Recently I came to know of 2 vacation places near Pune (between Mumbai Pune). One is Lavasa and the other one is Aamby Valley.
Lavasa is said to be developed as India’s first hill-station since Independance. It is also being touted as India’s largest hill station. Lavasa is located on the backwaters of Warasgaon dam on the Western Ghats between Pune and Mumbai, within 80 minutes from Pune (approximately 50 km) and 3 hours from Mumbai (approx 180 km).
The pictures look really nice and it seems like a good place to relax. The monsoon may be a good time to visit to see the waterfalls etc. It also offers water-sports like boating and jet-skiing.
a hotel in lavasa
view of Lavasa
Lavasa
a hotel in lavasa
Aamby valley seems to be a little older than Lavasa but seems gorgeous as well. Check out some amazing photos here
Aamby Valley
I am very tempted to go to these 2 places and probably will. Has anyone been here before? Any feedback?
We visit Amby valley almost every trip and its beautiful with tons of new development every time we’re there. It almost brings some sanity when you live in the B’bay hustle bustle. It does not feel like India.
You have to reserve for the main sporting events like boating etc, customer service and chalets are beautiful and very spacious. They are also spread out enough to give you privacy and not feel you are walking a mile to get anywhere
Fairly reasonable for the amenities it offers, but of course that is over and above what the 7 partner members have paid for it.
Be sure not to go when there is a big event or political wedding etc cause they are really overwhelmed and the whole experience is ruined
I thought this was Sanjay Gala’s (Mumbai) post!! He probably has not yet read this, but surely expect a comment from him!! 🙂
Amisha, Sanjay is too busy I think. Why dont you give ur comments on it.
I haven’t been to either places. But S1 and family went there recently. I don’t think anybody can just enter the Amby Valley area. Property rates are touching the sky there. I have heard they have created artificial beach and can do water sports too!
On the way to Amby Valley one can visit tiger falls.
S1 was also talking about visiting Lavasa. And just then you posted this article talking about just these 2 places. So for a moment I thought S1 wrote this article. 🙂
Almost 3 years after posting this article, I got a chance to visit Lavasa this past weekend along with Samir/Amisha and Jignesh/Bijal. Lavasa is still under development and as such not as many activities beside water sports. A jet ski for 1 and 1/2 mins costs 500 Rs. So activities are not cheap either. Some parts of it look like an European town with storefronts right alongside a canal. Looks beautiful.
Construction activity is still ongoing. It may take 2 more years before Lavasa becomes a good vacation destination. Till then as per me, Lavasa can be skipped.