Craving A Monsoon Retreat? Mumbai's Vicinity Offers Some Tranquil Travel Spots

The monsoon season in India is nothing but pure magic, and Maharastra is the perfect place to explore the best of it. While Mumbai itself is charming during the rains, there are several nearby destinations that offer a unique and unforgettable experience.

With lush green hills, stunning waterfalls, peaceful lakes, and scenic treks, numerous places around Mumbai are perfect for a monsoon getaway. Here are the top five places near the city that will make you excited to grab your rain gear and explore the monsoon magic.

Lonavala

The city of caves, Lonavala, turns into a wonderland during the monsoon season. Nestled in the Sahyadri range of the Western Ghats near Pune and Mumbai, Lonavala attracts the most visitors among Maharashtra's hill stations when the rains arrive. There are waterfalls, lakes and hills, making it a favourite spot for camping, trekking and other adventure sports.

Surrounded by dense forests, waterfalls, and lakes formed by dams, Lonavala is a paradise for nature lovers. Perched at 624 meters above sea level, it forms one-half of the famous twin hill stations alongside Khandala. They can easily be explored together. Key attractions include Bhaja Caves, Bushi Dam, Karla Caves, Rajmachi Fort, and Ryewood Lake. Lonavala is renowned for treks such as the Andharban trek, starting from Pimpri village and ending in Bhira.

Mahabaleshwar

Among the top destinations for a monsoon escape near Mumbai, Mahabaleshwar stands out with its unique charm. Besides its famous strawberries, Mahabaleshwar has numerous rivers, stunning waterfalls, and impressive peaks.

Known as the 'Queen of the Hill Stations', it truly deserves the title due to its breathtaking views of verdant plains and hills. Mahabaleshwar also holds spiritual significance for Hindus as it is the source of the Krishna River. Once the summer capital of the British, this hill station has ancient temples, prestigious boarding schools, lush forests, waterfalls, hills and valleys. It often serves as a starting point for visiting the magnificent Pratapgad Fort, which is just an hour away.

Panchgani

Named after the five hills surrounding it, Panchgani is a well-known hill station close to Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra. 

The area is renowned for its picturesque valley views, especially during monsoons. Panchgani is situated at an elevation of 1,334 metres and it gets its name from the five hills in the Sahyadri mountain range. The striking scenery has hills on one side and coastal plains on the other.

Durshet

Nestled in the stunning Sahyadri ranges, Durshet offers a perfect escape during the monsoon season. This charming village lies on the banks of the Amba River and is tucked away in Maharashtra's Sahyadri hills. Its close proximity to Mumbai and Pune makes it an ideal weekend retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Situated between the Ganesh temples of Pali and Mahad, Durshet is conveniently located just off the highway near Khopoli. Historically, it is significant as the site of a battle where Shivaji Maharaj confronted Kartalab Khan for Umbarkhind in the late 1600s.

Igatpuri

Igatpuri is a scenic hill station nestled in the Western Ghats, located near the Nashik district of Maharashtra, about 130 kilometres from Mumbai.

The Western Ghats' lush greenery surrounds Igatpuri, creating a peaceful escape from city life. The area is also famous for its delicious vada pav, which you can enjoy while watching the rain. For a perfect monsoon getaway, the Rain Forest Resort in Igatpuri provides an ideal place to stay.