Showing posts with label weekend getaway. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weekend getaway. Show all posts

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary


The protected Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary offers an impressive amount of wildlife and fauna for the outdoors enthusiast. Just 10km from Kashid beach in Maharashtra it’s a great spot to get back to nature. Our guide gives you the essential visitor information.

About the sanctuary

The wildlife sanctuary has four major trails and umpteen opportunities to spot wildlife. Though spread over only 52 sq km, the Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary is replete with a large variety of flora and fauna.
Butterfly-in-Phansad-wildlife-sanctuary
Butterfly-in-Phansad-wildlife-sanctuary

It is well known for its population of leopards, hyenas, jungle cats, barking deer, sambhar, wild boars, giant squirrels and bonnet macaque. Even the bird watchers have a notable list of avian friends to follow- Pied hornbills, three toed Kingfishers, Malkohas, Pittas and more. Almost 90 species of butterflies and a number of insects are also a part of the sanctuary. For herpetology enthusiasts, there are a large number of poisonous and non-poisonous snakes. With its growing popularity, specialists are at work in identification of all flora and fauna. The list of plants stands at about 710.

Getting Around

The Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary is a favourite with weekend photographers, who are free to take guided hikes around the forests on the specified trails. Private vehicles need prior permission from the Forest officials. Observation kiosks are made near the water bodies.
Phansad-wildlife-sanctuary
Phansad-wildlife-sanctuary

Location

The Phansad Wildlife sanctuary lies in Raigad, which is about 150 kms from Mumbai. The distance is convenient for also a weekend trip. It is just a short trip from the wonderful Kashid beach destination.

Best Season to Visit

The sanctuary is best to see in the warmer months of April and March before the rains, so that there are more chances to spot wildlife.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Weekend getaway From Mumbai


If you are in Mumbai and fancy a weekend getaway then make sure you consider Goa and Sindhudurg. Either makes a great break that is easily accessible from Mumbai.

Goa

One of India’s top tourist destinations, Goa is located just 580 kms from Mumbai. People can just hop into their cars and leave the stresses of big city living behind. There are over 40 mesmerizing beaches which dot the 131 km-long coastline of Goa. Some of the most popular amongst them are Colva, Calangute, Baga, Anjuna, Miramar, Vagator, Dona Paula, Majorda and Bambolim. Goa turns into a riot of colours and music during the annual Goa Carnival. From bohemian shacks to the ultimate in high end resorts, and everything in between, Goa caters to beach lovers of all kinds. Some beaches like Mandrem are perfectly serene while others like Anjuna are the toast of the party circuit.
Goa
Goa

Sindhudurg

Sindhudurg is the southernmost district of Maharashtra and stretches for about 125 kilometers along the Arabian Sea. It is situated 500 kilometers from Mumbai and is famous for the Sindhudurg Fort. The Fort was built three by Shivaji is a symbol of the Maratha naval power during his reign. The 48 acre Sindhudurg Fort can be reached by boat. Snorkeling sessions around the Fort are organized by the government. In Sidhudurg one finds the Tarkarli beach which is often called ‘the Tahiti of India’. This white sandy, sun-kissed beach open up to emerald-green waters.
Sindhudurg-Fort
Sindhudurg-Fort