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Tag: Travel
Exploring Maharashtra by Renting a Campervan
As we battle through a pandemic, much has changed in our lives and almost every sector has succumbed to restructuring their methods of doing business. The travel sector has been at the forefront and has taken up the biggest brunt in terms of decline in profits and some companies have even gone out of business. Due to the lack of availability of flights and trains and also due to the added risk in travelling in these modes of transport, travellers across all parts of the globe have mostly refrained and delayed their travel plans. But out of these campervans have stood the test of time and has emerged as one of the best modes of travel to nearby places without coming in contact with anyone else.
Recently, Maharashtra Government has announced the collaboration of Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) and Motohom, a motor home company in Maharashtra, to encourage travellers to explore the beauty of the state with the help of campervans. Therefore in the near future, it can be said that much of exploring India’s beauty may get shifted towards campervan trips due the demand for experiencing this way of travel and also in order to travel independently with reduced risk of contact.
Motohom, for now, has rolled out two vehicles, a traditional campervan which is perfect for a small family and a minivan which is perfect for an individual traveller or two. The traditional campervan has the facilities of a kitchen, small bedroom, living room, bathroom and a terrace area on the roof. The minivan comes with a rear passenger seat which can be converted into a flatbed, a detachable living space and a repurposed trunk. The vans are equipped with high-end front and rear security cameras and GPS system. There is a security siren board to alert and ward off any potential danger and also there is an SOS button.
These vans can only be rented to explore Maharastra. The traditional large family campervans can be rented for INR 21,000 per day (USD 285) and will come with a driver and also an attendant can be hired if required. The minivans can be rented for INR 4,000 per day (USD 54). These vehicles can be booked by visiting Motohom’s website.
Maharastra is a state full of breathtaking landscapes and sceneries. While the capital city Mumbai is stated to never fall asleep due to its fast-paced life full of people coming into the city to fulfil their dreams, the state yet does not lack on amazing road trips to refresh the mind, body and soul during weekends and other holidays. A campervan trip is the best way to unwind from the pollution and population of the cities and for exploring the natural beauty that the state beholds.
Here is a curated list of campervan trips that you can take in Maharashtra,
1. Pune-Lonavala and Khandala
Lonavala and Khandala are the most visited hill stations in Maharashtra. It is located in the Sahyadri range of the Western Ghats and has in store lots of waterfalls, lakes and hills where tourists usually enjoy trekking, camping and other adventure sports. The best time to visit these twin cities is during monsoon. Any resident of Mumbai has definitely visited Lonavala or wants to visit it sometime.
The view while sipping on a cup of tea at Tiger Point while driving to Lonavala is a must-do. Other than that there are many more attractions in Lonavala and Khandala which will keep you busy during during your weekend getaway and also at the same time refreshes you to the core. Here are the places in Lonavala and Khandala that you must see,
- Tiger’s Leap
- Rajmachi Fort
- Karla Caves
- Lonavala Lake
- Aamby Valley
Lonavala is situated at a distance of 65 km from Pune via the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and takes around 1 hour and 14 minutes to reach. The time required to reach Khandala from Lonavala is 10 minutes.
2. Mumbai-Malshej Ghat
Malshej Ghat is a mountain pass in the Western Ghats which is also home to a varied species of flora and fauna. This trip is a perfect fit for nature lovers with breathtaking waterfalls like Malshej Falls, rock formations and green hillsides. The nearby places to see in Malshej Ghat are
- Pimpalgaon Joga Dam which is 5 km long dam structure over the Pushpavati river and also is a great place for viewing birds like alpine swift, whistling thrush, green pigeon etc.
- Shivneri Fort which is the birthplace of Maratha ruler, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
- Harishchandragad Fort for trekking
- Ajoba Hill Fort for trekking and rock climbing.
Malshej Ghat is situated at a distance of 126.2 km from Mumbai and takes around 3 hours to reach via NH752.
