Mumbai to the Western Ghats – A Tempo Traveller Road Trip Through Misty Hills & Hidden Waterfalls

🚐 Mumbai to the Weste  Ghats – A Tempo Traveller Road Trip Through Misty Hills & Hidden Waterfalls

Published on: May 3, 2025
By: Sakshi Gada

🗺️ Introduction

Tired of the chaos and crowds of Mumbai? We packed our bags, booked a 9-seater tempo traveller, and hit the road to the Weste Ghats. This isn’t your typical Lonavala run – we went deeper, slower, and wilder. Think untouched waterfalls, misty hilltop sunrises, and quiet villages where time doesn’t rush.

🚗 Why a Tempo Traveller from Mumbai?

Mumbai traffic is one thing – but once you’re out, you’ll want to travel together in comfort.
Benefits we loved:

Room for 8 friends and bags (and snacks)

Stops wherever we wanted – chai stalls, lakes, temples

Sleeping on the move – huge plus for oveight stretches

🛣️ Our Route

Start: Mumbai
Stops: Malshej Ghat ➤ Bhandardara ➤ Sandhan Valley ➤ Igatpuri
End: Mumbai (circuit loop)

📍 Highlights of the Trip

🌫️ Malshej Ghat – The Road Through the Clouds

Just 130 km from Mumbai, Malshej welcomed us with cloud tunnels, roadside waterfalls, and scenic winding roads. We parked near a viewpoint and soaked in the valley views with hot bhajiyas in hand.

🏕️ Bhandardara – Lakeside Camping Heaven

We reached Arthur Lake and pitched tents by the water. Our tempo served as a mini-kitchen + chill zone. The night was filled with stars and the occasional howl of a wild fox.

⛰️ Sandhan Valley – Maharashtra’s Grand Canyon

Known for trekking and rappelling, we spent the day descending this narrow rocky gorge. The tempo traveller gave us a safe base to leave gear and rest tired legs afterward.

🌿 Igatpuri – Monastery Peace

Before heading back to Mumbai, we visited the Dhamma Giri Meditation Centre. The silence was unreal. Even noisy Mumbaikars go quiet here.

🍛 Best Roadside Eats

Vada Pav at Kasara Ghat – crispy, spicy, perfect

Kanda Poha in Bhandardara – homemade at a family-run eatery

Missal Pav in Igatpuri – fiery but addictive

🧳 Tips for Your Tempo Traveller Trip from Mumbai

Book early during monsoon – demand peaks for ghat trips

Carry offline maps – network is spotty in mountain zones

Keep warm clothes & rain jackets – ghats can get chilly

Drive carefully on ghat bends – especially near Malshej

💬 Final Word

You don’t have to fly across the country to escape city life. Just gather your gang, rent a tempo traveller, and let Maharashtra surprise you. From gushing waterfalls to stargazing by a lake, this trip reminded us that the best travel stories often begin with: "Let’s just drive out of Mumbai for a bit…"