Travel in the past year has been a complete no-no. But with the year-end vacations just around the corner has surely got us all excited to celebrate New Year with our family and friends. Our usual New Year parties can be a little unsafe especially in cities like Mumbai. But let this not dampen your spirits. Here’s a list of places you can go for a mindful New Year.
Karnala Bird Sanctuary
What better way to enter into a new year than enjoying and appreciating nature. And Karnala Bird Sanctuary is the place to be for all the nature lovers. The best part? It’s not very far from the city and easily accessible. Barely a two-hour drive this is a lovely place to spend a weekend. For trekkers the Karnala Fort Trail is a thrill, at the end of the trek stands the 445-meter high 12th-century fort, with a stunning view of the sanctuary below.
How to get there:
It’s a one and a half-hour drive from Mumbai via Bangalore-Mumbai highway. You can also take a train from Mumbai to Panvel and take a local auto or cab to reach the sanctuary.
Where to stay:
Camping at the Karnala fort or Karnala camp round is our favourite option. There are also many budget hotels and resorts near the Bird Sanctuary.
Jawhar
A four-hour drive from Mumbai city Jawhar is a lesser-known gem, but a must-visit. It is a perfect getaway for family and friends. The best thing about visiting this place is it has something for everybody. From hiking to the Bopatgad fort, exploring the historic city of shirpamal, touring the royal Jai Vilas palace, and the breathtaking Dabdaba falls among the luscious greens is a sight you don’t want to miss. Though a small village, Jawhar provides an amazing shopping experience for the visitors, the Warli paintings of this area are especially very famous.
How to get there:
It’s a three and a half-hour drive via NH48. You can also take a train till Igatpuri and travel the remaining 60 kilometres by road.
Where to stay:
There are limited accommodations to choose from, but for the best experience, one can opt for a homestay with the locals and enjoy their lifestyle for a day or two.
The Forest Farm
A hidden paradise would be the best way to describe this lovely place. It’s the place to be if you want a once in a lifetime experience. Starting the day with a lakeside hike to watch the sunrise from between the majestic Sahyadri ranges and then going for a dip in the river just next to the farm is a beautiful experience. Spend the day doing fun farm activities and learning to make yum Maharashtrian delicacies. And end the day with a perfect bonfire BBQ session. The highlight is camping under the starlit sky and catching innumerable shooting stars through the night. This charming farm is in Lonavala but the experience is nothing like the usual Lonavala trips. A must-visit for anyone who wishes to spend a mindful weekend away from all the city bustle.
How to get there:
It’s a three-hour drive via the Bangalore-Mumbai highway. You can travel till Lonawala by train and then take a cab till the farm, it’s a 45 minutes drive from the station.
Where to stay:
The hosts at the farm have a camp set up for the visitors to enjoy stargazing at night along with piping hot cups of tea. You can contact the hosts here.
Savarkut
A lush little hamlet set on the banks of river Vaitarna in between Mumbai and Nasik, Savarkut is a must-visit for all the adventure lovers. Though river rafting is synonymous to the river Kundalika in Kolad, Savarkut is equally, if not more fulfilling. Rafting is done mostly in the slow and rapid waters of the river while hugging the luscious green hillside which makes the adventure both exciting and riveting. You can also try the waterfall rafting that gives more of an adrenaline rush. The rapids are at a short distance from each other which makes it more thrilling. This place is kind which you won’t find on the google maps, which makes is more exciting.
How to get there:
It’s a 120-kilometre drive via the Mumbai-Nasik highway. Kankavali Rail Way Station is the very nearby railway stations to Savarkut.
Where to stay:
The best thing about visiting Savarkut is camping on the banks of Vaitarna under the starlit sky while enjoying the Desi homecooked meal.
Prabalmachi
Prabalmachi provides the best that nature has to offer. A unique adventure interwoven with timeless stories on a lush hillside and a start glazed sky is the perfect getaway from the day-to-day hustle of the city life. Finding fireflies at night, especially on New Year’s Eve, with hills giving a blissful backdrop, is an activity that you can cherish for a lifetime. The breathtakingly beautiful view of the valley in the morning from the Kalavantin and the Prabalgad forts is one of the best. About one and a half-hour drive from Mumbai this place is one of the best ones to visit for all the nature lovers.
How to get there:
It’s about a one and a half-hour drive via Bangalore-Mumbai highway.
Where to stay:
There are many hotels to stay in the heart of Prabalmachi, but our favourite is the Alexander Heritage Rainforest Resort, set up among the greenery that Prabalmachi has to offer.
Let this New Year’s celebration be different from any other that you’ve ever experienced before. Welcome 2021 mindfully while having fun at the same time.
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