Out of Mumbai
MUMBAI TO MOUNT ABU, RAJASTHAN
The journey: 800km; 15 hours driving time; night halt at Vadodara
About the destination: This lush green paradise in the middle of Rajasthan, otherwise known widely for the Thar Desert, might be super popular with travellers, but it has expanded considerably to accommodate the growing numbers of visitors, so it’s still possible to find peaceful pockets, away from throngs of tourists. You can enjoy the gorgeous sights offered up by the Aravalli Mountain Range while nursing a hot drink or get up close on one of the many trekking trails around town. Or choose something more adventurous with rock climbing or rappelling sessions. Aside from natural beauty, there is also a lot of history here. The Dilwara Jain Temples and the 15th-century Achalgarh Fort are prime examples of well-preserved ancient architecture.
DAY 1
With Vadodara set as the destination for the night, it’s just a little over 400km to drive from Mumbai. To leave the city, you have to go around Sanjay Gandhi National Park and take National Highway 48 out, across the Vasai Creek. Quite a crowded highway, this route has plenty of restaurants at frequent intervals, but we’d say wait until you get to one of the river crossings. The first one is a bit past Virar, over the Tansa River, which even has a ‘picnic point’ right next to the bridge, and then at the Vaitarna River, near Manor.
