I am missing, missing the rains badly!! The tiny droplets on the leaves, the thundering sound of lightning, the sweet earthy smell, the foggy weather, and the wind in the hair; rains are all over my dreams. After all, what can be better than dancing in the rain and sipping piping some hot “adrak waali chai”? I am counting each passing day of these hot summers and eagerly waiting for my favorite season “Monsoon”.
Garbett Point trek
The calendar says, “Abhi, you have been here in Pune from past 5 years”. Why didn’t I relocate? Is my current job the reason for it? Hell no!! The only reason is I absolutely love the Pune Monsoons. As monsoon showers down on the region, the Sahyadris turn lush green, flaunting the innumerable waterfalls and rivers. I have been exploring the weekend getaways in and around Pune/Mumbai from past 5 years and believe me; I am still left with so much to see.
Thokarwadi
Almost half of the summers have gone and monsoon is around the corner, so let’s compile a list of some amazing places to visit near Mumbai Pune in monsoon.
Rajmachi Fort is one of my personal favorite places to explore in the monsoon. Rajmachi Fort, a historical fort amidst the rugged hills of Sahyadri is a popular destination for nature lovers, travellers, and trekkers. Rajmachi Fort lies around 90 kms from Mumbai and 75 kms from Pune.
For more details check out my post: Rajmachi Fort Trek, adventurous one day trip near Mumbai and Pune (INR 350).
Rajmachi Fort
Look at that waterfall!! Hey, look at this one!! Wow, this one is amazing!! A few sentences which you will keep saying again and again on a road trip to Kanhe – Vadeshwar – Khandi region. With waterfalls flowing from every nook and corner of the mountains in the region, it can undoubtedly be named as “The Land of Waterfalls”.
Don’t miss visiting this region in the monsoon, it is absolute heaven. For more details, check out Bendewadi, Laalwadi and Jagtap waterfalls – Go get lost in the land of waterfalls!! (INR 300).
Laalwadi Waterfall
Though being a huge admirer of Sahyadri’s, somewhere my heart still belonged to The Great Himalayas. But, as soon as I did the Harishchandragad Fort Trek, something changed!! Sahyadris left an indelible mark on my heart at the very first moment my eyes met and feasted on the views from the fort.
Harishchandragad Fort is located around 200 kms from Mumbai and 130 kms from Pune and is a great weekend monsoon getaway. For more details, checkout my earlier post: Harishchandragad Fort Trek – One of my favorite treks near Pune/Mumbai (INR 500).
Harishchandragad Fort
One fine day, I found myself into the Andharban jungles carving my way through the dense and dark, suffocating undergrowth, battling through the very air, which hung heavy, moist and still.
The trail to reach Devkund Waterfall passes through the thick overwhelming forest and leads you to a standout among the most wonderful waterfalls you would ever envision.
Andharban jungle is located around 130 kms from Mumbai and 70 kms from Pune and is an amazing place to visit near Mumbai Pune in monsoon. For more details, check out my post: Andharban jungle & Devkund Waterfall: Time to get lost in the dense forest.
Andharban jungle
Matheran which means “Forest on the forehead” is the smallest hill station in India located in the Sahyadri hill range in Raigad district of Maharashtra State. What makes this place stand out from the others is that vehicles are completely banned, making it very peaceful and pollution free.
Matheran is located around 80 kms from Mumbai and 125 kms from Pune and is a great weekend monsoon getaway. For more details, check out my post: Matheran – Asia’s only automobile free hill station.
Matheran
Situated on the bank of the sacred Godavari River, the air of the Nashik city carries an authentic spiritual feeling of being close to almighty.
Nashik is located around 165 kms from Mumbai and 210 kms from Pune and is an amazing place to visit near Mumbai Pune in monsoon. For more details, check out my post: Nashik City – An exciting two day trip from Pune/Mumbai/Surat (INR 1500).
Nashik City
There are few peaks in the state of Maharashtra which I have trekked multiple times. One amongst them is the Kalsubai Peak – The highest peak of Maharashtra, also known as “Everest of Maharashtra”.
