The Road Not Taken: Make 2024 Count With These Offbeat Travel Destinations

This one’s for the thrill seekers who love a good challenge. Kalavantin Durg is said to be one of the most dangerous fortresses to get across. Located between Panvel and Matheran, this fort was built during the rule of the Bahmani Sultanate and is guarded purely by nature! A steep set of natural stairs cut into rock provide a challenging climb to even the seasoned trekkers, and we hear the views from the top are nothing short of jaw-dropping! 

Difficulty Level: Moderate to high. This fort, at a height of 2,300 ft, and is for true adventure seekers only. 

Four hours away from Mumbai lies the scenic island of Murud, a tranquil getaway for nature lovers and couples who wish to escape the hustle of the city. Famous for the Janjira fort that was built by a fisherman and then occupied by the Siddi community, Murud is easily accessible by road as well as the ferry. The Janjira Fort lies in the middle of the sea, and provides gorgeous views of the sea and the Murud beach.

Must Check Out: You can also stop by at Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary and the Koralia Fort while in Murud. 

Chikhladara, or Chikhaldara, is the only coffee estate in Maharashtra and is located in Amravati district. An offbeat holiday destination, this coffee plantation estate is situated 1080 metres above sea level, and is easily accessible by road. It is a haven for those looking to spend some time alone within nature. Cool, beautiful and with sights that will surprise you, Chikhladara is abundant in wildlife and also has some beautiful viewpoints from where you can enjoy the jaw-dropping sights of the valley.  

It doesn’t get more exotic than a wildlife safari, and that too so close to home! Known as the Jewel of Central Maharashtra, Tadoba Tiger Reserve is spread over 600 sq.km of beautiful, lush green forest lands. The tiger reserve has 115 tigers, and we hear that tiger spotting is quite common here. Lodging options are available in and around the reserve, which is also easily accessible by road and lies close to  the city of Nagpur. 

Bhandardara is one of the best kept secrets of Maharashtra. The waterfalls make their way through the Sahaydri cliffs, providing nature lovers with an opportunity to truly appreciate the force and beauty of nature. A day trip to these waterfalls makes for a quiet and romantic getaway. The most notable of the Bhandardara Falls are the Umbrella Falls. Beautiful, powerful and fast, the Umbrella Falls are formed due to the backwaters of the Wilson Dam, one of the oldest and yet surviving dams of Asia!

Apart from the Ajanta and Ellora caves, the Karla and Bhaja caves too served as a refuge to the Buddhists from the historic era. Located near the popular tourist town of Lonavala, these caves make for an interesting day trip, and are mostly frequented by history and culture lovers. It is said that the carvings were done somewhere around 1st or 2nd Century BC by the Hinayana sect of Buddhism! Karla Caves are also the largest temples in India! 

The village of Morachi Chincholi is a hidden gem. Take a trip here to enjoy local authentic food and to understand more about agricultural tourism. This village is situated 55 kms away from Pune, towards Ahmednagar. It’s a beautiful village where you can see villagers as well as peacocks roaming around, and in fact the number of peacocks often exceeds the number of villagers in this town! Quite fascinating, doesn’t it? 

Known for clean, quiet beaches not ruined by crowds, Harnai Anjarle has serene beaches near Dapoli that make for a great weekend getaway from Mumbai. An offbeat holiday location, Harnai Anjarle is perfect for those seeking solace. Drive down to enjoy the beauty of the beaches, local seafood preparations and a trip to the sea-fort! You can also go dolphin spotting here. 

Panhala is located on the outskirts of Kolhapur, is also known as the smallest city of Maharashtra. It's rich history dates back to the times when Shivaji Maharaj was ruling the State. An ideal place for trekking, Panhala will charm you with its peaceful and pollution-free ambience. So if you're looking at running away from the concretes, this must be on your go-to list. The star attraction here is the Panhala Fort, which is the largest of all the Deccan forts. There's also a 'Sajja Kothi' or the punishment cell from where Shivaji Maharaj apparently made a historic escape.