India's City of Dreams, Misty Hill Country & the Konkan Coast
This 6-day circuit covers three of Maharashtra's most contrasting landscapes within easy reach of each other — the relentless energy of Mumbai, the cool, waterfall-laced hill country of Lonavala in the Western Ghats, and the quiet Konkan beaches of Alibaug, just a short ferry ride across Mumbai harbour.
Two nights in Mumbai give time to properly experience India's financial and entertainment capital — the Gateway of India, the UNESCO-listed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the colonial-era architecture of South Mumbai, the bohemian energy of Colaba and Bandra, and Marine Drive's famous sweep along the Arabian Sea.
From the city, the road climbs into the Sahyadri range to Lonavala — a beloved hill station since the British era, known for its forts, waterfalls, and the dramatic Karla and Bhaja rock-cut Buddhist caves nearby. One night here is enough to absorb the cooler air and explore the area's most rewarding viewpoints and historic sites before returning toward the coast.
The tour concludes with two nights in Alibaug — often nicknamed "mini-Goa" for its laid-back beach culture, reached either by road around Mumbai harbour or by a scenic high-speed ferry directly across the bay. Kolaba Fort, a 17th-century Maratha naval fortification accessible on foot at low tide, the area's string of beaches, and a relaxed, slower pace make for a perfect final chapter before returning to Mumbai for departure.
What makes this journey special
Your journey, unfolded
Welcome to Mumbai! Transfer from the airport to your hotel. Afternoon: explore South Mumbai's colonial heart. The Gateway of India — Mumbai's most iconic monument, built in 1924 to commemorate the visit of King George V, and the point from which the last British troops departed India in 1948. Nearby, the grand Taj Mahal Palace Hotel (1903) anchors the waterfront.
Visit the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CST, formerly Victoria Terminus) — a UNESCO World Heritage Gothic Revival railway station still in daily use by millions of commuters, and one of the finest examples of Victorian architecture fused with Indian craftsmanship anywhere in the world. Evening: a walk along Marine Drive, the city's 3-km curving seafront promenade, known as the "Queen's Necklace" for the string of streetlights that trace its curve after dark.
Morning: a one-hour boat ride from Gateway of India to Elephanta Island, home to the Elephanta Caves (UNESCO World Heritage) — a network of rock-cut cave temples dating to the 7th century CE, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The centrepiece Sadashiva sculpture, a 6-metre three-faced bust representing Shiva as creator, preserver, and destroyer, is one of the finest examples of ancient Indian rock-cut art.
Return to the mainland for lunch and continue to Malabar Hill — the Hanging Gardens and Kamala Nehru Park, with panoramic views over Marine Drive and Chowpatty Beach below. Afternoon: drive to Bandra, Mumbai's fashionable western suburb, for the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, Bandra Fort, and the chance to spot the homes and haunts of Bollywood stars in this celebrity-favoured neighbourhood. Evening at leisure, or optional dinner in one of Bandra's many restaurants and rooftop bars.
Check out and drive from Mumbai to Lonavala (approximately 95 km, 2.5 hours), climbing into the Sahyadri (Western Ghats) range via the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. The temperature noticeably drops as you gain altitude, and the landscape shifts from urban sprawl to dramatic forested hills and valleys, especially atmospheric in the post-monsoon months when waterfalls are still active.
Arrive Lonavala and check in. Afternoon: visit Tiger's Leap (Tiger Point) and Lion's Point — two of the most popular viewpoints in the area, with sheer drops into the Sahyadri valleys below. Bhushi Dam — a popular spot where the spillway water cascades over wide concrete steps, a favourite with families for paddling (best outside peak monsoon flooding). Evening at leisure on Lonavala's main street, well known across Maharashtra for its chikki (a traditional jaggery-and-nut brittle) and fudge shops.
Morning: visit the Karla Caves (11 km from Lonavala) — a complex of ancient Buddhist rock-cut shrines dating to the 2nd century BCE, including one of the largest and best-preserved chaitya (prayer hall) caves in India, with an intricately carved facade and a soaring vaulted interior. Nearby, the Bhaja Caves (also 2nd century BCE) offer a quieter, less-visited counterpart with 18 rock-cut caves and a stupa group, set on a hillside with views over the valley.
After lunch, check out and drive to Alibaug (approximately 165 km, ~4 hours) — descending from the Sahyadri hills back toward the Konkan coast, with the route skirting around Mumbai's southern outskirts to reach the Raigad coastline. Arrive Alibaug by evening and check in to your beachside hotel. Evening at leisure on the beach as the sun sets over the Arabian Sea.
