73% Indian Travellers plan to take more weekend trips

Long weekend in January 2019

2019 starts with a long weekend in the third week of the month January 12-13-14 and here is a guide to some of the best experiences, on and off the beaten track, to discover in and around Mumbai.

Where to go?

1. Kolad

If you are up for some pulsating adventure-activities over the weekend, Kolad is the place to visit. With the gushing Kundalika river flowing by, Kolad offers a range of water sports like rafting, kayaking, rappelling that is sure to set your pulse racing. Its scenic landscape along with several waterfalls emerging from the surrounding mountains is idyllic for trekking and camping making it one of the most amazing places to visit near Mumbai.

• Distance from Mumbai: 120 kms
• Activities to do: White water rafting, rappelling, kayaking, hiking (from simple to extremely difficult)
• Where to stay: Kundalika Rafting Camp, as the name would suggest, is one of the best accommodations to bring out the athlete in you. From canoeing to fishing to cycling, Kundalika Rafting Camp is also open to children with a separate park for them to play at and a swimming pool. Get your athleticism on, if not learn a new skill at this Nature Trails resort

2. Alibaug

Aside from being an offbeat destination, the beaches of Alibaug provide a scenic view as well as a good force of wind to fly kites. With Makar Sankranti falling in between the long weekend for January (14^th January), you can celebrate the festival – during which kite flying is an avid sport - while also enjoying the serene beaches of Alibaug.

• Distance from Mumbai: 96 kms
• Activities to do: Fort-exploring, Kite flying
• Where to stay: The Legend Nagaon Beach, Alibaug offers a rustic patio and green garden views. Along with an equipped kitchen and a garden with ample hammocks, this proves to be a suitable accommodation for a last-minute getaway.

Long weekends in March 2019

March has pretty good news for travellers with March 2-4 and March 21-24 being long weekends for the month (While March 22^nd is a working day, you can play your cards right and sneak in a leave request at the earliest)

Where to go?

1. Murud-Janjira

Across the coast of Mumbai is a tiny village called Murud in Raigad district of Maharashtra. Here lies the majestic Murud-Janjira Fort. The walls of this ancient fort hold numerous legends and stories of the past. The most famous legend of this marine fort is that it could never be conquered in any battle because of its unique and smart architecture. It is an amazing weekend getaway for the people in Mumbai due to its accessibility, picturesque locations and historic importance.

• Distance from Mumbai: 148 kms
• Activities to do: Sightseeing, fort-exploring
• Where to stay: Golden Swan Beach Resort will give you the best cultural experience in Murud, with organizing activities such as nature walks, boating and fishing. Get a lesson in local history, with Nawab Palace and Janjira Fort at a mere distance of 1 and 4 kms respectively. The resort also has a tour desk, in case you want to refine your activities over the weekend, along with a transport rental, on-call doctor, laundry services.

2. Velas (Diveagar)

Velas is a small eco-village in the Ratnagiri district famous for the ‘Velas Turtle Festival’ which is for the conservation of the Olive Ridley turtles. The female Olive Ridley turtles visit the Velas beach every year and lay eggs. The villagers and NGO committee conserves those eggs till their hatching period. Witnessing the tiny baby turtles coming out of the egg and then moving to their home - the Sea; is such a fragile and unforgettable moment of life. Apart from that, Velas beach is one of the tranquil & ideal place for weekend getaway and stargazing activity in the dark skies.

• Distance from Mumbai: 226 kms
• Activities to do: Nature walks, experience the Velas Turtle Festival
• Where to stay: Exotica Beach Retreats Diveagar is located at 500m from Diveagar beach. This BnB is equipped with courts for football, badminton and table tennis. Indulge in water sports at the beach with banana boat, speed boats and bumper rides. In case you don’t want to go into the water, you can enjoy the view, seated atop a camel, horse or on a bike.

Long weekends in April 2019

Beat the city heat by getting away on these long weekends - April 13-14 and April 19-20-21

Where to go?

1. Kaas Plateau - Valley of flowers (Satara)

Aptly referred to as the ‘Maharashtra’s own Valley of Flowers’, Kaas Plateau is listed in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Sites owing to its rich and unique biodiversity that caters to almost 70% of all flora found in the state. Due to its ecosystem, it shelters colorful birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles etc. Post monsoon the plateau turns into pink carpet due to the blooming of Terda (Impatiens Balsamina) which is a sight to see. Another must see is the beautiful Kamudini pond covered with thousands of floating Kamudini Flower (hybrid of lotus and waterlily) approx 1 km away from the plateau. Make sure you visit the Ajinkyatara Fort If you enjoy exploring forts. This would be one of the best places to celebrate Earth Day, while escaping the dreadful heat.

