Sandan Valley, Bhandardara

Location-  Bhandardara lake 

District - Ahmednagar

State - Maharashtra

Best time to visit - Summer and Winter

Called The Grand Canyon of Maharashtra,it is also referred to as The Valley of Shadows.

It is a popular tourist attraction for adventure seekers, trekkers, nature lovers etc.

It is visited for the purpose of trekking, rappelling, rock-climbing, stargazing  and overnight camping.

It is a combination of valley and canyon , the valley's height being 4255 feet.

Barring only the time when the sun is directly overhead,  sunlight does not reach to the ground and it is always low on natural light  and chilly .

It is surrounded by the mighty Kalsubai and Ratangad in the Sahyadri ranges of Maharashtra as also the historical forts of Alang, Ajoba, Madan and Kulang.

Due to the continuous erosion over the years by the water, a gorge is formed which is 2 km long and 200 feet deep with narrow walls.The trekkers have to cross this and also walk through the chilly waters that reaches up to the waist and also the chest depending on the month.

There is a 60 feet high rappelling spot on the trail along with 2 smaller ones of around 20 feet each that need rope ladders to climb.

Trekking is of medium to challenging level and needs expert guidance by experienced trek leaders.

The trekking base village is Samrad. 

Trekking trips are arranged by various agencies that are led by experienced leaders.

Each group may include up to 20 trekkers.

It is a two-day trek. 

Children under the age of 15 years are not allowed to join in the trek.

Monsoon season is to be avoided due to the dangers of slipping as also the valley being inaccessible.

Winter season is the most ideal due to the pleasant and cool climate while summer season may become hot and bothersome for the physically strained trekkers.

Picture - trailsandtreks.org

Canary Islands, Resort and Spa, Lonavala, Maharashtra

Maharashtra's first Island resort is located in the picturesque hill station of Lonavala. The Salter Lake lies about 30 kms from the town of Lonavala and is situated between the rolling hills of Aamby Valley. Already popular as a camping site, it is now home to the state's first Island Resort, The Canary Islands Resort and Spa.

The Resort is unique due to the fact that it is situated on one of the islands of the lake and is surrounded by the hills of the Sahyadri ranges, green forests and has man-made white sand beaches as well. 

A stay here is staying in the lap of nature with all its elements like mountains, lake, beach and lush green forests right at the doorstep. Guests looking for thrills and adventure have many water sports options. Nature lovers can indulge in forest spa, picnics and even go for plucking and picking out their own herbs and organic vegetables. The rooms and cottages are very spacious, elegantly decorated and pretty. It is a very popular wedding destination.

Location : The Salter Lake

How to reach - 

From Lonavala railway station by road transport 

Distance From : 

Lonavala Railway Station - 26 kms

Kashig Phata Bus Stop - 32 kms

Accommodation :

1. The Dove Cottage - Comprises 5 individual rooms, Perched on top of a hill with Sahyadri ranges and the Salter Lake views. These rooms do not have balconies

2. The Flamingo Cottage - Comprises of 11 individual rooms, View of the Sahyadri ranges and the Salter Lake from the balconies

3. The Woodpecker Chalet - 10 rooms. 

   
   
   

*Tariff - ₹ 15,000 onwards per night per room.

Capacity of Each Room - 2 to 3 guests 

Dining :

In-house

The White Crane, Global Gourmet Beach Bar

Food : Indian, Continental, Pan-Asian

Drinks : Cocktails, Champagne and Wines 

Amenities and Facilities

Swimming Pool, Wi-Fi, Room service, 24 - hours front desk service, Laundry service, Kitchen, On-site car rental, Transportation, Local shuttle, Double beds in all rooms, Coffee and Tea maker, Closet, Mini desk, Concierge service, Kids play area, Games room, On call doctor, Free Wi-Fi, Intercom, Centralized AC, Sun decks, Bonfires,TVs in all rooms, 24 hour CCTV security system, En-suite bathrooms with all modern amenities, free parking, music 

Check In ; 11.00 a.m.

Check Out : 2.00 p.m.

