Take A Road Trip To These Getaways Less Than Three Hours Away From Pune

Located in Satara, Kaas is the perfect weekend getaway in the lap of nature, surrounded by colourful flora, fresh air, and a magnificent cool-blue lake to the north of the plateau. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and a biodiversity hotspot, Kaas is about three hours from Pune, housing over 850 different species of rare plants. Read more about it here.

Relive your Charlie and The Chocolate Factory moment at Maazana in Panchgani, almost three hours away from Pune. Located inside Mapro, Mazaana Chocolate Factory produces over 11,000 kgs of finished chocolate products every hour. From nutty chocolate pops to decadent dark cocoa bars, they have it all.

The place is neatly divided into different units. While at one side you may see the cocoa beans getting sorted, another section is dedicated to packaging and distribution of the chocolate bars. If this interests you, read more about it here.

Pustakanch Gaav (village of books) in Bhilar is for the bibliophile in you. We hear the government has assigned 25 readers’ hotspots across the village, dedicated to particular genres of literature. While at one spot you may find everything about history and biographies, another spot is dedicated to poetry and fiction. With over 10,000 books, Bhilar is one of the top villages in the country with the highest per capita availability of books.

Located at Tungarli in Lonavala, Rhythm is a luxury resort with sprawling green lawns and boutique suites overlooking a swimming pool. There are wooden cabanas on each side of the pool, and a golf course too. The resort also features a cocktail bar, a cafe, and a restaurant with a global fare. We loved their quaint studio suite called the Cypress, which is designed as per traditional Balinese artwork. 

Taking inspiration from the Italian town of Portofino, Lavasa is one of the most sought-after getaways from Pune. Although you can make the trip in a day, if you have the luxury of time, there are a lot of activities to keep you entertained throughout the long weekend. Whether your favourite pastime is going on long walks, enjoying global cuisine, or playing golf, Lavsasa has something for all. We love all the adventure sports the holiday town has to offer.

Just an hour and a half ride away from Pune, Panshet is basically the back end of Panshet Dam. The views from here are breathtaking and there is a small eatery on the hillock that serves some delicious food. The best part about Panshet is that it's fit for off-roading as well. You can also do some water sports over here.

Even if Kashid beach might be a little over three hours away from Pune, it is every bit worth it. The serene beach, clean waters, hammocks, water sport, and all will ensure you have a great time at the beach. You can take your private vehicle (car or bike) or simply a state transport bus till Alibaug and from there you can go by a local bus. 

Perched on the rugged hills of Sahyadri, Rajmachi has two fortified peaks to climb - Shrivardhan and Manoranjan fort. A popular attraction for adventure enthusiasts, the trek will reward you with a splendid view of verdant mountains, waterfalls, green valleys, and beautiful flora and fauna. You can even camp the night to experience fireflies with bio-luminescent lights.

Just two and a half hours drive from Pune, Devrai Art Village is a creative space where indigenous art and artists thrive. Started by Mandakini Mathur, a filmmaker and poet, the green village offered a safe space to three Dhokra artists from the Naxalite region to come and preserve their traditional art form. Now it has 50+ artisans who work, play, and create together. You can take a tour, learn more about their process and buy their beautiful artwork at the store.

Untouched by the bustling city life, Matheran feels like a walk back in time. Located in the Western Ghats, the little hill station has pleasant weather throughout the year, making it perfect for a long weekend. Matheran offers many attractive spots to keep you busy throughout your trip. From spectacular waterfalls, caves, and treks to a toy train ride that you'll never forget. The best part is the breathtaking sunset view from Porcupine Point.

Known as the best hill station in Maharashtra, Mahabaleshwar boasts exotic greenery, beautiful gardens, and breathtaking mountains. While there are many famous peaks like Arthur's Seat, Venna Lake, Echo Point and more that are sure to leave you in awe, our favourite thing to do in Mahabaleshwar is strawberry picking. Multiple farms allow you to pick your strawberries and eat them too.

If you want that perfect green escape from the city into a dark, dense forest full of majestic waterfalls, enchanting birds, and exotic wildflowers, head to Andharban. The ideal time to visit this forest is in the monsoon, a winter trek is just as rewarding. Trek through the night through paddy fields, water streams, small villages, wide plateaus, exotic flowers, and scenic views of Kundalika Valley. Camp the night at Patnus village for stargazing and bonfires.