5 Weekend Getaways Near Pune
With its splendid neighbourhood, exciting job avenues and decent infrastructure, Pune has emerged as one of the most sought-after destinations for the young. Be it a hill station, beach, ancient temples or adventure sports, there is no dearth of exotic weekend retreats around the city. Check out our guide to top five weekend escapes from the city.
Mahabaleshwar
Popularly called the 'Land of Five Rivers', because rivers Venna, Gayatri, Savitri, Koyna and Krishna originate here, Mahabaleshwar provides a host of awesome sights. Located in the idyllic Western Ghats, this place will leave you breathless with its valleys, forests, waterfalls, rivers, and the flora and fauna. The Wilson Point, the Connaught Peak, the Arthur's Seat, the Elphinstone Point, Marjorie Point, Castle Rock, the Babington Point, Falkland Point, Carnac Point and Bombay Point offer a spectacular view of the nearby horizon. The Venna Lake is another major attraction in the vicinity where you can enjoy boating. On your way back to Pune, visit the famous garden restaurant, Mapro Park in Panchgani, to catch a breathtaking view of its strawberry and orchid gardens. Don't forget to taste their exotic hand-tossed pizzas and grilled sandwiches. The 'Strawberry and Mulberry with Cream' dessert is worth a try.
Distance: 120.4 km
Murud Janjira
A small fishing village situated in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, Murud Janjira is famous for its marvellous beaches, ancient forts and swaying palm trees. Lord Dattatreya temple located in close proximity offers a panoramic view of the entire beach. With its majestic mountains, fresh seafood, stupendous offshore Janjira fort, Murud Janjira is a must visit for nature lovers. The brooding fortress of Janjira, built on an island of 500 metres offshore, is one of the most glorious forts of Maharashtra. You can reach Janjira by boat from Rajpuri port which takes about 20 minutes.
Distance: 159 km
Nashik
Nasik is an ideal weekend destination located on the bank of Godavari river, where you can get in touch with your spiritual self. The city boasts of 10 historic temples, thus making it one of the holiest Hindu cities in the world. The city also hosts the Kumbh Mela, one of the largest religious congregations on earth. Trambakeshwar is an ancient temple situated in the city, which is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Also known as the 'Wine Capital of India', many wineries are open to the public as their tasting rooms invites visitors to taste their wines amidst spectacular views. Visitors can spend a few nights in a luxury accommodation on the vineyards with a splendid lake view in the backdrop.
Distance: 208 km
Sprawling around 25,000 acres of lush and green pastures, Lavasa has made it to list of the smartest city and a popular tourist destination in the country. The first and only private planned city in India, Lavasa is an amazing weekend getaway, the perfect place to have a memorable vacation. Ensconced amidst the Shayadari Mountains between Pune and Mumbai, Lavasa offers a spectacular view of the serene and enchanting landscape. You can indulge in a number of activities such as hiking, trekking, mountain climbing, boating and satiate your taste buds with sumptuous multi-cuisine food.
Distance: 57.5 km
Lonavala/ Khandala
Lonavala and Khandala, which fall in Pune district, are the most picturesque getaways near the city. Located in Western Ghats and just an hour and a half drive from Pune makes it a popular weekend destination. Viewpoints such as the Bhusi dam, Duke's Nose, Tiger's Leap will surely leave you spellbound. You can explore nearby caves, hiking in the greens and go for trekking while in Lonavala and Khandala. This destination is best to enjoy adventure sports like paragliding, helicopter and aeroplane flying, horse riding, snag golf, archery, zorbing, rock climbing, rappelling, ATV and dirtbike racing.
Distance: 65 km