The Karla and Bhaja caves are among the oldest caves in India and date back all the way to 160 B.C. and are situated near Lonavala in Maharashtra. The Bhaja caves are a group of 22 rock-cut caves which are believed to have existed from the times of Hinayana phase of Buddhism, which is of 2nd to 1st century BC. Karla Cave is the largest Hinayana Buddhist chaitya (temple) in India Travel back in time on this trip to ancient Indian rock-cut caves with the best rock-cut architecture of all times. The ancient caves are protected as Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Distance from Mumbai: 95 km
Known For : Louisa point Charlotte lake Monkey Point Matheran
With close to 40 look-out points offering great sunrise and sunset views in the smallest hill station in India with, Matheran clearly wins on the rejuvenating experience it provides to visitors.
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Kashid Beach Murud Janjira Fort Phansad Bird Sanctuary
A Beach town, popular for its white sand and blue seas situated in Konkan region of Maharashtra, Kashid is the perfect destination for a quiet weekend getaway from Mumbai.
Distance from Mumbai: 126 km
Best Time: October to March
Known For : Kondana Caves Peth Fort Trekking in Karjat
Karjat, a quaint little village is the last station of Thane district in Maharashtra. The river Ulhas finds its origin in Karjat and trekking and historical spots make it a popular destination for trekkers and adventure enthusiasts.
Distance from Mumbai: 62 km
Best Time: June to September
Carved into a rocky hillside, Karla caves are among the oldest Buddhist cave shrines in India. It is located on the Pune-Mumbai highway at Karla and if sources are to be believed, these are only a few among scores of other caves unearthed in Sahyadri Hills. Carved almost 2000 years ago around the 2nd century BC to the 5th century AD, this place constitutes a large collection of beautiful Chaityas (halls) and Viharas (monasteries) reflecting upon a journey of the past, narrating some amusing stories. A temple made of pillars from the Buddhist period has also been built recently at the entrance of the caves.
Distance from Mumbai: 93 km
Arnala Fort is an island fort that is situated just 8 miles north of Vasai near Mumbai in Maharashtra. Also known as Jaldurg or Janjire-Arnala, the Arnala Fort was built by the Portuguese who formerly called it Ilha das vacas. As it is located away from the mainland on the quiet and secluded Arnala Island, the place reverberates with serenity and tranquility and is therefore, a major tourist attraction in the city. Flanked by the Arabian Sea, the forlorn and desolate fort presents beauteous views of the surroundings- the ocean and the land.
Known For : Manori Beach Global Vippasanna Pagoda Beach Parties
Manori beach, along with Gorai beach is a growing favourite among back packers and people who just want to cross over to the peace and quiet of the country side for a while.
Distance from Mumbai: 49 km
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Alibaug Beach Kolaba Fort Water Sports in Alibaug
A popular weekend getaway destination for Mumbai folks, Alibaug is a coastal town in the Konkan region well known for its sandy beaches, clean water and fresh, unpolluted air.
Distance from Mumbai: 96 km
Best Time: November to March
Situated at a height of 3400 feet, Lohagad Fort is a formidable fort about 52 kilometres away from Pune. Perched atop an impressive hill near Malavali, this destination is the perfect amalgam of ancient architecture and natural beauty. Lohagad Fort was built in the 18th century and is an ideal destination for trekking and nature lovers, especially from Pune and Mumbai. The place is flanked by nature at its lush green best and hosts panoramic views and cool mountain air.
Distance from Mumbai: 98 km
Perched upon a lush green plateau, the Visapur Fort is a very popular excursion destination for adventure mongers as well as nature lovers. The fort stands majestically tall and ruggedly firm at the height of 1084 meters above sea level offering a panoramic view of a wide range of hills covered in a thick blanket of green. The majestic fort is a very popular destination for trekking activities. With an eventfully historic backstory and an unmatched view of nature at its best, the Visapur fort is indeed a treat for all- history buffs, adventure mongers and nature enthusiasts.
