resorts near Andharban

Andharban, also known as the “Dark Forest” because of its dense canopy, is a popular trekking destination in the Sahyadri mountains of Maharashtra, India. It’s known for its stunning natural beauty, especially during the monsoon season. If you’re looking for resorts near Andharban with contact information, here’s a list based on your search results:

• Lake Forest Resort

  : Situated close to the starting point of the Andharban trek, it offers views of the lake and surrounding forest. They provide outdoor activities and portable speakers for guests. You can contact them at +91 85911 68084.

• Pimpri mulshi starting point of andharban trek, near, MCKS Ashram Road, Pune, Maharashtra 412108

• JV Cottages – Forest Retreat

  : Located at the base of a forest hill, near Mulshi Lake, it provides a serene escape with scenic views. They offer amenities like a swimming pool, game area, and tasty food. Their number is +91 96734 85000.

•  JV Cottages – Forest Retreat  162/2/2 Chorgewadi , Nive, Mulshi, Maharashtra 412108

• Encore, A Boutique Resort

  : Located on Tamhini Ghat Road, this resort boasts beautiful surroundings and a well-maintained property. It’s known for its sunset viewpoint, a separate playroom, and open areas for outdoor games. The contact number is +91 20 6699 0000.

•  Encore, A Boutique Resort  Tamhini Ghat Road, Varak, Mulshi, Maharashtra 412108

• Jaldurg Agro Resort

  : Situated near Mulshi, this resort offers a relaxing experience with picturesque views and delicious food. They emphasize hygiene and cleanliness. They can be reached at +91 99212 41370.

• The Waterfront Resorts

  : Located near Mulshi Lake, this resort provides panoramic views of the lake and mountains from its cottages. They offer a peaceful atmosphere and are pet-friendly. You can contact them at +91 95297 67414.

• Blue Bella Resort

  : Nestled amidst mountains and waterfalls, this resort provides a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. It offers tents, trekking, and camping activities. For bookings, you can call +91 86691 13979.

• Bougainvillea Resort by Vibescapes

  : This resort offers tents, cottages, and villas, along with an outdoor pool, restaurant, and spa. It is located on Tamhini Ghat Road near Mulshi Lake. You can reach them at +91 87795 31822.

• Residency Lake Resort & Spa

  : This 3-star hotel provides a relaxing environment with a swimming pool, game zone, spa, and gardens overlooking the Mulshi lake. They can be reached at +91 20 6729 2351.

• Residency Lake Resort & Spa  Tamini Ghat Road, Mulshi, Village Gonawadi, Pune, Maharashtra 411004

• Green Gate Resort

  : Located on the highway, this resort provides easy access and offers a swimming pool, play area for kids, and views of the Mulshi Dam. Their contact number is +91 83789 38000.

• Hotel Swaraj – Andharban Farm: Located close to the Andharban trek starting point, this hotel offers home-stays, meals, WiFi, and treks to a private waterfall. You can contact them at 📞72648 72458. 

The Andharban trek, which translates to “Dark Forest,” is a popular and scenic trek located in the Sahyadri mountain range of Maharashtra, near the Tamhini Ghat region. It is known for its dense, evergreen forest that often remains dark due to the thick canopy.

Key Details of the Trek

• Location: The trek is situated in the Western Ghats, approximately 70-80 km from Pune and 130 km from Mumbai.

• Starting and End Point: The trek is a point-to-point trail that typically begins at Pimpri village near the Pimpri Dam and ends at the backwaters of the Bhira Dam (near Patnus or Bhira village).

• Duration and Distance: The trek is about 13-14 kilometers long and generally takes around 5 to 7 hours to complete.

• Difficulty Level: It is considered to be of easy to moderate difficulty. The trail is unique because it is a gradual descent for most of the way. While not technically challenging, its length and slippery patches, especially during the monsoon, can be physically demanding.

