Long winter weekends is all that a traveler wants to get a break from the daily city life and if you are in a city like Mumbai or Pune, life becomes too busy to find solace. As winter is approaching, it is time you plan a trip on those extended weekends this holiday season. Maharashtra has got some of the amazing winter destinations that would surprise you with its beauty and weather. If you are a person from some other state, you can still plan a trip to the hill stations near Mumbai.
To help you pick an ideal holiday destination, we have jotted down the best places to visit near Mumbai during winter.
Chikhaldara
Undoubtedly, you have heard about the popular hill stations in the vicinity of the state such as Lonavala, Khandala and Mahabaleshwar. We would like to start the list with a lesser known destination near Mumbai perfect for a winter getaway – Chikhaldara hills. Chikhaldara has to offer you a spectacular view of mountains and scenic beauty all around. Besides being a beautiful place, it also holds rich heritage dating back to the times of Mahabharata. It was here in Chikhaldara that Bheema, one of the five Pandavas, killed Keechaka giving it the name Keechakadara which was later changed to Chikhaldara. The temperature falls to 4 degree Celcius making it one of the best places to visit in Maharashtra in winter.
Matheran
Matheran is one of the cleanest hill stations in Maharashtra. Planning a weekend trip to the cosy destination will offer a perfect experience. You will feel immense peace in the non-polluted, scenic and chilly environment. You will have a great time trekking, exploring the waterfalls around and relaxing in the peaceful ambiance it brings for you. Do not miss this perfect winter destination in Maharashtra this winter. You can also book last minute flights to Mumbai, now at affordable prices.
Mahabaleshwar
Yet another beautiful hill station in Western India region – Mahabaleshwar. Encompassed by thick evergreen forests, Mahabalehswar will amaze you with its natural beauty. We would like to disclose a lesser known fact about the hill station. During the British rule, it was the capital of Bombay Province and is the origin of Krishna River. The serene mountains and fascinating roads will make you want to stay there forever. Even an ideal walk through the mountainous region will make you allure its beautiful scenery.
Bhandardara
Known as the paradisiacal town, Bhandardara boasts of the highest peak in the state – Mount Kalsubai. Some of the special attraction here includes Randha Falls, Umbrella Falls, Arthur Lake ad Harishchandragarh. You can enjoy exciting water sports and boating in the lake and spend a relaxing time with your family and friends. If you have a couple of days in hand and adventure is what you seek, trek to explore Ratangarh Fort. The best thing that makes it one of the favorite tourist places near Mumbai in winter is the mercury level falls to 10 degrees.
Ganpatipule
It is another ‘not-so-heard about’ weekend getaway in the state of Maharashtra worth a visit, especially in winters. Ganpatipule, a small town located on the Konkan Coast is home to beautiful beaches like Ganpatipule Beach and Aare Ware Beach, an ancient Ganpati Temple and an open air-museum. The beach in Ganpatipule is secluded and beautiful as compared to the one in Alibag. The temple dates back to centuries having a large orange idol of Lord Ganesha. In the museum, Prachin Konkan, you can know all about the Konkan life depicted in those exhibited models. When there, do not forget to savor the succulent Konkan cuisine and shop traditional handicrafts in the markets. People who book business class flights for meetings and conferences also drive here to spend some relaxing time with their colleagues or sometimes take the loner’s trip.
Panchgani
Located in Satara district, Panchgani is one of the best places to visit near Mumbai during winters. Considered as a famous hill station in the state and the only virgin natural beauty, Panchgani is fenced by five high mountains of the Sahaydri range and lovely suburbs such as Godwali, Amral, Taighat and Khingar. The Krishna River flowing in the neighborhood adds to its magnificence. You will definitely have a great time exploring the natural essence of the small town in the west.
Apart from these, there are some more places to visit near Mumbai during winters like Nasik for the alluring vineyards, Khandala & Lonavala for serenity and Alibag for a relaxing weekend near Mumbai. Choose your ideal winter getaway with your favorite people.
