A
tranquil hill station on the Western Ghats, surrounded by thick forests
and tree canopied hills, there is a waterfall on this road which one should not
miss during the monsoons. The Amboli Ghat is full of mini waterfalls throughout
the route. Verdant landscape of Amboli comes live in Monsoons when cascading
waterfalls are seen at different places in the mountains. Amboli village is
well known as ‘Mahabaleshwar' of Konkan. It is an eco-friendly hill station
that promises you an experience to get lost into the spectacular beauty of
nature, nurturing the poet in you. Amboli is an ideal retreat for the
vacationers searching for seclusion and solace.At road side these pristine
milky showers enable enthusiastic tourists to bathe in the streams.
Amboli
receives highest rainfall in India after Cherapunji 350 to 400 inches
approximately. Amboli is a hill station nearSawantwadi. It is quite but
pleasant hill resort. It is 690 meters above sea level. The area is surrounded
with dense forest and sea view point offers you panoramic view of a good part
of Konkan Coast. Every year more than 50,000 tourists visit this place. In
rainy season you will see beautiful waterfalls here.
Ever
heard of " Maharashtra's Cheerapunji”...the wettest place in our state?
The hottest biodiversity region in Maharashtra? The cleanest and the greeniest
hill station near us?..... Come with Nature India & explore this amazing
place called Amboli Ghat…… the dream destination of all the naturalists
and which is at its Best in Monsoon.....Great walks, beautiful scenery, loads
of biodiversity to look for, waterfalls, balmy climate and local delectable
Konkani food…perfect menu set for a short holiday. (some images in this blog
are contributed by participants)
Amboli
Ghat......Nestled comfortably in the midst of luxuriant foliage on
the Sahyadri Mountains in southern tip
of Maharashtra and perched at a height of 710m above sea level
it is relatively tranquil and uncluttered by commercialization and
unfolds a charisma that appeals to the heart and the soul. This hill station in
Sindhudurg district is said to be the wettest in Maharashtra, receiving
the highest rainfall (approx.7446 mm) during the rainy season.
Colonel
Westrop, who was a British political agent, developed Amboli as a hill station
after the opening of the Ghat Road from the coastal town of Vengurla, now in
southern Maharashtra, to Belgaum. Amboli is situated on
Vengurla-Belgum state highway no 112 in Sindhudurg district. The population is
@ 3000. The main road is lined with shops and small restaurants of
all shapes and sizes that form the main bazaar.
Home
to innumerable species of animals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and medicinal
plants, it has contributed generously to our country’s bio-diversity. The
valley, hemmed in at all sides, looks protected, sheltered, unexplored, and
holding in its secrets. Dense brown green foliage, roots above and below,
intertwined branches, creepers, and moss hanging like an afro-braid from branch
after branch. Layers of fog surround us, weaving a shroud of mystery as to what
lay ahead. At times the strong winds clear the path before us, unfolding
a panoramic view of the scenic valley. The walks to Mahadevgarh,
Shirgaonkar & Parikshit Points offer fantastic opportunities to explore
these rich forests and also offer spectacular views of valleys below and the
Konkan area.
Though
Amboli is emerging and is famous as a hill station, not many know that this
place is extremely rich in Herpetofauna, wildflowers and birds. Home to myriad
species of Amphibians, Amboli is a must visit place in monsoon for all the
nature enthusiasts.The star attraction here are the wonderful array of reptiles
that includes Malabar Pit Viper, Green Keel Back, Banded Racer, Olive
Forest Snake, Beddome's Keelback Snake, Green vine Snakes, Shield
tail snakes, Deccan-banded Gecko etc. While in Ambhibians,
the Malabar Gliding Frog (Rhacophorus malabaricus), Amboli tree
frog (Philautus amboli), Wrinkled frog (Nyctibatrachus humayuni), Koyna
Toad (Bufo koynayensis), Beddome's burrowing frog, Criket frog, Fungoid
frog and the Caecilians will take your breath away.
