With domestic travel surging ahead as the preferred choice among wanderers, these destinations make for ideal getaways. Let this long-weekend travel guide from Mumbai help outline your next escapade. By Bayar Jain
As per a recent statement released by Booking.com, 59 per cent of Indian travellers prefer shorter breaks this year, as compared to 2019. Moreover, half the people surveyed reportedly wish to visit domestic destinations instead of venturing beyond the borders. Taking cue of these findings, the digital travel platform unveiled a long-weekend travel guide from Mumbai where wanderlust-bitten souls can head to.
1. FEBRUARY
Vasant Panchami
February 13 to February 16 (Saturday to Tuesday; take leave on Monday)
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Where to go? Tarkali
Located around 530 kilometres from Mumbai, a visit to Tarkali lets you #DiscoverTheUndiscovered. Famous for white sands, clear waters, and picturesque beauty in abundance, this seaside destination is sure to feed your adventure-loving soul. Think snorkelling, scuba diving, or even a boat ride across the Karli river. When here, you can visit the Sindhudurg Fort or spend hours lazing around on Achara and Kolam beach.
Distance from Mumbai: approximately 530 kilometres
Duration: Approximately 10-and-a-half hours
What to do: Snorkelling, scuba diving, boating, and long walks on the beach
2. MARCH
Maha Shivratri
March 11 to March 14 (Thursday to Sunday; take leave on Friday)
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Where to go? Dapoli-Harnai-Anjarle
A drive to Dapoli means a chance at watching dolphins traverse seas and crocodiles laze around in Maldoli’s backwaters. The nearby beaches of Harnai and Anjale come lined with coconut trees and betel nut palm trees—both of which make for a quiet escape from city’s chaos. A sea-fort, an ancient Ganesh temple in Anjarle, and buckets of delicious seafood complete the alluring offerings at this triadic getaway.
Distance from Mumbai: approximately 230 kilometres
Duration: Approximately five-and-a-half hours
What to do: dolphin, and crocodile safaris; water sports; and exploring the sea-fort
Holi
March 27 to March 29 (Saturday to Monday)
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Where to go? Velas
Velas beach is a great place for star-gazing. However, this place is most famous for the Turtle Festival. Every October, female Olive Ridley sea turtles come ashore to lay eggs and bury it in the sand before heading back into the water. During hatching season—when the festival takes place—hatchlings scurry to the Arabian Sea, making it a heartwarming visual for tourists. That aside, Velas beach
Distance from Mumbai: approximately 190 kilometres
Duration: Approximately five hours
What to do: Stargazing, walks on the beach
3. APRIL
Good Friday
April 2 to April 4 (Friday to Sunday)
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Where to go? Shrivardhan-Diveagar-Harihareshwar
This trio is often dubbed as coastal Konkan at its finest. While Shivardhan is seeped in Pehwa history, Harihareshwar comes backed by an ancient Shiva temple frequented by tourists. Diveagar, however, is ideal for lazy souls looking to unwind. Either way, be assured of a quiet escapade amid lush palms and the views of the deep-blue sea.
Distance from Mumbai: approximately 190 kilometres
Duration: Approximately five hours
What to do: Long walks on the beach, water sports, and temple visits
4. MAY
Eid ul-Fitr
May 13 to May 16 (Thursday to Sunday; take a leave on Friday)
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Where to go? Chikhaldara
Located in Maharashtra’s Amravati district, Chikhaldara is considered the state’s only coffee-producing hill station. Heavenly brews aside, the quaint retreat is surrounded by beautiful lakes, plunging waterfalls, mesmerising viewpoints, and exotic wildlife like barking deer, chousingha, and sambar deer. When here, carve out time to visit the Narnala Fort, Tribal Museum, and Semadoh lake.
Distance from Mumbai: approximately 660 kilometres
Duration: Approximately 14-and-a-half hours
What to do: Nature walks, wildlife spotting
5. JULY
Eid al-Adha
July 17 to July 20 (Saturday to Tuesday; take a leave on Monday)
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Where to go? Satara
Host to many waterfalls, Satara is a great monsoon getaway from Mumbai. During this time, dense streams gush from mountain tops, creating a thunderous roar at every turn. In fact, it even houses the Thoseghar Waterfall, one of the biggest and highest waterfalls in the state.
Distance from Mumbai: approximately 255 kilometres
Duration: Approximately four-and-a-half hours
What to do: Nature walks, go on picnics, gaze at waterfalls
5. AUGUST
Janmashtami
August 28 to August 30 (Saturday to Monday)
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Where to go? Amboli
Still relatively an unexplored hill station, Amboli is a thriving biodiversity hotspot of the Sahyadri range. This hilltop escape overlooks thick rainforests pulsating with rich flora and fauna. You can even go on night trails at this amphibian paradise. Another prime attraction here is the Shri Hiranyakeshwar Mandir, an abode where goddess Parvati is worshipped. Madhavgad Fort is another popular tourist spot that offers breathtaking views of the Arabian sea and Konkan region.
Distance from Mumbai: approximately 490 kilometres
Duration: Approximately eight-and-a-half hours
What to do: Nature walks, night trails, temple visits
6. SEPTEMBER
Ganesh Chaturthi
September 10 to September 12 (Friday to Sunday)
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Where to go? Kaas plateau
Aptly referred to as Maharashtra’s own Valley of Flowers, Kaas Plateau caters to almost 70 per cent of the state’s total flora. Post monsoon, this UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site transforms into a pink carpet, courtesy blooming Terda flowers. The Kumudini pond here, covered with Kumudini flowers, is also a famous tourist destination.
Distance from Mumbai: approximately 280 kilometres
Duration: Approximately five-and-a-half hours
What to do: Nature walks
6. OCTOBER
Dussehra
October 15 to October 17 (Friday to Sunday)
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Where to go? Revdanda
Plan a quick trip to Revdanda if you’re looking for solace amid historic ruins. To reach, you can opt for a ferry from Mumbai dock to Mandwa, or drive towards the beach destination. When here, spend your mornings at Revdanda Fort, and end with a sundowner at the beach.
Distance from Mumbai: approximately 110 kilometres
Duration: Approximately three hours
What to do: Heritage walks, lazing at the beach
6. NOVEMBER
Guru Nanak Jayanti
November 19 to November 21 (Friday to Sunday)
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Where to go? Tapola
Famous for various water sports, you can enjoy activities like boating, kayaking and swimming at Shivsagar Lake during your stay at Tapola. While here, make time to go on a strawberry trail, and enjoy some fresh fruits straight from local farms.
Distance from Mumbai: approximately 290 kilometres
Duration: Approximately six hours
What to do: Water sports, strawberry trails
6. DECEMBER
Christmas
December 24 to December 26 (Friday to Sunday)
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Where to go? Murud
Bid adieu to 2021 with a dreamy sundowner at Murud, a tiny village in Raigad, Maharashtra. The majestic Murud-Janjira Fort here is known to hold legends of the past, the most common of which is that it has never been conquered. Located on a remote island, this place remains one of the best destinations for a quick weekend getaway.
Distance from Mumbai: approximately 150 kilometres
Duration: Approximately four hours
What to do: Sightseeing
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