If you are a travel enthusiast like me or simply looking for short weekend destinations from Mumbai or Pune, look no further. A visit to the Vandri Lake in Palghar is exactly the refreshing break you need.
About Vandri Lake
Vandri Lake is a picturesque water body near Vandri village in the Palghar district of Maharashtra, India. It is surrounded by lush greenery and hills, making it an excellent spot for nature lovers and those seeking tranquility away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The lake is a popular destination for weekend getaways, picnics, and nature photography, especially during the monsoon season when the landscape becomes vibrant with greenery and the water levels rise.
Due to its serene environment, Vandri Lake is frequented by people interested in camping, trekking, and bird-watching. Although not as commercialized as other tourist spots, the lake offers a peaceful and relatively untouched natural environment, making it ideal for visitors looking to unwind.
How to Reach Vandri Lake
The fastest way to reach Vandri Lake is by road from Mumbai.
Distance: Vandri Lake is approximately 70-80 km from Mumbai. Route: Take the Western Express Highway (NH48) towards Palghar. After crossing Virar, head towards Safale, and from the junction where you can see The Fern Shelter Palghar, take a right towards Vandri Lake Road. This should take about 2 to 2.5 hours.
Now head straight ahead for about 5 km and you will arrive at the lake. The road despite passing through the Vandri Village is a well-maintained & motorable road.
By Train: Take a local train from Mumbai (Western Line) and get off at Palghar Railway Station or Safale Railway Station. From Palghar or Safale, you can take a taxi or rickshaw to Vandri Lake, which is about 15-20 km away.
If you are traveling from Pune, you will need to reach Mumbai first and then follow the details above.
Pro Tip: There are no food options or restaurants near Vandri Lake. There are few grocery stores & some vada pav stores set up by the village folk. So please plan accordingly or carry food with you.
How to reach Vandri Lake from Virar
From Virar, Vandri Lake is a popular picnic destination. In fact it is only an hour’s drive away from Virar and you will need to take NH 48 to reach the lake.
What to Expect at Vandri Lake
Once you take the right turn from NH48 onto Vandri Road, you will be mesmerized by the greenery & calm. The entire road up to the lake is lined by lush green trees on both sides. The road is a motorable one. When you drive straight ahead for about 4 km you reach the lake view point. The views from this viewpoint are truly splendid.
On driving back about 600 m, a right turn takes you to the Dhekale Dam area where especially during monsoon when the water overflows, the experience and view are altogether beautiful.
The best time of day to visit this lake and Dhekale Dam is early morning. You can plan to reach around 10 to 11 a.m. At this time, the weather is pleasant. The best season to visit Vandri Lake is Monsoon. The greenery and overflowing water give this place an ethereal vibe.
This lake & the Dhekale Dam area in particular are popular picnic sites. The waters gushing down the rocky steps are enjoyed by tourists of all ages. Some of the villagers set up vada pav stalls here and earlier up the road, there are small grocery stores that sell snacks, cold drinks, and wafers etc.
Camping at Vandri Lake
The lake is not only a popular picnic spot but also a very well-known camping site. Though I did not stay in the camp, the serene surroundings of the lake do make for a very wonderful camping experience.
If you want to know more about camping do check out this link. (Please note: I am not affiliated with this website in any way and do NOT earn commissions from it)
Dhekale Dam
The Dhekale Dam is a minor irrigation dam located in the Palghar district of Maharashtra, India. It is primarily constructed to serve agricultural and irrigation purposes. The dam plays a crucial role in providing water for the nearby areas, especially for farming communities, during periods of low rainfall.
The Dhekale Dam also has a viewpoint, and you will find tourists climbing up on that to get a view of the lake & surroundings. Check out my pics below.
My Other Posts
If you are looking for options in Kashmir, check out my posts on Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Snowfall in Kashmir, and Best Time to Visit Kashmir. If you are looking for options in Ladakh, check out Ladakh Weather, Nubra Valley, 5 Days Kashmir Itinerary, Best Packing tips for Ladakh & best tourist places in Ladakh.
If you are looking for something in Sikkim, check Tsomgo Lake and Batasia Loop. If you are looking for some jungle safari read, Gir Safari, or Bandipur Safari, feel blessed at Sri Venugopala Swamy Temple in Mysore.
If you are looking for places to visit in the Andaman Islands, please check my posts on Radhanagar Beach & Ross Island.
If you are looking for other options, check my posts on Murud Janjira, Kashid, Pirwadi Beach and Kihim Beach in Maharashtra or Malshej Ghat, Matheran Resorts, Kailash Temple Ellora & Mahabaleshwar.
Alternatively, if you are interested in some Religious tourism, please check my posts on Golden Temple, Kamakhya, Trimbakeshwar, Somnath Temple and Kashi Vishwanath. If you are looking for North East Adventure tours, check my posts on Shillong, Meghalaya, Dawki, Double Decker Living Root Trek, and 7-Day North East Itinerary.
For some adventure tours in the south check out Mandalpatti Trek.
If you are looking for some spirituality, you can check out Ganga Aarti in Dashashwamedh Ghat or Ghats in Varanasi.
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