• Highlights: The trek offers breathtaking views of the Kundalika Valley, several streams, waterfalls, and a variety of flora and fauna, including birds like the Malabar whistling thrush. The dense fog and lush greenery during the monsoon season are a major draw.

Best Time to Visit

The most popular and recommended time for the Andharban trek is during the monsoon season, from June to September. During this period, the forest is at its most vibrant, and the numerous waterfalls are in full flow. The trek can also be done in the post-monsoon season (October to January) when the weather is cool and the views are clear.

Permits and Rules

• Permit: A forest entry permit is mandatory for the trek. The fee is around ₹150 per person.

• Guide: A trained guide, appointed by the Forest Department, is required for all visitors and must be hired directly at the sanctuary gate.

• Age Restriction: Visitors must be at least 16 years of age.

• Safety and Regulations:

  • Trekking alone is not recommended; it is best to go in a group or with a trekking company.

  • Littering, smoking, and consuming alcohol or any intoxicants are strictly prohibited.

  • Loud music and feeding wildlife are not allowed.

  • Visitors must stick to the marked trail.

  • Wearing proper trekking shoes with a good grip is essential due to the slippery terrain.

• Things to Carry: It is crucial to carry at least 2-3 liters of water, as there are no water sources along the route. Other essential items include snacks, a raincoat/poncho (during monsoon), a first-aid kit, and an extra set of clothes.

To reach Andharban from Mumbai or Pune, you have several options including bus, train, and car. The trek is a “point A to point B” route, starting at Pimpri village and ending at Bhira Dam, which makes transport logistics important.
By Bus

• Public Bus: There are no direct public buses from Mumbai or Pune to the starting point of the trek at Pimpri village. You would need to take a bus to a nearby town like Lonavala and then hire a private vehicle for the remainder of the journey.
• Organized Tours: This is the most popular and convenient option. Many adventure clubs and tour operators in Mumbai and Pune offer one-day treks to Andharban that include private bus transportation, meals, and a guide. This is a good option because the transport is arranged for the entire round trip, accommodating the trek’s start and end points being different. The bus usually picks up from various locations in the city and takes you directly to the trek starting point.

By Train

• From Mumbai/Pune: The nearest railway station to Andharban is Lonavala. You can take a local or express train from either city to Lonavala.
• trains between Mumbai pune and Malavli lonavala
• From Lonavala to Andharban: From Lonavala, you will need to
• hire a private taxi or cab to reach Pimpri village. The distance is about 50 km and the journey can take around 1.5 hours. A taxi will cost approximately ₹2,000 for a one-way trip.
• You will also need to arrange for a pickup from the trek’s endpoint at Bhira Dam, which is about 37 km from Pimpri village. Hiring a taxi for the full day from Lonavala is a recommended option.

By Car

• From Mumbai: The driving distance is around 130 km, and it takes approximately 3 to 4 hours. The best route is via the Bengaluru-Mumbai Highway/Mumbai-Pune Expressway.
• From Pune: The distance is around 70 km, and the drive takes approximately 2 to 3 hours, following the Tamhini Ghat Road.
• Important Note: As the trek is a point-to-point descent, parking your own car at the starting point (Pimpri village) is not recommended unless you have a driver who can take the car to the end point at Bhira Dam to pick you up. Alternatively, you can hire a private taxi from Mumbai or Pune for the entire day, which is a more convenient option for a one-way trek and costs around ₹2,300 to ₹3,000.

Reaching Pimpri village in the Mulshi taluka is a bit more involved than getting to the Pimpri-Chinchwad urban area. As it is a small village and the base for the Andharban trek, there are no direct, frequent public bus services.

Here are your travel options from Pune:

1. By Private Vehicle or Taxi (Recommended)

This is the most convenient and recommended way to reach Pimpri village. The distance is approximately 68 km, and the drive takes around 2 to 3 hours. Hiring a private cab or using ride-sharing services like Uber Intercity is your best bet.

