It’s time to wake up now. Get up! Winter’s just around the corner. Winter in South India marks the most pleasant travelling season be it the sides of the Western Ghats or the plains of the south, you’ll love the breeze going through your hair as you travel to unique places from Mumbai this winter!
It’s indeed the best time to explore the unexplored places near Mumbai. Travelling to an offbeat place is similar to tasting the cherry on a cake. It’s always exciting in trying something new and gives the immense pleasure.
Sit and enjoy your coffee, here’s the list of top 10 offbeat unique places to visit from Mumbai this Winter.
1- Diu – Serendipity, clean beaches and affordable resort stays!
What? Tired of the hustle and bustle of Goa beaches, now want to lay back near the clean beaches and enjoy the cool breeze along with the nectarous chirping of the birds? Then, Diu is waiting for you instead of Goa, one of the top offbeat destinations one can explore this winter. Diu District is the tenth least populated district of India. Amazing yea? It has an abundant number of beaches along Gujarat’s southern coast such as the Nagoa beach.
- Things to do in Diu:
- Sightseeing– Ghogla Beach, Nagoa beach, St. Paul Church, Diu Fort, Gomtimata Beach, Diu Museum.
- Activities– Bird Watching, Parasailing, surfing, banana boat rides, jet skiing, water zorbing and hot air balloon rides over the Arabian Sea.
- Mumbai to Diu Distance – 821 Kms
2- Saputara – A serene hill station in the midst of dry and arid state of Gujarat!
In love with Hill stations, and want to start your day at top a hill, under the beautiful view of sunrise? Saputara is the destination you might be thinking of. It’s the perfect getaway for the flora and fauna lovers and people who loves adventure sports. It’s a popular honeymoon destination on the outskirts of Maharashtra. Don’t forget to taste the famous Dhokla, fafda and khandvi which are common dishes in Saputara Restaurants.
- Things to do in Saputara:
- Sightseeing– Sunset point, Echo Point, Step Garden, Lake Garden, Gira Waterfalls, Saputara Lake, Saputara Tribal Museum
- Activities– Trekking, Hiking, Boating, Paragliding.
- Mumbai to Saputara Distance: 248 kms
3- Bhandardara – Home of Mount Kalsubai, highest peak in Maharashtra!
Want to spend the weekend with your beau or friends at a quiet hill station not too far from Mumbai? Then Bhandardara is the best suited place to visit. Bhandardara is a holiday resort village which is situated along the River Pravara. This place has a lot to offer i.e lush greenery, waterfalls, peace and tranquillity.
Water sports activities are highly enjoyed by tourists. Wait for what? Pack your bags and head to this dreamy place!
- Things to do in Bhandardara:
- Sightseeing– Mount Kalsubai, Wilson Dam, Arthur Lake, Ghatghar, Ratangad Fort.
- Activities– Angling, Trekking, Hike up to Mount Kalsubai, Water Sports.
- Mumbai to Bhandardara Distance: 163 kms
4- Kamshet – Paragliding in secluded hills with calming caves!
Everyone has a wish of adventure in their life, flying high and climbing mountains. You can get them all at Kamshet near Mumbai. It’s a place located in the Western Ghats surrounded with lush green mountains. Here you can fly high by paragliding in between me clouds or visit to Raikar farms to see dairy activities live. Indeed one of the best offbeat place near Mumbai.
- Things to do in Kamshet:
- Sightseeing– Shinde Wadi Hills, Kondeshwar Temple, Pawna Lake, Bhairi Caves, Bedsa Caves.
- Activities– Paragliding, Parasailing
- Mumbai to Kamshet Distance: 110 kms
5- Amboli – Relaxing getaway from Mumbai!
One of the unexplored hill stations in south Maharashtra, Amboli is home to numerous waterfalls and is a quiet and unpolluted city! If you’re looking for tranquillity then this should be on the bucket list of every traveler. It’s high time you explore this offbeat destination.
- Things to do in Amboli:
- Sightseeing– Amboli Falls, Shirgaonkar Point, Hiranya Keshi Temple, Nagatta Falls, Sunset Point.
