Weekend Getaways around Pune and Mumbai

The detailed map of a easy hike in the Khandala region - Dukes Nose. This map gives the topography and GPS details for the hiking route. There are two proposed routes marked in the map.



Courtesy: Dr. Mahesh Chengalva. Check his site for similar maps for different regions in Maharashtra

The detailed map of various trekking spots around Malvali/Lonavala region. This map gives the topography and GPS details for the twin forts of Lohgad and Visapur. Also the location of the buddhist caves - Bhaje Caves are detailed in the map.



Courtesy: Dr. Mahesh Chengalva. Check his site for similar maps for different regions in Maharashtra

Also see another map detailing about the lonavala region.

The detailed map of Harishchandragad and Malshej showing the topography of the region and various hiking routes in the area. The map also give details about an offtrack but a must visit spot - The Enigmatic 'Konkan Kada'.



Courtesy: Dr. Mahesh Chengalva. Check his site for similar maps for different regions in Maharashtra

Mulshi is to the west of Pune and close to Lonavala as well as Konkan region. Mulshi dam and the surroundings are full of natural beauties that includes a dam, hilly region of Sahyadri's deep forests and forts like Dhangad and Koraigadh. Water of Mulshi is used for generating electricity. It is one of the major electricity project in Maharashtra.

The beauty of Mulshi lake can be observed from 'Valanewadi' - 6 Kms. from Mulshi. Sahyadri is famous for its deadly hills and its beauty. Both the things can be observed here. The hills of Ratnagiri and hill ranges of 'Hattihant' and 'Pagota' are huge ones and terrific. Some of these hills are almost 4000 feet high. There is one platue here popularly known as 'Lavmal'.

Mulshi is very near to Pune and a short trip here can be arranged. One must enjoy the marvelous lake, the dam, forest and hilly region of Mulshi. If you are lucky then you can enjoy boating here as well. Thus, it is a newly developing picnic spot near Pune.

Apart from Lonavala-Khandala, Matheran and Mahabaleshwar this is one of the developing hill station in Maharashtra. Malshej Ghat is situated on the borders of Pune , Thane and Ahmednagar districts. A very popular place as it is close to both Pune and Mumbai. Malshej Ghat is vital place in Sahyadari hills and really very attractive when it is under dark clouds and heavy fog. Heavy fog and amazing waterfalls are the spatiality of Malshej Ghat especially in monsoon.

Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation ( M.T.D.C. ) has its rest house in Malshej. It is situated in hill station's plateau between Harishchandragad and the other hill ranges. A nice view of valleys is one of the major attraction here. One of the beauties here are many waterfalls in the hilly regions. Various waterfalls from small up to the huge ones are really worth to see. The resort is always booked on the weekends during the season. So it is better to book in advance. Please check the contact details in the MTDC links on the right panel. The rooms available in MTDC are of acceptable standards, though the dormitories have disappointing facilities. The common washroom facilities are in a state of despair. Also, the restaurant is not in a good shape and food takes time to be served. It is better to carry loads of food and rely only on a occasional meal - don't take a peek in the kitchen else you will not be able to take a meal. There is a decent roadside restaurant around 15 kms before the resort, but place the orders quite early as serving a bigger group takes time.

There are other stay options available but are not upto the mark and are quite costly.

Malshej Ghat is for also famous for dark woods and the animals inside. These animals includes tigers , leopards , rabbits and peacocks etc. But truly a famous place near Malshej Ghat is Khireshwar which is 2/3 kms from rest house. The place is famous for Flamingo birds. These birds comes here every year from Siberia between July and September. Its really an amazing view. Through Khireshwar village, one can visit the famous Harishchandragad also.

Truly, Malshej Ghat is one of the popular hill station in Maharashtra because of the beauty of nature, huge ranges of Sahyadari, amazing view of Harishchandragad and many other forts.

Visit Dongarwadi 2 km before Ghat to see Flamingos in August.