Jawhar – 180 km
Jawhar, nestled in the lap of Sahyadris is one of the best offbeat places near Mumbai. This region is known for its beautiful hills and Warli Art. The beauty is enhanced by numerous waterfalls and dotted with several temples and heritage structures. Once you are there don’t forget to explore the Jai Vilas Palace, which in some way will tell you the stories of Mukane king and their royal tribal culture.
Plunge yourself in the unparalleled views of the setting Sun at the Sunset Point, or do something adventurous like trekking, mountaineering, and camping to excite your adrenaline levels.
Jawhar also has a good cashew plantation which means… 😉
How to Reach: Drive down – Mumbai-Jawhar, 180 Kms via Kasara-Kolad. The journey is beautiful.
Where to stay: Sterling Nature Trails Sajan
Harnai-Anjarle – 238 km
No one talks about are the virgin beaches of Harnai-Anjarle. Very few know about this place. The sunset at the beach forms a perfect backdrop for a long romantic walk. Later immerse yourself with plenty of mind-blowing seafood (if you are a vegetarian there are other options too). Lucky ones can spot dolphins and don’t miss out on the early morning fish auctions. A sea-fort, an ancient Ganesh temple, and plenty of blue waters will make your trip worth it.
If you want to relax at the quiet beaches & be alone with the sea, away from the crazy crowd then this is the place for you.
How to reach: Nearest railhead is Khed around 35Km from Harnai Anjarle can be reached by crossing the Jog river estuary. OR just drive down
Where to stay: Exotica Suvarna Samudra
Silvassa – 166 km
Silvassa is one of the best places to experience the Indo-Portuguese culture. While there you might run into some who still think they are Portuguese and are stuck in India 😊. A weekend in Silvassa can be busy with its wildlife sanctuaries (known for Asiatic Lion), beautiful locals, and beaches. The town has a lot of hidden treasures for history enthusiasts.
If you like handmade products and warli paintings then you won’t be disappointed and for those who are into spirits, you do get tax-free alcohol. If you like boating visit the Vanganga lake which looks very pretty with flowers all around it. Another popular place one should not miss out is the Island Gardens, which can be accessed via boats.
How to reach there: From Mumbai, the road is the best way to reach Silvassa. There are cabs and taxis available for hire in Mumbai. A self-driven vehicle is also the best way to reach Silvassa. Moreover, there also is a privately operated bus service functional between Mumbai and Silvassa.
Where to stay: Ras Resort | Treat Resort
Kolad – 117 Km
Kolad is a place for a weekend adventure. Adventure and nature enthusiasts already know about this beautiful, offbeat location in the Sahyadris. Fondly known as Rishikesh of Maharashtra for its white water rafting. The village is situated along with the banks of Kundalika river – the fastest flowing river of the South. Due to which one can experience a different level of difficulty during rafting.
Apart from adventure sports, one can experience the true phenomenon of nature. In fact, due to the diverse climatic conditions in Kolad, every season gives you a chance to unwind in several ways.
How to reach:
Rent a car or hire a cab or simply drive down to Kolad in your vehicle, travelling by this mode is ideal when you are going in a group or with families having senior citizens and kids. The route to Kolad is just awesome and is full of picturesque views of mountains, waterfalls, ponds, lakes, and beautiful greenery.
Where to stay: Zostel Kolad | Pooja Farms
Wai – 228 km
Wai is a hidden gem with a lot of beauty, culture, history, and more than 100 temples. Krishna River flows through making the entire surrounding extremely scenic. The lush green landscape of Wai makes it a perfect setting for chilling and relaxing.
Wai was also known as Viraatnagari, as it was believed that the Pandavas stayed with King Viraat of Wai when they were in exile. You can visit the Pandavghar fort it is a simple trek with a lot of history.
How to reach: The best is to drive down it will take you around 4 hours to get there.
Where to Stay: Anandvan Holiday Homes | Shivar Garden Agro Tourism