfall here that offers great natural landscape to the visitors.

If you want to check out some great scenery, wildlife and milky white waterfalls this is the place to be. I would recommend visitors to watch out for Dhakana-Kolkaz National Park for some spectacular wildlife. Nature lovers watch out for Hurricane Point, Devi Point and Prospect Point along with Pandit Nehru Botanical Gardens. If you taking the train get down at Badnera Station and hire a taxi from there.

Panhala

Not too far away from Kolhapur you will find Panhala that plays an important role during the Maratha Empire. Panhala was the capital of the Maratha Empire from 1782 to 1827 and the Panhala Fort was of strategic importance to Shivaji Maharaj. However, today Panhala is a great hill station that visitors can enjoy during the monsoons. You will find some great waterfalls and lush green mountains here that can offer a great background for your pictures.

Visitors can also visit the Parashar Caves here that offers a sneak peek into the history. Panhala is just 20 kilometers from Kolhapur and 55 kilometers from Sangli so you can visit these two cities as well when you are here. Panhala is 392 kilometers from Mumbai and 242 kilometers from Pune and well connected through state highways and roads.