Mumbai is rich in culture and festivals suited for everyone to enjoy. You will find everything possible to entertain yourselves in the Bollywood capital of India. If you were a resident in Mumbai, you would look to unwind by making short trips around the city to relax and rejuvenate over the weekend. Mumbai is not short of these destinations, given that it is located on the edge of Maharashtra, the home to the mighty Western Ghats, filled with lush mountains, waterfalls and other natural wonders. These journeys will bring out a lot of joy in you, and these scenic routes through the entire ride will be etched in your memories forever. Here, we take a look at the several road trips you can take along with your friends and family around the city of Mumbai.
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Lonavala
Blessed with a magnificent array of forests, waterfalls, lakes and hills, Lonavala is a must-visit place in the Western Ghats, and is a popular getaway spot for a reason.
Best Time To Visit
The best time to visit Lonavala is during the magnificent winter season in the months of October to February, when the lush mountains are adorned with mist and beautiful rain. The tourists can then explore a plethora of outdoor activities, as Lonavala is ideal for these situations. The weather is quite ideal during this time, with temperatures ranging from 19 to 22 degrees approximately. The friendly sunshine makes the outdoor activities more fun and enjoyable.
Lonavala sees the highest number of tourists during the winter season not only due to the pleasant weather, but the treks and camps that take place around this time. So, kindly plan the trip ahead in order to make sure your journey is hassle-free. Especially, after the rains in June to September, the places look resplendent and breathtaking, making it more of a memorable experience for all.
Best Routes
The gorgeous hill station has a lot to offer, right from waterfalls, lush greenery and ancient rock caves. The entire route from Mumbai is pure enjoyment, and the visuals are dreamy, scenic and quite mesmerizing. The scenic journey is best experienced in a car ride with family and friends. Located just 2 hours from Mumbai, travellers can quickly transport from the hot, sultry weather in Mumbai to the cool, misty air of Lonavala. The hill station is just around 90 km from the Maharashtrian capital, and can be easily covered.
There are two popular routes to ride along to the destination. One route is via the Mumbai-Pune Highway which covers a distance of 86 km within 2 hours and the road conditions are excellent. It is most preferred by travellers as it passes through beautiful cities like Khandala. Some other tourists prefer the NH 48, which is slightly longer, but is a good alternative as it crosses some scenic, quaint views and places like Panvel.
Places Of Interest
While riding down the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, you would find some popular destinations along the way, which is an added benefit as it allows you to stop and explore. One is the Mumbai Snow World, the city’s largest snow park, a great stop for kids to run around and explore. You can even visit the other theme parks along the way such as Essel World and Imagica Theme Park.
Keep an eye for the Lohagad fort, perfect for taking stunning pictures amongst the ruined remains. The landscape in and around is perfect for some trekking which is fairly easy. There are some great restaurants as well, such as the famous Khalapur Mutton, Sunny Da Dhaba popular for the Punjabi dishes, and the German Bakery Wunderbar, known for its baked goods, sandwiches and beverages. If you wanna stop by a resort, the Fariyas Resort offers a luxurious dining experience with a variety of cuisines on offer.
Alibaug
Alibaug, is a scenic coastal city situated in the Raigad district of Maharashtra. It is a gem of a spot, and is very popular for its splendid beaches and ancient forts.
Best Time To Visit
The breathtaking coastal town in Maharashtra is perfect for a quaint getaway from Mumbai. The best part about visiting this town set closer to the sea is that Alibaug has a great tropical climate with a dash of fresh breeze. The best time to visit Alibaug would be ideally between November and March, especially if you want to experience the ideal, pleasant and warm Alibaug weather.
Summers here do get hot and humid, but if it doesn’t bother you much , you have plenty of coastal waters to dip into. Monsoon season starts sometime around June and continues till September, which makes it an off-season here. Travellers can expect frequent downpours during this time, but the surroundings are enhanced more, filled with lush green surroundings and rain washed vistas. Do note that the famed boat service in Alibaug does not function around this time, so plan accordingly.