Kalsubai is located around 150 kms from Mumbai and 180 kms from Pune and is a great place to visit near Mumbai Pune in monsoon. For more details, check out my post: Kalsubai Peak – Trek to the highest peak of Maharashtra (INR 600).
Kalsubai Peak
Lohagad fort is one of the many hill forts of Maharashtra standing at an elevation of approx. 1033 meter above sea level. Unlike other forts, it has stone steps leading right to the top of the fort which makes it easy even for a novice climber.
Lohagad Fort is located around 100 kms from Mumbai and 60 kms from Pune and is a great place to visit near Mumbai Pune in monsoon. For more details, check out my post: Lohagad Fort trek – An exciting one day trek near Pune/Mumbai (INR 150).
Lohagad Fort
Satara is home to some of the most spectacular natural beauty spots. The city gets its name from the seven hills that lie close to Satara. Nature lovers are quick to take a one/two day trek to this place.
Satara is located around 250 kms from Mumbai and 110 kms from Pune and is a great place to visit near Mumbai Pune in monsoon. For more details, check out my post: Satara – A road trip to the Maharashtra’s Valley of Flowers from Pune (INR 800).
Satara
Located around 40 kms from Pune, Tamhini Ghat is a mountain passage situated on the crest of the Western Ghat mountain ranges. The Ghat section starts from Mulshi Lake and ends at the Orchard Café Sanaswadi covering a total distance of 44 kms.
During the monsoon season, the place transforms into a green velvety carpet with numerous waterfalls all along the way. One can spend an entire day here by trekking through the dense forest in search of the start point of a waterfall. For more details, check out my post: 12-hours monsoon road trip exploring Tamhini Ghat (INR 300)
Tamhini Ghat
Situated about 5 kms from Matheran Railway Station, in the hidden hilly regions of Bhivpuri village in Diksal, Garbett point offers a panoramic view of the lush green Sahyadri mountain ranges nearby. Garbett point trek is a one-day adventure trek filled with untouched natural beauty and is a perfect option for those who are looking for a quick weekend gateway from the city of Mumbai Pune. For more details, check out my post: Garbett Point Trek – An exciting one day trek near Mumbai (INR 350).
Garbett Point trek
Lavasa city, situated approximately 180 kms from Mumbai and 50 kms from Pune, is a private city with architecture resembling the Italian Town Portofino. The city is nestled amidst the beautiful Sahyadri Mountains all around and is a perfect weekend monsoon gateway especially for the couples and family. For more details, check out my post: A cycle trip to Lavasa city from Pune (INR 100).
Temghar Dam near Lavasa
Out of numerous one/two-day trips that I have done near Pune, Torna fort trek was one amongst my favorite. And taking a bath at Madhe Ghat Waterfall added more joy to the two-day trip.
Torna Fort is located around 214 kms from Mumbai and 70 kms from Pune and is a great place to visit near Mumbai Pune in monsoon. For more details, check out my post: Torna Fort trek and Madhe Ghat Waterfall – A two day trip (INR 400).
Torna Fort
Purandar fort, a hill fort near Pune is a perfect example of how clean a place can be kept, the reason of cleanliness is that it is maintained by Indian Army.
Purandar Fort is located around 195 kms from Mumbai and 50 kms from Pune and is a great place to visit near Mumbai Pune in monsoon. For more details, check out my post: An exciting road trip to Purandar Fort from Pune (INR 300).
On way to Purandar Fort
Starting from the Waghjai temple which is on a hill just next to the old Katraj tunnel, navigating through a series of 15 scenic mountains that leads to the popular destination i.e. the “Sinhagad Fort”, it is quite a challenging trek (around 16 kms) which will test an individual’s physical fitness, stamina and endurance. For more details, check out my post: Katraj to Sinhagad night trek – An exciting trek near Pune (INR 250).
Sinhagad Fort
Lying at the outskirts of Pune, Rajgad Fort will welcome you with fresh air and greenery. From the top of the Fort, one can enjoy the breathtaking views of the Bhatghar Dam along with the Torna and Sinhagad Fort in the vicinity.
