Pune has developed from nothing to one of the most happening cities in just a few years. It has everything from affordable pubs and swanky clubs; Pune has become the hub of fun and party and is no longer just a pit-stop for people traveling to and from Mumbai. But everyone always needs breaks and mini-vacations even from a happening city.
You want to go away and take a short break in the hills or at the beach for a few days which also shouldn’t be that far from the city. That’s why we’re here to your rescue, with a list of 5 destinations you can hit from Pune which aren’t even that far and also provide you with a rejuvenating experience! Here are five destinations you have to add to your things to do over the weekend as a getaway from Pune.
Matheran
Located 126 Kms away from Pune, one can easily reach here from Pune in under 3 hours. This little town is known to be the only hill station in India that refuses entry to motorized vehicles. So, you can leave your car at the foot of the hill and take the narrow-gauge railway on the 1907 classic Neral–Matheran Toy Train or simply trek it up like several young people love to do.
The toy train offers picturesque views of the hills adding to the unparalleled experience of traveling in a tiny train that chugs along the mountainside. Matheran offers nice, mild climate and some well-preserved architecture.
Matheran is located in the Sahyadri hills range in Raigad district of Maharashtra State. There is a lot to see here like Panaroma Point, Luisa Point, Honeymoon Hill, and Charlotte Lake. One must do adventure in Matheran is Valley Crossing.
It’s from Honeymoon point to near Louisa Point, where you have to go from one side to the other of a U- shaped mountain, approximately 900 feet, hanging on rope with 1000 feet valley below. It is a perfect weekend getaway for both families who like a quiet hotel stay as well as adventure enthusiasts who like trekking or paragliding.
Tarkarli
Tarkarli is one of the most popular beach destinations near Pune. Located on the shores of the Arabian Sea, it’s known for the white sands and crystal clear waters of Tarkarli Beach, which also happens to be a famous spot for water sports. It also offers some of the best scuba diving sites in India.
Compared to other destinations, Tarkarli is a little far from Pune, being around 390 Kms away so it takes about 7 hours to reach this beach town. The town is well connected to the backwaters of the Karli River where one can make memorable memories with spectacular boat rides and swims in the calm back waters. Tarkarli boasts of several tourist attractions including the Sindhudurg fort (headquarters of Shivaji’s navy), Kolamb beach and Dharampur lake.
You can book a package for your weekend getaway and bring back amazing experiences from this beach town. Several online travel websites offer discounts and fantastic packages for Tarkarli. You can look for cleartrip coupons and book yourself a beautiful weekend getaway.
Dandeli
Dandeli is located 420 kms away from Pune, on the banks of river Kali. It is one of Karnataka’s finest white-water rafting destinations and is a place loved by water sports enthusiasts, adventure lovers and travellers. It is surrounded by thick forests and hosts a pretty pleasant weather throughout the year. Dandeli wildlife sanctuary is home to a large variety of wildlife, including tigers, leopards, black panthers, elephants, antelopes, and bears. It is the second largest wildlife sanctuary in Karnataka and was designated as a tiger reserve in 2007.
The natural beauty of this area attracts tourists from all over the country. Visitors can enjoy trekking trails, boating and putting up at camp-sites in and around Dandeli. It has some historic as well as religious landmarks like the River Kali, the caves of Kavla, the Syntheri Rocks, the Ulavi temple, Sykes point and the Supa hydroelectric dam. One can spend a few days at this beautiful town without getting bored.
Goa
No list of close-by destinations from Pune can ever be complete without mentioning Goa. Both Mumbai and Pune are pretty blessed to have Goa as a weekend getaway. Located at just 430 Kms away from Panaji, the capital of Goa, one can easily make a road trip to the most happening beach place of India in just 8 hours.
There is so much to do it Goa. From hitting the beaches of South Goa, to enjoying authentic Goan Prawn curry and rice, the fun is endless. Goa also offers a handful of culture as well, boasting its rich Portuguese roots with many spectacular churches, forts and other monuments. There is also a touch of Hindu religion in Goa as you will find famous temples there like Brahma Temple, Mahalaxmi Temple and Mahadev Temple.
It’s no wonder that it’s the favourite for everyone to have a nice, relaxing vacation in Goa, for it has some of the best beaches in India like Vagator Beach, Calangute Beach and Colva Beach. It has earned its name in every way possible as the Pearl of the Orient, as it’s the perfect getaway for a mini-vacation.
Lavasa
One of the closest destinations to Pune, Lavasa is the place to be for the adventure junkies and water sport enthusiasts. It is located between Pune and Mumbai amidst Shayadari Mountains and it only takes about one and a half hours to reach Lavasa from Pune.
It is a privately planned city, stylistically based on the Italian town Portofino bearing many similar street designs and names of that town.
Situated on the shores of Warasgaon Lake, Lavasa boasts of serene, calm environment and enchanting landscapes. Here you can check out from a plethora of activities like water sports like cruise boats, Jet Ski, kayaking, bumper boats; other adventure activities like trekking, rappelling, rock climbing, camping, mountaineering, valley crossing, paintball, treasure hunting, backpacking campaign and so on. It’s a perfect place to enjoy some luxurious stay with a pleasant, welcoming climate and a planned, organised city.
Pune is undeniably one of the best cities in the whole country. It not only offers great opportunities for education and career, but also balances that out with a happening nightlife as well as rich cultural diversity. But if you feel like stepping out every once in a while, then these places are perfect for weekend getaways to save you from Pune heat in summers or can also be a nice place to take a break in.
