A place right out of a postcard, Igatpuri seems like a fantasy. Tucked in the majestic Sahyadri Hills and filled with lush greenery and cascading waterfalls, this hill station is a heaven on earth. If you are looking for a break from your daily hustle and bustle, places to visit in Igatpuri are nothing like any other place. From the Vipassana Meditation Centre to Camel Valley, every place has its unique charm to leave you spellbound.
Igatpuri is one of the best places to visit in Nasik, Maharashtra. It is also easily accessible from Mumbai, Nagpur and Pune, making it a popular destination among tourists. With a refreshing climate, serene landscapes and adventure, it is an ideal place for weekend getaways near Mumbai for family and friends. If you’re interested in learning more about this unreal place, we have all the information you need to make your trip memorable and hassle-free.
Before we dive into exploring the best places to visit, let’s learn about the best time to plan your trip and how to reach your destination.
Best time to Visit Igatpuri
Located in the Western Ghats, Igatpuri is blessed with pleasant weather and an abundance of flora and fauna. The best time to visit Igatpuri depends on individual preferences. Whether you are looking for seclusion, adventure or the bounty of nature, while looking for peace and meditation, you can attend courses in the Vipassana Centre at any time of the year.
The summer season (March to May) is ideal for those looking for a budget-friendly trip. The temperature ranges between 23 degrees Celsius and 37 degrees Celsius, making it difficult to explore the place during the day. It is usually the off-season, so if you wish to visit the place for a day or two and relax, you can get the best deals on your stay.
If you wish to see the vibrant nature, the flowers are in full bloom during the monsoon (June to November). During the season, you can include treks like Bitangad Trek, Camel Valley, Kalsubai Peak and Kulanggad Trek in your itinerary.
During the winter months (December to February), the weather is perfect for outdoor activities and sightseeing. It is the best time to explore the places to visit in Igatpuri, as the temperature remains between 15 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius. While planning your trip during this time, don’t forget to visit Bhatsa River Valley, Tringalwadi Fort, Ghatandevi Temple and Vipassana Centre.
How to Reach Igatpuri
Igatpuri has excellent connectivity with the neighbouring cities and states. If you are planning a stopover in the ‘City of Dreams’, which is one of the nearest cities, you will find a range of budget hotels in Mumbai for a convenient stay. You can reach the place by road, rail and air.
By Road:
Taking a road trip to Igatpuri is the best idea for travellers from and around Mumbai. Igatpuri is just 120 km away from Mumbai and it takes just 2.5 to 3 hours. You have to take the Mumbai-Nashik Expressway (NH 160) for a smooth and picturesque drive.
If you don’t want to drive, you can take public transport as there is regular service between the two cities. Igatpuri is also easily accessible from other cities like Nashik, Pune and Mumbai.
By Train:
Igatouri has its own railway station and is well-connected through regular trains from Mumbai and Nashik. The train journey takes 45 minutes from Nashik and 2 hours from Mumbai. But once you board the train, the mesmerising views will not be enough for such a short ride.
If you are travelling from Mumbai or neighbouring states, you can also include Nashik in your itinerary. For a relaxing stay, you can easily find budget-friendly hotels in Nashik.
By Air:
If you are looking for flights to Igatpuri, the nearest airport is Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, at 120 km. From the airport, you can reach Igatpuri either by train, taxi or bus.
If you wish to take a break before beginning your journey to Igatpur, you can look out for affordable hotels near Mumbai Airport for a relaxing and convenient stay.
8 Places to Visit in Igatpuri
1. Kasara Ghat:
A scenic mountain pass with winding roads, misty weather and lush green Sahyadri Mountain Range, Kasara Ghat is one of the best places to visit in Igatpuri. It is located on the road connecting Igatpuri and Mumbai.
The cascading waterfalls around the ghat add a heavenly touch to the scenery, leaving every traveller awestruck. So, if you are looking for a place near Mumbai for long drives, Kasara Ghat has to be on your list.