A full day exploring Alibaug's coastline. Morning (timed to the low tide): walk out to Kolaba Fort — a 17th-century Maratha naval fortification built under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1652, standing in the Arabian Sea just off Alibaug Beach. At low tide, a sandy causeway emerges allowing visitors to walk directly out to the fort; at high tide, a short boat ride is used instead. Inside, explore the fort's ramparts, ancient temples, and a freshwater well that has supplied the fort's inhabitants for over three centuries despite its surrounding sea.
Afternoon: explore Alibaug's string of beaches — Nagaon Beach (popular for water sports including jet-skiing, parasailing, and banana boat rides), Kihim Beach (quieter, backed by casuarina groves), and Varsoli Beach (a long stretch of white sand favoured by those wanting a more peaceful setting). Optional: Vrindavan Farm or a visit to one of the small Konkan temples on the surrounding hillsides for sweeping coastal views.
A relaxed final morning in Alibaug — one last walk on the beach or a swim before checkout. Return to Mumbai by your preferred route: the scenic option is a short drive to Mandwa Jetty followed by a roughly one-hour high-speed catamaran ferry directly across Mumbai harbour to the Gateway of India — a beautiful approach into the city with the iconic skyline ahead of you (subject to ferry schedules and sea conditions). Alternatively, drive back via road around the bay (approximately 95 km, ~2.5 hours). Transfer to Mumbai Airport for your onward departure. Tour concludes.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included ✓
- ✓ 5 nights accommodation in handpicked hotels
- ✓ Daily breakfast throughout
- ✓ Private air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers & sightseeing
- ✓ English/Hindi-speaking driver-guide throughout
- ✓ Elephanta Island return boat tickets & cave entry
- ✓ Karla & Bhaja Caves entry
- ✓ Kolaba Fort entry / boat (as per tide)
- ✓ Airport pickup & drop at Mumbai
- ✓ All applicable taxes
Not Included ✗
- ✗ Flights to / from Mumbai
- ✗ Travel insurance (recommended)
- ✗ Lunches & dinners (except where noted)
- ✗ Mandwa-Gateway ferry tickets (optional, payable locally)
- ✗ Water sports at Alibaug beaches (payable locally)
- ✗ Personal expenses & shopping
- ✗ Gratuities for driver-guide
Your questions, answered
October to May is the most comfortable window for this circuit, with pleasant temperatures in Mumbai and Lonavala and calm, swimmable seas at Alibaug. Lonavala is at its most spectacular during and just after the monsoon (June–September), when its waterfalls are at full flow and the hills turn vivid green — many domestic travellers specifically visit Lonavala in this season — but heavy rain can make Karla/Bhaja cave access slippery and outdoor sightseeing in Mumbai less pleasant. We can tailor the itinerary's pacing for a monsoon visit if that is your preference.
Kolaba Fort sits on a small island just off Alibaug Beach. At low tide, a sandy causeway is exposed, allowing visitors to walk out directly (about a 20–30 minute walk, best done in suitable footwear as the sand can be wet in patches). At high tide, the causeway is submerged and a short local boat (around ₹200 per person round trip) is used instead. Our driver-guide checks the local tide tables in advance and times your visit accordingly — we recommend morning visits as the tide pattern is generally more favourable then, but this is confirmed closer to your travel dates.
Yes, and we recommend it if conditions allow — it is faster than the road option, considerably more scenic, and gives you a memorable arrival into Mumbai by sea, sailing directly past the city's skyline to dock at the Gateway of India. High-speed catamaran services run regularly between Mandwa and Gateway of India (roughly 1 hour crossing). The ferry is subject to sea conditions and occasionally suspended during very rough weather (more likely in monsoon); we always have the road option as a reliable fallback and will advise which is preferable closer to your departure day.
Absolutely. Every Discover India tour is fully private and built around your preferences. We can extend any leg, add Khandala (Lonavala's twin hill town) or Murud-Janjira Fort near Alibaug, or adjust the Mumbai sightseeing to focus more on Bollywood studios, street food, or shopping. Submit an enquiry and our specialists will tailor the itinerary for you at no obligation.
Cancellations 60+ days before departure receive a full refund minus a small admin fee. 30–59 days: 75% refund. 15–29 days: 50% refund. Under 15 days: no refund. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance. Full cancellation terms are provided with your booking confirmation.
