Monsoon holidays in India are surely a lifetime experience as the exotic locations leave you spellbound with its beauty. The hills and mountains get carpeted with lush greenery, the lakes overflow with sparkling water, the waterfall sceneries become heavenly to make you fall in love with Incredible India. If you are one of those who don’t mind getting a wee bit wet, then these places are perfect for visiting in Monsoon in India for sipping a hot coffee and enjoying the hot pakodas:
1) Lonavala
Famous hill station closes to Pune and Mumbai, Lonavala is the place to be during monsoons. With lots of waterfalls, lakes and hills around, Lonavala is frequented by all sorts of people, especially hikers and trekkers. Surrounded by lush greenery and little poodles of water and gushing streams, this is an all in one place to visit near Mumbai in monsoon.
2) Khandala
Perched on the foothills of Sahyadri, Khandala provides for a perfect weekend respite for the Mumbai population, with its scenic valleys, grassy hills, serene lakes and misty waterfalls. The monsoon season lasts till September.
3) Panchgani
Deriving its name from the five hills surrounding it, Panchgani is a favourite hill station near Mahabaleshwar, famous for its various sunset/sunrise points and scenic valley view. It receives comparatively less rainfall than Mahabaleshwar and has beautiful valleys and rock formations to boast. It has Asia’s second largest mountain plateau called Table Land. Apart from this, Sydney Point, Devil’s Kitchen and Parsi Point are some other attractions. It is one of the best places to visit near Mumbai during monsoons.
4) Mahabaleshwar
The most popular hill station in the Sahyadri Ranges of Maharashtra, Mahabaleshwar offers a fantastic panoramic view of surrounding hills and valleys. Monsoons cover the area in thick vegetation and waterfalls and springs crop up. Mahabaleshwar receives some of the highest rainfalls in Maharashtra which makes the hilltops look dressed in rains.
5) Malshej Ghat
A hill station in the mighty Sahyadri ranges, this place near Mumbai in monsoon is engulfed in green hills and many waterfalls. The drive to Malshej Ghat through itself is calming with the picturesque view of the beautiful valleys and tranquil lakes. This mountain pass is also home to various flora and fauna; flamingos are known to come here from Europe during the monsoons! An excellent place to visit near Mumbai for outdoor activities like trekking, hiking, bird watching and there are some great resorts nearby to relax and rejuvenate as well.
6) Igatpuri
Igatpuri is one of the best monsoon getaways away from the crazy city life of Mumbai. It is a small and charming hill station located in the Sahyadri Hills in the Western Ghats. Dense forests and several ancient temples characterize the landscape of Igatpuri. It is renowned for the Vipassana International Academy where one can learn the age-old technique of meditation called Vipassana. During monsoon, this tiny place is transformed into another world altogether, especially with the greenery and relaxed atmosphere.
7) Matheran
When you think of a weekend monsoon getaway, the first thing you think about is quiet and calm. Then what better than Matheran, which has a rule of no vehicles allowed within the town! Just the journey to Matheran is exciting, a train ride in a heritage railway and travel around the city on horseback or hand-pulled rickshaws. The hills themselves have much to offer as the clouds practically descend over it in the monsoon and with an adjoining valley, it has over 30 lookout points, the beautiful Charlotte Lake and the ancient Pisarnath Mahadev Temple.
8) Kolad
Close to the Mumbai – Goa Highway, Kolad is a quaint little place quite close to Mumbai with a serene lake surrounded by hillocks and bursting waterfalls. The Kundalika River flows through Kolad and is full to brim in the monsoons, flowing in much gusto. There are white water river rafting facilities on the river. Kolad comparatively sees fewer visitors, which makes for a quiet getaway. One can enjoy a swim in the lake or trek about the hillocks near the waterfalls.