Distance from Mumbai: 118 km
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Elephanta Caves is a specimen of rock-cut art and architecture from the times of medieval India. The caves are located on the Elephanta island which is situated at a distance of 11 km from the city of Mumbai. Natively known as Gharapurichi Leni, the Elephanta Caves that exist today are ruins of what were once elaborately painted artworks. It also provides an amazing view of the Mumbai skyline.
Distance from Mumbai: 37 km
Karnala fort also known as the Funnel Hill is a hill fort in Raigad district, about 10 km from Panvel city and 65 km from Mumbai. The fort is a protected property which is situated within the Karnala Bird Sanctuary and offers a great opportunity to enjoy a refreshing, easy trek. Karnala fort consists of two forts out of which one is at a higher level and other is at a lower level.
Distance from Mumbai: 48 km
The Siddhgad-Bhimashankar route is a nature lover's paradise. The trek is rejuvenating and tough enough to keep you on your toes while also giving you all the pleasures of a leisurely stroll.
Distance from Mumbai: 195 km
Known For : Tiger's Leap Rajmachi Fort Imagicaa
Popular hill station close to Pune and Mumbai especially appealing to hikers and trekkers, Lonavla is famous for its historic caves, striking forts and pretty lakes
Distance from Mumbai: 83 km
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Raigad Fort Diveagar Beach Jagadishwar Temple
Raigad, is a historically rich district is situated in the Konkan region of Maharashtra. Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, renowned Maratha ruler, won this place in 1656. His prized win, the Raigad Fort is one of the main attractions of this place.
Distance from Mumbai: 103 km
Best Time: November to March
Known For : Durshet Forest Lodge Uddhar Hot Springs Water sports in Durshet
Durshet is a little village found on the banks of the river Amba, nestled in the Sahyadri ranges of Maharashtra.
Distance from Mumbai: 76 km
Best Time: September to February
Known For : Karnala Bird Sanctuary Karnala Fort Prabalgad Fort
Panvel is best known for all the forts that dot this city. Called the gateway of the Konkan coast, Panvel is the most crowded city of Navi Mumbai.
Distance from Mumbai: 34 km
Best Time: July to February
Manikgad Fort is located on a hill in Manikgad village of Maharashtra. The fort is about 1,878 feet high and is impregnable from three sides. The upper part can be reached only from the south.
Distance from Mumbai: 84 km
Prabalgad Fort, also known asÔ_Kalavantin DurgÔ_is situated between Matheran and Panvel in Maharashtra, at a height of 2,300 feet in the Western Ghats. The fort built at the peak of a rocky plateau very close to Matheran has become a major tourist attraction. A trek to this place is perfect for those who enjoy adventure and the way to the fort is a dangerously steep climb. The steps leading up to the fort are cut into the rock of the hill. Reaching the fort is one of the toughest trekking challenges in Maharashtra and only if you are an experienced trekker should you go for this trek. This trek which commences from base village of Shedung, takes about 3 hours and you need to climb rock-cut stairs through a steep slope.
Distance from Mumbai: 47 km
Ratangad is a 400 year old fort, captured by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in his time. It is situated in Ratanwadi which is it's base village and overlooks the Bhandardara.
Distance from Mumbai: 178 km
Durg and Dhakoba popular are peaks in the plateau between Naneghat and Bhimashankar hill ranges near Pune district. Full of revitalizing greenery and lush thick forests, this trek will succeed in taking from the noise and stress of living in a city and will became your favorite escape to a destination full of peace and tranquility.
Distance from Mumbai: 174 km
Known For : Rajmachi Fort Visapur Fort Bedsa caves
Khandala is a popular hill station in Maharashtra, perched on the foothills of Sahyadri in the Western Ghats. Khandala provides for a perfect weekend respite for the Mumbai population, with its scenic valleys, grassy hills, serene lakes and misty waterfalls.
Distance from Mumbai: 79 km
Best Time: Throughout the year
Gorakhgad is a hill fort in Maharashtra. Gorakhgad and Machindragad are twin forts in the Thane district of Maharashtra. Gorakhgad is situated at an elevation higher than its twin fort.
