Major city · India
Bhandardara
Spend 1 day for the lake, falls and short trek; add a night if you want lakeside camping or a relaxed stay at MTDC resort.
Bhandardara is a hill‑station in north‑Maharashtra with a lake, waterfalls, forts and trekking routes. Most sights cluster near the lake, so a day covers the basics; an overnight lets you enjoy sunrise at the lake and a slower pace.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- avoid Jun–Sep (monsoon floods)
- Airport
- PNQ
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Bhandardara100 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Bhandardara, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe; watch traffic, keep valuables secure, and avoid isolated hills after dark.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers100 police · 108 Medical · 112 All services (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPNQ Pune International Airport (≈175 km (109 mi) by road, NH 50 then SH 44).PNQ Pune International Airport (≈109 mi (175 km) by road, NH 50 then SH 44).
- Getting aroundState transport buses link nearby villages; private taxis are common but often overloaded.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealTea (street stall)₹15–₹30 (≈ under US$1)
- Budget bedMTDC deluxe room, a night, per room₹1,300 (≈ US$15)
- Mid-range bedMTDC deluxe room, a night, per room₹1,700 (≈ US$20)
- High-end bedMTDC deluxe room, a night, per room₹2,100 (≈ US$25)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹1,200 (≈ US$14) · Mid ₹2,500 (≈ US$30) · High ₹5,000 (≈ US$60)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PNQ Pune International Airport (≈175 km (109 mi) by road, NH 50 then SH 44)PNQ Pune International Airport (≈109 mi (175 km) by road, NH 50 then SH 44)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
May
not flagged
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Dec
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Best: Oct–Mar. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest May (36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)), coolest Jan (15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C) low), wettest Jul (7 rain days), driest May (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Bhandardara: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4 rd
Apr
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
3 rd
May
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
5 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
7 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
7 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
6 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4 rd
Nov
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
3 rd
Dec
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
State transport buses link nearby villages; private taxis are common but often overloaded. Walks around the lake are short (5–10 min).
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Ratangad fort
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Local bus or taxi 17 km (11 mi) north, 30 minLocal bus or taxi 11 mi (17 km) north, 30 min
Popular trek, moderate difficulty.
Kalsubai peak
cautionDoor to door: ≈3 h
Hire a guide, 45 km (28 mi) east, 1 h drive then trekHire a guide, 28 mi (45 km) east, 1 h drive then trek
Steep ascent; best in dry season.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
MTDC resort
Cottages ₹2,400 off‑peak, deluxe rooms ₹1,300 off‑peak; basic rooms ₹700 off‑peak. No AC.
Anandvan resort
Higher‑end option; price on site.
Bhandardara Camping
Tent sites ₹1,099 per night.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹1,200–2,000 (≈ US$14–25) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹2,500–4,500 (≈ US$30–55) excl. bed
- High
- ₹5,000 (≈ US$60)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| MTDC cottage2 × 1 night × ₹3,000 | ₹6,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₹2,500 | ₹5,000 |
| State bus from Igatpuri (round‑trip)2 × ₹200 · check | ₹400 |
| Private taxi from Igatpuri (round‑trip)2 × ₹1,500 · check | ₹3,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹1,440 |
| Trip total≈ ₹7,920 per person per day, bed included | ₹15,840≈ US$180 |
Off‑peak rates shown; tax 10 % added.
2026 estimate in INR; flights and long‑distance trains excluded.
Prices of common things
| Tea (street stall) | ₹15–₹30 (≈ under US$1) |
| Snacks (samosa, vada) | ₹20–₹50 (≈ under US$1) |
| Bottle water (500 ml) | ₹15–₹25 (≈ under US$1) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- ATMs are ~30 km (19 mi) away – carry cash for food and lodging.ATMs are ~19 mi (30 km) away – carry cash for food and lodging.
- Taxis may be crowded; agree fare before boarding.
- Monsoon can swell the lake and make falls dangerous.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 100
- Medical
- 108
- All services
- 112
Pocket card
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BhandardaraBhandardara
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
कृपया या पत्त्यावर नेाPlease take me to this address
Emergency
- Police100
- Medical108
- All services112
Embassy
US consulate in Mumbai; Indian embassy in New Delhi.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Igatpuri → Bhandardara (state bus): ≈₹200 one‑way (check)
- Taxi Igatpuri → Bhandardara: ≈₹1,500 round‑trip (check)
Say or show
- माफ करा — Excuse me / Sorry (maaf kara)
- हे किती आहे? — How much is this? (he kitī āhe?)
- एटीएम कुठे आहे? — Where is the ATM? (ATM kuthe āhe?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Bhandardara. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Mar · avoid Jun–Sep (monsoon floods) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Bhandardara
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