Best Routes
The coastal destination is not far away from Mumbai and it takes approximately 2 hours 33 minutes to complete the 98 km trip. Nothing could beat the glory of travelling down a nice highway with your friends and family on a coastal trip, and the Mumbai to Alibaug route ensures that. The best route used by travellers is the NH66, which is the fastest route as well with excellent road conditions, mild traffic and minimal avoid road closures.
There is an alternative for travelling from Mumbai and it takes more time than the previous route. This route has some tolls on the way and is slightly longer at 111 km, which means it would take around 3 hours to reach your destination. The road conditions are decent down this road but adds more time due to traffic. It is advised to always take a look at live maps to check for road closures and other traffic updates while travelling on these highways.
Places Of Interest
Even on the short journey, there are plenty of short stops you can make to create more live memories and enjoy the trip further. Down the NH66, you would witness the Nerul’s Flamingo point, known for flamingo spotting. These marshes are beautiful especially during the monsoon, which is the breeding season for flamingos. Belapur Fort is a 16th century fort sitting atop a small hill, now in ruins. It is a popular trekking site for avid travellers.
You would come across some beautiful gardens and sanctuaries in this route, such as the Karnala Bird Sanctuary, a massive area amid peaceful natural surroundings, housing a host of indigenous species of avifauna, including migratory and aquatic birds. The Native Biodiversity Garden is a local nature park and garden overlooking a dam, flaunting some wild and unique species of floral plants and trees.
Nashik
The wine capital of India is situated on the banks of the river Godavari, and is a popular tourist destination for its vineyards, pilgrimage sites, natural spots and a lot more.
Best Time To Visit
The town is known for its religious and historical importance, and is best experienced during the winter seasons if you wish to explore it uninterruptedly. Between October and February, the city experiences a cold and dry climate. It allows for a romantic getaway and gives you more reasons to travel outside.
In general, Nashik does experience some extreme weather conditions. The summers around April to June are harsh here and can get beyond 39 degrees celsius, so it is pretty much an off-season around these months. Between July and September, the wine capital of India receives the right amount of rainfall that transforms the city with the greenery flourishing well, perfect for monsoon lovers and offbeat travellers.
Best Routes
The town of Nashik is located approximately 170 km away from Mumbai and can ideally be covered up in 3.5 hours. One of the best routes is via NH160 which takes you on a scenic route via Thane, Kalyan and Kasara. The road condition here is excellent and it’s also the fastest route with light traffic and some tolls on the way.
The NH160 is a two lane road that is longer but it offers some of the best scenic views of the stunning Western Ghats. You can find several resting stops to marvel at the Ghats and even admire some waterfalls on this route. The alternative route for travelling to Nashik is via NH48 and NH848 which is about 220 km and takes about 5 hours. Always ensure to check live maps before the trip to check traffic and other vital information.
Places Of Interest
This route takes you through the depth of the Western Ghats where you can witness several natural marvels on the way. You can stop over at Sanjay Gandhi National Park, the greenest patch of Mumbai metropolitan, known for migratory birds and snaking trails. The Ganesh Ghat overlooking the splendid Ulhas River, is sprawling with all kinds of indigenous flora and is great for sunset views.
You would later pass by the Vihi Waterfalls, a natural cascade surrounded by forests and greenery, perfect for picnics, short treks, hiking and even water sports. For a session of peace and quiet, stop by the Myanmar Gate in Igatpuri, which is the entrance to the Vipassana Center, the largest meditation center in Asia. For the avid foodie, look out for Kath and Ghat Restaurant, a local Maharashtrian restaurant which serves authentic local dishes and seafood specialities.
Summary
Mumbai, the city of dreams, is home to a ton of places to visit, which naturally calls for road trips. Fortunately, the city is ideally placed on the map for one to indulge in some fun travel over the weekends, be it the Ghat mountains, coastal spots or natural wonders. The terrain doesn’t disappoint either, with the routes featuring some incredible roads and magnificent views.
It is perfect for solo bike rides for ones who want to feel connected to the roads, the environment and the views.It is even enhanced when you travel by car with your loved ones. These places help you completely detach from your monotonous work schedule and you end up creating some spectacular memories. It is advised to plan in advance, look out for seasonal events and if you love travelling, you would enjoy ticking off these beautiful destinations off your checklist as you go down these scenic routes around Mumbai.
