Nicknamed the “queen” of Maharashtra, Amboli is an underrated hill station that Mumbaikars just don’t seem to know enough about. Getting to Amboli can take up to almost 8 hours by the road. However, if you’d rather prefer the comfort and the non-tiring part of the travel, the nearest station is Sawantwadi, which is also the nearest city to Amboli. Thereon, you can either take a bus or get a local auto (which is about another hour or so). It’s a quaint hill station, thriving during the monsoon, against the backdrop of the Vengurla – Belgaum.
Amboli, unlike other hill stations still offers its virgin beauty, misty hills and a way to skip the madness that comes attached with living in the city. It is known primarily for its lush-thick rainforests and is, in fact, one of the few places in the Western Ghats to receive more than the average amount of rainfall. The result bears in beautiful flora and fauna, the Nangartas Waterfalls and breathtaking scenic green landscapes.
Not just its climate, but Amboli comes with a fascinating history. Fed by the river Hiranyakeshi, the station also hosts a gorgeous and ancient Shiva temple, Hiranyakeshwar temple which is flocked by tourists and localities alike. Amboli, in that aspect, offers a really exquisite panoramic view of the Sahyadri hill range and is an ideal getaway for the nature-seeking Mumbaikar.
For the quintessential touristy checklist, a pit-stop to Madhvgad Fort for the history buffs and panoramic view of the Konkan ghats, Parikshit Point, the highest peak in Amboli, and of course the Shiv temple, Hiranyakeshi temple.