Amboli

Amboli, a small hill village in the Sahayadri Hills of Maharashtra remains unexplored, unpolluted and away from over-commercialization. This quaint place may be a lesser-known hill station, but is not less in any regard in terms of scenic beauty and serene environment. The charm of Western Ghats and grandeur of numerous waterfalls provide a great relief to the visitors hailing from restless cities. Nature lovers and family tourists visiting this Southwest Indian hill resort get fascinated by the sweeping valleys and unbound panorama, while the honeymoon couples get enough of solitude and seclusion to enjoy their romantic journeys. Tourist places also include temples, forts and an array of picturesque spots.

Amboli acts as the last destination while moving from the Western Ghats towards Konkani coastal region before Goa. It is possible to have overwhelming views of the golden coasts of Goa from the hills. The village records highest rainfall in the state of Maharashtra and has pleasant weather conditions round the year. It is believed that the region has more than 100 hidden ancient Shiva temples, only few of which have been discovered as yet. An eco-hotspot, Amboli is appositely called the "Mahabaleshwar of Konkan".

October to January is the best time to visit for sightseeing in Amboli while enjoying pleasantly cool weather and June to September is suitable too as monsoon blesses the place with unrivalled beauty.

Sainik Dhaba is a popular eating place in Amboli and is well-known for its fish fry preparations. Authentic Malwani food can be enjoyed at Balakrishna and Narvekar’s eating venues. Many small and big restaurants and dhabas are available near the bus stand and in the market. A must-visit place is Vithal Kamath restaurant near the Sunset Point, where variety of cuisines can be enjoyed while viewing the nature’s backdrop.

Amboli has nothing special except handmade wooden toys for shopping. Kokum, a sour fruit, and many food items prepared from it can be purchased.

Amboli is conveniently connected by road to the top cities like Goa, Kolhapur, Pune, Bangalore and Mumbai. The nearest railhead is at Sawantwadi. Dabolim Airport in Goa is the closest point to access the village by air. Within city, motorized three-wheelers and taxis can be hired to get around. Trekking, along with a professional travel guide, is an interesting activity for the visitors to access the most astonishing facets of nature. Few of the places in and around the village can also be visited on a horse’s back.

An odd yet interesting place to visit near Amboli is the Bauxite Mine which accommodates eye-pleasing natural landscapes.

Sawantwadi : Well-known for its wooden handicraft industry, the city has wonderful attractions like Moti Talao (lake), Narendra Garden, Kolgaon Archway and Atmeshwar water reservoir. Chandgad: It is a small town famous for its Sree Dev Ravalnath Temple. Belgaum: The place has many tourist attractions like Sree Revan Siddeshwar Temple and Vajrapoha Falls. Ajara: Known for its splendid landscapes, the town has attractions like Ajara Falls and Ramtirth Waterfalls. Nivati Beach: A beautiful beach with interesting fishing activities, Nivati is also known for its tropical oasis. Bhogave Beach: Another popular tourist beach, Bhogave is simply admirable for its silvery beaches and dolphin habitats. Vengurla: It is an extremely pleasant surprise for the visitors, as it is full of glorious beaches, mystic forts, divine temples and limitless greenery. An odd yet interesting place to visit near Amboli is the Bauxite Mine which accommodates eye-pleasing natural landscapes.

There are many hotels in Amboli that have been approved by MTDC for quality stay. Whistling Woods and Green Valley Resort are two of them. The area between the bus stand and the check post has cheap accommodations available at Hotel Shiv Malhaar and Hotel Sailee. JRD International is suitable for those looking for luxury rooms.