For travellers, long weekends are a great excuse for a vacation. For city-folks from Mumbai, it spells another reason to escape the hustle of daily life and incessantly honking cars. At a time when the city is dug up for "upgrades" and reeling under the scorching summer sun, skip the chaos and make the most of your long weekend with a quick trip to the nature-abundant getaways located just a few hours away.
Explore winding roads as you make your way amidst lush hills brimming with waterfalls. Sounds idyllic? Malshej Ghat sure is! The perfect weekend road trip from Mumbai, these ghats are scenic and allow you to embrace nature in all its pristine glory. Visit the Harishchandragad Fort, situated on top of a hill. When here, make pitstop at the many attractions like temples, caves, and a lake. The Ajoba hillfort is also popular for trekking and rock climbing, and the nearby Darkoba peak offers a magnificent landscape view.
Places to Visit: Malshej Ghat offers various attractions including the Ajoba Hill Fort, Pimpalgaon Joga Dam, Malshej Falls, and Konkan Kada. Other notable places to visit are the Harishchandragad Fort, the Ozar Ganpati Temple, and the Lenyadri Caves.
Places to Stay: When in Malshej, opt to stay at Saj By The Lake, a beautiful property situated next to a lake, which invites you to sink your feet into the calm, still waters and be enthralled by the serenity.
There is more to Goa than alcohol and parties! Beginning your drive the traditional way at Palolem is a promising start. Re-energise and drive on to the charismatic Aguada Fort. Sit on its fortifications and explore the stunning beaches that line Goa's azure shores. Cover Candolim, Calangute, Baga, Anjuna, and Vagator and revel in the diverse food culture through various shacks and bars that dot its terrain.
Places to Visit: Beyond the beaches, pair your weekend getaway to Goa with visits to Basilica of Bom Jesus, Chapora Fort, Fort Aguada, Se Cathedral, Dudhsagar Waterfalls, Arvalem Waterfalls, or even the Anjuna Flea Market.
Placed To Stay: Situated in Goa's most effervescent neighbourhood, Anjuna, MansionHaus is a heritage property turned boutique hotel that regales guests with its timeless architecture, curated gastronomic journeys and luxury stay. During the visit, guests can opt for the unique experiences that MansionHaus offers like sound meditation, Pilates, private Chef's table with food and wine pairings, to name a few.
Blessed with picturesque scenery dotted with vast coffee plantations, Kodagu (formerly Coorg) is a only a short flight away from Mumbai. The Abbey and Jog waterfalls flow in their full might, creating a mesmerising canvas; the lush green jungles offer respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. The spectacular views of valleys and forests and nature walks, hiking or cycling around, make for a much-needed getaway.
Places to Visit: Top places to visit in Kodagu or Coorg include Abbey Falls, Raja's Seat, Dubare Elephant Camp, Talacauvery, and the Golden Temple. Other notable attractions include Mandalpatti View Point, Honnamana Kere Lake, and Iruppu Falls.
Places To Stay: Lush greenery, plantations of the most aromatic coffee, cardamom and pepper, beautiful streams, and gushing waterfalls come together at Tamara Coorg, spanning 180 acres and located over 3,500 ft above sea level. At Tamara, you will experience nature and luxury at its best as you wake up to breathtaking views, disturbed only by the chirping birds and the rustle of leaves.
A three-hour flight from Mumbai takes you to the pristine environs of Kovalam, a quaint beach town in Kerala that features three stunning crescent beaches, the most iconic of which is Lighthouse Beach, named after a 30 m high lighthouse. When here, use your long weekend break to explore Vizhinjam mosque and indulge in a relaxing ayurvedic massage unique to Kerala. Kovalam offers many options to people who love water sports, so take your pick from parasailing, snorkelling, windsurfing and backwater cruise.
Places to Visit: Once you peel yourself away from Kovalam's aquatic wonders, key in a visit to Neyyar Dam, Rock Cut Cave Temple, Kovalam Beach, Halcyon Castle, and Kovalam Art Gallery, to name a few.
Places To Stay: Perched on a dramatic cliff edge flanked by secluded beaches, Niraamaya Retreats Surya Samudra is an Ayurvedic retreat dotted with traditional Keralite heritage cottages. A Relais & Châteaux property, this ayurvedic resort offers a range of accommodations that combines traditional dwellings with modern living right in the heart of this fishing hamlet.
This story was first published on July 31, 2023; and it has since been updated.