Why the rains are the best time for a group drive
From roughly June to September, the Sahyadri hills around Pune turn green almost overnight. Dry slopes become waterfalls, clouds sit on the ghats, and even a short drive feels like a holiday. For many Pune families and office teams, one monsoon outing a year is a fixed tradition.
A tempo traveller suits these trips well. Everyone travels together, nobody has to drive on slippery roads, and the driver knows how to handle the ghats in fog and rain. The trade-off is that monsoon trips need a little more planning than a winter outing, which is what the safety section further down covers.
Short drives, under two hours from Pune
Lonavala and Khandala
About 65 km. The obvious choice, and popular for good reason. Bhushi Dam’s overflowing steps, Tiger’s Leap with clouds drifting below, and the waterfalls along the Khandala ghat are all at their best in the rains. Lohagad and the Karla caves nearby make good additions for active groups.
The catch is crowds. Monsoon weekends in Lonavala can mean long jams near the main points, so try a weekday if you can. Our Pune to Lonavala tempo traveller page has route details.
Mulshi and Tamhini Ghat
Mulshi is about 45 km away, and Tamhini Ghat roughly 55 km. This is the monsoon drive many Pune locals prefer over Lonavala. The road past Mulshi Lake climbs into Tamhini Ghat, where waterfalls come down right beside the road and the valley disappears into cloud.
It makes a relaxed, scenic day for families and teams. There is not much in the way of big sightseeing points; the drive itself is the attraction. Plan a long chai stop and a lunch at one of the lakeside resorts around Mulshi.
Further out, still a day trip
Bhimashankar
About 110 km, roughly 3 hours. In the monsoon, the forest around the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga is thick, misty and full of streams. Pilgrims and nature lovers can share the same trip: darshan in the morning, then a slow walk on the forest paths if the weather allows.
The last stretch of the road climbs steeply through the hills, and fog can be heavy. Steps to the temple get slippery, so elders need a steady hand. See our Pune to Bhimashankar tempo traveller page.
Malshej Ghat
About 130 km via Narayangaon and Junnar. Malshej is one of the most dramatic monsoon ghats in Maharashtra, with waterfalls pouring off the cliffs and clouds rolling across the road. On the way you pass Junnar, where Shivneri Fort and the Lenyadri caves make worthwhile stops in clearer weather.
It suits groups who enjoy a long, scenic drive and don’t mind spending more time on the road than at one spot. Visibility can drop sharply here, so an early start is important.
Matheran
About 120 km via Khopoli, Karjat and Neral. Matheran is a car-free hill station, so the tempo traveller stops at the parking point below town and the group walks, rides a horse or uses the local transport from there. In the monsoon it is wrapped in cloud, with red mud paths and quiet viewpoints.
It is a good pick for friends and fit families. The paths get muddy and slippery, so good footwear is a must, and elders may find the walking hard. More on our Pune to Matheran tempo traveller page.
Better as an overnight trip
Mahabaleshwar
About 120 km. Mahabaleshwar receives very heavy rain, and the experience is quite different from the busy summer season. Mist covers everything, waterfalls appear on every hillside, and the town is much quieter.
Be prepared for the fact that some viewpoints and activities, such as boating, may be closed or simply lost in fog during heavy spells. Panchgani, on the way, often has clearer weather. See our Pune to Mahabaleshwar tempo traveller page.
Igatpuri
About 220 km. Igatpuri, in the hills between Nashik and Mumbai, is a monsoon favourite for waterfalls, misty valleys and quiet resorts. The distance makes a same-day return tiring, so plan at least one night.
It suits office offsites and friend groups who want a weekend away from the usual Lonavala crowd.
Late in the season: Kaas Plateau
About 135 km via Satara. Kaas is a late-monsoon trip. Once the heavy rains ease, roughly from late August, the plateau starts flowering, and the bloom can run into early October depending on the year. Entry is regulated during the flower season, so check the current booking system before you go.
Combine it with Thoseghar waterfall, which is usually in full flow at the same time. Our Pune to Satara and Kaas tempo traveller page has more.
Monsoon trips at a glance
| Place | Approx distance | Best part of the monsoon | Day trip or overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lonavala and Khandala | 65 km | July and August | Day trip |
| Mulshi and Tamhini Ghat | 45 to 55 km | July and August | Day trip |
| Bhimashankar | 110 km | July to September | Day trip |
| Malshej Ghat | 130 km | July and August | Long day trip |
| Matheran | 120 km | July to September | Day trip or overnight |
| Mahabaleshwar | 120 km | September, as rain eases | Overnight |
| Igatpuri | 220 km | July to September | Overnight |
| Kaas Plateau | 135 km | Late August onwards | Long day trip |
Staying safe on monsoon trips
Respect the ghat roads
Ghat roads in heavy rain are slippery, fog can cut visibility to a few metres, and loose stones fall onto the road. Let the driver set the pace. Don’t push him to hurry or overtake, and don’t ask him to stop on a blind bend for photos. If the weather turns bad, a delay of an hour is far better than pressing on.
Check landslide and rain alerts
Before you leave, look at the weather alerts from the India Meteorological Department and any advisories from the district administration or local police. When orange or red alerts are issued for the ghats, it is wiser to postpone. Roads in the hills can be closed at short notice after a landslide, so keep your plan flexible and keep a backup destination closer to Pune.
Stay out of waterfalls, dams and streams
This is the most important rule. Every monsoon, people drown at waterfalls, dams and streams around Pune and Lonavala. Water levels can rise within minutes after heavy rain upstream, and rocks are slippery.
- Don’t swim in dams, lakes or rivers, however calm they look.
- Don’t stand under or climb onto waterfalls.
- Stay behind barricades and follow police and forest staff instructions.
- Keep children close, and keep phones away from edges.
Start early, be back before dark
Leave Pune early, finish the ghat sections in daylight and aim to be on the highway home before evening. Rain, fog and darkness together make driving much harder.
Pack for the rain
- Raincoats or ponchos, not just umbrellas.
- Footwear with good grip, and a spare pair of slippers for the vehicle.
- A change of clothes and a towel for each person.
- Plastic bags for wet clothes and to protect phones.
- Ask for a tarpaulin cover if luggage goes on the roof.
For the full planning list, including what to confirm in your quote, read our group trip planning checklist.