2. Camel Valley:
Another mesmerising valley in Maharashtra, Camel Valley, offers a break from the daily hustle and bustle. The stress and tiredness fade away in the background and all you get to experience is the soothing sounds of rustling leaves and trickling streams.
The incredible views from the towering cliffs and the lush greenery of the Camel Valley leave a lasting imprint on your core memory with a sense of calm and serenity.
3. Mt. Kalsubai:
For adventure lovers, the places to visit in Igatpuri are filled with various treks and out of them, Kalsubai Peak is a popular night trek. It is the highest peak in Maharashtra at 5,400 ft. Due to its easy accessibility from both Mumbai and Pune, the trek is a favourite choice for weekend getaways.
The journey to the top of the peak is filled with waterfalls, forests, grasslands and historic forts. At the end of the summit, there is a Kalsubai Temple, a pilgrimage site for locals to seek blessings from Kalsubai Devi. Locals believed that a young village girl named Kalsubai lived in the mountains. She cured the villagers and animals while helping with the village activities. But one day she left for the summit and never returned. So a temple was built in her memory at her home on the mountainside and the main temple was built on the peak.
4. Vipassana Meditation Centre:
The Dhamma Giri Centre is one of the world’s largest Vipassana Meditation Centres, co-located with the Vipassana Research Institute at Igatpuri. Vipassana is one of India’s most ancient techniques of meditation as a universal remedy for universal ills.
The centre located 3 hours drive from Mumbai, was founded as a non-profit organisation to offer opportunities and a place for all Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike in learning Dhamma practice. The majestic Mynmar Gate at the entrance is a prime example of the architectural grandeur. Here, you can attend their ten-day courses, which are organised throughout the year.
5. Tringalwadi Fort:
Located 7 km away from the city centre, Tringalwadi Fort is one of the famous historic places to visit in Igatpuri. The fort is a mesa rock formation that can be reached via 60 60-minute trek. The fort was built to overlook the trade route that connects Konkan to the Nashik region.
The place not only attracts adventure seekers but also historians and archaeological enthusiasts, due to the presence of various caves in the region. Pandav Leni is a beautifully carved cave at the foothill of the fort, which is a must-visit during the trek. You can also visit Bhavani Mata Temple and Tringalwadi Dam.
6. Vihigaon Waterfall:
A perfect place for a relaxing and refreshing getaway, with the abundance of scenic beauty, Vihigaon Waterfall is a must-visit. Located 12 km from Kasara, this 120 ft. high waterfall is known for its magical beauty and rappelling. You can reach the fall by taking a taxi, followed by hiking through the woods.
There is another waterfall just 5 minutes away from the Vihi Fall car parking, the Ashoka Waterfall, which became famous from the Ashoka movie.
7. Temple of Ghatandevi:
The Temple of Ghatandevi is one of the most famous religious places to visit in Igatpuri. It is dedicated to Ghatan Devi, who, according to the locals, is the “protector of the Ghats”. The temple lies behind the Tringalwadi Fort.
The temple is surrounded by a bounty of scenic beauty. You can also have a glance at the peaks of Utvad, Harihar and Durvar on the Western Ghats, which are visible from the site.
8. Bhavali Dam:
With a height of 111.5 ft. and a length of 5090 ft., the Bhavali Dam is a testament to human ingenuity and the relationship between mankind and nature. The place is not just an engineering marvel but also a tourist attraction.
The dam is built on the River Bham in the Bhavali village in Igatpur. Over time, it has become a popular picnic and relaxing spot to admire the scenic beauty. You can reach the site by climbing a flight of around 100 stairs.
Some of the other places to visit in Igatpuri, which you can include in your itinerary, are the Bhatsa River Valley, Sandhan Valley and Kulanggad. So, when are you planning your next getaway to this enchanting place filled with stories and nature?
