Long Weekend Chronicles: Beautiful Road Trips From Mumbai

Mulshi makes for a great weekend getaway for when we want to have our lunch by a lake. Scenic drives, forts and lakes make this a very relaxing option. It’s about a three-and-a half-hour drive away, and we find it best to leave after breakfast once the morning rush has slowed down. On the way, we often stop at the Lion and Shivling Points to enjoy the view and have a chai.

LBB-Tip: We like driving back via the Hadashi-Lohogad Road, which is a very scenic path. It allows us to stop for bhajias at the Lohagad Boat Club on the way. We’re usually back before dinner.

While We’re There: We like to relax next to the lake during the late afternoon. For lunch, we’ve hit up some of the lakeside resorts and restaurants like Basho’s Resort and Restaurant.

How To Get There: We follow the Sion-Panvel Expressway to the NH4 to Lonavala. We then take the Dattawadi Road/Lonavala Road to Mulshi Road/Mulshi-Paud Road.

Igatpuri is an ideal place to drive to when we want to take in foggy winter views, since it’s at an altitude. It’s best seen at the ghats and valleys, trust us! The drive through the twists and turns of the ghat are worth every bend. We like to leave early to avoid the morning rush, and enjoy the breeze of the NH3. But take it slow—the roads can be skiddy and drivers careless. Head back at least two days later—Igatpuri deserves the weekend. Feeling hungry? Kamat’s Restaurant near Asangaon is a great breakfast option we have often availed of.

While We’re There: We like to have lunch at 360 Degrees for the non-vegetarians, while the herbivores hit up Tulsi restaurant. After lunch, we head to the Ghatandevi temple, which affords a spectacular view of the five waterfalls. If we’re feeling energetic, we hike to the Tringalwadi Fort, which offers panaromic views.

#LBBTip: For sunset viewing, check out the Vaitarna dam and reservoir, which are a short drive away.

How To Get There: Take the NH3 to Igatpuri.

We like to head to Bhandardara, not only for the cool monsoon and its picturesque views, but also the Anandvan Resort there, which is ideal for a weekend mini-break. The drive is around five hours, and leaving early from Mumbai is a good idea to avoid traffic. We like to follow the NH3 and stop at the Kamat’s restaurant near Asangaon for breakfast. We also stop at the Camel Valley and Ghatandevi Temple to enjoy views of the whole valley.

While We’re There: Besides checking in at Anandvan at 1 PM—which is built on the steps of a mountain and has quaint furniture that we love—we also head to the Randha Waterfall, which has tea stalls selling crunchy onion bhajiyas, which we chow down on while appreciating the view.

Directions: We reach Bhandardara via the Ghoti-Shukl Tirth road after Igatpuri. A drive of a little over three hours, you gotta take the NH3.

Malshej Ghat is another great location to enjoy the winter, and also the rains! It’s ideal for a one-day getaway.

We like to get to Malshej during the rains (to enjoy the misty views), before breakfast and ideally during a weekday to avoid the traffic. We also take the NH-222. It’s a three-hour drive and the roads are in a better condition than most, making it a safe drive. On the way to Malshej we stop for a hot bhutta and chai at any vendor.

While We’re There: MTDC’s Flamingo and Sushant Resort’s restaurants are two popular spots for lunch that serve authentic Maharashtrian food such as missal and usal pav, which we love. After lunch, we head to Naneghat, a historic mountain pass with numerous waterfalls and a great view—as well as a trek opportunity for the adventurous.

How To Get There: A total three-hour drive, we take the NH3 and NH 222 till Malshej.

Satara is Maharashtra’s very own Valley of Flowers, with the Kaas Plateau blooming to life in late August. We head here to see over 800 varieties of flowering plants, some specific to the region. Begin the journey soon after the crack of dawn to make the most of it. The route is one of the smoothest drives in the country.  Stop at Lonavala for breakfast, or at any of the multiple restaurants at Baner Pune.

While We’re There: Visit Bhatghar lake to relax, and a swim there can be very refreshing. We also visit Thosegar falls on our way to Satara. Another thing to do is walk through the Satara market to have an authentic Maharashtrian experience. One thing to note: Kaas has no washrooms or restaurants, so come prepared.

How To Get There: Drive to Pune via the expressway and then hit the NH4 till Satara.

It’s a seaside town quite close to Vasai, where you’d be surprised to find clean beaches, wonderful resorts, and everything you could possibly need quite close by. It’s super quaint… But not too quaint, either!

The route is lined with palm trees and lakes once you’ve taken Ghodbunder Road, and that’s where the drive truly begins.

While We’re There: Check into U-Tan Sea Resort, or head here for a meal at their outdoor cafe. Definitely take a walk along the beach, if not heading into the water for a swim!

How To Get There: Take the WEH right till end the end, and head towards Ghodbunder Road. From there, it’s NH5 towards Uttan.

This quaint seaside town is a part of Ratnagiri district, boasting dramatic cliffs, verdant green forests and beaches that are so clean, you'll wonder if anyone knows about them, barring lone fishermen that seem to lounge in the middle of surprisingly turquoise waters. 

While We’re There: Check into the modest Whistling Waves Beach Resort, or the Exotica Suvarna Samudra. Visit the Kanakdurga Fort, Suvarnadurga Fort, or even the Anjarle Turtle Festival, if you're lucky!

How To Get There: Take NH66, pass by Kolad, Indapur, and Nagothane. The route's a bit long at 6 hours, but trust us, it's like a whole other world!

Just about four hours from Mumbai, these two spots have a few cute beaches, unique food options, and quite a few chic stays that are lovely for a weekend away. There's much to see here, including the gilded altar of the Basilica of Bom Jesus, the Chapel of Our Lady of Rosary, and the Nani Daman fort, an ode to the location's Portuguese colonial past.

While We’re There: If you want the fancy experience, The Deltin Daman's a great bet, and so is The Fern. There's also the Cidade de Daman. Dive into some Kathiawadi food, unique local fare and fried fish here!

How To Get There: Take the WEH right till the end, and then take the mythical Golden Quadrilateral route. Take the Moti Daman exit, and voila, you're in Daman!