The long wait was over when we finally decided to step out of our home after eight long months! While the world was gradually recovering from the worst-hit pandemic, our stressed and depressed minds badly needed a short trip to unwind. Malshej Ghat was always in our bucket list since when we shifted to Mumbai from Bangalore and this was where we decided to go first to resume our life of travel! We hope this Malshej Ghat travel guide will help you plan your short trip to Malshej Ghat in a better way!
It was the first week of October when we set out for a day trip to Malshej Ghat with all necessary safety precautions. It was really a unique experience in so many ways as we witnessed a new world of travel with the beauty of Malshej Ghat in the backdrop.
ABOUT MALSHEJ GHAT
Malshej Ghat is one of the popular motorable mountain passes in the Western Ghats located in the district of Pune in Maharashtra. Malshej Ghat is at a distance of about 135 km from central Mumbai and 130 km from Pune and situated at an altitude of 2300 feet above sea level.
Malshej Ghat is famous for its various small and big cascading waterfalls and the view of the smoky valley from its numerous viewpoints. It is definitely a paradise for nature lovers and photographers.
For outdoor enthusiasts and the adventure seekers, there are trekking trails in some of the surrounding hills. You can also visit Ajoba Hill Fort, Sindola Fort, Jivdhan Chawand Fort, Harishchandragad Fort and Nane Ghat. Keep reading the Malshej Ghat travel guide to know about other important details for a one-day trip to Malshej Ghat.
HOW TO REACH MALSHEJ GHAT
By Road from Mumbai: The best way to reach Malshej Ghat is by road. If you are coming from Mumbai, choose Eastern Express Highway to reach Thane and then turn towards Kalyan and then towards Murbad – Shivale – Saralgaon – Kasgaon – Tokawade to reach Malshej Ghat. From Kalyan there are also many State Transport buses that go through Malshej Ghat.
By Road from Pune: If you are coming from Pune, follow Pune-Nashik highway, head towards Chakan – Rajgurunagar – Manchar – Narayangaon – Otur and then reach Malshej Ghat via Karanjale.
By Train: The nearest railway station to reach Malshej Ghat is Kalyan. Kalyan Railway station is situated around 85 km from Malshej Ghat. It is connected by train to many important stations like Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. From Kalyan, one can travel to Malshej Ghat by Maharashtra State Board Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses or by private cabs.
We had hired a private cab from a travel agency and it took around 4 hours for us to reach Malshej Ghat from Mumbai.
THINGS TO DO IN MALSHEJ GHAT
The route towards Malshej Ghat itself offered some of the nicest views! We could not stop praising the massive greenery and the tranquil surroundings during the journey through the curvy Ghat roads.
The monsoon was towards its fag end and the amount of greenery it offered was a treat to our eyes. Add to that, the misty clouds descending into the hills which looked fabulous. The weather was just perfect as it was not too sunny and also not too cloudy. And most importantly, it did not rain, just the way we wanted it to be.
The entire stretch was full of sharp curves and at every curve you’ll find a cascading waterfall and some of them plunged right into the main road.
There is also a 100 meter long tunnel at one point of the Ghat road. This is one of the top attractions in Malshej Ghat.
There are many view points from which one can watch the wide and green valley in front.
A few kilometers after the tunnel, we found a beautiful lake named Pimpalgaon Joga Lake. It is also one of the main attractions in Malshej Ghat. The entire surrounding was so calm and serene that we literally got lost in its engaging beauty. We walked by the lake road for some time amidst the heavy wind and it felt so really good.
We also spent some time in front of one of the many waterfalls by the road and clicked a few photos too.
It was then time for having our lunch. This time it was our home made food which we brought with us; something that we did for the first time in life while travelling! We found a lovely spot right in front of a hill surrounded by the rolling clouds.
It was basically a lonely grass land and there was also a small pond in the middle adorned by some lovely wild plants, cacti and cute little flowers. We are not exaggerating; it was really an unreal experience.
BEST TIME TO VISIT MALSHEJ GHAT
We would highly recommend you to visit Malshej Ghat just after the monsoon is over. The entire place remains all green and it looks breathtakingly beautiful.
You can also visit during monsoon if you love the rains. But you may find the Ghat blocked by the authorities during monsoon as this area is prone to landslides.
You can also choose to travel during winter when the weather remains pretty comfortable but you may miss out on the immense greenery it offer during or just after monsoon. Try to avoid travelling during summer though.
STAYING OPTIONS IN MALSHEJ GHAT
Though you can easily cover Malshej Ghat in one day, you can still choose to chill and spend some more time in the lap of nature. There are few accommodation options up there for tourists. There is the government run MTDC Malshej right on the top of the plateau. MTDC also has a dining restaurant named Flamingo Restaurant. Hotel Saj By the lake is also one good resort in the area.
Let us know in the comment section below if the Malshej Ghat Travel Guide helped you plan a one-day trip to Malshej Ghat. If you have already been part to this amazing place, share your experience in the comment section below. You can also contact us if you need any information on trip to Malshej Ghat or trips in and around Mumbai. Find more similar travel experiences here. THANK YOU!
