holiday in Maharashtra

jontenpm

Hi, after some help please!

We are planning a holiday in Jan to Maharashtra, trying to decide on where to go, and whats the best route is...we have two weeks, flying in and out of mumbai.

I am thinking,
a couple of days in mumbai
then to Lonava
then Aurangabad

want to chill on a beach for a while after that...after somewhere quiet...not too touristy. We are thinking Ganpatipule or Tarkili. Are these too far..how would we get there from Aura?

also, where abouts should we stay in Mumbai - juhu?

any suggestions would be really appreciated, feel a bit overloaded...too much info out there!

many thanks, Jon

shahronakm

Matheran (Hill station) would be a better choice than Lonavala. Lonavala is just like another city as it falls on the Mumbai - Pune expressway.

Tarkarli is less touristy as compared to Ganpatipule. Ganpatipule being a religous place.

Don't have much idea about conection from Aurangabad. Wait for other members replies.

Ronak.

navinkurian2002

I agree matheran is much much better than lonavala. Was at lonavala a couple of months ago and found it real hot and jam packed with bungalows and hotels.Matheran was lovely because they do not allow cars to the top and this is what really preserves its beauty .

http://www.resortnearmumbai.com/resorts.htm

Tarkali would be 8-10 hours from mumbai . If you do not want to travel much then take a look at the beaches close to the city.

http://www.konkandarshan.com/tourist/index.htm


http://oscartango.blogspot.com/2007_03_01_archive.html

As you are going to cover long distances .It would be a good idea to hire a car,qualis,sumo for the trip if it is in your budget.

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yogeshg

Hi Jontenpm,

You must'nt miss Aurangabad as you would be able to visit the world heritage sites Ajanta and Ellora caves. Daulatabad fort is also a very famous tourist spot.

Regards,
Yogesh

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SueJ

Have visited both Ganpatipule and Tarkali. Ganpatipule has lots of pilgrims but neither of them has many foreign visitors.

The beaches at both are great - unspoilt and clean. We stayed in the MTDC resorts at both Ganpatipule and Tarkali. The one at Ganpatipule was significantly better run than the one at Tarkali.

The town of Malvan near Tarkali is also an interesting place to visit, and there is some accommodation there.

We travelled on Konkan railway down from Mumbai to Ganpatipule (or more accurately about 45mins from Ganpatipule by auto or bus), and then on down to Tarkali again ny rail (also a fair way from the railway station). In our opinion, the scenery both on the railway and on the way down to Ganpatipule and Tarkali were superb. And the whole area is pretty much devoid of any form of organised tourism other than pilgrims to Ganpatipule.

In Mumbai, we stayed in Colaba, which we found convenient. You really need to look at the places you want to visit in Mumbai and work out where to stay based on that - it's a busy time-consuming city to travel in.

capt_mahajan

That's an excellent suggestion. I have seen people saving 500 rupees on hotels and spending almost that much on taxis in Mumbai.. when they would have been more comfortable at a more expensive hotel and within walking distance of what they wanted to do.

Khandoma

Completely agree with SueJ and the Captain. Had stayed in Juhu on my 1st trip, cool cheap hotel but since I had too little time I spent a lot on taxis. This time I stayed at the Residency in Fort, a 2-mn walk from the train station and not much more from everywhere I wanted to go to (see the Hotels section on this website). Saved time, money and precious energy, especially considering how hot it was. Also it was really nice to do a lot of visiting on foot, I could really enjoy a feel of the city. The rest of my trip was on a very tight budget, this was my only splash (around 2,500 Rs), and I think it was well worth it.

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edwardseco

Ah, but Lonavala has the Karla Caves (now punitatively) priced..

himadventures

I agree with Matheran and also Ajanta Ellora with visit of DAULTABAD which is just 6 kms. [If mymemory is correct] from aurangabad city.Both these places , Ajanta and ellora require one day each and do hire a guide [ regd one ] as without them- one can not understand huge background of these places.

jontenpm

thank you for all the replies...never expected so many.

I am now thinking, mumbai...train to Matheran, then taxi to Aurangabad..then fly to Goa and work my way up coast via train/taxi, back to Mumbai.

One final question...Matheran in Jan...I read a lot of stories saying to go in Monsoon. Is it still worth visiting out of monsoon?? Planning to be there in 2 weeks time, for one or two days

Thanks in advance from a freezing cold england :-)

edwardseco

Better..

shahronakm

Matheran in Jan. - Def. worth visiting.
Enjoy your trip.

Ronak.

jontenpm

whats the best / quickest way to get from Arangabad to Tarkali?

1, Goa express train from manmad...does this really take 18 hours?
2, Fly to Goa and then go north in taxi
4, get a driver from Aura to Tarkili...how long would this take / rough idea of cost?


also, Matheran to Aura...whats the easiest way...how long / cost of driver

Thanks again!

yogeshg

Hi Jontenpm,

Fly to Goa and then take a taxi. Distance from goa to Tarkarli beach would be around 130 kms. But is there a Flight from Aurangabad to Goa?

If flight doesnt exist then its better to go to madgaon by train.

Regards,
Yogesh