India has many picturesque routes, flanked by lush green fields, lofty mountains, ravishing coastlines and more. No wonder, they can give way to some amazing road trips. Also, with the pandemic still on us, private road trips can be one of the safest ways to travel. And if you’re in Mumbai, there’s every reason to plan a road trip to India’s vacation paradise, Goa. The 12 to 14-hour drive through NH48 or NH66 will cover some mind-boggling spots to bowl you over. Here’s a list of 10 must-visit places that fall on the road from Mumbai to Goa.
1. Panvel: Karnala Fort And Karnala Bird Sanctuary
Around 52 minutes away from Mumbai, lies Panvel which is famous for the ancient Karnala Fort and Karlana Bird Sanctuary. The splendid hill fort, Karnala Fort, lies within the Karlana Bird Sanctuary, which is home to more than 200 species of birds.
2. Kolad: Tamhini Ghat Waterfalls, Kansai Waterfalls And Ghoshala Fort
If you’re a river rafting enthusiast, Kolad is the place for you. Nestled on the banks of river Kundalika, Kolad is a pretty hamlet that will lure the eye of every nature lover. Around 1.5 hours away from Kolhad, lies Tamhini Ghat, renowned for the Tamhini Ghat waterfalls, Kansai waterfalls and beautiful hot springs.
The 16th-century Ghoshala Fort, around 100 kilometres away from Kolad is best known for its caves, water cisterns and breathtaking architecture. Other noteworthy places around this place are Sutarwadi Lake, Tala Fort and Kuda Mandid Caves.
3. Dapoli: Panhalakaji Caves, Harnai Port And Kadyavarcha Ganapati Temple
The small city in Maharashtra’s Ratnagiri district, Dapoli is nearly two and a half hours away from Kolad. One can explore the Panhalakaji Caves, Unhavare hot springs, Harnai Port, Karde Beach, Murud Beach and Kadyavarcha Ganapati Temple at this place.
Dapoli had been the backdrop of Shri Narayan Pendse’s famous Marathi novel Garambicha Bappu. Also, Murud is an ideal place for dolphin-spotting.
4. Chiplun: Gowalkot Fort, Sawatsada Waterfalls, Guhagar Beach And Lord Parashurama Temple
The word Chiplun stands for ‘the abode of Lord Parashurama’. This town in Maharashtra’s Konkon region is known for spots like Gowalkot Fort, Sawatsada Waterfalls, Vashishthi River, Guhagar Beach, Koyna Dam, Pandava caves and Lord Parashurama Temple.
It takes around 12 hours to explore Chiplun in totality, so you might plan to halt here for a day.
5. Sawantwadi: Sawantwadi Palace, Moti Talao Lake
The historic Sawantwadi Palace was constructed in the 18th century and belongs to the Sawantwadi family. The royal palace looks marvellous from outside and inside it, there are many rare photographs, elegant artefacts and games. The Moti Talao Lake is another noteworthy attraction here.
6. Khandala: Duke’s Nose, Tiger’s Leap, Rajmachi Point and Amrutanjan Point
If you’re taking the NH48 route, Khandala hill station will be easy to access. The major attractions here are Duke’s Nose, Tiger’s Leap, Rajmachi Point and Amrutanjan Point.
7. Lonavala: Kune Falls, Bhushi Dam, Lonavala Lake, Karla Caves and Bhaja Caves
Lonavala, located in Western Ghats’ Sahyadri range, is one of the most popular hill stations in Maharashtra. The mesmerizing beauty of this place is a literal treat to the sore eyes. Some must-visit places in Lonavala are Kune Falls, Bhushi Dam, Lonavala Lake, Karla Caves and Bhaja Caves.
You can also head to the Kataldhar waterfalls and indulge in waterfall rappelling and trekking.
8. Satara: Ajinkyatara Fort, Shri Uttara Chidambaram Temple, Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Museum
Chhatrapati Shivaji’s empire can leave anybody spellboud. The Sahyadri Ranges and Bhima River in the backdrop aggravate the beauty of Satara. Places that one can explore here are Ajinkyatara Fort, Shri Uttara Chidambaram Temple, Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Museum, Mandhar Devi Temple and Dakshin Kashi Shiv Temple.
9. Kolhapur: Mahalakshmi Temple, Bhavani Mandap, Rankala Lake And Jyotiba Complex
Kolhapur is famous all over the country for its unique handloom and footwear. The place falls on the Mumbai-Goa highway and some famous spots to visit here are the Mahalakshmi Temple, Bhavani Mandap, Rankala Lake and Jyotiba Complex. The delectable misal pav of Kolhapur is also a must-try.
10. Belgaum: Belgaum Fort, Mahadev Temple And Kapileshwara Temple
The ancient Belgaum Fort, St. Mary’s Church, Mahadev Temple and Kapileshwara Temple are must-visits at this place. Belgaum is situated in the south-western end of Karnataka. The magnificence of this place has won the hearts of many photographers.
So, the next time you’re planning a trip to Goa, you can take the road from Mumbai to Goa and explore these breathtaking destinations, keeping some extra time on your hand. On that note, did you know about this interesting glamping experience near Mumbai?