Winter season is the best time of the year for Mumbaikars. It is a welcome respite from the humidity. The slight nip in the air gives a perfect escape to enjoy the outdoors and pleasant weather. Moreover, with Christmas and New Year holidays just a few weeks away, there is no better time to plan a winter trip near Mumbai.
1. Mahabaleshwar
Mahabaleshwar is the first place on this list, primarily because you can explore strawberry farms during the winter! You can have so much fun picking strawberries with your hands and taking them home. Some of the activities you can do at Mahabaleshwar are relishing delicious food at Mapro Garden, hiking, trekking, and boating in Venna Lake.
2. Igatpuri
The quaint hill station in Nashik is a paradise for nature lovers, trekkers, and religious worshippers. The most famous sightseeing spot here is Vipassana International Academy (Dhammagiri), the largest meditation center in the world. You can also spend relaxing time at Bhatsa River Valley and admire its natural rock formations. Other places to visit in Igatpuri are Tringalwadi Fort, Camel Valley, Mt.Kalsubai, Harishchandragad, and a Wildlife Sanctuary.
3. Matheran
The smallest hill station in India doesn’t need any introduction to Mumbaikars. Known as Asia’s automobile-free hill station, the only vehicle you see riding through its lanes is the toy train. The toy train ride is a sheer delight among the visitors as it traverses through the lush green landscape and red laterite roads of Matheran. You can explore more than 35 sightseeing points here!
4. Panhala
Panhala near Kolhapur is the smallest city in Maharashtra. The historical Panhala Fort draws a large crowd here as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj spent a few months there. The fort makes an ideal trekking trail. The city also has other attractions such as Sajja Kothi, Ambabai Temple, Parashar Cave, and Someshwar Tank. If you are looking for an offbeat winter destination, Panhala will enchant your senses.
5. Saputara
A short drive from Mumbai, Saputara is located in Gujarat and its name literally means ‘Home of Serpents’. The popular tourist attractions in Saputara are Saputara Lake, Sunset Point, Gira Falls, Hatgad Fort, Purna Wildlife Sanctuary, and Vansda National Park. Do not miss visiting Artist Village, a charming museum that showcases beautiful artifacts.
How to Reach These Places?
All these five places are a few hour’s road drive from Mumbai. If you are travelling with a group, then it makes sense to get a luxury tempo traveler or bus on rent. SimplyTrip, a leading vehicle rental agency in Mumbai offers a vehicle for your every travel need, be it a tempo traveller or bus. You can get both budget-friendly and luxury vehicle options, depending on the amenities you require. A tempo traveller is suitable for group sizes between 13 and 26 passengers while a bus is a better option for traveller count above 25.
SimplyTrip maintains its vehicles in top condition and onboards only experienced and reliable drivers. Contact SimplyTrip to book your vehicle.