10 days in india only

margo

we are flying to mumbai for 10 days in mid april and want a few ideas on a simple itinary. We are an extended family of 7, mostly adults 17-54 in age. We are a bit worried about the heat so thought we'd spend a bit of time in mumbai, a hearby hill station, and perhaps take the train to goa and the beach. Any suggestions about good places to vist near mumbai or an easy train trip away, great accommodation esp for family groups would be greatly appreciated. We are from sydney aust and i want to show my mostly adult children another side of life!!! We are also interested in temples, nature and hinduism and bhuddism..Hope the info helps
See you and thanks

SHIMLA

You should visit Igatpuri and Nashik, which are 122 and 167 kms. north of Mumbai, respectively. Igatpuri is on way to Nashik.

Besides being a peaceful hill-station, Igatpuri is the seat of the Vipassana meditation Centre, Dhammagiri. Nashik is a very interesting town with plenty of old temples, a few caves and the revered river Godavari, in which are immersed the ashes of Hindus after cremation.

Alternatively, move southwards from Mumbai and visit the hill-station of Matheran, approached by a rather enjoyable toy train ride from Neral Jn., on the Mumbai-Pune railway line. Matheran is famous for monkeys, long walks and the confection called Chikki ! Avoid weekends, as this place can get terribly crowded by overenthusiastic Mumbaiites.

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margo

thanks shimla
i thought of matheran already...looks nice but does anyone have ideas for accommodation there...do you know what the weather is like in april there. Heard it could be really crowded.
As for Igatpuri , i will be especially interested if my husband travels with us as well, as he has been a mediator for 20 years, with vipashnar connections! Places to stay in either place, especially with air cond but a little bit of tradition or atmosphere and good food.
thanks m

SHIMLA

You're welcome, margo !

No personal recommendations for accomodation in Matheran, but in Igatpuri you have the excellent Manas Resorts, which I have experienced. The following link will reveal more about the place :

http://www.nivalink.com/manas/

In Nashik stay at Hotel Greenview, which has cottages and is located a little away from the crowded city centre. It has an excellent restaurant attached.

As for crowds in Matheran in April, the place will get really crowded towards the end of April, when the Mumbai school holidays begin. However, every weekend there is crowded, throughout the year, irrespective of season !!