Fast facts
State: Maharashtra
Distance: 545 km S of Mumbai Travel Time By rail 91/4 hrs + road 1 hr By road 11 hrs By air 1 hr + 21/2 hrs by road
When to go: June to September.
Tourist Offices: MTDC Amboli
Tel: 02363-240239
MTDC, Mumbai
Tel: 022-22845678
Web: maharashtratourism.gov.in
STD code: 02363
Getting there
Air: Dabolim, Goa (127 km/21/2 hrs)
Rail: Nearest railhead is Sawantwadi Road (28 km/1 hr)
Road: State road to Kalamboli; NH4 to Panvel; NH17 to Akheri Road Junction, short of Sawantwadi, via Mahad and Chiplun; SH121 to Amboli
The British, always nostalgic for bad weather, had already declared Amboli a hill station by the 1880s. Even before them, Amboli’s potential had been discovered by the Sawants of the neighbouring taluka of Wadi. The clouds above this village in the Sahyadris relentlessly poured rain for a good four months if not the entire year, making it the wettest place in Maharashtra. But the surrounding forests were so thick with trees and tigers at the time of the Raj, and Matheran so much closer to Mumbai, that Amboli remained unchecked on tourists’ maps for a very long time thereafter.
Things to see and do
All the places to see will be either on the right side or towards the left of Hotel JRD International, the most prominent landmark in Amboli. You can also pick up a useful map of the town from the hotel’s reception desk. The best way to get about is to take an auto if you haven’t driven up to this hill station, or ask your hotel to get you a cab.
Madhavgad Fort
Although the Madhavgad Fort is now in a state of ruin, a visit must be paid to the dilapidated structure, which is four times the size of Shaniwarwada in Pune. A tombstone on the main road acts as a memorial to a battle that once took place here. Not much is known about the fight but an inscription on the tombstone reads that only one British soldier died. Share lunch or dinner with the elders in Amboli and they will probably regale you with stories about this particular event in history (over a bowl of mutton curry, no less). Another attraction is the abandoned Summer Palace of the Bhonsles of Sawantwadi. There are unbeatable views of the hills from this vantage point.
Waterfalls
There are two of note here, on opposite sides of the town. Nangartas Waterfall, 10 km from Amboli, chiefly has only spectator appeal. It falls deep and noisily into a beautiful ravine and visitors are advised to be careful around the edge. The other one (5 km away), simply called Waterfall by the locals, demands more participatory effort. It offers the kind of noisy fun families and gangs of college kids’ drive up here for.
Views and Walks
Like any intelligent hill station, Amboli offers many different viewpoints. During the rains, clouds cast a white blanket over the horizon. There is the mandatory Sunset Point, as well as others known as Parikshit Point, Kavelsad Point and Shirgaonkar Point, which offer views of the nearby forests. Sometimes it is possible to see deer here, or even a leopard. Mahadevgad, built by the Sawants, has great views of the Arabian Sea.
Temples
Hiranyakeshi Uppam, where the River Hiranyakeshi springs forth from the mouth of a cave, has a small Shiva Temple built many years ago by a man who is supposed to be a manifestation of Shiva, according to the resident priest. There is something inherently peaceful about the place. The nearby Maruti Mandir is more of a commercial effort by a local baba, who had earlier sought followers in Goa.
Where to stay and eat
Amboli has basic options, but nothing top-end. Hotel JRD International (Tel: 02363-240222; Tariff: INR 1,114-1,780;hoteljrdinternational.com) is the only establishment in town where alcohol can be consumed legally. The hotel also arranges for jeeps and guides for guests. MTDC’s Green Valley Resorts (Tel: 240236/39; Tariff: INR 900-2,000) has 20 rooms and a restaurant. Shiv Malhar (Tel: 240301; Tariff: INR 550-1,000; www.shivmalharhotelamboli.com) also has similar facilities.
Whistling Woods (Tel: 240505; Tariff: INR1,600; www.amboliww.com), near Green Valley Resorts, has 6 rooms and room service but no restaurant on site. Green Palace (Tel: 240302; Tariff: INR 1,200-1,500) is a cheaper option and has a restaurant. Silver Spring Resort (Cell: 09049455502, 09421190571, 09049053836; Tariff: INR 1337-1761; www.silverspringresort.in) also has a restaurant.
There are plenty of small eateries on the main road, which have a basic lunch of fresh bhakri, amti, mula or pao bhaji. All of this washed down with sol kadi made from fresh kokum solam.