Rajgad Fort is located around 200 kms from Mumbai and 65 kms from Pune and is an amazing place to visit near Mumbai Pune in monsoon. For more details, check out my post: Rajgad Fort Trek – An exciting one-day trek near Pune/Mumbai (INR 200).
Rajgad Fort – Places to visit near Mumbai Pune in monsoon
Tikona fort is a triangular shaped mountain fort which offers breathtaking views of the entire region including the forts of Lohagad, Tung, Visapur and Pawna Lake. On the same day trip, you can enjoy the numerous waterfalls near Pawna Lake; a dam located just a few kms from the base of the fort.
Tikona Fort is located around 120 kms from Mumbai and 50 kms from Pune and is an amazing place to visit near Mumbai Pune in monsoon. For more details, check out my post: Tikona Fort Trek and Pawna Lake – One day trip near Pune (INR 250).
Tikona Fort – Places to visit near Mumbai Pune in monsoon
Located around 60 kms from Pune and 100 kms from Mumbai and standing at an elevation of about 1084 meters, Visapur Fort is one of the highest forts in Maharashtra. Perched upon a lush green plateau, the fort is a very popular excursion destination amongst nature lovers, trekkers, and campers. For more details, check out my post: Visapur Fort Trek – Thrilling one day trek near Pune Mumbai (INR 200).
Visapur Fort trek
Located around 12 kms from the Malavli station, Tung fort stands at an elevation of approx. 1075 meters. The fort is surrounded by water from three sides. From the top one can enjoy the breathtaking view of the Pawna Dam along with Lohagad, Korigad, Tikona and Visapur Fort in the vicinity. For more details on Tung Fort, check out my post Tung Fort Trek – A journey through the clouds (INR 250).
Tung Fort – Places to visit near Mumbai Pune in monsoon
Korigad fort top gives some stunning view of the Aamby Valley city along with the Tung and Tikona fort. What’s more exciting about this trek is the route which takes you to the base village of the fort. The entire route is lush green passing through dense jungles and many waterfalls falling in the vicinity.
Korigad Fort is located around 100 kms from Mumbai and 90 kms from Pune and is an amazing place to visit near Mumbai Pune in monsoon. For more details, check out my post: Korigad Fort Trek – Exciting one day trek near Pune Mumbai (INR 300).
Korigad Fort – Places to visit near Mumbai Pune in monsoon
Malshej Ghat
Malshej Ghat is a high mountain pass in the Western Ghats range in the Thane-Pune Road. The site is nestled in the lofty rugged hills of the Ghats. It is at a distance of 130 km from Pune and 154 km from Mumbai. Numerous waterfalls can be witness all along this pass during monsoons and surroundings are lush green.
Malshej Ghat – Places to visit near Mumbai Pune in monsoon
Lonavala & Khandala
Lonavala and the nearby Khandala are twin hill stations in the Sahyadri ranges that demarcate the Deccan Plateau and the Konkan coast. They are the perfect weekend getaways for people living in Pune and Mumbai. A trip to Lonavala and Khandala can be combined with sight-seeing visits of Karla, Bhaja and Bedse caves.
Lonavala – Places to visit near Mumbai Pune in monsoon
Mahabaleshwar & Panchgani
Mahabaleshwar is a hill town located in the Western Ghats. Mahabaleshwar is well known for its numerous rivers, magnificent cascades and majestic peaks. This hill town provides activities like trekking, hiking, boating, bird watching, rock climbing, and cave exploring to thrill seekers.
Mahabaleshwar
Bhandardara
Bhandardara is a small hill station in the Western Ghat range, which is popular amongst tourist for the vast and magnificent Arthur Lake at the heart of this place. Like many other destinations in Sahyadri, Bhandardara turns absolutely stunning during the monsoon.
On way to Bhandardara
Kondeshwar & Uksan
Quite unexplored, a road trip to Kondeshwar in the monsoon reason will left to amazed. The entire season turns lush green and the countless waterfalls adds more beauty to it. You can also visit the beautiful Uksan Lake on the same trip.
On way to Kondeshwar
Hope the above list of 25 Amazing places to visit near Mumbai Pune in monsoon will inspire you to plan a trip soon. Waiting to hear about your experiences of visiting these places in the comment section below.
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