Escape from the Madness of Mumbai to Lesser Known Weekend Destinations

‘The City of Dreams’, Mumbai is the place where scores of young people flock to seek livelihood and fulfill their dreams of a better future. But those residing in this busy city often get exhausted and look for a peaceful respite to rejuvenate. Mumbai is geographically blessed with the Western Ghats that abound it and provide Mumbaikars with ample short weekend hideaways. From naturally gorgeous places to adventure trips and holy pilgrimages – Mumbai has no dearth of holiday destinations around. If you are bored of visiting Lonavala, Khandala, Ganpatipule and Matheran, here is a list of getaways that are relatively less explored:

• Kashid: A secluded beach town featuring gorgeous cliffs, golden sandy beaches and the stunning view of the coastline, Kashid is approximately 130km from Mumbai. From being a romantic getaway to an adventure junkie’s paradise, Kashid is the answer to any kind of short trip that you are looking for from Mumbai. While love birds can have a romantic escapade by pitching their tents, riding horses on the beach and indulge in stargazing, the adventure bugs must try parasailing, snorkeling, banana boat rides or trekking. Easily accessible by road and rail, the nearest railway head is Roha, which is connected with the Konkan line. The rail route will enable you to enjoy the scenic journey. To relish a hassle-free journey you can spot your train through the different train apps or directly through IRCTC website.
• Jawhar: Around 180 km from Mumbai, Jawhar is situated at the lap of the Sahyadris. Jawhar is known for its picturesque setting, vibrant cultural heritage, and Warli paintings. Perched at an elevation of 446 meters, Jawhar has several tourist attractions including Jaivilas Palace, Dabhosa waterfall, Khadkhad Dam and KalMandavi waterfall. You can also enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding valley from Sunset Point and Hanuman Point. An erstwhile tribal kingdom, Jawhar retains a rustic allure. You can either drive from Mumbai or take a train till Igatpuri or Nasik which are the closest rail stations. If you plan to travel by train, do ensure to check where is your train online through the IRCTC website to avoid hassles.
• Lonar: If you are comfortable with the idea of traveling a little far away from the crowd, then Lonar must be in your bucket list. Approximately 600m from Mumbai, the place is known for the mystical Lonar Lake which is believed to have been created by the impact of a meteorite around 50,000 years ago. Trekking down to the world’s third largest crater of Lonar is an unforgettable experience. The nearest air and rail base to Lonar is Aurangabad.
• Wai: Around 230km from Mumbai, Wai is an ideal melange of nature and heritage. Situated on the ban of River Krishna, Wai is home to over 100 ancient temples. Amidst the verdant charms of the Western Ghats, the place also has some interesting tourist attractions such as Dhoom Dam, Pandavgad Fort, and Shri Maha Ganapati Temple. Wai is a short offbeat destination that falls enrouteMahabaleshwar and Panchgani.

The urge to rest your footprint on an unexplored piece of land is irresistible. Look beyond the usual holiday destinations to set sight on some of these exotic pastures!