Amboli is a hill station in south Maharashtra, India. At an altitude of 690 meters it is the last hill station before the coastal highlands of Goa and a relatively unexplored one. Amboli lies in the Sahayadri Hills of Western India, one of the world’s “Eco Hot-Spots” and it therefore abounds in a variety of fairly unique flora and fauna. However, as in the other parts of the Sahaydri Hills, denudation of the forest cover and unregulated government assisted “development” (read “hotels, resorts & highways”) are gradually ruining a once pristine environment. Historically, Amboli village came into being as one of the staging posts along the road from Vengurla port to the city of Belgaum, which was extensively used by the British to supply their garrisons in south and central India. The hills of Amboli village provide one of the sources of the Krishna river (The “Ganges” of south India) and an ancient Shiva temple (called Hiranyakeshi) exists at the cave where the water emerges. The main attraction for tourists is the incredibly high rainfall (7 meters average per year!)and the numerous waterfalls and mist during the monsoons. Legend has it that there are 108 Shiva temples in and around Amboli of which only a dozen have been uncovered, one as recently as 2005. There aren’t too many places to see or things to do but its quiet, unpolluted and the local residents are good natured and helpful.
Get In
Amboli is well connected by road to all the surrounding cities (Kolhapur 110 km, Belgaum 70 km, Panjim (Goa) 90 km) by road and the nearest airport is at Goa, about 2 hours drive away. All the roads are good and a new airport is expected to come up in north Goa shortly, reducing the travelling time to just over an hour.
There are 5 decent (and relatively cheap) hotels at Amboli although, sadly, none of them offer any guided tours into the forests, the main attraction of this hill station. However, an organization called Yoga Republic conducts Jungle Yoga camps and retreats from October to March.
The only local transport are motorised 3 wheeler rickshaws and a couple of private taxis. You’ll need them only for a day to check out the touristy places and can then depend upon your legs to take you the ones that interest you most.
Do
Plan your days accordingly if you really want to taste the flavor of Konkan. There is a lot a to see and to do here and that too in every season. Ideally it would take over a week if you want to get real close-up. In all probability the best idea to see this district is to follow the geography. You can start from the north of the district and proceed to south or vise versa.
At North, Devgad and Vijaydurg are the not-to-be missed places. Visit to Devgad will be well worth it if you are going in April or May- The prime time for mangoes. Devgad is well known for best quality mangoes’ production. Vijaydurg and Sindhudurg are forts. Though now withered by time, they do present a treat to savour the might of Shivaji’s time.
A number of pristine beaches like Tarkarli, Malvan, Shiroda, Vengurla, Aarawali, Redi, Bhogave mark the coastline of the disctrict. The virgin beaches with long stretches of white sands, are usually crowdless. Following the footsteps of Kerala, even backwater tours including houseboats have also been initiated in recent times near Malvan. Tarkarli has also seen a rising activities in scuba diving as well.
Sawantwadi is a centre of tourist attraction in the south of the district. Many places like some beaches or hill station, Amboli are within a short reach from Sawantwadi. Amboli, a pristine hill station – unspoilt by manmade vagaries is a must-visit place during monsoon. It also hosts adventure sports academy which intermittently organises adventure camps which include activities such as Jungle Trail, Rock Climbing in Waterfalls and possibly paragliding.
See
Well too many places to hang around.. Just to quote a few it would be better to go with the locations..
- Sindhudurg fort See Malvan
- Sawantwadi
- Shiroda See Vengurla
- Aaravali See Vengurla
- Redi See Vengurla
- Tarkarli See Malvan
- Malvan
- Devgad
- Light House See Vengurle
i love india so much
i visit india in 2008
butfull placse so people..
foud…all lovly
nice dangerous but beautiful
Sounds great! Wonder how the train connections are to this place
when shall we go to this place ,my soul?
very much appriciable
Nice pics and well illustrated. I feel it is worth visiting once in our life time!!
Fantastic, very nice scne, should visit in one day in life and trying next vacation time
Excellent photographs..
this is the wonderful place to see nature and piece.
akdum jakkas, thanks a lot for sharing it, it actually heals the people who looks at these photographs. It did to me, anyway.
