Top 10 Places to Visit in Igatpuri (2024)
Igatpuri, a lovely little town in Maharashtra, is considered one of the country’s most amazing offbeat destinations. It is situated in the Western Ghats and is part of the Nashik district. It is surrounded by the highest peaks in the Sahyadri range. Igatpuri is a great place for a relaxing weekend retreat because of its nice environment, charming historic forts, beautiful waterfalls, and breathtaking mountains.
Although the weather in Igatpuri is pleasant throughout the year, the months of June to March are the best for visiting this hill station. The splendour of this location is amplified many times during the monsoon season when the deep forest turns greener and the waterfalls are revitalised. Igatpuri is also a popular destination for hikers and trekkers. The hill station receives a lot of rain every year, with the dry season falling between November and March.
Although Igatpuri is well-connected to all major cities by all kinds of transportation, the best method to get there is via road. The hill station is about 130 kilometres from Mumbai and can be a scenic road trip. For people who want to commute by train, Igatpuri also has a railway station. This area can be reached by trains from Mumbai CST to Kasara and Igatpuri. You either take a long-distance train to Igatpuri or take a local rail to Kasara and then a bus uphill.
Igatpuri has a large number of sites to visit despite its small size such as the old forts of Tringalwadi and Avandha, the Kalsubai Harishchandragad Wildlife Sanctuary or the many amazing waterfalls. You will never run out of things to do in Igatpuri, whether you are a nature lover or an adventure seeker. The city’s adventure activity possibilities are numerous: from river rafting to camping beneath the stars, Igatpuri offers it all.
Top 10 Places to Visit in Igatpuri
- Bhatsa River Valley: Located in the Bhatsa River’s basin at the end of the Thal Ghat, it is a picturesque place located right before entering Igatpuri. The valley, covered with thick foliage, will take you away from the city’s crowds and pollution. The river that runs through this valley has generated some intriguing rock formations. This untainted valley will revitalise your body and mind. You must visit during the monsoon season to appreciate the beauty of this location. The valley is very close to the Camel Valley.
- Camel Valley: Camel Valley, about 4 kilometres from Igatpuri’s main town, is one of the town’s best-kept secrets. The valley is next to the beautiful Bhatsa River Valley. A roaring waterfall that cascades down from a height of 1000 feet is one of the valley’s main attractions. During the monsoon, the valley grows greener and comes alive with several waterfalls. The lovely valley, which is blanketed in clouds, is a sight to behold. You can also participate in adventurous activities such as river crossing and river rafting. The valley is also an excellent area to simply unwind and take in the scenery.
- Ghatandevi Temple: After crossing the camel Valley, just ahead of Igatpuri, there is a little road that goes to the Ghatandevi temple. Ghatandevi is the Protector of Ghats, according to local belief. The Durrar Utvad, Trimak, and Harihar mountains provide a stunning backdrop. The Tringalwadi Fort is located behind the temple.
- Tringalwadi Fort: The Tringalwadi Fort, one of Igatpuri’s most popular tourist sites, is an architectural marvel perched atop the Sahayadri hill range at a height of roughly 3000 feet. The fort provides an astounding panoramic view of the surrounding area. It is a famous hotspot among the hikers and trekkers along with the surrounding Kalsubaia and Kulang mountain ranges. The fort of Tringalwadi has a turban-like appearance. The actual date of the building of this fort is unknown, however, it is thought to have existed from the 10th century. In 1688, the fort was taken over by the Mughals. To get to the fort, you’ll have to trek along a narrow trail to Tringalwadi Lake. The Kulang and Kalsubai mountain ranges can also be seen from the fort. On your walk up to the fort, you’ll pass through several caverns. The Pandav Leni caverns, which are located at the fort’s foothill, are another attraction. A statue of Gautam Buddha can be found inside the caverns.
- Kalsubai Peak: Mt. Kalsubai is the tallest mountain in the Sahyadri ranges and one of Igatpuri’s most popular tourist destinations. The top is noted for providing stunning views of Bhandardara’s gorgeous mountains. With a height of 1646 meters or 5400 feet, it is the tallest mountain in Maharashtra and is referred to as Maharashtra’s Everest. The summit also provides an opportunity to trek and explore it in the most adventurous way possible. The trek, on the other hand, is hard and demanding, and even expert hikers may have difficulty reaching the summit.
- Arthur Lake: A few kilometres from Igatpuri, Arthur Lake is one of the most famous tourist attractions. It is set like a magnificent diamond within the deep foliage. Arthur Lake, which is surrounded by the gorgeous Sahyadris Ranges and receives its water from the Pravara River, provides a serene atmosphere for visitors. Camping, boating, and photography are all available at the lake.
- Amruteshwar Temple: It is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and was built in the 11th century AD. The temple, built in a peculiar Hemadpanti architecture, is bordered by lush green fields and Mount Kalsubai, Maharashtra’s highest mountain. A further excursion leads to the Ratangad Fort from here. This temple can be reached by road or by taking an 8-kilometre boat ride on Arthur Lake.
- Dhamma Giri Meditation Centre: Dhammagiri is a meditation centre founded by S.N. Goenka that offers courses in Vipasana (insight meditation), a technique taught by the Buddha 2,500 years ago in India. Dhammagiri’s enormous Golden Pagoda acts as a landmark for Igatpuri. The centre gets a large number of visitors from all around India as well as from other countries.
- Girisagar Waterfall: This waterfall is located inside the Jamunda Hills. Near the picturesque Bhavali Dam, 17 kilometres from the Igatpuri train station, this spectacular waterfall welcomes you to appreciate its timeless beauty amidst the fog and lush green trees. A viewpoint immediately above the falls affords a fantastic view of the Sahyadris, and there are many more top attractions nearby.
- Sandhan Valley: Also known as ‘Maharashtra’s Grand Canyon’, it is a combination of a canyon and a valley. It is popular with adventurers since it provides a hard journey route. It also offers a diverse range of outdoor sports and natural experiences.
If you have more time, Igatpuri has many more beautiful and mesmerizing places to visit such as The Five Waterfalls, Vaitarna Dam, Bitangad Trek, Vihigaon Waterfall, Darna Dam and Talegaon Lake. Igartpuri offers an enriching experience that will leave you thrilled and relaxed at the same time.
