The Unusual Suspects
This
summer, look beyond Aksa and Alibaug and sample the calm of these
off-the-tourist-map destinations, just a drive away from the din of Mumbai
For Family
Srivardhan and Harihareshwar
Srivardhan and Harihareshwar
It is
summer – the time to head to the beaches. But instead of going on a hackneyed
Goa trip, how about sampling some sandy shores closer to home with your entire
family and taking a drive along the Konkan coastline? Hardly four hours drive
from Mumbai, hugged by golden beaches, lies the quiet town of Shrivardhan– a
perfect place to go beach-hopping, gorge on Konkan-style fish curry and rice,
and spot some dolphins, all on one day.
If you
have another day to spare, drive down to Diveagar and spend the evening riding
quad bikes, speed boats, banana boats and water scooters with the kids. The
30-minute cliff side drive that joins the two beach towns, runs parallel to the
coastline, offering panoramic views of the sea. From Diveagar, you can either
drive further north up to Kihim via Revdanda, and round off the trip with a
visit to the majestic Murud-Janjira fort, or head to Harihareshwar. This town,
known as Kashi of the South, is famous for its temples, and the most ancient of
these is that of Kalbhairav. Even if you are not a very religious person, a
parikrama (which is more of a trek) of this pilgrimage site can be a delightful
experience. The long winding path cuts between two hillocks studded with
beautiful rock sculptures and small natural caves and niches, before reaching
the sea. And if you still want more, a 15-minute ferry ride from Harihareshwar,
is the ruins of Bankot fort. The secluded, small, square-shaped fort almost
juts out to the sea offering a breathtakingly beautiful 180-degree view of the
Savitri River meeting the Arabian Sea beneath. The sunset here is absolutely
stunning, but keep track of time. The last ferry leaves before sunset, and that
means if the sun has disappeared, so has your boat.
Places
to stay: There are many resorts, homestays and BnBs in and around Srivardhan
and Diveagar, but if you are staying in Harihareshwar, the MTDC resort is your
best bet.
For A Group Of Friends
Kolad
If
your gang needs some adventure on the weekend and rafting through wild rapids
is your thing, this might be the place for you. About 112 km (two hours by
road) from Mumbai is the best white-water rafting destination in Maharashtra,
Kolad. Situated on the Sahyadri mountain range in Raigad district, it’s known
for waterfalls and dams, and is slowly waking up to tourists thanks to various
adventure sports opportunities. Apart from rafting, zip-line crossing, kayaking
and canoeing on the pristine Kundalika River, you can also opt for paragliding,
trekking, snorkelling, rock climbing, mountain biking and waterfall rappelling.
Although
it has the rare distinction of being the only year-round rafting destination of
the country, Kolad looks its best during the monsoon with its billowing
waterfalls and stream-strewn lush green landscape. For those who just want a
weekend’s break to rejuvenate, simply sitting at the balcony of one of the
resorts here, admiring the beauty of nature, can do the trick. In the evening
you can drive to the nearby Sukeli, Vardayini or Valse waterfalls or opt for an
old-school picnic at the Bhira dam. And if you still have a day to spare, head
to the Kuda caves. Situated 37 km from Kolad on the Janjeera hills, these
Buddhist caves built between the 1st century BC and the 3rd century AD, offer a
wide angle view of the valley below.
Places
to stay: You can stay at the Empower Activity Camp or the Kundalika Camps. Most
of the agencies organising rafting and other adventure sport tours offer tents
at the camping site.
For A Solo Trip
Jadhavgadh
If you
want to indulge in some royal pampering on a weekend, your destination lies
just two-anda-half hours away from Mumbai. Fort Jadhavgadh is a 300-year-old
fortress spread over 25 acres built by Pilaji Jadhavrao, the Maratha chieftain
of Chhatrapati Shahuji, Today it is a heritage hotel with five-star ratings and
offers services designed to make you feel like royalty. Imagine being welcomed
to the sound of trumpets! There is a spa, a temperature-controlled pool and
in-house restaurants that serve up platters fit for the kings. You can also
check out the museum inside the property. Once you are satiated, you can go
birdwatching or just take a leisurely stroll through the adjoining farmlands or
even trek to the nearby mountains. If you are lucky you might spot a few deer
en route. Since this property is half-an-hour’s drive from Pune, you can also
take a day trip to the erstwhile capital of the Maratha empire and visit the
ruins of Shaniwar wada, the seat of the Peshwa rulers, or Shinde Chhatri,
mausoleum of Mahadaji Shinde. And if that is too much of history lesson for one
day, head to the Osho Ashram for some inner peace, and those famous colourful
Osho chappals.
·
by Ananya Ghosh
HTBR27MAR16
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