Valley of Flowers Trek About Valley of Flowers The Valley of Flowers lives up to its name, with an endless supply of flowers in full bloom. The journey could even be renamed a floral fairytale romance! The Valley of Flowers' unique landscape is like a dream come true: an exquisite valley bejewelled with a never-ending stretch of flowers. Between the rocky mountain ranges of Zanskar and the Great Himalayas are lovely meadows studded with indigenous alpine flora. The area, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, was designated as a national park in 1982. The endless stretch of gorgeous vegetation, dotted with colourful blossoms of pink, yellow, purple, red, blue, and orange hues, is the highlight of this excursion. Throughout the hike, the fragrant scent of the carpeting flowers entices you. Botanists, flower lovers, bird watchers, wildlife photographers, hikers, environment enthusiasts, and adventure seekers from all over the world are drawn to the valley's unspoiled beauty. It
Saputara The Only Hill Station In Gujarat
Saputara, the only hill station in Gujarat, is located in Sahyadri Hills or The Western Ghats. The destination breathes deep into nature’s womb and makes for a
perfect summer retreat. During monsoons, it turns into a magical Greenland,
where one can meditate and enjoy natural splendour.
The place remain crowded with trekkers, picnickers, and nature enthusiasts all year; however, the best time to visit Saputara is during the Saputara Monsoon Festival, when the place is all decked. One can go trekking in the wild jungles, or enjoy a boat ride in the picturesque lake here.
This hill station is nature’s home; and hence, there are several interesting places to visit in Saputara. When there, this is what you should not miss.
The Only hill Station of Gujarat Saputara is a
charming hill station located in the Dang district of the Indian state of
Gujarat Snuggled in the Sahyadris or the Western Ghats, Saputara is a quaint
little hill station in the Dang district of Gujarat.
Popular for lush green forests, undulating mountains, dazzling waterfalls, dreamy winding roads, livid landscapes and plenty of charming cubbyholes to spend quality time with your loved ones, The unmatched scenic beauty of this place beckons tourists from across the country all around the year. From enchanting landscapes, glittering waterfalls, dense forests to natural parks and wildlife sanctuary,
The town is the first favourite among tourists. It
is located at a height of 875 metres above sea level and is a perfect getaway
for eco-lovers, wildlife enthusiasts and people who love adventure sports.
Saputara is located at a distance of Four kilometres from the Maharashtra border and two hundred and fifty kilometres from Mumbai to Dang district of Gujarat, Saputara literally means habitat of snakes and the tribals of this region worship snakes, especially during Holi. It is a beautiful hilly region enriched with enormous greenery offering magnificent panorama, tribal culture of a different sort and great trekking opportunities.
Saputara in Gujarat is a holistic tourist destination. Saputara is the only hill station of Gujarat and it boasts the cultural and religious values of the various Adivasis tribes living in the region. There are plenty of things to do in Saputara to have a fascinating yet relaxing vacation.
This quaint small hill station not only offers
rejuvenation at its best but tourists can also spend time sightseeing and
exploring the culture of this place.
At an altitude of 1000 meters above sea level, Saputara experiences a calm and pleasant climate throughout the year. The average maximum and minimum temperatures recorded are 30°C and 10°C respectively; however, the hill station does not fail to brighten the tourist experience with its charm almost every season. The town is heaven for nature lovers.
Best places to visit nearSaputara
Artist
Village
Just a few kilometres away from
Satpura lake near Nasik road there is a beautiful village which exhibits
spectacular artefacts of Bamboo, clothes and many other things.
The tribals of the village Bhil, Kunbi and warli
are known for their benevolence. Apart from buying their beautiful artworks,
you can also get into workshops to create something different and get to know
the artist in you and their culture even better.
The Artist Village is a must-visit cultural centre
of the region. This gorgeous village is known for exhibiting the art of the
native tribes including bamboo artefacts, jewellery, pottery and clothes that
represent the Dang culture. Not only can you buy these stunning artefacts and
handicrafts, but you can also try your hand at crafting these yourself. You can
learn a lot about the culture of this region during your visit to the
spectacular Artist Village in Saputara.
