It‘s time to get out of the crowded colorful race that happens every day and night in the maximum city Mumbai and have a moment of easy breathing where doing nothing is the only work and watching the life passing in front of your eyes is the only task. Picnic or a short vacation is what you are looking for but confused where to leap!Places are several that are able to mesmerize but only few have the power to touch the inner bug that urges for a reawakening. Here’s a shortlisted list of the best picnic spots that have in them the immensely pleasing air, that will definitely make you surrender in its grace and sprinkle the energy of new life in you.
Alibaug: Why only let celebs face the sea from their homes in the weekends. Get your socks on, pack a few clothes and catch a ferry (ofcourse road and railways is also an option but just to make it more dramatic, a ferry will do well). Alibaug is a mélange of beaches, fort, temples and something unexplainable that will soothe you from glabella to the bottom of the feet. Developed by the kingdom of Shivaji, some of the major attractions are Alibagh beach, Thal beach, Varsoli beach, Alibagh fort, Kaneshwar Mandir, Murud-Janjira and many more beautiful pieces of work waiting for you to be discovered.How far is it from Mumbai: 90 km approximately
Matheran: Hold your breath for a few minutes. Can’t do it? You need to go to Matheran then, because it’s breathtaking (swear on nature). It’s all about wandering at 2,625 ft above sea level absorbing the mild light of the perfect sunrise or sunset. With panoramic view points all over and dense enchanting forest, Matheran monsoon picnic spots near Mumbai. Apart from the points, lakes, parks and worship places can be a possible option of relaxation.How can I get there: It’s only 100 km from Mumbai, catch a transporter.
Lonavla: You may have chikki (that jaggery groundnut stuff) many times in your life but not one like this. It’s the Lonavla chikki. We are not telling you to go there just to have a bite of chikki but for the picturesque surroundings like Rajmachi Point, Ryewood Park, Valvan Dam and Lonavla Lake, Karla caves etc. Also experience the waterfall while on the way to Lonavla. It’s a place to touch the cloud literally, reinvigorate and realize the pleasure of doing nothing but just Lonavala-ing.I want to visit Lonavla: It’s only 96 Km from Mumbai and can be reached by road or railways.
Karjat: If the word relax is not there in your dictionary and you are one such red bull who peaks in energy every hour the Karjat is a place that offers river rafting, trekking, hiking, and mountain climbing to water your firing urge of sporting. A more than perfect place for weekend holiday or a picnic to be enjoyed with family and friends. Uhas Valley, Bhor Ghat, Kondana caves and Peth fort are few spots to mark in Karjat where most count of tourists are witnessed.How much time it will take to be there from Mumbai: It’s 65 Km from there and it depends on your speed. Now you calculate. You know the formula right!
Karnala: Two things are sometimes enough to fulfill your thirst of wanderlust and Karnala has them, the bird sanctuary and the fort. The Karnala bird sanctuary is home to more than 150 resident species and 30 plus migratory species. The wide range of birds, from Hornbills to Swans to rare Ashy Minivet, it has all to colour your eyes. Also the Karnal fort and the ultra green grass, it’s just wonderful. Stay at Panvel, that is only 10 km from Karnala and rejoice the life.Distance from Mumbai: Around 30 Km
Mahabaleshwar: 5 hours drive from Mumbai and you’re there on the fresh green hills with evergreen forests. The source of river Krishna, Mahabaleshwar is a popular honeymoon and picnic spot that is also famous for honey, strawberries and mulberries. More than 14 points to catch your breath including the tragic Arthur’s Seat at an altitude of1340 mts. Other points include Needle Hole Point and Wilson Point that is famous for sunrise and sunset glancing.Distance from Mumbai: 185 km
Bhandardara: The 2000 years Ratangad fort, the Amriteshwar temple or the Umbrella falls under the 103 years old Wilson dam, Bhandardara has the beautiful mixture of mountains and waterfalls. If trekking is what your nerves urge then the highest peak of the whole sahyadri range, Mount Kalsubai will cater you its rugged soil. Other tourist attraction includes the Arthur Lake, Randha falls and Ghatghar. Angling is also experienced however fishing is not allowed.Distance from Mumbai: 185 Km
Shirdi: It is the home of the miraculous Sai Baba and houses one the richest temple organizations. It is not a tourist place where tranquility is seeked but a place of worship. Thousands of worshippers flock everyday to Shirdi to see the temple of the baba. It is believed that the guru sat exactly at the place where the idol in the temple is placed. Shirdi is a place to experience the crowd with one sole aim in everyone’s heart, to find the omnipresent god.Distance from Mumbai: 245 Km
Silvassa: With the unique Indo-Portuguese heritage, Silvassa, the capital of Dadra and Nagar Haveli is the place for backpackers and trekkers. The Roman Catholic churches, museums, parks, dam, lake and temples, everything is at Silvassa that a tourist expects. However due to industrialization, the city might have lost its charm yet the soul is never lost and Silvassa is full of its beautiful soul.Distance from Mumbai: 170 km
Panhala: In the northwest of Kolhapur, a hill station which is also the smallest city of the state is found; Panhala at a height of more than 3000 ft startles its visitors with its dazzling views of valleys. A place away from the concrete jungles and pollution, Panhala has a rich history to be visualized with the sacred caves of Maharishi Parashar. A unique kind of a hill station that is bounded by four walls and listen what people speaks ‘small is beautiful’.Distance from Mumbai: 375 KmSo go visit these places, till then we will get more places for you to wander.