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Versova Beach (29 km)
Versova Beach is also a popular beach like Juhu. It is home to Mumbai's largest
Koli fishing community.
Access: By suburban electric train to Andheri and from there 5km by road.
AArey Milk Colony (35 km)
A modern dairy farm set amidst gardens, it supplies milk to the city of Mumbai. The Central Dairy is open to visitors
between 9am and noon and 4
and 7pm. Cottages for picnickers are available and can be reserved through the
Chief Executive Officer, Aarey Milk Colony, Mumbai.
Erangal Beach (35 km)
A beautiful place with golden sands.
The suburban electric train stops at Malad, from where the journey must be made
by road.
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Ambarnath (74)
This is an 11th century Chalukyan Shiva Temple and a picnic spot. The 1000
year old temple
is made of richly carved stone blocks. An Archaeological Survey of India board
at the site states that the Ambarnath temple is perhaps the oldest shrine dedicated
to Shiva in the coastal parts of Maharashtra.
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Bassein (Vasai) (76.8 km)
Bassein
or Vasai was an ancient Portuguese settlement located about 77 km to the north
of Mumbai, near the Thane creek. The Bassein Fort was constructed in 1532 by
Bahadur Shah, Sultan of Gujarat. Ruins of the Fort and the Cathedral of St.
Joseph and the Churches of St Antony and St. Paul can be seen in this fort.
The city walls are still intact. There are also decorative gateways inscribed
with coats of arms and Portuguese graves dating back to 1558.
Access: Bassein or Vasai is 77 kms by road along the Mumbai- Ahmedabad highway.
The nearest station is Bassein or Vasai on the Western Railway. From there the
fort can be reached by auto-rickshaw or taxi.
Gorai and Manori Beaches (59 km)
Dotted with quaint villages on either side, the twin beaches of Manori and Gorai
are located across the creek from Borivili or Malad. These beaches are generally
safe to swim expect during the monsoons when it becomes dangerous due to strong
underwater currents. These villages offer a peaceful retreat with plenty of dried fish, palm trees etc. Essel World, the amusement park is located
in Gorai village.
Access: The nearest railway stations are Borivili or Malad from where the
journey must be made by road and sea (Ferry). Also approachable by road
via Bhayandar on Western Express Highway. Private shacks are available for
stay.
Kanheri Caves (45 km)
Situated in the heart of Mumbai's Sanjay Gandhi National Park- around 7km from
the parks entrance, the complex contains 109
Buddhist caves. Carved out of natives rock, the caves that form the complex are believed to
have been occupied by Buddhist monks for nearly a thousand years, starting 2nd
century A.D., thus making them one of the oldest rock monasteries in the
country. Caves No.1,2,3 are noteworthy for their massive pillars, sculptures and
stupas.
Access : Located 45km east of Mumbai city, the caves are 10 km from the Borivili
railway station.
Ghodbunder (43.5 km)
A beautifully landscaped Golden Valley Resort. Originally a farmhouse surrounded
by paddy fields and mango plantations. It is an enchanting picnic spot.
Access: The suburban electric train stops at Borivili from where Ghodbunder
is 9.6km by road.
Karnala Bird Sanctuary and Fort (61 km)
Between Pen and Panvel lies the fort Karnala which is at a height of 445m above
sea level. At the bottom of the fort is the famous Karnala bird sanctuary,
located 61km south of Mumbai. About 150 species of birds have been spotted here, 30 of which are migratory.
The rare Ashy Minivet, a native of the Philippines, has also been seen here. The
best time to visit is from November to February.
Access: There are buses to Panvel from Mumbai. From there it is 10km through
NH17 to Karnala.
Karla Caves (117 km)
The Buddhist rock-cut Chaitya Hall of Karla dates to the 2nd century B.C. and
is said to be the most perfect of its kind. An inscription at the entrance attributes
its excavation to Bhutapal of Vaijayanti.
Access: The caves are located 15 km from Lonavla, which is 102 km south east
of Mumbai on the Mumbai Pune Expressway. The caves are approached by a rough path of about 2km.from
Malavli. Sedan chairs
available.
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