• Approximate Cost: A taxi can cost between ₹1,000 to ₹1,200, but rates may vary.
• Benefits: This option gives you the flexibility to travel at your own pace and reach the specific starting point of the trek.

2. By Public Transport (Bus + Taxi)

While there is no direct bus to Pimpri village, you can take a bus to a nearby town and then hire a local vehicle.

• Step 1: Take a bus to Mulshi. The PMPML bus service operates buses from Pune to Mulshi, with departures from bus stands like Nal Stop B or Swargate. The journey to Mulshi takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.

How to travel from Pune to Mulshi by PMPML bus:
Board the bus: Take the PMPML line 233 bus from Swargate. [2, 3]
Travel to Paud: The bus will take you to ST Stand Paud, which is a key stop for Mulshi. [1, 3]
Reach Mulshi: From the Paud stand, you may be able to take another bus or a taxi to reach your specific destination within Mulshi. [1, 2, 4]
Additional information:
Frequency: The bus service operates hourly, ensuring regular options for travelers. [1, 3]
Cost: Ticket prices typically range from ₹45 to ₹85 for this route. [2, 3]
Website: You can find more information on the official PMPML website, pmpml.org. [5]

• Step 2: Hire a local taxi from Mulshi. From the Mulshi bus stand, you will need to hire a local cab or an autorickshaw to take you the remaining distance to Pimpri village.

3. By Train (Train + Taxi)

This is another option, although it involves multiple legs of the journey.

• Step 1: Take a train to Lonavala. You can catch a local or express train from Pune Junction to Lonavala. The journey takes about 1 to 1.5 hours.
• Step 2: Hire a private vehicle from Lonavala. From Lonavala station, you will need to hire a taxi or cab to take you to Pimpri village, which is about 57 km away. The drive from Lonavala to the village takes approximately 1.5 hours.

Given the remote nature of Pimpri village in Mulshi, a private vehicle is the most practical and reliable way to ensure a smooth and direct journey, especially if you are traveling for the Andharban trek.

local village food guide and accomodation at Andharban, Tamhini Ghat base villages

Nitin Mengde (need to confirm is he is still active as no information online)

• Type of Service: Local Guide, Food, & Accommodation
• Village – Hirdi
• 9673733269
• 7249678908

Dhiraj Mengde (Andharban Agro Tourism)

• Andharban agro tourism Hiradi
• Type of Service: Local Guide, Food,& Accommodation (Post Diwali)
• Village – Hirdi
• 7447898181
• 7218986555
• 7757864428
• https://www.facebook.com/dhirajmengad

Suraj Kedar (need to confirm phone number for 2025)

• Type of Service: Local Guide
• Village – Pimpri
• 9404266855
• 9762806510

Sunil & Mahendra Kharade (Andharban Homestay)

• Type of Service: Local Guide, Food, & Accommodation (Year round)
• Village – Hirdi
• Address: Andharban Homestay, Tal, Mulshi, Pimpri, Pune, Maharashtra 412108
• 9881419600
• 9822286085
• https://www.instagram.com/andharbanhomestay/

Sanjay Pisal (need to verify 2025)

• Type of Service: Local Guide, Food, & Accommodation
• Village – Pimpri
• 8308005231 (sanjay?)

Dhondiba Nade(need to verify 2025)

• Type of Service: Local Guide & Food
• Village – Hirdi
• 9765084380

Gangaram Jankar(need to verify 2025)

• Type of Service: Local Guide
• Village – Pimpri
• 9923286999

Karan Alhat(need to verify 2025)

• Type of Service: Local Guide
• Village – Pimpri
• 8698617309

Sitaram Mohane(need to verify 2025)

• Type of Service: Local Guide

• Village – Pimpri

• 9545849111

Hotels near Andharban trek
Andharban homestay reviews
Hotel Swaraj Andharban Farm
Andharban forest
Lonavala to Andharban trek distance