• Distance from Mumbai: 278 kms
• Activities to do: Sight-seeing, Nature walks

2. Amboli

A beautiful hill station yet relatively unknown, Amboli lies in the Sahyadri hills of Western India and is one of the world’s best ‘Bio-Diversity’ Hotspots. Overlooking thick rainforests, Amboli is abound in a variety of unique flora and fauna and is a true paradise for amphibian and reptile lovers. Amboli also offers exciting night trails where you get a chance to see the forest turn alive at night. A trip to Amboli is incomplete without visiting the sacred ‘Sri Hiranyakeshi Temple’, which is by far the prime attraction of the place. Dedicated to Goddess Parvathi, the ancient temple is renowned for being the birthplace of the mighty ‘Hiranyakeshi River’. If fort exploration is something that inspires you make sure you visit the Madhavgad Fort which offers breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea and Konkan region.

• Distance from Mumbai: 489 kms
• Activities to do: Nature walks, Night trails, Temple Visit

Long weekends in August 2019

August has a good lineup of holidays for the Independence Day. Again, some more brainwork can lend you a mammoth weekend. Here are some offbeat destinations with equally important historical significance - August 10-11-12 and August 15-16-17-18

Where to go?

1. Karjat

Nestled in the basin of river Ulhas, Karjat is famous for its natural beauty, mountains, forts and ancient rock-cut cave temples. Trekking and other adventurous sports like white water rafting and rock climbing are quite popular in Karjat. The trails vary from moderately difficult to extremely treacherous, making this one of the best places near Mumbai for the weekend.

• Distance from Mumbai: 62 kms
• Activities to do: Rock Climbing, trekking, white water rafting, waterfall climbing, rappelling
• Where to stay: Radisson Blu Located in Karjat, Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Karjat is just 13 km from Bhivpuri Waterfalls which is a treat to watch in the rainy season. Surrounding lush green forest, one will also find lot of adventure sport options nearby

2. Lonar- Aurangabad

Aurnagabad is a city with great historical significance in Maharashtra. Filled with historical monuments, such as Bibi Ka Maqbara inspired by the Taj Mahal, Daulatabad Fort & the medieval battlegrounds, the Shivaji Maharaj Museum where you will find ancient war tools and coins, The Aurangabad caves, adorned by the ancient rock-cut Buddhist Shrines – all make this city a perfect weekend getaway during Independence Day week. And while you are in Aurangabad do visit the Lonar Crater. Located in the Buldhana district, the Lonar crater in the world’s third largest crater formed by the impact of a meteorite 52,000 years ago. Lonar is also known for the the graceful ruins of temples and history around this place. Do visit the Daityasudan temple at Buldhana (Lonar) dated back to 06th-12th Century which showcases erotic and mythological carvings like Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh. Lonar is also fascinating for bird watching and is the hometown for peafowls and other birds.

• Distance from Mumbai to Aurangabad: 349 kms
• Activities to do: bird watching, ajanta-ellora cave exploring, sight-seeing
• Where to stay: WelcomHotel Rama International Set on nearly 6 hectares of landscaped gardens, this elegant hotel is 7 km from the Taj Mahal-inspired Bibi Ka Maqbara mausoleum and 9 km from the rock-cut Buddhist shrines at the Aurangabad Caves.

Long weekend in September 2019

September 2019 brings more chances for a trip with its lineup of long weekends - Aug 31-Sept 1-2 and Sept 7-8-9-10. One sneak leave on September 9, and you have so many days in hand that a good break by the beach does not feel far away.

Where to go?

1. Srivardhan- Harihareshwar

Coastal Konkan at its best, Srivardhan and Harihareshwar are some of the less frequented places around Mumbai known for its pristine beaches. Srivardhan is steeped in Peshwa history whereas Harihareshwar is also known for its ancient Shiva temple. A must-go for a long weekend getaway

• Distance from Mumbai: 190 kms
• Activities to do: Beach, Water Sports, Temple Visit
• Where to stay: Tranquil Beach Resort provides you with bikes to explore Harihareshwar for free, along with a buffet breakfast of local cuisine, and a sun terrace – which set it apart from other accommodations.