- Activities– Enjoy the scenic beauty of the waterfalls, Amboli Jungle Trek, Picnic at the Nangarta Falls.
- Mumbai to Amboli Distance: 491 kms
6- Dudhsagar Falls – Literally a sea of milk!
Also known as the sea of milk, Dudhsagar falls is a four tiered waterfall located on the Mandovi river and is considered among “India’s Tallest Waterfalls”- 1017 feet! The perfect offbeat place to visit this winter. The place has no cellular signal, if travelling by train then half of the waterfall view will be clear. This waterfall forms the border between the states of Karnataka and Goa.
- Things to do in Dudhsagar Falls:
- Sightseeing– Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Activities– Trekking, Jeep ride to Dudhsagar falls
- Mumbai to Dudhsagar Distance: 594 kms
7- Rajmachi – A Serene getaway near Mumbai!
Everyone has a nature lover inside. This winter wander yourself in the arms of nature, sit and relax at the top of Rajmachi fort with your friends. Waterfalls, lush green cover, with natural scenic beauty are some of the awesome retreats from the busy metro city life of Mumbai to Rajmachi. It’s one of the historic spots in Maharashtra, a small village in the rugged mountains of Sahyadri in India. Isn’t it an awesome offbeat place?
- Things to do in Rajmachi:
- Sightseeing– Rajmachi Fort, Kondane Caves, Manoranjan Fort, Wildlife Sanctuary, Shreevardhan Fort, Bhairavnath Temple.
- Activities– Trekking and cycling in Rajmachi Fort.
- Mumbai to Rajmachi Distance: 95 kms
8- Rann of Kutch – The great white salt deserts paired with culture, music and dance festival!
Full moon over a salt marsh in the desert, the beauty of the moment cannot be expressed by words. At Rann of Kutch besides the mesmerising closeness to nature, during the annual Rann Utsav festival you experience the local life and culture first hand. It’s a must go for everyone at least once in a lifetime.
The famous festival in this district is the Rann Utsav, festival of joy held at November every year. It is a carnival of music, dance and natural beauty of the White Rann when you visit under the full Moon. Kutch Rann Utsav is the shimmering landscape that gives the enchanting moments of this fest, which feels like heaven on earth during festival time. Now wait for what? Amazing time to explore this offbeat place this winter!
- Things to do in Rann of Kutch:
- Sightseeing– Enjoy the Rann Utsav Festival, White Desert, Kutch Museum.
- Activities– Jeep and Camel Safaris, Para Motoring
- Mumbai to Rann of Kutch Distance: 620 kms
9- Malshej Ghat – Mountain pass in the Western Ghat in Maharashtra!
Want to cuddle in the lofty rugged hills of Western Ghats in Maharashtra, then Malshej Ghat is where you should travel. This place is home to abundant flora and fauna especially the avian population such as quails, rails, crakes, flamingos.
Bird enthusiasts will be thrilled at the sight of the pink flamingoes that swoop down here during July and September. Malshej Ghat is set in sylvan surroundings and is a perfect offbeat getaway from the busy city life. Enjoy the evening drive along with a stunning view of the sunset, and play with the clouds over you.
- Things to do in Malshej Ghat:
- Sightseeing– Shivneri Fort, Khireshwar Village, Hamlet, Malshej Falls.
- Activities– Trek to Gorakhgad and Harishchandragad
- Mumbai to Malshej Ghat Distance: 127 kms
10- Ratnagiri – Place of origin of Alphonso Mangoes!
Did you know? Ratnagiri is the largest town in coastal Maharashtra, and also it’s the birthplace of great freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak. This offbeat weekend getaway near Mumbai has a number of ancient and historically significant monuments that one can tour. Ratnadurga Fort’s advantageous position at a height that overlooks the sea, giving one an opportunity to see the pretty sight of the sun setting over the horizon.
- Things to do in Ratnagiri:
- Sightseeing– Ganapatipule Beach, Guhagar Beach, Anjarle Beach, Ratnadurga Fort, Jaigad Fort.
- Activities– Boat ride in the River / Arabian Sea, Fishing.
- Mumbai to Ratnagiri Distance: 335 kms