Perched atop hills at an elevation of 3600 feet, Hatgadh Fort was built by the great Maratha king, ChhatrapatiShivajiMaharaj. You have to trek along a rocky path to reach this ancient fort. The splendid architecture of this fort is a delight for tourists. There is an idol of Lord Ganesha placed atop the fort. Although now in ruins, this site is still one of the most exciting spots in Saputara. Located at a distance of just 5 kilometres from Saputara Lake, this ancient fort offers panoramic views of the entire city and is popular for its tranquil and beautiful environment. Any things to do in the Saputara list would be incomplete without mentioning this lovely fort.
Hatgadh fort is located 5 Km away from the Satpura lake and is in a dilapidated condition and is adored due to the isolation and serenity it offers. This remote fort built by the Maratha ruler Shivaji is a perfect spot for relaxation and to grasp in the picturesque panorama as the breeze caresses your happy faces.
Nestled in the Sahyadri mountain ranges, Vansda national park is sprawled over an area of 24 square kilometres. The national park is situated on the banks of the Anamika River and houses several different species of flora, fauna, and avifauna. Some of the animal species found here are Four-horned antelope, Indian porcupine, Indian leopard, flying squirrel, rhesus macaque, barking deer, python, and Russell’s viper among others. This national park is also known for a rich diversity of birds with over 155 varied species. Some of which are Forest spotted owlet, Malabar trogon,
Common grey hornbill,
Grey-fronted green pigeon and others. More than 400 species of plants are also
found here.
You can explore this place either by walking or you can also take your own vehicle after obtaining the requisite permissions. Wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers will be amazed to see this fascinating place in Saputara.
It is situated in the Navsari district of Gujarat and is a 110-minute drive from Vansda town. Vansda, the park is the principal trading place for the village of Vansda and its surrounding area, which are inhabited by tribes, commonly known as Adivasis. The park is very close to Waghai town which forms an entry point for the Dang jungles. A botanist's and wildlife enthusiast's paradise, the place is home to over hundreds of different and unique varieties of flora and fauna. River Ambika flows along its north-eastern boundary, and a major part of the park falls under the catchment area.
Tucked in between the Sahyadri ranges, lies this
conserved wildlife park spanning over an area of about 24 sq kilometres. It got
its name as Vansda because it was once privately owned by the Maharaja of
Vansda. Not a single tree has been cut since then. Owing to this, in some
places, the canopies are so thick that sunlight does not pass through. It is an
open park, and you can easily get a permit if you want to explore it in your
own vehicle.
Unlike other National Parks, Vansda provides two trail options to its visitors. They can opt to walk or take a vehicle inside. The park also has other attractions like interacting with local tribes, the Gira Falls and the Conservation Centre. The Gira Falls of Vansda is the park's pride and should be experienced by everyone who plans on visiting the park. It is an ideal scenic getaway forming an important part of your itinerary whenever you happen to visit Gujarat.
You can enjoy the lush greenery around the spot and the cool breeze which retreats your soul and relaxes it. Similarly, on the western side, we have Sunset point which gives a great view of Dang forest, filled with enormous greenery and a magnificent view as the Yellow coloured sun imperceptibly strewing redness on the skyline.
There is a lot of climbing which is needed to reach
this point though and it is recommended that you carry a water bottle along.
However, you can also choose to get into The Ropeway, a cable car service which
takes 15 minutes to reach the sunset point and gives an exquisite bird's eye
view of Satpura.
A beautiful and serene known for
boating and the lush green and colourful garden on both sides of it. It is best
visited in the morning for walks to enjoy some peaceful time.
You can choose to visit the Saputara museum which exhibits the lifestyle, culture and history of the people of Dang, the majority of which are Adivasis.
Boating at the Saputaralake is one of the best activities to do in Saputara. This beautiful lake surrounded by lush greenery and pristine beauty is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. The best time to visit this lake is in the morning when you can soak in the beauty of the sunrise and enjoy the chirping of the birds. You can either enjoy boating or just take a walk admiring the mesmerizing beauty of this place. This is an ideal spot to spend some quality time with your family and loved ones.
