Showing posts with label Sahyadris. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sahyadris. Show all posts

October 30, 2015

My TripAdvisor Review No.139: Tamhini Falls, District Raigad, Maharashtra.

“Nature's Beauties.”
4 of 5 starsReviewed 30 October 2015 NEW
The waterfalls of Tamhini Ghat are a sight to behold during the monsoon season, between July and September. Being a hilly region the rain water trickles down from the top of the mountains in the Sahyadri Hills (Western Ghats of Maharashtra) forming huge waterfalls as the streams cascade down the slopes towards the plains of the Konkan region.

A lot of weekenders from Pune and nearby suburbs drive to Tamhini to enjoy these beauties of nature in the rainy season. To avoid the crowds it may be better to visit the falls on a weekday. The two lane road is good in parts, but patchy and pot-holed in some sections.

Tamhini Ghat is a 50 to 60 km drive from Pune, and may take about an hour or two depending on the traffic. You have to follow the Paud Road route from Chandni Chowk in Pune. After passing Pirangut and Paud villages you will come to the Mulshi Lake. Travel further down the ghat to reach the Tamhini Ghat. Soon you will start seeing small waterfalls trickling down the hillsides. There are many small eateries along the way where you can stop for a snack and a cup of coffee. About 15 km after Mulshi Lake where the road takes a bend there is a small natural platform which forms a kind of look-out point from where you get an amazing 360 degree view of the hills with waterfalls all around you.

The falls were not gushing down due to less rain this year (2015), but they still looked refreshing after the recent rains.

If you carry on further down the road you will reach the ‘Orchard Resort’ where you can stop for a meal or overnight stay, or carry on towards Kolad or Mangaon towns on the Mumbai – Goa highway.
Visited August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

August 4, 2015

My TripAdvisor Review No.108: Malshej Ghat, near Pune.

“Monsoon Magic at Malshej”
4 of 5 starsReviewed 3 August 2015NEW
Malshej Ghat is a paradise for nature lovers, especially those who enjoy dancing in the rain. It lies on the Kalyan Ahmednagar Highway (NH222), about 155 km from Mumbai. From Pune it is about 130 km. Take the Pune Nashik highway (NH50), turn left at Narayangaon and proceed to Junnar (SH111). From Junnar town, Malshej is another 25 km ahead. You will pass the beautiful Pimpalgaon Joga Dam on the way. You will know that you have reached Malshej Ghat (during monsoon season) when you see the clouds rising above the hills and then swooping down menacingly to engulf you. It will look scary at first but then you have to move ahead, albeit at a reduced speed, till you are entirely engulfed in the mist. Visibility is minimal and it is advisable to switch on all the lights of your vehicle.

After another few kilometres you will come across a multitude of waterfalls, big and small, and at some places you will see some food stalls serving baked corn, wada pao, and egg bhurji, as well as hot cups of tea. Travellers stop here for refreshments and to enjoy a shower under the falls. It is advisable to avoid the weekends, as the heady combination of natural beauty and holiday revelry can cause more than just a few traffic problems.

As you proceed ahead towards Mumbai you will pass a tunnel at the end of which are some more huge waterfalls, one of which falls directly on to the road with a lot of force. It is quite a thrill to drive your car under this one, and get a free car wash in the bargain!

The MTDC Resort is located at a vantage point at Malshej Ghat. Sushant Resort situated next to the Pimpalgaon Joga Lake is another hotel surrounded by natural beauty. Junnar town, about 25 km towards Pune has a handful of stay options. One can also visit the famous Shivneri Fort, birthplace of Shivaji Maharaj, and the Lenyadri Buddhist caves near Junnar.
Visited July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC