If, like us, the first thing you do in the beginning of the year is mark all the long weekends in the office calendar, this guide is for you. Looking for alternatives to Lonavala, Goa, and the other usual suspects? The geographically and culturally diverse state of Maharashtra has so much to offer. We’ll take you from popular tourist spots to secret getaways and misty hill stations to wild tiger reserves. If you are sitting at your desk in Mumbai, Pune or Hyderabad, and wondering what to do for the next long weekend, here are some exciting ideas.
First in our series is a choice between a crowd favourite and one whose beauty lies in its location, far away from the crowds.
Lonavala or Tipeshwar: where should you head next?
Two jewels of Maharashtra, but worlds apart in their charm, Lonavala and Tipeshwar make for amazing weekend getaways — but each for very different reasons.
Lonavala is a hill station in the Sahyadri range of the Western Ghats. A scenic drive from Mumbai (96 km) and Pune (64 km), along with its sister hill station of Khandala, it is among the most popular choices for a weekend getaway in Maharashtra. Great weather, lush greenery, and a break from the bustle of city life are the things that draw people here. Dotted with little guesthouses, homestays as well as resorts, both towns are geared for tourism. A typical holiday here includes visits to Lions Point, Bhushi Dam, Lohagad Fort, and the Karla and Bhaja Caves. You can plan to go at a moment’s notice, gather your companions, and set off for a fun getaway, assured you have everything you may need given its established tourism infrastructure.
Tipeshwar on the other hand, is untouched, tucked away, and highly rewarding for the traveller who plans — and is looking for something different. A wildlife sanctuary in the Yavatmal district of Maharashtra, Tipeshwar is best reached via air and a short drive from Nagpur Airport. A biodiversity hotspot with a growing resident tiger population, it is one of those places that real wildlife buffs have on their list. Simple wildlife lodges and homestays run by the local folk of the surrounding villages were the only options for accommodation, but with the opening of Tipai, a sustainable luxury resort in Pandharkawada this year, Tipeshwar now can be explored with all the creature comforts you desire.
Let us help you pick the perfect destination for your next weekend holiday.
The lush greenery of the Western Ghats or the dramatic seasonal landscape of Yavatmal?
Misty mornings, verdant meadows and rocky outcrops dotted with waterfalls, caves and lakes: this pretty much sums up Lonavala. Tipeshwar, on the other hand, is a mix of wild grasslands on basalt lands and forests that turn a brilliant green in the monsoons. As the summer approaches the skies are painted vivid orange from the flowering of the Palash trees. The region around the sanctuary includes lakes and waterfalls, with many little hamlets. The scenic beauty of Tipeshwar is dramatically different from that of Lonavala, changing from season to season.
Treks and sightseeing or thrilling safaris in the wild?
Hiking is among the top things to do in the Western Ghats — the trek up a hill to Lohagad fort is rewarded with sweeping vistas of the Sahyadris. A drive to Lion’s Point is a favourite for the views, and a picnic at Bhushi Dam where you can wade through the water as it gushes down the steps of the dam is fun. However, on weekends these places can get extremely crowded! Explore the carvings and architecture of the caves of Karla and Bhaja. These Buddhist rock-cut caves trace their history to the 2nd century BC, with the 14 stupas being of great interest. The Rajmachi Fort and its dense forests offer a good day trip as well, but may not be easily accessible for those who aren’t physically fit.
Tipeshwar, with its remote location, allows you to enjoy the forest as it should be — unhurried and serene with the thrill of seeing rare wildlife. Teeming with an incredible variety of mammals, birds, insects and reptiles along with varied vegetation, Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is a naturalist’s treasure. The climes of Tipeshwar suit a clutch of threatened species such as the Painted Stork, Asian Woolly-necked Stork, Black-headed Ibis, Oriental Darter and the critically-endangered Indian Vulture. In addition to the Royal Bengal Tiger, you may spot a host of other mammals on safari — from herbivores like Chinkara and Spotted Deer to carnivores like Dhole (Wild Dog), Leopard Cat and Panther and scavengers like Striped Hyena. It is home to significant populations of Sloth Bear, Black Buck, Sambar, Jackal, Wild Boar and a host of primates.
Besides safaris, activities in Tipai and Tipeshwar include exploring the local villages, birding, and picnics by beautiful lakes, capturing pictures in the wild. The Kuntala Waterfall is the highest in Telangana and is stunning after the monsoons while the Gondwakdi and Jam lake are perfect for a quiet day. The only crowd you may find here are flocks of birds!
The usual fair or curated farm-to-fork dining experiences?
Besides Lonavala’s famous chikki from Maganlal, the town has lots to offer for the hungry traveller. From butter chicken to Maharashtrian thalis with a smattering of chowmein, local eateries at Lonavala have all the options you expect in a standard Indian tourist destination. There is lots to choose from, with variety in cuisine and the atmosphere you are looking for. From wayside dhabas to plush restaurants, there’s something for every budget.
Till Tipai by Wildlife Luxuries opened last year, dining in Tipeshwar was all about homemade meals at the homestays in the area. While tasty and wholesome, variety wasn’t something on offer! Tipai, with three restaurants, conceived by celebrity chef Amninder Sandhu, has changed the scene. From elevating regional cuisine to comfort food from different parts of the world, the menus at the three restaurants celebrate organic produce. The farm-to-fork dining experiences offered exclusively at Tipai, the only luxury wildlife resort in the area, are changing the way we view wildlife holidays in India.
Where to stay in Lonavala or Tipeshwar
Lonavala has a range of accommodation options, from luxury resorts to budget hotels and homestays. Popular choices include Fariyas Resort, Radisson Resort and Spa, and Della Adventure Resorts at the top end and lots of economical and charming homestay options on Airbnb.
Tipeshwar has only one luxury resort: Tipai by Wildlife Luxuries is a sustainably designed luxury resort with 15 villas in a 34-acre private retreat on the fringes of the buffer area of the Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary. Other Tipeshwar accommodation options include homestays and lodges like Avani Tiger Resort, Mauli Residency and Sur Bahar Homestay.
On the road well-travelled or off the beaten path?
That’s a choice that you have to make — and where you ultimately go for your next weekend trip depends on the time you have in hand, the budget, the season, the group you are travelling with and your interests. As seasoned travellers with an insatiable appetite for the unknown, we love getaways where you can actually get away — from the bustle, from the crowd, from the usual! Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, with its unexplored jungles, quaint villages, diversity of flora and fauna and the chance to really enjoy the wilderness while in the lap of luxury at Tipai, wins this one for us!