As you sip in the tea or coffee
from the stalls nearby, enjoying the picturesque panorama and the 150 feet tall
waterfall roars down the edge, you will praise the wonder of nature.
Gira falls is one of the best tourist attraction of Satpura and is just one kilometre away from the Satpura- Waghai road, the best time to visit this fall is recommended to be around June to November.
One of the major tourist attractions of Saputara, Gira falls is located a few kilometres away from the Saputara- Waghai road. The epitome of beauty, Gira falls cascades from a towering height of 150 feet and flows into the Ambika River. Adorned with picture-perfect natural surroundings, this waterfall is located within the Vansda National Park. The best thing to do here is to take a dip in the pool at the base of the waterfall or trek to the nearby forest to enjoy the scenic beauty of nature. Or else, you can just sit and relax while enjoying the captivating views. June – November is the best time to visit Gira falls to witness its beauty in full glory.
Apart from these places, other tourist attractions in and around Saputara are Purna Sanctuary, Saputara Tribal Museum, NageshwarMahadev Temple, and Honey Bees Centre among others.
famously known as Saputara Museum, is a tiny museum
located on the highway to Surat and Nasik. The artefacts of the museum provide an
insight into the lifestyle of the tribal locality of the Dang District. This
museum was constructed in order to bring the tourists with the tribal culture
and lifestyle of the settlement of the district.
There are many artefacts from many tribal communities residing in the region
include Bhils, Kunbis, Gamits, and Warlis. The museum exhibits a variety of
artefacts like clothes, utensils, traditional articles, lifestyles, house
objects, musical instruments and ornaments. The collection of the museum depicts
the everyday life of the tribal communities of the region.
This museum also houses various artefacts that belong to the Dang tribe of
Saputara. Workshops and other exhibitions are also held in the museum every
year in order to showcase the lifestyle, history and ecology of the aborigines
of the region.
This place is considered one of the best places to visit in Saputara. Purna Sanctuary is hanged by the lush dense forests of Western Ghats. It is spread over an area of 160.8 sq km and was sanctioned as a sanctuary in 1990.
A compound of diverse varieties of flora and fauna, the sanctuary home to many animals like elephants, sloth bears wild bulls and rhinoceros. Vegetation of the sanctuary comprises various types of forests including humid deciduous forests, bamboo brakes and teak forests.
The sanctuary also houses about 700 known species of plants like Tectona Grandis (teak), dendrocalamusstrictus, and wrightiatinctoria (dudhala). Other species
include pongamiapinnata (karanj), haldu, catechu (khair),
saccopetalumtomentosa, lagerstroemia parviflora (chopadibondara) acacia
ferruginea and many others.
NageshwarMahadev Temple
Originally
a spot for the Snake temple, The NageshwarMahadev temple took over the older
temple and is located on the southern banks of the beautiful Saputara Lake. One
of the unmissable places to visit in Saputara, the sacred temple is seen live
inaction and activity during Shivratri.
The shrine of the most powerful Lord is positioned in an underground chamber in
one of the 12 jyotirlingas. Lake Garden is located adjacent to the temple and an early morning visit to the temple and the garden will surely do you good. A
very old temple yet well-maintained it is a calm, peaceful and spotless place
to bring the spiritual side of you.
Table
Point
Also
known as Town Viewpoint the location was named table point because of its flat the table-like surface on top of the hill called Governor's hill. Reach the zenith
of the table point and get mesmerized by the beauty of the valley and the
mountains that is sure to take your breath away and it is one of the amazing
places to visit in Saputara.
A perfect place for adventure lovers, you can engage in diverse activities like
camel riding, horse riding along the valley, zip lining and bike tours. You can
also notice that there is a ropeway on one end of the ropeway which you should
embark on to enjoy the best moments here.
Echo
Point
One
of the most flowering tourist attractions located in Matheran nearby to
Saputara is the Echo Point. As the name suggests, this point enables tourists
to hear their voices revive from the spectacular surroundings. There are many
waterfalls near Echo Point.
Tourists come here to make a memorable experience of the wild natural beauty
and mountain ranges. Some attractions of the point are Louisa Point, Charlotte
Lake, and King George Point. This point is also considered as one of the most
famous places to visit in Saputara.
