Maharashtra Itinerary - Adventure, Backwater and Beaches

Maha / 5 : Adventure - Backwater and Beaches

Route - Dandeli (2) - Aronda (1) - Ganapatipule / Ratnagiri (2) (Ex-Mumbai / Ex-Pune / Ex-Kolhapur / Ex-Goa / Ex- Belgaum)

Highlights : This is an itinerary that covers rainforests of Dandeli (known for White water rafting and variety of activities alongwith a nature centric stay), Aronda (A backwater retreat on the edge of Goa border) and beach destination of Ganapatipule / Ranthagiri.

- Considering NH-4 is a four-laned road, Dandeli is easily reachable by road ex-Pune. For guests from Mumbai, its a little stretch and one has to start a little early to make it (otherwise a transit stay at Belgaum / Kolhapur / Panhala is recommended).

Recommended Itinerary (Can be modified as per guest requirements / preferences)

Day 1 : Reach Dandeli by evening.
Day 2: Spend the day at a riverside nature resort either pursuing activities (Nature walk, Coracle ride, White water rafting, Jeep safari etc.) or spend day in leisure.

Day 3 : Leave Dandeli for Aronda (150 kms). Enroute visit Amboli and its various points / waterfalls (seasonal). Reach Aronda by late afternoon and spend rest of the day around the backwaters.

Day 4 : Leave for Ratnagiri / Ganapatipule from Aronda (200 kms) after possibly visiting Vengurla beach and shore temples in the area.

Day 5: Guests may visit area Ganapatipule and enjoy drives in the interior coastal routes. Sightseeing attractions here comprise Ganpatipule Ganesh Temple, Light house, Birthplace of Lokmanya Tilak, Bhagwati Mandir, Mirkar Wada.

Day 6: Leave for Mumbai (360 kms) / Pune (320 kms)

Note

If guests are activity centric then one more night could be spent at Dandeli.
If guests are nature centric then extension (2 nights) at Chorla Ghats could be considered. In absence of availability at Dandeli as well this is a good alternative.
In absence of availability at Aronda, a homestay in Vengurla / Sindhudurg could be opted for as an alternative.
An Amboli stay could also be considered instead of Aronda if idea is to look for cheaper stay option or enjoy monsoon (June-Sept) or cool weather (Oct-Feb) or avoid coastal heat (March - May).

Distances

Pune - Dandeli - 420 kms

Dandeli - Aronda - 150 kms

Mumbai - Dandeli - 560 kms

Aronda - Ratnagiri / Ganapatipule - 200 / 225 kms

Pune - Ganapatipule / Ratnagiri - 320 kms

Mumbai - Ganapatipule / Ratnagiri - 350 / 360 kms

Accommodation Options - Dandeli - Aronda - Ganapatipule / Ratnagiri - Amboli - Homestays

Transport : Ex-Pune, Ex-Mumbai, Ex-Ratnagiri and Ex-Kolhapur Transport can be organised.

Seasonality - This circuit could be done all round the year. However considering it rains a lot in Dandeli in Monsoon (June-Sept), unless one likes lot of rains its not the best season then.

Access : Most guests end up driving in from Mumbai / Pune / Kolhapur / Belgaum or Goa. Londa (36 kms) / Belgaum (60 kms) are best arrival points for Dandeli by Train (on the Mumbai-Pune-Bangalore Southern rail route) . Ratnagiri is a major railhead on the Konkan rail route.

For Reservations, Travel Planning Assistance and a firm cost estimate email : maha05@nivalink.co.in