Maharashtra is indeed a naturally endowed state. With the Arabian Sea on the left and the Western Ghats running through the entire state on its right, it is like having the best of both worlds in one place. While the coastline created some of the most fascinating beach locales of the country, the mountains gave way to scenic hill towns, valleys, waterfalls, and lush forests with rich biodiversity. Take the town of Amboli for example. The lovely hamlet in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra is the pride of the Konkan highland
Sitting atop 690 meters on the Sahyadri Hills, the humble and sleepy town is the nearest hill station from Goa and makes for a great escapade. With its strategic location, Amboli also enjoys a pleasant climate, so you can travel all year round, whether it’s for a cooler respite in the summer months or to experience the luxuriant greenery in the monsoon. But what highlights Amboli is its deep and dense forest cover with deep ravines and cliffs. To cut the monochrome of green, you will find milky waterfalls peeping out of the bluffs, now and then, making it a wonderful contrast of colors.
How to travel
Amboli’s location makes it well-connected to major cities and towns withing Maharashtra, and even from the neighboring states. You can fly directly from Mumbai to Kolhapur and drive for about 135 KM to Amboli. Or, you can drive directly from Mumbai. The distance from Mumbai to Amboli is nearly 490 Km and takes about nine hours to reach via AH47. Book a cab in Mumbai with an experienced driver and manage your trip without any hassle.
If you are traveling from remote suburbs of Mumbai you can book a convenient and dependable Mumbai to Pune airport cab and fly from there. You can also include a trip to Amboli in your Goa vacation and get a taste of the mountainous side of the Konkan state.
Things to do in Amboli
Amboli’s pristine landscape has made it one of the world’s popular eco hotspots, inviting naturalists, explorers, and backpackers alike to come and experience its treasures. One of the key highlights of the region is the beautiful Hiranyakeshi River that originates in the hills and flows through the town, cutting through forests and plunging from hills, creating breathtaking waterfalls.
Visit the Amboli Falls during the rainy season. The highest waterfall in the region, the Amboli Falls assumes its most gorgeous avatar during the rainy season. The torrential cascades get veiled in swirling mists and make it a sight to savor. Hikers and campers take this opportunity to explore the nature trails around the waterfalls or engage in thrilling activities like ziplining and rappelling.
For avid trekkers, Amboli is a wonderful playground. Take a trek to the Madhavgarh Fort, if traveling in the winter months. This is the best time to tread the hilly terrain in the area and experience the cool winter air, which you cannot experience in other parts of the Konkan belt. The historic fort is located near the main town. But you have to take a long trek up the hills to reach the ruins at the top. Though you might not find much to see at the site, the sight from the top will make it worth every effort. You can get panoramic views of the Sahyadri Mountains and glimpses of the Arabian Sea. People mostly come here for breathtaking views of the landscape and enjoy the walk through the woods.
If you are looking for a jungle experience, Amboli has that too for you. The state tourism board has a resort tucked deep within forests, for an ultimate experience in the wild. The tiled cottages in the middle of dense foliage will let you see the raw, untainted side of nature and the pure air will rejuvenate you inside out. You can also engage in forest treks and jungle safaris.
On a clear day, head to the sunset point and capture stunning views of the setting sun against the endless mountain ranges. To reach, you have to drive northward towards Sawantwadi.
…
The scenic locales of Amboli and its surroundings make for a great vacation. Whether you want to simply bask in the splendid views and put your feet up, or blaze the wild trails and discover the magic of nature, your tryst with Amboli will remain memorable for a long time to come.