There are number of hillside hamlets and getaways in Maharashtra that are at their best in Monsoon. While Monsoon is not the best time to visit most of India, these destinations provide excellent monsoon travel options. Monsoon getaways are located at a height of 2000-3000 ft asl and come alive in Monsoon with waterfalls, mist and intermittent rainfall. Trekking is pursued around these areas especially around monsoon.
Some of the destinations are
Lonavala / Khandala – Biggest Monsoon attraction of them all. Guests from Mumbai and Pune drive down over the weekends during monsoon and just enjoy the nature, do a bit of trekking or visit popular spots around.
Bhimashankar - 65 kms from Pune is Bhimashankar, a hilltop known for its Jyotirlinga Shiva Temple. The hilltop is surrounded by a reserve forest (Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary) and it comes to life during Monsoon. Some routes here are serious trekker's favorites.
Bhandardara - 80 kms from Nashik and about 160 kms from Mumbai / 200 kms from Pune is Bhandardara, known for its Dam, waterfalls and completely uninhabited area around it. It makes for a pleasing drive and excellent getaway all through the year, especially during monsoon.
Saputara - 85 kms beyond Nashik and about 255 kms from Mumbai on Maharashtra - Gujarat Border is Saputara. Saputara all through the year is an idyllic lakeside hill station. Come monsoon and the beauty around takes a completely different dimension when it gets misty and green.
Other smaller and lesser known monsoon destinations in Maharashtra include Malshej Ghat (160 kms from Mumbai / 120 kms from Pune) Jawhar (Off Mumbai – Ahmedabad Route), Koyna (between Karad and Chiplun), Panhala (25 kms from Kolhapur), Chikhaldhara (Vidarbha, 120 kms from Amravati)) and Amboli (25 kms from Sawantwadi and 60 kms from Belgaum), all become misty and green and have many spontaneous waterfalls that spring up for local getaway seekers to arrive and revel in.