3. Mumbai-Mahabaleshwar
The queen of hill stations in Maharashtra is unmissable especially for a road trip in a campervan with your loved ones. Mahabaleshwar is the source of the Krishna river and presents panoramic views of lush green plains, sloppy peaks and a drive past through amazing strawberry fields. On a short drive from Mahabaleshwar is located the UNESCO World Heritage site, Kaas Plateau of flowers. Drive to Mahabaleshwar through Mumbai-Pune expressway is considered to be one of the most memorable road trips that you can take in India. Some of the must-visit attractions near Mahabaleshwar are,
- Wilson Sunrise Point
- Elphinstone Point,
- Lodwick Point
- Pratapgad Fort
- Boating in Venna Lake
- Markets of strawberries
Mahabaleshwar is situated at a distance of 263 km from Mumbai and takes around 4 hours to reach.
4. Pune-Bhimashanker
A treat to the eyes during winters and monsoons, Bhimashanker is another must take campervan trip in Maharashtra. There are many waterfalls, lakes, scenic points and temples that attract tourists for a quiet weekend getaway from their busy lives. The scenery, while you drive, will be nothing less than a heavenly feeling and you will get to see lush greenery and wildlife. The Bhimashanker temple is the main monument at Bhimashanker. Some of the other important places to explore here are
- Nagphani Point
- Solanpada Dam
- Hanuman Lake
- Big Bell at Hemadpanthi
- Kothaligarh Fort
- Pawna Lake
- Mumbai Point
- Sangram Durg Fort
Bhimashanker is situated at a distance of 109 km from Pune and takes around 3 hours to reach via NH 60 and MH SH 54.
5. Mumbai-Alibaug
A perfect getaway for couples for spending some peaceful romantic time at the beach. The town also entails historic importance which makes it worth exploring. Before the rule of Maratha emperor Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who developed Kolaba Fort, the Portuguese used to live here. The perfect time to visit Alibaug is between November and February. Do try to avoid the monsoons because it is a little dangerous time to visit due to high tides. Apart from natural beauty, you will get to explore many forts, temples and churches. Some of the major attractions here are,
- Alibaug Beach
- Varsoli Beach
- Kolaba Fort
- Kanakeshwar Temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. To visit the temple you will have to climb around 700 steps and along the way, you will get to enjoy an amazing panoramic view.
- Native Biodiversity Garden near Teenvira Dam
Alibaug is situated at a distance of 94 km from Mumbai and takes around 2 hours and 20 mins to reach via NH 66.
Travelling through campervans is the next trend in travel and India has many astonishing places to enjoy a beautiful and memorable campervan ride. Even if you have travelled to these mentioned places before, this time you can take the experience of a campervan and make some amazing memories with your loved ones.
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Ishani Roy is the Marketing Head at The Strong Traveller. Dr Instagram, she is a freelance content writer, an avid reader, fond of minimalism and an ardent supporter of leading a sustainable lifestyle. Being a fitness enthusiast, she loves to work out when she’s not working. Apart from that, she also loves to check out delicious recipes from the internet while waiting for the perfect day to try that out by herself!
Surfing in Australia
Written by Michelle Williams.
Aussies: The people of Australia truly are friendly, warm and welcoming. From my own personal experiences, I can honestly say that the country is certainly one of the main reasons why your surfing vacation to Australia would be such a success! And when you come to think of it, surfing on Australia’s pristine coastline is truly one of the most relaxing, rewarding and adventurous experiences you could ever have!
There are so many great places for surfing in Australia. I would just like to highlight a few of them and share my personal experience with you!
If you are looking forward to a surfing Australia holiday then it is highly recommended that you make your travel plans in advance. It would be even better if you plan your trip well and visit Australia during the off-season. This is one of the best times to surf, as many tourists go for surfing holidays and surfs in Australia during this period of time.
In order to enjoy surfing in Australia, you need to find out about the available surfing spots in that country. Australia has some of the best surfing beaches and other areas where you can surf. If you plan to travel to Australia in the off-season, then you need to spend some time researching about surfing. You should also take some surfing lessons before you travel so that you can get tips on how to surf in Australia.
