With the temperatures and relative humidity getting worse by the day, all we want to do is stand under a cold shower with the hope of not stepping out—but sadly, that's not possible! However, fortunately, summer can be beaten by taking off to some remote spot outside Mumbai–or Maharashtra. We’ve explored five options to help you beat these summer blues. These destinations are a short flight away, and we think you'll enjoy not having to mentally prepare for a Himalayan sojourn!
The only hill station in Rajasthan (it lies in the Aravalli mountain range), Mount Abu is known for its Dilwara Jain temples and a number of scenic viewpoints that dot the region. You’ll find a treasure trove of Gujarati and Rajasthani handlooms, textiles and even artifacts. Visit the Government Handicraft Emporium, Piccadilly Plaza, and Khadi Bhandar when you’re there. It’s the perfect place to escape the summer heat and will make for a memorable holiday.
What To See: Dilwara Jain temples, Guru Shikhar viewpoint, Achalgarh Fort, Nakki Lake, Toad Rock
How To Get There: Take a flight from Mumbai to Udaipur, which is a 70-minute journey. From there, you can travel four hours by either bus or taxi to Mt. Abu.
This lovely hill station is on the Maharashtra-Gujarat border and is a great escape from the summer heat. Legend says that Lord Rama had actually stayed in the Saputara forest for more than 10 years. Apart from this, there’s a lot of scenic beauty with waterfalls, viewpoints and the works.
What To See: Valley viewpoint, Vansda National Park, Pandava Caves, Step Garden, Sunset Point
How To Get There: You can take a bus to Nashik and from there take a taxi to Saputara. Mumbai to Nashik is approximately four hours, and from there it is another 60 kilometers, which could take two hours or more depending on the traffic.
This quaint hill station, just 115 kilometers from Vizag, is also close to the Orissa border. Known for its coffee plantations, it also has hidden wonders like the borra caves and waterfalls. If you're a coffee lover, you'd be glad to know that you can buy a lot of home-grown organic coffee here.
What To See: Coffee plantations, Tribal Museum, Tyda village and park, Katiki falls, Borra Caves
How To Get There: Mumbai has regular flights to Visakhapatnam, which is a two-hour journey. From Visakhapatnam, there are regular buses and taxis that take you to Araku Valley. The distance is approximately 2-3 hours.
The first thing that comes to mind when one talks about Coorg are the coffee plantations. Some of the more popular tourist attractions in the region include Abbey Falls, Nisargadhama, Talakaveri, Bhagamandala, Dubare, the Tibetan Buddhist Golden Temple, and Nagarahole National Park.
What To See: Coffee Plantations, Buddhist temples, waterfalls
How To Get There: Mumbai has regular flights to Bangalore, which is a 90-minute journey. From Bangalore, you can take either buses or taxi services to Coorg. The distance can be covered in 6-7 hours.
The beauty of Ooty is its picturesque scenery that looks like an oil canvas. Old British bungalows with smoke coming out chimneys, eucalyptus trees, huge cows, homemade chocolate, and quaint cafes are just some of the places that define this Tamil Nadu town
What To See: Second World War Museum, lakes, Mudhumalai National Park, Coffee and tea factories, Botanical garden.
How To Get There: From Mumbai, take a flight to Coimbatore, and from there you can take either a taxi or a bus. The distance from Coimbatore to Ooty can be covered in two hours.
Popularly called mini-Tibet, Manipat is quite an unexplored paradise. Sitting on approximately 1000 meters above sea level, this hill station is known for its lush greenery, waterfalls and clean air. With majority of its land covered with dense jungles, you'll be spotting a lot of unique flora and fauna, and Ayurvedic medicines. This Tibetan settlement allows you to get to know their rich culture and tradition.
What To See: Dhakpo Monastery, Tiger Point, Fish Falls and Pharphatia
How To Get There: It's best to catch a flight till Raipur. From Raipur airport it's a good 100 kms drive.
Trust us to bring it with the rare, lesser-known hidden gems. Amarkantak is a hill station in Madhya Pradesh—the region where the Narmada river originates. Visit the temples where you can witness this unique sight—which are the Kalachuri Temples. Built in 1041, they're an indispensable but forgotten part of our history. Amarkantak is the point where the great Vindhya and Satpura mountain ranges merge together.
What To See: The Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary, the historical Shri Yantra Mandir and the ancient Kalachuri Temples
How To Get There: It's best to catch a flight till Raipur. From Raipur airport it's a good 100 kms drive.
Well, if you're too lazy to get out of the state, we'd say check out the hill stations just a few hours from Mumbai.
