If you’re looking to take advantage of the monsoon season in India and to make a short getaway around Mumbai, then this list will provide you with enough information to plan a quick excursion.

All these places are located about five to seven hours away from Mumbai and Pune, so you can give them a try, especially if you’re looking for some respite from being locked indoors for almost a year.

However, do take note to follow the state’s Covid-19 guidelines and to abide by the standard operating procedures in each respective city.

Matheran

Matheran is a perfect eco-friendly place to visit, offering a wide variety of nature-centric attractions to enjoy. Located just five hours away from Mumbai by car, this gorgeous hill station

Is the perfect place to undergo a digital detox, as it has limited network ranges.

While Matheran is an ideal tourist attraction all throughout the year, the monsoon has its own charm, especially if photography is your thing. There are a range of macro photography tours that you can make full use of.

Lonavala

Lonavala is one of the most popular destinations for visitors travelling out of both Mumbai and Pune during the monsoon season. It does get overcrowded at times but you can still manage to book a unique location or a place in Lonavala or Khandala away from the crowd. You can try places like Uksan which is located by a wondrous lake surrounded by lush green hills and a slew of cooling waterfalls.

Pawna Lake

Pawna lake is actually located near Lonavala and as such, it is also easily accessible from both Mumbai or Pune. If you love camping, then Pawna Lake is just for you. Camping options here include both luxury and standard camps and of course, there are also other stay options such as lakeside home stays. Nonetheless, this is a beautiful place to rest and relax in all-year round.

Malshej Ghat

Blessed with stunning and picturesque sights of mountains, the drive through the forest reserve is quite an experience on its own.While you’re here, you should consider putting up at the MTDC resort, as it offers great accessibility to Malshej Ghat’s sights and activities. The resort is also a gorgeous view point to enjoy panoramic views of the multiple waterfalls that surround this area.

Mahabaleshwar

This famous vast plateau in Maharashtra is especially abuzz with crowds during winter. However, it has its own unique charm during the monsoon season. If you are visiting either Mahabaleshwar or Panchgani, please make sure to carry warm clothes as temperatures here drop lower than during the winter. Even so, you will definitely enjoy Mahabaleshwar’s famous offering – frozen strawberry with fresh cream.

Harihareshwar

While many do not consider this location perfect during the monsoon season, it is however a well-known beach destination, especially since it is surrounded by dramatic hills and lush forests. A shutterbug’s paradise, many who have travelled to Harihareshwar have been left amazed by its charming atmosphere.

Bhandardara dam

Bhandardara dam is a huge area surrounded by the western ghat hills and lakes. You can opt for camping, homestays or hotel options here in terms of accommodation. Bhandardara is especially famous during the monsoon season for the beautiful swarms of fireflies that light up its vast planes, making it a nature lover’s paradise.

Mulshi dam

Located just outside Pune near Tamhini ghat, this location is known for its huge and gorgeous waterfalls. Perfect for a day trip, it is also blessed with many hidden trails that offer spectacular view points of Mulshi, as well as many cooling and refreshing lakes.

Kaas Plateau

While this is the furthest location on this list of destinations near Mumbai or Pune, it is still one that deserves a visit. This gorgeous plateau in Satara is known as the valley of flowers and is made of volcanic rocks. And the monsoon season is known for its bountiful wildflower blooms, which is why it is called ‘the valley of flowers’ in West India.

Alibaug

This is another beach destination that offers a lovely respite from busy city life. On top of that, Alibaug is known for its rolling hills that are perfect for short hikes and nature walks. What’s more, the destination is also filled with waterfalls along with some five-star accommodation options.

Amit and Anindita are Indian Travel bloggers who blog at Travel Like We Do. They talk about affordable travel in India and abroad. They are still travelling and capturing their moments.