If you’re looking for something a little bit more challenging than just the beautiful beaches then surf the wonderful coastal region around Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. I would highly recommend going on a scuba diving tour to the reef to get a better idea of what exactly it is you’ll be getting into!
It’s a beach bum paradise that has a lot to offer. With hundreds of miles of beach, you can always find some cool and fun places to go and enjoy your day at the beach!
This area is considered to be one of the most popular surfing areas in Australia, with many experienced and professional surfers spending part of their week there! If you want to get some practice before heading to more remote locations, this is definitely a great place to start!
Byron Bay
If you’re looking to go somewhere where there is a little bit of a different twist, then this is a great place to start. Surfing at a place like Byron Bay is definitely a lot different from surfing at the beaches of Western Australia! Queenstown boasts some of the most stunning surf areas anywhere in the world, and with the availability of world-class waves, you’ll never have to worry about getting your board stuck or falling off! Plus you have all the surf vibe and surf shops you could ever image.
The only problem with staying in Byron Bay is probably the price. If you’re on a tight budget, I would recommend staying in Brisbane.
Brisbane
Brisbane is another great spot to consider if you’re interested in surfing in Australia. With a lot of unique architecture, and a lot of history, it’s definitely worth the trip! If you’re a big sports fan, you’ll absolutely love this part of Australia!
Blue Mountains
If you’re looking to try something a little different from surfing in Australia, then head to the Blue Mountains of New South Wales! This region boasts some truly stunning mountain beauty, so you’re bound to want to spend some time enjoying it!
Sydney
Of course, as always, you have to mention some good places to stay before we even talk about surfing in Australia. For me, I would recommend the city of Sydney, because it is both stunning and very safe!
If you’ve never stayed in Sydney, you’re definitely missing out on one of the most exciting and enjoyable experiences you’ll ever have! It’s a huge city, filled with excitement and a lot of adventure! There are some amazing beaches on the city, but none will beat the beauty and adventure of Sydney Harbour! The Sydney Opera House is the perfect spot to catch some sightseeing photos, too!
A lot of people I know think that living in a big city like Sydney is boring and uninteresting. However, it’s a city that offers all the excitement and buzz of a metropolis, but with the added bonus of having plenty of beaches for surfing! There are a lot of beaches here so you can just relax and enjoy yourself while soaking up the sun while enjoying that laid back Aussie vibe.
Western Australia
Of course, if you’re looking to surf in Australia, you can’t forget the Western Australia coastline. If you’re a beginner, I would definitely recommend South West Australia because it’s a very friendly and laid back place. However it can be much cooler in the sea than over in North Eastern Oz, so don’t forget your wetsuit. Travelling outside of the main city Perth, it’s easy to find excellent spots. The beaches are fantastic, there are plenty of surf spots and lots of adventure!
If you are planning to surf in Australia during the peak season, then this would also be the best time to travel. The most popular time for surfing is from December to March, which is also the summer season. There are many places in Australia where you can enjoy surfing. You will be able to explore some of the most amazing surfing locations like the Great Ocean Road in Queensland, which offers awesome surfing and wonderful ocean views. This is also the time when you can get the best surf breaks in Australia, as there are so many different resorts around the country. The popular beach destination that hosts many surfers is the Gold Coast, where you can enjoy some great surf breaks. If you are looking for surfing holidays, then you should visit the city of Sydney, which is one of the busiest surfing destinations in Australia.
If you love our posts, don’t forget to like, follow, comment in the boxes below, and share this post with your loved ones!
DONATE NOW TO HELP US SURVIVE!
For Guest Posts, drop us a mail at, thestrongtraveller@gmail.com.
Michelle Williams is an avid writer, traveller, surfer (and many other outdoor pursuits). She has visited over 30 countries in the last 15 years, loves to get off the beaten track and has explored new destinations. You are equally likely to find her with her laptop on the top of a mountain or a hidden beach.
Her writing can be found across various publications online and she is always happy to write for anyone, just drop her a line : michelle@webmailant.com.
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