Step
Garden
One
of the most remarkable Saputara Tourist places, the Step Garden has been made
totally on step pattern. You can find a wide array of window boxes, plants and
intricate wooden work in the steps of the lush garden and it is one of the best
places to visit in Saputara.
The centre point of the garden has woodland shacks for the tourists. The
recreation centre in the garden provides a great place for the kids to play and
enjoy. As you progress along with the steps and ascend to heights, the sites will
welcome you to spectacular beds of blossomed flowers and plants.
With the unique layout and one of its kind appeals, Step garden is surely a place to
capture the moments. A great spot for picnickers Step Garden is surely
unmissable.
Lake
Garden
Lake
Garden, a well maintained beautiful garden on the banks of Saputara Lake,
is one of the prime picnic spots in the vicinity. The garden comprises of
different plants and rare species of trees. The garden is set up in lush green
surroundings.
Many spontaneous facilities including playing field are available in the
Garden, mainly aimed at children. This is an excellent location for evening
outings with family. This garden is very close to many famous attractions in
Saputra.
Saptashringi
Devi Mandir
The
Saptashrungi Devi temple is stationed at Vani near Nashik in Maharashtra. This
Temple is one among the 51 Shakti peethas present on the Indian subcontinent.
The Devi is said to be swayambhu self-manifested on a rock on the face of a
mountain and surrounded by seven peaks hence the name- SaptaShrungi Mata
(mother of the seven peaks).
The portrayal of the Devi is massive about 10 feet tall with 18 hands, holding
various weapons. The idol is always coated with Sindoor, which is considered
propitious in this region.
Honey
Bees Centre
Honey
Bees Center is a facility in Saputara where pure honey is extracted from
natural resources. Situated near the Lake Garden, this is a place where
tourists are enlightened about the honey industry and every stage from the
rearing of the bees to the final stage of honey gathering can be observed here.
You can also buy honey from here and this facility is considered to be one of
the best places to visit in Saputara for better knowledge about the bees and
their habitat.
Rose
Garden
Rose
Garden is an exquisite garden that boasts several species of roses. Located in
the environs of Lake Garden and Step Garden, this is another beautiful getaway
and one of the best places to visit in Saputara for tourist looking for
relaxation. The garden is also weighed as a popular picnic spot. During the
springtime, the roses of Rose Garden are in full bloom, making this season the
apt time to visit it.
The
Ropeway
The ropeway is a convergence of cable cars, which are connected through a rope. The
cable cars travel at an elevation of around 25 to 30 ft. This utility can be
found on the way to Sunset Point and enables tourists to move around the
entire town.
This facility provides a bird's
eye view of the entire city. Within 15 minutes, visitors can reach to the
Governor's Hill from down. The cable car can accommodate up to 12 people at one
time. The Ropeway is also used to carry tourists to places like Sunset Point
and Sunrise Point.
It
is good to know about our mythological history and PandavaGufa is one among the
places to visit in Saputara that does that. Also known as the Arvalem caves, it
is believed that the caves were used by the Pandava brothers as a rest point
during their hideout days.
The rocky trail of the caves presents a challenging trek yet the caves presents
as a beautiful destination visited by many. On the way to the valley, you can
also witness several tribal valleys and breathtaking forts. The caves have
been cut to architectural perfection and present a perfect spot for taking
pictures and making memories.
Spread
over 24 hectares is the Waghai botanical garden is one of the largest gardens
in Gujarat. Every year about 1 lakh tourists patronize the place to take a look
at the innumerable plant species on display and it is one of the best places to
visit in Saputara.
About 1400 plant species and 1077 genera representing 100 families make for the
spot’s attraction. Very many varieties of bamboos are available here, the most
popular names being Chinese bamboo and beer bottle bamboo. Every avenue in the
garden is named after plants.
The property has artificially created different types of forests like
deciduous, evergreen etc. A canteen with a rest house also is a part of the
garden which is why many tourists also use this spot as a pit stop to and fro
Saputara.
Finally, in one sentence, Saputara is
the finest and perfect destination for a perfect holiday in any season.
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