Its a wonderful place. One should visit this place at least once in a lifetime. Its scary on the narrow ghat roads but leaves a thrilling experience. I have come across this place on my way back to Pune from GOA. Its early hours of the day around 5 in the morning. Felt like in heaven. The lush green trees, the sounds of the birds and the running water in the mountains. Wow that was an amazing experience. I couldn’t stop there as the road was bit scary and couldn’t find the clear way due to the clouds and fog around us. we suddenly reach the waterfall given in the first picture. Its beside the road and the sound of the falling water really leaves us stunned with its unexpected appearance on the way. The people are also friendly and helpful.
pl. let me have details of hotels at amboli
i like photos that u have taken can i have them all in my account
thank tou
kiran
Great work. Lots and lots there in our hilly regions and the himalayan ranges. Thank you and bring more about incredible India
i live there
i like too mach
beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!wonder!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!.One day i will visit this.
wondreful, every body must visit there.there is nothing without Nature and God is there.
Pleasant land like a virgin. Wish to maintain its grace by controlling civilization. Mother India save the land and county!
india is a wonderfull place. the people are so loving and accomodating. God really do exist here.
will try and come again,
thanks
hauwa.
bahot hi khubsurat I like photo that you have taken
thanks
saira
lovely piece of info.
waiting for a keen companion with whom I can have a memorable holiday.
it’s very nice place
Very nice breathtake away from the senc, love visit India
It is fantasitc how we can go to this places thankyou for this mail
this is my village
nice posting
nice collection
I visited 3 times, at the time of passes to Goa, very beatiful place at the time of raining, marolous.
Your blog is very nice… i like your blog ….
It’s worth to visit in rains. But nowadays it’s needed to keep the police protection on the sites, as vulgar public is increasing. Drinks should be prohibited there with strict check on the entry points.
india is a wonderfull place. the people are so loving and accomodating. God really do exist here.
will try and come again,
Very Nice. Thanks I Love Kokan
who to go to this place by train or road
very interesting, yes i’ll
i’ve visited once in a yr….cause its near 4m my native m 4m belgaum rahul
Friends i know this place very well as i live in konkan have been visit lot of the time..its something amazing to visit here in rainy season…and if u have bike then its awsome…must visit place at any time..great and beautiful nature and waterfall and valley and all…stay at JRd international and have fun…
Its dangerous but beautiful. Mind fresh becoz cities large polution.
it’s very nice place
It is fantasitc
IT IS FANRASTIC
it is a must visit place especially in no season, i.e. when there is no crowd of boozers. pristine beauty is amboli. areas nearby are also must see destinations. this is earth no need to think about heaven.
THIS IS SUPERB SITE OF ALL OVER HISS STATIONS.
wondreful, every body must visit there.there is nothing without Nature and God is there
Amazingggggggg!
no words to explain the buty of amboly, love to visit in september
nice pic, shld introduce to film to take a good scenes
Very Very nice Place I Like it.
I Visited Every Year Reainy Seasion.
good places and would like to see the places. guide how can we visit
Beautiful place and romantic climate thanks
I appreciate your work. Thanks for the nice info. and the pics. Just one suggestion, you can add on 2 pic.s of the maps- one of that actual place and the other of surrounding region(so as to know about the places from where to board for the place of visit).
This june will be my second visit and for my family and me this place is heaven. It has all the that one requires to relax. Many ways to catch this place but by road only. From Belgaum, via chandgad, from kolhapur via niapani – ajara, from goa, via sawantwadi, from mumbai, via goa highway – sawantwadi. Some places in & around amboli for tourist: 1.Hiranyakeshi 2.Nagartas fall 3.Narayangad 4.Sunset point 5.Mahadevgad Point 6.Kawalesad point 7.Shirgaonkar Point 8.Amboli Falls 9.Purvicha Vas 10.Manohargad- Manasantoshgad point 11.Madhavgadh Fort 12.Botanical Garden 13.Amboli Dam. Other near by places are 1. Sawantwadi 2.Redi ganapati 3. Shiroda Beach 4. Terekhol Fort and lots more. Guys you even a month is not enough to see beatiful konkan. Suggest use ur life time……..
beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!wonder!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
Super…….Romantic nature
Water falls……………………….i love that………………
Very beautyfull place.
Wait for give my footprint in this heaven.
SUCH a…beautiful=============place========== I**********never############see**********ever ……befor….
https://www.facebook.com/TheBrickOvenCafe
Arjun Aroskar.
It is Realy Beatiful place in India. i like very much….