Amboli
is also a hot spot for the variety of wildflowers that bloom in monsoon on sadas (the
local name for lateritic plateau). It is also a heaven for wildflower
enthusiasts with some rare plants
The
Birds, though difficult to see in monsoon is well represented with Scarlet
Minivets, Puff-throated Babblers, Brown-cheeked Fulvettas, Emerald
Dove, Red-whiskered & Yellow-browed Bulbuls, Crimson & Crimson-backed
Sunbirds, Leafbirds and many of the Western Ghat
endemics.
Beautiful insect
life dominate the surroundings with all sorts of bettles, bugs, lantern
flies, butterflies, moths, spiders and what not. Surely, this is one place
which you wont like to miss.
Four
kilometers away, the river Hiranyakeshi originates from a cave adjacent to a
temple of Goddess Parvati at the foot of a mountain. Water rushes out with
tremendous force to fall into a squarish tank or ‘Kund’, from where it flows
out. Opposite, an old tree offers ample space around its roots to urge devotees
to meditate without disturbance.
Some
interesting places around Amboli :
There
are several trails and points to be explored in Amboli …some of them are
1)
Mahadevgad (3 kms)
2)
Manohargad- Manasantoshgad point
3)
Shirgaonkar point (5 kms)
4)
Kalvesad Point (10 kms)
5)
Parikshit Point (3 kms)
6)
Hiranyakeshi (4 kms)
7)
Nagartas Waterfall
8)
Sunset Point (2 kms)
.JPG) |
| On the way to Amboli |
 |
| Temple |
Celebrate MONSOON at its BEST
In your pursuit of peace and
solitude, perhaps you will come across Amboli, a tranquil hill station on the
Western Ghats, surrounded by thick forests and tree canopied hills. On the
coastal side, Amboli peers over the tree lined sandy ribbon of the Konkan coast;
on the other three sides, you are rewarded by a magnificent panorama of the
sweeping valley.
The hill station is very
charming in winter when the rains have stopped and there are a thousand
waterfalls gushing down the hills. This is an idyllic place to relax, unwind
and go for long walks. Spend your days meandering through scenic hillscapes and
misty forests, pack a picnic and wander up un-trodden paths. Go fishing at
Hiranya Keshi, picnic at Nagatta Falls, Mahadev Gad and Narayan Gad,
sightseeing at the Bauxite Mines, Sea View and Shirgaonkar point.
So when you just want to get
away from it all, come to Amboli. The chances are that you will lose track of
time in this quiet retreat with its rejuvenating climate and charming mountain
scenery.
Highlighs of this tour:
- · Amazing fun at best hill station in Maharashtra
- · Unlimited bhutta party
- · Rice farming activity – Be a farmer for a day
- · Mud bath
- · Outdoor group games
- · Thrilling night trail in the dense forest
- · Enjoy under waterfall
- · Various cuisines to serve your taste buds (Veg & Non veg)
- · Other nearby sight seeing
Outing
Day-1: Overnight journey towards Amboli
Day-2: Arrival at
Amboli, Check-in Hotel, and post lunch visit Hiranyakeshi Temple and Nangartas
Waterfall. Evening enjoy waterfall at kawle saad point (Echo Point) one can
enjoy the reverse flow of waterfall here. Evening sip the Hot coffee &
enjoy the Bhutta (CORN) Feast in Shivering rainy cold of Amboli. After dinner
enjoy the thrilling night trail in Amboli forests with wild life experts. Have
a thrilling night with some exotic species of reptiles, amphibians and even
mammals.
Overnight at
Amboli.
Day-3: After
breakfast enjoy the breathtaking view of Amboli Ghat. Offbeat Experience
of Rice Farming Activity in Paddy Field . Mud bathing and some
amazing outdoor games. Also enjoy the very famous waterfall of Amboli and get
refreshed.
Evening visit Mahadevgad
Point and Shirgaonkar Point. After dinner enjoy the campfire session in fog.
Overnight at Amboli.
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