Saputara - Hill station. Review on Saputara

Saputara(Visited Dec 2012) - Hill Station in Gujarat

Accessibility from Mumbai

Saputara is 250 kms from Mumbai.  You can take Nashik Highway and from Nashik theres a route which goes towards Dindori, the same route will take you to Saputara. Its 6 to 7 hrs drive.

Places to see

Sunset point(5 out of 5): The Sunset looks beautiful and I have attached one picture of the same. The place is filled with tourist. There are all kinds of rides like Camel ride, Bike ride, Horse ride, small eateries and Mineral waters stall available here. Best place for family, kids and also for couples.

Ropeway(5 out of 5): One can combine Ropeway and Sunset point as located at the same place.(Ropeway first). The Ropeway is good 15 mins ride(to and for) and you can view the entire town from the Ropeway. During vacations expect a wait of 30 to 90 mins for your turn. Total 4 people in a cable car. 60 Rs per person. Dont miss this!

Sunrise point(3 out of 5): The view from this point is spectacular and very beautiful. In winter the sun is visible from around 7 am. I have given 3 out of 5 bcoz reaching this point is one big ask. You have keep your vehicle and climb a path to reach the height. Appx time to reach the exact point from your vehicle is 20 mins with a good speed. The climbing path is also not at all maintained. I saw very few tourist here but if you are a nature lover then dont miss on it.

Saputara Lake and boating(5 out of 5): The lake is just in the heart of the town and is most visited place by the tourist. You can get a peddle boat all by your self and take it for a 30 mins ride. The lake is clean and well  maintained.  Rs 40 per person. Also you can get big family boat.  The lake is surrounded by small eateries and there's one small restaurant as well. Best time to visit is evening for sure.

Museum and aquarium(2 out of 5): The Museum showcases stuff which were used by villagers in earlier times. Its not very well maintained and was very dark inside. Rs 5 per person. This is my personal comment but if someone is crazy about ethnics and looking into past then visit Museum, you will need 1.5 hr max.  Aquarium is very small and if you have been to big Mumbai restaurants who have fish tanks then I would say you will find the same fish in the Saputara's Aquarium.

Other sight seeing places: Eco point(you will need to ask 50 people about this), its not at all marketed and most people will miss this even besides passing by thru it. Theres no tourist activity here. Besides you have Rose garden(very basic), Ganesh temple, Jain derasar etc.

Hotels Most of the hotels and resorts are located in and around the lake, so you can get a lake view any which ways. There are budgeted once, the govt(hotel toran),  2 start resorts to 5 star resorts. Look out for  Patang Eco Inn, Chitrakoot hotel,  Vaity Ropeway Resort etc. There also Shav shanti(where I stayed) very good view with basic amenities but was not satisfied with food. Theres Shilpi hill resort, Anando etc. All located around the lake.

Pros of Saputara

The town is accessible and very well and cleanly maintained.  The hill station is very peaceful and it gets quiet by 8 pm. There's no hustle bustle and you can be at peace over here. Dont expect too much of tourism and places to shop. Food I would suggest to take at the Resort you are putting in at.

Cons of Saputara

This place doesnt have an ATM(till 2012 atleast). As the place is located in Gujarat theres no Alcohol as well. There are no good restaurants.