What to do - Nature walks and trails, Angling, Forest spa, Forest Bath, Picnic trails, Pluck to Platter, Walk trail, Champagne breakfasts by the pool, Moonlight dinners in the garden, Tours and treks, Boating 

Water Sports include Banana ride, Kayakaying,  Balloon Zorb, Aqua cycling, Jet ski 

Terms and Conditions :

1. Indian nationals have to provide any valid government ID proof 

2. Foreign nationals have to provide scanned copy of the passport and their visa

3. No illegal activities allowed 

4. Late check-out available in certain situations at the discretion of the management

5. Pets, Outside food, Smoking - not allowed 

Contact Information -

Canary Islands

Ambavane Saltar Road, 

Ambavane, 

Taluka Mulshi, 

Ekole Village Road, Majgaon, 

Maharashtra - 410 401

Reservations : 91521 52000 and

 +91 8535 979797

Email : sales@canaryislands.co.in

Website : www.canaryislands.co.in

Instagram :  @canaryislandslonavala

Facebook : Canary Islands Resort & Spa 

Sales and Reservations Office :

A / 605, 6th floor

Dynasty Business Park, 

Near J.B Nagar Metro Station, Andheri (E), Mumbai, Maharashtra 400065

Managed By : Zuper Hotel Solutions

Website - www.zuper.in

*Conditions Apply

1. Subject to change at the discretion of the management

2. Subject to change on weekends, long weekends, weekdays, holiday season and public holidays etc. 

3. Payment to be made in full to confirm the booking 

4. Includes only bed and breakfast

5. Taxes excluded 

6. Government taxes are subject to change and hence will apply accordingly

   
   
   

Images - From the resort website 

Arthur Lake, Bhandardara, Maharashtra

 

Location - Bhandardara

District - Ahmednagar

State - Maharashtra

Activities -Trekking, Hiking, Swimming , Boating , Angling, Camping etc 

Arthur lake ( Bhandardara lake) is a man-made lake built as a reservoir to the Wilson Dam.

It is formed from the water of river Pravara. 

Surrounded by the lush green hills of the Sahyadri ranges, it is a sight to behold. 

The serene, calm, placid, crystal clear water of this 34 m long dam along with the peaceful vibe  make it one of the must-see places in Bhandardara.

A very popular attraction for all types of tourists, be it families, nature-enthusiasts, adventure-seekers, it has something for everyone.

Boating, angling, swimming and trekking are some of the activities that are enjoyed by the visitors. 

 It has a loop of 50 km that encircles the lake and provides space for camping, picnics, hiking and sightseeing. 

Many tourist packages are available for overnight camping that includes a number of amenities and activities for the campers. There is ample space for parking as well as for the setting up of tents.

Watching the spectacular sunset, bonfires, early morning walks / hikes, swimming, boating and jungle safaris are included in the schedule.

Also, this place has religious significance for the Hindus for it is here that Rishi Agastya had spent a year for the purpose of meditation, references of which are there in the Ramayana.

Picture, courtesy goibibo 

Osman Sagar Lake - Gandhipet Lake

Osman Sagar Lake is 20kms from the city of Hyderabad. It is popularly known as Gandipet and is an artificial lake. It is created by damming the Musi river for providing drinking water to the residents of Hyderabad. This also served as a barricade for stopping the city from floods of Musi River.

Osman Sagar Lake is a famous picnic spot with well laid gardens. When the reservoir is full, it attratcts many tourist people and on the banks have parks, resorts and amusement parks adding more attraction to the lake. This place happen to be a week end retreat all through the year for all the Hyderabad residents, though the best time to visit is from the month of October to the month of March. Admission to the lake is free.

The lake is named after the last Nizam of Hyderabad, Osman Ali Khan. It is easily accessible from the city of Hyderabad. 
One can stay at the 
1. Golkonda Resorts and Spa inside the Sagar Mahal Lake Complex
2. Sagar Mahal which also have an accomodation of 10 double rooms.

Other attractions around the lake:
1. The Ocean Park
2. Treasure Island
3. Elless World

Dumboor Lake, Tripura

Wonderful week end tourist place with 110 kms from Agartala. This lake is the source for the river Gomati. There are about 48 islands in the middle of the lake. This lake is the place where rivers Raima and Sarma come together.

Dumboor Lake is the paradise for Bird Watchers as and birds migrate to this lake during the winter months. (Binoculars can be hired near the lake)


A Hydel Project is going on in this lake. As Agartala gets rain all through the year, this lake happened to be the best place for such projects.


The famous Pous Sankaranti Mela takes place close to this lake which have the Tirthamukh temple on its banks.


Dumboor lake is the natural habitat of different natural and cultured fishes