Triund, Himachal Pradesh
Triund in McLeod Ganj is considered to be one of the most accessible trekking spots in the Himalayan range and offers a good balance of thrill and safety. The valley has a rare chamelonic character to it – the intense bloom of rhododendrons paint it a fiery red during the summer, a thick blanket of snow turns it white and of course, the monsoons paint the valley a vibrant green.
The trek starts at Dharamkot and its a moderate by fairly long trek to the top. Make sure to carry food and rain gear. The trail is dotted with several several streams, hidden caves and a village . Trekker usually camp overnight at the plateau in the guest house and trek further ahead to Ilaqua glacier and Indrajar Pass.
How to Reach :- Macleod Ganj to Dharamkot is around 2 hour by foot and around half hour drive by cab
Where to Stay :- There are several homestays and hotels in Mcleodganj; the popular ones based on Tripadvisor ratings are Annex Hotel, Kareri Lodge and Pawan Guest House.
Sirsi, Karnataka
If you are not from Karnataka, it is unlikely that you have heard of Sirsi – a tiny but beautiful town surrounded by lush jungles. A charming lake in the center and about ten waterfalls in and around the town offers plenty of activities for trekking and enjoying the solitude.
How to Reach : – There is constant buses from Bangalore to Sirsi. The closest railway junction is Hubli, located 90 km away.
Where to Stay :- There are several home stays in the vicinity of the town. The popular ones are Bakula and Pragati Homestays.
Jim Corbett, Uttarakhand
Jim Corbett National Park’s Jhirna zone is open throughout the year and is an ideal location for those who want to explore the forest without too much trekking. The downside is that you won’t see too many wildlife at this time of the year.
Where to stay : There are few guesthouses (Dhikala and Gairal are the most preferred) in the vicinity of the national park and several resorts and lodges outside the main zone.
How to reach : Ramnagar, located two hours away is the closest access point to the Corbett. It takes around 5 hours to reach Jim Corbett from Delhi by car.
Vihigaon, Maharashtra
Vihigaon is a small hamlet 13 km from Kasara, located off NH3 on the Mumbai Agra road. Ever since the adventure groups set up rappelling sessions in Vihigaon, it has quickly become a hidden paradise for adventure enthusiasts from Nashik, Pune and Mumbai. Being monsoon waterfalls, the rappelling season is short, usually from June to September.
While not hanging by a string and facing the battering waterfall, you can explore several nearby attractions like Tribal king’s palace, the famed Vipassana centre in Igatpuri and Kalsubai, the highest peak in Maharashtra.
How to reach :- From Mulund, take the NH3 Mumbai Agra road, a 7 km drive after Kasara will take you to a railway track. Take the deviation from the highway under the track. A 4 km drive on this route will take you to Vihigaon village.
Saputara, Gujarat
Saputara is a misty hill station in Gujarat that offers a charming blend of mythology, culture and beautiful landscapes. The towering waterfalls, the green meadows and the crisp mountain air attracts thousands of visitors every year. The hill station is best visited during the monsoons when the clouds descending from the hills engulfs the hill station in an ethereal blanket.
Adrenaline junkies can choose from more than 13 activities including ziplining across the Gira waterfall, zorbing, tree walking, rock climbing, mountain biking and high rope obstacle.
How to reach :- Saputra is around 280 km from Mumbai and the nearest domestic airport is Surat Airport, located 170 km away. There are constant private buses from Nashik to Saputara, you can board Government buses from from Chikhli and Bilimora. The closest railway station to Saputara is Waghai (57 km), on the Bilimora-Waghai narrow gauge section of the Western Railway
Where to stay :- There are a total of 8 hotels in Saputara; the top rated ones on Tripadvisor are Chitrakoot Hill Resort, Patang Lords Eco Inn, Shilpi Hill Resort and Aakar Lords Inn.
