Weekend getaway from Nashik · #4 of 10
Saputara
Gujarat's only hill station, a lakeside resort on a Sahyadri plateau over the border. Boating, a ropeway to Sunset Point, Dang tribal culture and cool air year-round; the ghat road from Nashik is narrow but scenic.
Perched high on the Dang plateau about 80 km from Nashik via NH953, Saputara ('abode of serpents') is Gujarat's sole hill station. Think lazy lake paddles, breezy ropeways, rich tribal heritage, and leafy forest drives into Vansda National Park - the ultimate easygoing family weekend.
Getting there
The road is well paved, but that winding final ghat gets tight and seriously misty during the rains, so give yourself extra time.
Day 1 - Saturday
Lakeside chill, tribal crafts, and golden hour views- 17:00 AMDrive
Drive Nashik to Saputara
Roll northwest on NH953 past scenic vineyards and onion farms before tackling the twisty, green Dang ghat climb up to the plateau.
Tip · Quick heads-up: Gujarat is a dry state, so you won't find alcohol on sale in Saputara.
- 29:30 AMActivity
Boating on Saputara Lake
Rent a pedal or row boat from the lakeside boathouse and drift across cool green waters. It's super calm, kid-friendly, and best enjoyed before midday.
📍 Saputara Lake, Saputara
- 311:30 AMSight
Lake Garden
Stroll the lush manicured lawns along the shore while the kids hit the play area. It's a lovely, breezy spot to unpack a snack and relax.
📍 Lake Garden, Saputara
- 41:00 PMFood
Gujarati thali lunch
Tuck into an endless Gujarati thali or spicy Marathi spread near the lake, complete with piping-hot rotla and that classic sweet-tinged dal.
📍 Saputara, Gujarat
- 52:30 PMSight
Saputara Tribal Museum
A quaint 1970s spot offering real insight into local Dang Adivasi cultures, packed with authentic Warli artifacts, tribal jewelry, musical instruments, and masks.
📍 Saputara Tribal Museum, Saputara
- 64:00 PMActivity
Artist Village craft stop
Watch tribal artisans shape pottery, carve bamboo, and paint Warli patterns. They love getting kids involved to try creating something by hand.
📍 Artist Village, Saputara
- 75:30 PMActivity
Ropeway to Sunset Point
Hop on the cable car gliding right over the valley to Sunset Point for the best panoramic evening vista across all of Saputara.
📍 Sunset Point, Saputara
Tip · Off-season cable cars wait until they fill up, but there's a jeep road to the top if you'd rather not wait.
- 88:00 PMStay
Hill resort stay
Settle into one of the cozy hotels or state-run resorts hugging the lake. If you are coming during summer or Diwali break, book early!
📍 Saputara, Gujarat
Day 2 - Sunday
Dawn horizons, deep teak woods, and wilderness trails- 96:15 AMSight
Sunrise Point walk
An easy 1.5 km morning stroll toward Waghai leads to the plateau rim, rewarding you with a breathtaking dawn panorama over Saputara and Malegaon valley.
📍 Sunrise Point, Saputara
- 108:00 AMFood
Breakfast at the hotel
Fuel up on crunchy fafda-jalebi, steaming poha, and hot masala chai. Most lakefront hotels open early just for sunrise chasers.
- 119:30 AMDrive
Drive into the Dang forest
Wind down the ghat towards Waghai under a canopy of lush teak and bamboo - easily one of the most scenic stretches in the entire Dangs.
- 1210:30 AMSight
Vansda National Park
Spot leopards, giant squirrels, pythons, and vibrant birds in this dense deciduous haven. You can easily grab entry permits and local guides right at the gate.
📍 Vansda National Park, Gujarat
Tip · Heavy monsoon rains usually shutter the park, so double-check current timings before making the drive.
- 131:30 PMFood
Dhaba lunch on NH953
Grab a hearty veg meal at a roadside dhaba on the Waghai-Saputara stretch. In the rains, the steaming chai and roasted corn stalls at the ghat top are unbeatable.
- 143:00 PMActivity
Last lakeside stroll
Head back to the plateau for one last peaceful loop around the water, and grab some authentic Dang forest honey and bamboo souvenirs before leaving.
📍 Saputara Lake, Saputara
- 154:30 PMDrive
Drive back to Nashik
Coast back down the ghat onto NH953 for the 2.5-hour drive to Nashik. Try to wrap it up before nightfall if the monsoon fog is rolling in.
Where to eat
You can't leave without feasting on an unlimited thali stacked with sweet kadhi, rustic rotla, and creamy shrikhand.
Biting into spicy, lime-rubbed bhutta straight off hot coals while mist swirls around the viewpoints is pure magic.
Stock up on wild local forest honey and crunchy peanut chikki from the lakeside stalls for the ride home.
When to go
The classic escape: while the plains sizzle, the plateau stays pleasantly cool under 30 C.
Pure magic with roaring roadside falls and emerald hills, though expect heavy driving mist and closed park trails.
Crisp blue skies and chilly starlit nights make this the peaceful sweet spot - just remember to pack cozy layers.
Good to know
- Remember that Saputara sits in dry Gujarat, though liquor shops across the Maharashtra border are just a quick hop away.
- Keep motion-sickness meds handy in the glove box; those winding ghat curves can be rough on kids.
- If you don't feel like driving, regular MSRTC and GSRTC buses connect Nashik directly to Saputara.
