Amboli Ghat is a small part of the lush green Western Ghats that is a biodiversity hotspot of India and the world. However, during monsoons, the way they come alive and mesmerize anyone passing through is seen to be believed. We had a brief rendezvous with the ghat section last year while we were on our way to explore Kaas Plateau and Satara. We knew we would be coming back and this year we made a special trip to enjoy the Kingdom of Waterfalls at Amboli Ghat.
This weekend getaway from Mumbai is a Hill station Tourist place in Maharashtra.
Amboli Ghat Waterfalls, Maharashtra
Only about 90 km from Panjim, where we live, it is an easy destination to drive to. We stopped at Sawantwadi for a quick breakfast. And stopped at a few seasonal rivers while sipping hot tea before we met the easy incline of the Western Ghats. The greenery and the valleys slowly start making an appearance and so do the monkeys in big groups.
As soon as we spotted the first waterfall, we stopped to have a closer look, to click pictures. To breathe in the fresh air and to soak in the green surroundings. Thanks to our earlier trip we knew that from here till the ‘Bada Dabdaba’ or the big waterfall there are a series of big and small waterfalls. So we decided to walk this stretch. We passed through streams of water eager to go down and meet a river. The rivers that we had earlier met and were eager to meet the sea. The sea was eager to impregnate the clouds and clouds that would bring smiles to our fields. And our faces when they come back as these waterfalls.
Take a Walk along to Explore the Amboli Ghat
Amboli Falls Video
Watch the Video Clip of the drive to Ghat and the Waterfalls.
The falls go through the roads and fall into the deep valley. From certain vantage points, you can see multiple falls falling from steep cliffs. At other points, they are hidden behind the trees and only make their presence felt with their gushing sound. In one place they were like an artificial wall with tiny pink flowers coming out of it. It felt like a natural watering mechanism for this vertical garden. Tall mountains carry streams of water on one side and deep valleys receiving this water on the other side.
It is like walking through the waterfalls but thanks to the engineers who built the road. Without the need to be wet unless, of course, it starts raining. In some places, we walked through the clouds and at times we waited for the clouds to clear the view. Sometimes they obliged sometimes they did not.
Try Mouth Watering Snacks by the Falls
By the time we reached the big waterfall, we were hungry and ready to have the hot Sabudana Vada. The simple shacks offer tea, Onion Bhaji, Sabudana Vada, and Roasted Bhutta. Everything is made fresh right in front of you. Last year their hottest-selling dish was Maggi noodles but this year there was no Maggi. With rain and water all around, tea and pakoras could not have tasted better. It was raining here at Bada Dabdaba. So we decided to go and meet another waterfall some 10 km away.
Nangar Tas Waterfalls at Amboli Ghat
Video of Nangar Tas Waterfalls
Watch the Nangar Tas Waterfalls Video Clip we captured.
Nangar Tas is a huge waterfall that is, of course, seasonal. But what is worth noting here is the sharp narrow gauge that the water falls into. You can see how the water has made its way through the giant laterite rock. There is a small temple before the entrance that leads to the platform to view the waterfall. With a huge bunch of bells hanging in front of an idol. I am sure there is a story out there but today was the day for the waterfall. We went on the platform to have a look at the river that becomes a fall. We went to another bridge-like structure that stands on the narrow valley created by the strength of the water. I am sure I have never seen anything like this anywhere.
Hiranyakeshi Cave Temple
Wandering around we reached the Hiranyakeshi cave – which is in practice a Shiva temple. To reach this cave, we drove through a road with a breathtaking landscape on both sides, that went up and down. This is where we first spotted the round ball-like plants that dotted the green landscape – wherever there were no trees. I am still trying to search for its name, if you know please help. We crossed a metal bridge that stood over a stream. We walked through the meadow-like valleys and finally reached this ancient temple that once upon a time was just a cave.
The Temple ponds that connected to the flowing stream nearby had an interesting shape. An open Havan Kund added to the aura of the simple temple. The pathway to the temple was well-laid and made the walk pleasurable. Again with small water streams flowing from one side to another.
Kavleshet or Kavlesad View Point
We came back to the main road and took another detour to Kavleshet or Kavlesad – and the drive to this point was ethereal. We drove through the sugarcane fields completely covered in mist. The valley that we had all the way to see refused to reveal itself and remained hidden behind a thick cover of clouds. Just when we were about to leave it gave a glimpse for a split second as if to tease us. We could have waited below a structure made for tourists. An ugly incomplete cement structure that was as filthy as it can be. So we left and headed to a restaurant to eat some Malwani food.
Enjoy the Beauty of Nature amidst clouds
It was time to come back to Big Waterfall. We spent some time standing on the staircase leading to the top of the waterfall. We saw families enjoying the water and people posing wearing their best smiles while being careful of falling down. This is the crowded part and if you like your solitude in nature, you may just pass by it. If you enjoy people, you can spend some time here. Like we did eating Pakodas and sipping Chai. Being a crowded place, this is not as clean as the rest of the road. Sometimes you can have rowdy groups of men drinking away to glory.
It was time to return home, albeit with a stop at Sawantwadi – stay tuned for another post on the town, right here.
You need at least half a day, ideally, a full day to enjoy the numerous waterfalls there. And the Hill Station is one of the best Hill Stations in Maharashtra.
Recommend you to read the following Places to visit on my Travel Blog.
Wettest Place on Earth – Cherrapunji
Ahh a treat to the eyes…
Thank you, hope you watched video’s as well
Such a wonderful experience in the monsoons.
It is Niranjan, you should explore Amboli sometimes
Thanks for verygood narration with beautiful videos &pictures.
Do visit Amboli Ghat sometime Mr. Udupa, thanks
The beautiful pictures are a treat for the eyes. I love travelling and exploring new places with my kids. The way you have described about the Amboli Ghat tempts me to visit this place at the earliest and capture the beautiful location under the lenses.
Thanks Aarushi. Would wait hear from you once you have visited Amboli Ghat.
Such lovely photography…Great…thanks
Thank you Devendra Borse, Amboli Ghat is very beautiful, visit sometime
Seems straight out of a fantasy world, Your pictures do justice to the beauty of Amboli.
Could you tell me whether the waterfalls are perennial and would we have them around in the month of April. We would like to drop anchor en route to Goa. Thanks for sharing
Anirban, Monsoons is the best time to see Amboli waterfalls, as these are not perennial waterfalls. The big waterfall may have some water but you would not see all the smaller ones that come up.
Thanks Anuradha, that tip helps, may be another time for us… 🙂
Amazing Pics Anuradha. And that bhutta in the rain – must have experience 🙂
What a treat..it’s like visiting the place.
Most of your writings come without recommendation for places to stay…why?
Ruchi, I will try and put places to stay in my posts. However from Goa, we did Amboli Ghat as a morning evening trip so really did not use a hotel. You can stay at MTDC hotel there.
Beautiful photography madam and i got more information about Amboli
Thank you, Prakash. Please do share the additional information about Amboli.
read your wonderful comments about amboli ghat. since i have my own land, near amboli ghat would request you to suggest whether i should develop it as residential villas , apartments or row houses. If u have any suggestions for new development, please guide me.
Dharmil Ji – I am just a traveler, I do not have any expertise in real estate.
Wonderful log. Awesome photography and Awesome Ghat. Does September first week is good to travel to this place and enjoy the beauty.
Shekhar – September is a good time to visit Amboli. Just see that it has rained a few days before you go, the more it rains, the more beautiful the place is.
Nice blog..Beautifully presented
Keep it up!!!