Distance from Mumbai: 90 km
Hadsar is a hill fort in the state of Maharashtra. It is situated at an elevation of 3200 feet from the ground in the district of Pune. Within the fort there are massive tunnel like entrances built in the Mughal style.
Distance from Mumbai: 156 km
The Durshet Forest Lodge is set amid 35 acres of private teak forest, against the magnificent Sahyadhri Range. The River Amba presents a sanctuary for trekkers and birdwatchers. The gardens and lawns in the place magically come alive with a natural waterfall during the monsoon season. Go rafting on the River Kundalika, or scout the Umbarkhind battlefield or go mountain biking in this place as the options are unlimited.
Distance from Mumbai: 76 km
Sri Malang gad is a fort near Kalyan in the Raigad district of Maharashtra. It is known popularly as Haji Malang, which is one of the most famous among the three sufi shrines located on the hill. The structure of the fort is three-storeyed, and each tier has a specific name.
Distance from Mumbai: 49 km
Jivdhan is a hill fort in the state of Maharashtra. It is a part of the 'famous five' fort in the Sahyadri mountain range. The other forts which are a part of the famous five include Naneghat, Shivneri, Chavand and Hadsar.
Distance from Mumbai: 165 km
Vasind is an upcoming town of Maharashtra located on the banks of River Bhatsa and enveloped by hills. The dainty township is just 60 kms away from Mumbai and is well connected to the metro city through Vasind Railway Station and Mumbai Suburban Railway System. Popular for its well-architectured temples, verdant green hills and beautiful hills, Vasind also has an established market, proper sanitation facilities, and adequate water supply. Hence most people scutter from the crowded metro city to spend some time amidst nature exploring the ruins of old fortresses and trekking their ways up the forest and the hills.
Distance from Mumbai: 62 km
Korigad is a hill fort in Maharashtra. Situated in the district of Pune, the fort rises to a height of about 2800 feet from the ground.
Distance from Mumbai: 105 km
Kothligad (or Peth) is a hill fort in Maharashtra. It is located at a modest elevation of 1500 feet in the Raigad district of the state. The pinnacle of the fort is shaped in the form of a vertical funnel, lending it a peculiar look. There are caves carved out of huge rocks at the top of the fort, alongside a pond perfectly square in shape. There are cisterns of water within the fort. An array of cannon balls can be found scattered inside the fortified walls. The veryical tunnel has large cool rooms and spacious caves, along with the staircases which lead to the top. The top of the fort presents a very picteresque view of the forests of Bh'ma Shankar to the North and the pinnacle of Dhak-Bahiri towards the South-West.
Distance from Mumbai: 89 km
Kulanggad is a hill fort in Maharashtra. It is the highest hill fort in the state, with the summit rising to an elevation of about 4800 feet. The fort presents a very scenic view of the other peaks surrounding it.
Distance from Mumbai: 138 km
Mahuli is a hill fort in Maharashtra. Located in the district of Thane, the peak of the fort rises to an elevation of 2700 feet from the ground. The summit is actually a collection of 2-3 hills, all having typical names.
Distance from Mumbai: 74 km
Naneghat is a hill fort in Maharashtra. It is situated at an elevation of 2600 feet from the ground in the Thane district of Maharashtra. The trek is famous more for its ancient pass than for the fort itself.
Distance from Mumbai: 163 km
Makarandgad (or Madhumakarandgad) is a hill fort in the state of Maharashtra. Believed to be comprised of twin peaks, Madhu and Makarandgad, the fort has thus derived its name.
Distance from Mumbai: 17 km
The Plus Valley is such a unique place that nobody can resist the call to explore and enjoy it. Exactly like the name of the place, the valley is in the shape of a plus sign, which adds to the intrigue and excitement of this amazing destination. Challenging terrains, exotic fauna, and awe-inspiring scenery will keep you coming back for more.
Distance from Mumbai: 144 km