Secret Trails: Unearthing the Travel Treasures of Maharashtra

Maharashtra is much more than Mumbai, Pune, hill stations and famous historical monuments. Beyond its well-known destinations lies another Maharashtra — quieter, more unusual and filled with remarkable places waiting to be discovered.

From the colourful wildflowers of Kaas Plateau and the mysterious waters of Lonar Crater Lake to the peaceful legacy of Sevagram Ashram, the vineyards of Nashik and the extraordinary Olive Ridley turtle nesting grounds at Velas, these destinations offer a different way to experience the state.

If you are looking for extraordinary places in Maharashtra and enjoy discovering destinations that feel different from the usual tourist trail, these secret trails are worth exploring.

Kaas Plateau: Maharashtra’s Valley of Flowers

High in the Sahyadri hills of the Western Ghats lies the beautiful Kaas Plateau, often described as Maharashtra’s very own Valley of Flowers.

Located in Satara district, Kaas is transformed between August and October, when its vast landscape bursts into colour. Wildflowers cover the plateau, creating a spectacular natural display that changes as different species bloom throughout the season.

Spread across around 1,000 hectares, the plateau is particularly fascinating for nature lovers, photographers and botanists. Trekkers and camping enthusiasts can also enjoy the surrounding landscape.

Kaas is more than simply a beautiful flower-filled destination. It is a fragile biodiversity hotspot and home to numerous species of insects, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. Its remarkable concentration of endemic flowering plants has also earned it recognition as a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site.

Because of the area’s ecological sensitivity, visitor numbers have been restricted to help protect this extraordinary ecosystem.

Lonar Crater Lake: A Mystery from Outer Space

Deep in Maharashtra’s Buldhana district is a destination that feels almost otherworldly — Lonar Crater Lake.

More than 50,000 years ago, a gigantic meteorite struck the Earth here, creating an enormous crater nearly 2 km across with walls rising more than 130 metres.

Today, the crater contains a remarkable lake surrounded by emerald forests and low hills.

What makes Lonar particularly intriguing is the unusual nature of its water. The lake is both saline and alkaline, while unusual microorganisms have been found here. There are also areas where compasses reportedly behave strangely, adding to the mystery surrounding this ancient geological formation.

The forests around the lake are equally fascinating. Birdwatchers can look for local and migratory species, while the surrounding landscape is home to animals such as barking deer, chinkaras and monitor lizards.

The historic side of Lonar is just as interesting. Ancient temples surround the lake, including the Yadava or Hemadpanthi temples, whose sculptures provide another reason to explore this unusual destination.

Winter is considered an ideal time to visit, when the weather is more pleasant.

Sevagram Ashram: A Living Chapter of India’s History

For travellers interested in history, culture and India’s freedom movement, Sevagram Ashram in Wardha offers an experience unlike a conventional museum.

Founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1936, Sevagram — meaning “village of service” — was created around Gandhi’s vision of simple living and service to the nation.

The ashram continues to preserve the atmosphere and lifestyle associated with Gandhi’s years here. Visitors can explore places including:

• Adi Nivas
• Ba Kuti
• Bapu Kuti
• Gandhi’s Secretariat
• Akhiri Nivas
• Bapu’s Kitchen
• Parchure Kuti
• Mahadev Kuti
• Gandhi Exhibition
• Yatri Nivas

The simple cottages and surroundings provide an intimate glimpse into Gandhian life.

Daily activities such as prayer, spinning, manual labour, cleaning and farming continue to reflect the principles on which the ashram was established.

Visitors can also explore the bookshop and purchase khadi produced by the ashram’s inmates.

Sevagram is therefore much more than a historical attraction. It is a living representation of a philosophy that continues to influence people around the world.

Sula Vineyards: Wine and Luxury in Nashik

For travellers looking for a more relaxed escape, Sula Vineyards in Nashik offers an entirely different experience.

Nashik is often associated with vineyards and wine tourism, and Sula has played an important role in establishing the region as a destination for wine lovers.

Established in 1999, Sula Vineyards offers visitors an opportunity to understand how wine is produced, explore the vineyards and participate in guided wine-tasting experiences.

The winery tours provide insights into the winemaking process before concluding with a tasting experience that introduces visitors to the basic steps of tasting wine.

The estate also offers dining experiences, landscaped spaces and a Greek-style amphitheatre that hosts SulaFest, a popular music festival held among the vineyards.

For those wanting to extend their stay, accommodation overlooking the vineyards and Gangapur Lake provides a peaceful retreat.

Sula also incorporates several eco-friendly practices, including solar power, rainwater harvesting, water conservation, recycling, vermicomposting and sustainable vineyard management.

Velas: Where Olive Ridley Turtles Come Home

On the remote Konkan coast of Maharashtra lies the small village of Velas, a destination that has gained recognition for one extraordinary natural event — the nesting of Olive Ridley turtles.

The Olive Ridley is an endangered sea turtle known for its remarkable nesting behaviour. Every year, turtles travel enormous distances to return to the same coastline where they were born and lay their eggs.

At Velas, conservation efforts have helped protect these turtles and their nests.

Volunteers patrol the beach during the nesting season and carefully relocate vulnerable eggs to protected areas where they can hatch safely. After approximately 50–55 days, the hatchlings emerge and begin their difficult journey towards the Arabian Sea.

The experience of watching tiny turtles make their first journey towards the ocean is both fascinating and deeply moving.

The Velas Turtle Festival

The first Velas Turtle Festival was organised in 2008 by Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra together with local villagers, village elders and the Forest Department.

The festival has become an excellent example of community-based ecotourism. Local families open their homes to visitors, providing accommodation and traditional home-cooked meals.

The experience allows travellers to enjoy not only the turtle conservation programme but also the culture and hospitality of the Konkan coast.

Visitors can also explore nearby destinations such as Bankot Fort, Kelshi, Dapoli, Diveagar, Shrivardhan, Harihareshwar and Guhagar.

Discover a Different Maharashtra

Maharashtra’s greatest treasures are not always found on the busiest tourist routes.

Sometimes they are hidden among wildflowers on a mountain plateau, inside an ancient meteorite crater, within the quiet cottages of a historic ashram, among the vineyards of Nashik or along a remote beach where endangered turtles return to nest.

These secret trails reveal the extraordinary diversity of Maharashtra — its natural landscapes, history, conservation efforts, culture and evolving travel experiences.

So, if you are ready to move beyond the familiar and discover a different side of the state, start exploring Maharashtra’s lesser-known treasures.

The real Maharashtra is waiting to be discovered.