Some Best Places to Visit During Rains in Maharashtra, India

The rains starts in Maharashtra from June and it remains till September. The peak period of rains is July & August. Second half of the September is the right time to visit these places. The rains are very moderate. The weather is cool. There is no much tourist crowd except for Sunday or holidays. The hotel rates are very reasonable as there are not many tourist around. All and all this a right time to visit and explore these wonderful places. It's worth visit.

Matheran : It's just 90 minutes journey from Mumbai by local train to reach at Neral station. Select Monday to avoid any rush. Once you reach to Neral, you have 2 options. Try and check up with Station Master If the mini rail from Neral to Matheran is there or not, which normally don't run during rains. Take a taxi and the driver will take you to the Matheran check post. This road is very narrow but the journey is just breath taking. You will come across various small waterfalls during your journey. It's advisable to carry a proper rain-cheater. You will reach within 30 minutes to check post by taxi. From check post you need to walk towards Matheran as the taxi or any vehicle are not permitted to enter in Matheran. That is the beauty of this Hill Station. Walking through the monsoon clouds is a great pleasure. You have option of very few hotels during rains. The rates are very very reasonable during this time. Stay there for 3-4 days and walk through the thick forest. It's ideal to take a local guide. You may get a horse ride if those people with their horses are there. Otherwise prepare to walk and walk. It's very pleasant walk. You will never forget this hill station.

Khandala & Lonavla : This place is just 90 minutes drive from Mumbai. Select any day other than Saturday and Sunday to avoid crowd. You can reach here by train, bus & taxi. The weather is just perfect. A cloudy weather with very little rains at times. Some times the visibility is very poor as the monsoon clouds are very dense. A very romantic place. Khandala is a famous hill station. Rajmachi is highest point and has a small garden. The view from this garden is just beautiful. Looking down to facing valleys from this place is an experience by it self. Take a long walk and feel the cool weather. Have a hot cup of tea. Hot and crispy onion pakoras or a corn roasted on red hot coal with some spice and fresh lemon drops poured on, it is a mouth watering dish. There are many restaurants which serve a piping hot and the best food. Dukes retreat is the best restaurant here which is on the top of the hill and gives you the extra ordinary view from the top.

Lonavla is just 5 KM away from Khandala. It has a big lake called Valvan. Do not forget to visit Bushy Dam. This Dam is overflowing once it's full to capacity and the water flows on steps below the dam. Sitting on these steps with the help of the rope and taking that flowing water force on your body is just out of this world experience. Take a proper care here as this spot is very accident prone. Here too at times, the visibility is very poor due to thick clouds which travels at ground level. Take Auto Rickshaw to all these places as it will prove very economical. On the way to Bushy Dam, just 5 minutes prior to this spot there is a waterfall. The milky water falling from well above 70 feet to ground. Standing below this waterfall is a great experience. Don't forget to carry some extra clothes. Visit Kunai a small place near Police Training Institute. You will see the rain water flowing at a smooth flow. Sitting there laying your feet in cool water is just pleasure and will give your feet a very relax feeling. On the way to Poona a place called Sunny's Dhaba is there. This is a very popular eating place and just 4-5 miles away from Lonavla. The food here is very good and at a very reasonable rates. Don't miss this Dhaba food. Staying here for 4-5 days will provide you enough energy and mind freshness. Lonavla Chikki is very famous. It's made out of peanuts, cashew nuts, almond, coconut etc. It's a sweet item specially made in Lonavla and don't miss this.

Alibaug & Kihim : This place is just 2 hours away from Mumbai. These are very famous beaches. A regular State Transport Buses ply from Mumbai. This is very economical mode of transport. Once you reach Alibaug, there are plenty hotels in front of beach to check in. The rates are low due to off season. Alibaug has a vast beach. During moderate rains, walking in the rains on the beach is a great experience. Please do not enter in the sea at the high tide time as it could prove dangerous. You can enjoy a seafood as the fish is very fresh here. The preparation of sea food is very good.

Kihim is just 5 miles away from Alibaug and the beach is very nice and at a remote place. Local buses or auto rickshaw will take you to Kihim beach. The beach is very clean. This is a very calm and cool place. You may find a flock of fish catching birds here. Just walk on the shore and don't try to enter in to sea at the time of high tides. Walking on the beach and collecting sea shells is a pleasure. If you want to make a stay in Kihim, check up with local people and they will guide to old houses at a reasonable rate per day basis. The care taker of the house will cook and serve a very good food for you. Staying in Alibaug and Kihim for 4-5 days is enough.

Amboli ( Sawantwadi ) : You can reach here via Konkan Railway or State Transport Buses which ply daily from Mumbai. It's almost 12 hours journey from Mumbai to Sawantwadi. From Sawantwadi railway station or bus stop it's 17-18 miles away. Take a local bus or taxi to reach Amboli. Amboli is a hill station. It's a very cool place throughout the year. It has a very thick forest with plenty of wild life in it. On Saturday, Sunday & holidays, this place is very crowded. Avoid these days and make stay from Tuesday to Friday which is very ideal. It's normally a off season during monsoon and you will get a handsome discount for lodging & boarding. This is very peaceful hill station. In rainy season you will come across many waterfalls. Standing below these waterfalls is a great experience. Taking cool splashes of water makes you fresh. The food served in local food joints is very good and economical. Walk around the hills and through forest is very pleasing. This place is also very ideal to take rest and have a good vacation.

Some tips for monsoon trips:

The clothes won't dry easily due to wet atmosphere hence carry extra clothes.
The Rain Cheater with head cap is must to save you from rains and cool breeze.
Carry some insect repellent to avoid from bites.
Torches etc are must as the power goes off frequently.
Drink only mineral water.