If you’re planning a break from Mumbai and looking at the hills, chances are Malshej Ghat is already on your list. Monsoon clouds rolling over the Sahyadris, waterfalls along the highway, cool air, and a slower pace — it’s one of the easiest weekend escapes from the city. But a good Malshej Ghat trip needs two things sorted: a comfortable place to stay, and a rough plan for what to actually see once you’re there.
Here’s a complete weekend guide — where to base yourself, what’s worth visiting nearby, and how to structure your two days so you’re not just driving back and forth.
Malshej Ghat sits in the Western Ghats and is a popular getaway for people travelling out of Mumbai, Thane, and Kalyan. It’s known for its viewpoints, seasonal waterfalls, forts, and temples scattered across the surrounding hills — enough to fill a two-day itinerary without needing to venture too far from your stay.
The key to enjoying it properly is choosing a base that lets you explore during the day and genuinely relax in the evening — which is where the right resort matters more than people expect.
Rather than staying inside the ghat itself, many travellers prefer basing themselves at a resort near Mumbai on the way to Malshej Ghat — close enough for day trips into the ghat, but comfortable enough to unwind properly at night. Birds Nest Resort, set among trees at Kinhavali in Shahapur, is built around exactly this idea: stay surrounded by nature, and use it as your base to explore Malshej Ghat and the surrounding attractions.
A few things make this kind of stay different from a standard hotel:
If you want the full backstory on how the property was designed around its trees instead of clearing them, the our story and concept pages go into it, and the about us page covers the resort’s overall approach to hospitality.
Not every Malshej Ghat trip looks the same, and the right cottage or package depends on who’s travelling:
Once you’re based nearby, here’s what’s worth building your two days around:
Malshej Ghat itself — the ghat road and its viewpoints are the main draw, especially during and after monsoon when the hills turn green and waterfalls appear along the route. Early morning or late afternoon light is generally the best time to visit, and it’s worth checking road and weather conditions before you go, since the ghat can get crowded and slippery in heavy rain.
Gorakhgad Fort — one of the notable forts in the region, popular with trekkers looking for a half-day or full-day climb with views over the surrounding valley.
Manas Mandir — a temple in the area that’s often visited alongside a Malshej Ghat trip, particularly by families and groups looking to combine sightseeing with a bit of spiritual detour.
Sangameshwar Temple — another nearby temple worth factoring into your route if you’re covering the region’s religious and heritage spots.
For all of the above, distances and accessibility can vary depending on the season and road conditions, so it’s worth confirming current routes locally or with your resort before finalizing your plan.
Day 1: Arrive at your resort by early afternoon, settle into your cottage, and spend the rest of the day around the property — the pool, a walk among the trees, or simply sitting somewhere quiet with the birds around you. Dinner at Ghosla Restaurant is a good way to end the first day without rushing anywhere.
Day 2: Head out early for Malshej Ghat while the light and weather are usually at their best, cover the viewpoints, and factor in a stop at Gorakhgad Fort, Manas Mandir, or Sangameshwar Temple depending on how much time and energy you have. If trekking is part of your trip, ask about the resort’s owner-led trekking before you arrive — it’s one of the more personal touches you can build a whole day around instead of hiring an outside guide. Head back to the resort by evening for a swim or games before dinner, and start the drive back to the city the next morning.
Before you lock in dates, it’s worth checking the resort’s exclusive offers page in case there’s a package that fits your dates better than a standard booking. If you have questions about routes, current attraction accessibility, or which cottage suits your group, the contact us page is the fastest way to get accurate, up-to-date answers rather than relying on guesswork.
And if this is your first time planning a trip like this, the Birds Nest Resort homepage and blog are good starting points for more travel guides and property details before you book.
