Igatpuri hill stn teems with tourists ahead of New Year

Nashik: Tourists are now visiting Igatpuri hill station in Nashik district in large numbers. All the rooms at hotels, resorts, bungalows, and villas in the area are 100% booked until Dec 31.
Igatpuri is becoming a hotspot for new year celebrations for tourists as it can be a short and concise trip of two to three days. According to hoteliers, tourists from Mumbai, Gujarat, and various other places come to Igatpuri for new year celebrations every year. This year, too, tourists came from different parts of the state and country to visit Igatpuri to enjoy New Year.
"All hotels, resorts, and even private villas and bungalows are completely occupied during the last three days of Dec. Staying in Igatpuri hotels and resorts is affordable compared to those in Lonavala," said Vishal Gupta, an owner of one of the hotels in Igatpuri.
"Igatpuri is becoming a popular hill station due to the beauty of nature, boating facilities, and many trekking options here," added Gupta"
There are over 30 resorts and hotels, along with around 500 bungalows and villas, having over 3,000 rooms in Igatpuri.
Many places like hills, mountains, rivers, lakes, meditation centres, trekking options, and paddy fields attract tourists here.
Datta Bhalerao, chairman of the tourism committee of Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture (MCCIA), said that Igatpuri is one of the popular hill stations in the state.
"Most of the tourists prefer celebrating the new year at the Igatpuri hill station due to the beauty of nature and very pleasant climate. We are expecting around 50,000 tourists to visit Igatpuri in three days between Dec 29 and 31 this year," said Bhalerao.
There is a rush of tourists, particularly on weekend days throughout the year.
"Family members, groups of relatives or friends usually prefer staying at the private villas or bungalows, which are provided on rent to the tourists," said Bhalerao.
"I came here for the first time with my family ahead of the new year. Accordingly, I decided to celebrate the new year in the vicinity of nature, hills in hill stations like Igatpuri, said Sanket Pujari, a tourist from Mumbai.