Amboli
Amboli is a hill station in south Maharashtra, India. At an altitude of 690 m it is the last hill station before the coastal highlands of Goa and a relatively unexplored one.
Amboli lies in the Sahayadri Hills of Western India, one of the world’s “Eco Hot-Spots” and it therefore abounds in a variety of fairly unique flora and fauna. However, as in the other parts of the Sahaydri Hills, denudation of the forest cover and unregulated government assisted “development” (read “hotels, resorts & highways”) are gradually ruining a once pristine environment.
How to Reach:
Amboli is well connected by road to all the surrounding cities (Kolhapur 129 km, Belgaum 68 km, Panjim (Goa) 90 km) by road and the nearest airport is at Belgaum, about 1.5 hours drive away. All the roads are good and a new airport is expected to come up in north Goa shortly, reducing the travelling time to just over an hour.
* Driving Directions from Mumbai: NH 17 till Savantwadi, then 29 km towards East.
* Driving Directions from Pune,Kolhapur: NH 4 till Sankeshwar, then Gadhinglaj-Ajara-Amboli.
Accommodation:
There are a few decent (and relatively cheap) hotels at Amboli. A few of them being, Hotel Sailee, Whistling Woods, Silent Valley Resort Shanti Darshan and Hotel Shiv malhar. Most of them provide hot water baths and have facilities like Restaurant, Room Service & Cab Services.
Tourist Attraction
History & Culture :
1. Madhavgad Fort: The Madhavgad Fort gives good views of the surrounding forests. The fort can be reached only from the northern side. It gives a terrific view of the Konkan and the Arabian Sea. The Madhavgad Fort is 4 times the size of Shaniwarwada in Pune.
2. Summer Palace
Nature:
1.Amboli Falls: The Amboli Falls is a beautiful and marvelous tourist attraction. The thrilling water falls draw many tourists to Amboli every year. The water falls is in full glory during the rainy season which starts from June and lasts till October.
2.Nangartas Falls: The Nangartas Falls is situated 10 km from Amboli. It is placed Sindhudurg district. The falls is well known for its fresh and pleasing environs. The Nangartas Falls falls into an attractive and narrow ravine making deep and mysterious hell of a sound.
Religious:
A small Shiva Temple is built in front of the cave where Hiranyakeshi Uppam the river originates. The temple has been built many years ago. There is a belief that the temple was built by a man who is supposed to be the manifestation of Shiva. The temple is sacred and peaceful.
Weather:
Amboli has a relatively moderate climate all through the year.
Summers (March to May) are bit hot with average temperature ranges between 22°C to 40 °C. This is a dry period suitable for outings except for hot days in May.
Monsoons (June to September) offer very good rains and are humid but pleasant with moderate temperature.
Winters (December to February) are cooler with temperature ranges in 10°C to 30°C. Tourists flock to this place during this period.
Best season to visit Amboli is between October and February.
October to February is good for sight seeing, when the temperature is cool.
June to September offers pleasant moderate climate, but carry some raincoats.
March to May are also suitable for sight seeing, but drink plenty of waters.