2. Dapoli-Murud-Harnai-Anjarle

Want to enjoy a leisure weekend with dolphins and crocodiles? A drive to Dapoli will give you a chance to watch dolphins and crocodiles at the Maldoli backwaters. The dolphin safari in Dapoli is one of the activity carried out at this beach along with the other water sports. Crocodile Safari is done at Maldoli backwaters of Vashishth river where one can see crocodiles basking on the bank of backwaters from a close distance. Also, nearby are the serene beaches of Murud-Harnai. Relax at the quiet beaches lined with coconut and betel nut palm trees & be alone with the sea, away from the crazy crowd. A sea-fort, an ancient Ganesh temple (Anjarle) and plenty of mouth-watering seafood- makes the most of your holiday!

• Distance from Mumbai: 238 kms
• Activities to do: Dolphin & Crocodile Safari, Exploring sea-fort, Water Sports
• Where to stay: Exotica Suvarna Samudra includes facilities like a fitness center, playground for children, multi-cuisine restaurant and free parking. Indoor sports such as table tennis, billiards, and darts are also an option for recreation. Bid adieu to the rains with an in-house barbeque while staring off into the distance with the view of the sea or a garden.

Long weekend in October 2019

October 2019 brings Diwali and a whole lot of holidays with it starting from October 26th till the 29th. A good look at the long weekend calendar for the year reveals that you can have some grand celebration this time, with a mini-vacation!

Where to go?

1. Tadoba

Tadoba National Park is Maharashtra’s oldest and largest national park. Renowned for their initiative to protect Tigers from going extinct, the reserve has provided a safe haven with a total area of 1,727 Sq.km, which includes the Tadoba National Park, created in the year 1955. The Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary was formed in the year 1986 and was amalgamated with the park in 1995 to establish the present Tadoba Andheri Tiger Reserve.

• Distance from Mumbai: 980 kms
• Activities to do: Nature Trail
• Where to stay: Serai Tiger, Tadoba Tiger Reserve consists of well-equipped tents surrounded by greenery. An accommodation in high demand, it is advisable to make your bookings months prior. Aside from getting up-close and personal with our National animal, this listing also serves continental breakfast every morning.

2. Bhandardara

A quaint holiday resort village sitting on the shores of the Pravara River in the Western Ghats, Bhandardara is truly one of the best kept secrets of Maharashtra. Bestowed with cascading Randha and Umbrella waterfall, the pristine Bhandardara and Arthur lake and splendid hills this place is a perfect getaway for people looking out a peaceful holiday amidst nature. And for those who enjoy trekking venture on an enticing trek to Mt Kalsubai, the highest peak of the Sahyadri Range standing tall at 5400 sq. ft above sea level and enjoy the most beautiful view of nature. Bhandardara also has in store, many interesting religious attractions - the ‘Amruteshwar Temple’ dedicated to Lord Shiva is by far the most famous amongst them.

• Distance from Mumbai: 165 kms
• Activities to do: Sightseeing, trekking, cycling
• Where to stay: Soothe your senses at Anandvan Resort equipped with a wellness spa, along with the captivating views of the mountains and lakes.

 Long weekend in December 2019

The extra-long weekend in December from 21st to the 25th makes up for the lack of weekends in November, and with Christmas round the corner there is no reason to miss a trip with your loved ones.

Where to go?

1. Purushwadi

Purushwadi is a small tribal village inhabited by the Koli tribe. Renowned for their animal husbandry as well as cultivation of rice, the people of these tribes are very welcoming and friendly. Catch a glimpse of a day in their life, while also getting closer to nature by absorbing your surroundings. Another reason why Purushwadi is an attraction is due to the twinkling forests. Find yourself surrounded by fireflies who light up your surroundings and give you an even brighter aesthetic.

• Distance from Mumbai: 193 kms
• Activities to do: Nature Trail, Cycling

2. Mulshi

Mulshi is a small village in the district of Pune, which is known to be an eco-tourism hotspot, which offers several guest houses and cottages. A quiet and cosy place is the perfect way to celebrate Christmas with family and bring in the New Year, as one would at an offbeat destination. Mulshi dam has scenic getaways for hiking and photos, Tamhini Ghat captures lush mountains and forests.

• Distance from Mumbai: 170 kms
• Activities to do: Hiking, Camping
• Where to stay: Residency Lake Resort & Spa is located at close distance between Pune (38km) and Lonavla (32kms). This resort has been listed as one of the best in Mulshi, with facilities such as 24-hour front desk, an outdoor pool and spa centre.