Day Trips from Pune
Confused as to what to do for the weekend? Bored of the same shopping malls, movies and restaurants? No problems at all if you are based in Pune. Just hop on to the car and go for a day trip. No planning, no reservations, no packing needed. Here we look at some of the places around Pune where you can make a day-trip and return to the comfort of your home on the same day.
Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani
The twin hill stations are undoubtedly the top-most destination for a Pune-kar over the weekend. While its tempting to stay over for the full weekend, a day-trip is easily possible. A two-and-a-half hour drive will take you to Panchgani and a further half hour to Mahabaleswar. There are plenty of view points on offer like the Parsee point, Kates point and Sunset point. One can visit Mapro garden for some ice-cream, sandwiches or pizzas or take a walk in the Mahabaleswar market place. Options for adventure sports like para-gliding are also available. One can visit throughout the year but the greenery shown in the pictures can be viewed in monsoon months from July to September.
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Matheran Valley
Another hill station, two and a half hours from Pune through scenic roads. One would need to park the car at the entrance and then walk through this place as vehicles are not allowed. There is also a toy train which used to run from Nerul to Matheran but now runs within Matheran from the entrance to the centre. There are good paths for walking and multiple viewpoints. The best time to visit is during the monsoons mainly from July to September. (The below photo of the valley was taken in September, when it is at its greenest).
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Lonavla and Khandala
These are twin hill stations just an hours drive from Pune and almost considered local. There are plenty of attractions like Lions Point, Tigers Point, Karla caves along with a number of restaurants and resorts. Bhushi Dam is a primary attraction during monsoon. It is most beautiful in the monsoon months between July and September.
Pawna Lake
This is probably the default place to drive down on any day. Just an hours drive from Pune through the villages and the hills, it is at its scenic best during the monsoons. Start off with a meal at the Cafe Bambini by the lakeside followed by some hot tea, pakodas and Maggi from the shacks and cafes on the way.
This is how the drive is during the monsoon. On the way is the Hadshi Lake, where one can go boating.
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Solapur
Solapur is 264 Km away from Pune and hence might not be a nice option for a day-trip by road. However, it can be a good outing by train on the Vistadome coach of the Shatabdi Express. The Solapur Fort is the primary attraction of the place.
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Kas Valley, Satara
A UNESCO world heritage site, I do not need to say anything further on this. Most important thing no note hear is that flowers bloom in this valley just after the rains subside in the monsoon, in September. One must visit this place in September or early October to view the beautiful flowers.
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Khadakwasla Lake and Dam
This one is just within the town. The lake can take beautiful shades of blue on a clear day. The Dam is a sight to behold during monsoons when the water is released. Aquarius Resorts is a good place to have a lakeside lunch.
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Mulshi
Just a one and half hours drive from Pune is this beautiful lake and dam. There are several resorts in the area where one can visit during a day trip or for an overnight stay. The beautiful Tamhini Ghats provide some breathtaking views during monsoon.
Kanhe to Khandi Scenic Route
This one is a two hour scenic drive providing a view of several waterfalls, beautiful roads and green cover during the monsoon. Kanhe is around one and half hours from Pune from where the route starts. This is a off-beat destination so not many restaurants and dhabas on the way but can enjoy some great onion pakodas from the shacks close to the waterfalls.
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Necklace Point – Bhor Ghat
Another gorgeous location just one and half hours drive from Pune. This provides the view of a horse-shoe shaped river bend surrounded by lush green foliage in the monsoon season.
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Bhigwan Bird Sanctuary
Bhigwan Bird Sanctuary near the Kumbhargaon village is a paradise for bird lovers, which is also known as Bharatpur of Maharashtra.Situated 200 kms away from Pune on Pune-Solapur highway,this man-made lake is a sanctuary for over 230 species of migratory birds Godwits,cormorants,egrets,storks,ibis.
The best time to visit this place is between November and February.
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Kasarsai Dam
Kasarsai is a dam near Hinjewadi, Pune. It provides beautiful views in monsoon and some gorgeous sunsets on a clear day. Lot of outdoor activities like boating and horse riding available and quite a few eateries too.
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Mumbai
One of the best things of living in Pune is its proximity to Mumbai. Mumbai is reachable anytime and can be completed as a day-trip with minimal planning. A great drive through the scenic ghats, can have an amazing day out at the great Mumbai and then return back late evening. Enjoy Mumbai without having to live there (enjoyment goes for a toss then). South Mumbai and Nariman Point is connected well through the Eastern Express Freeway. So hang out on Marine Drive and Gateway of India, have lunch at Pizza by the Bay and maybe tea at the Taj, followed by a couple of drinks at the Leopold Cafe or Cafe Montegar and head back to Pune.
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