Malshej Ghat

Located at an altitude of 700 metres, Malshej Ghat is one of the less frequented, albeit most charming hill stations in Maharashtra. Littered with waterfalls cascading down its steep cliffs, Malshej Ghat is beautiful all year round, but the best time to visit is during the monsoon months, when the water gushes with gusto and exotic flamingos migrate to its green environs. If you’re the outdoorsy variety, there’s no limit to the exploring you can do here—from placid lakes and angry waterfalls, to superb hiking trails and an extensive bird life that will thrill even the most avid birders. For the more culturally inclined, this was the birthplace of the legendary Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (yes, the Bombay airport’s named after him), and also houses some ancient Buddhist caves and the Shivneri Fort.