Being one of the closest and biggest lakes near Mumbai, Vandri lake is getting popular as a tourist place near Mumbai. It has so much to offer from a small dam waterfall with a water stream to a viewpoint on a small hilltop of the entire lake, with camping resorts to camping on your own, too many hidden viewpoints and trek locations, this is a full package for everyone. That is why many people consider Vandri lake as one of the best places to visit near Mumbai.
Things to do at Vandri lake
- If you just like to dip your toes and not dive into the water then the best thing for you to do is go to the parking spot near the lake and walk around the lake toward right from near the waterbody. You can have a picnic or even just sit on a rock with your feet in the lake and enjoy the sunrise as this spot faces east.
- If you like to enjoy the water and are not afraid to get a little wet. Then the vandri lake & dam is the place for you just copy-paste the underlined name in google maps and you are there. To go to this location just before the main parking spot take a left you will get near a small bridge under which a water stream crosses. Face towards the oncoming water flow and towards the left side, you will see a small trail which goes towards the stream if you are feeling adventurous or on the right side you can see some stairs which to till the top of the dam with 2 3 places from where you can get down in the stream or just go to the viewpoint.
- For camping enthusiasts, you may find 2 3 campsites near the lake which are not actually near the lake but a bit ahead of the lake into the woods but if you are an experienced camper you can put up your own tent near the Madpan viewpoint or walk down the lake to find a few spots. Try to get to a spot facing towards the dam and Madpan point if you want to catch a sunset there and if you are a morning person then make sure you are facing east to get the best view in the morning.
- From the parking spot you can walk down the road ahead of Vandri Lake you can go towards the bridge right after a bridge there is a wooden gate at the left go through and at the end of that trail you will find yourself on an island inside the vandri lake this place is one of my favourite spots near this place as not many ppl come here.
Food options near Vandri Lake
If you are a camper you have to get all your food with you as there are not many options nearby and the closest hotel is 7km away from this place. But if you go towards the dam at the start of the walkway there is a small shop which sells vada pav, omelette, Maggi and cold drinks and also near the highway you can find a shop which sells cold drinks and biscuits.
How to Reach Vandri Lake
By Air
The closest airport being Mumbai airport to reach this place but honestly, is this place worth coming by plane though?
By Train
You can reach Saphale railway station by using the western local railway from Mumbai it takes around 1 and a half hour from Dahisar station to Saphale via direct train, you may need to change trains to reach this place. From there you can get a rickshaw to Varai police check post near the western express highway ( 10 minutes ) and take a 4km walk from there to the lake or convince the rickshaw wala ( the toughest part of the journey ) to take you directly to the lake parking place you can even ask him to stay if you are not planning to stay for a long time you can get the rickshaw again from the same check post back home
By road
If you have your own vehicle that is the best mode of transport to reach here. The road from Mumbai to this lake is amazing so may you have a jeep, car, bike or even bicycle you don’t have to worry about the potholes to reach here. Unless you count potholes in Mumbai though. It is around 50 kilometres from Dahisar check post and may take around 1 to 1 and a half hour depending on traffic
By bus
You can get a bus from Dahisar check post to reach Manor and get a rickshaw from there as well to the Varai police check post. And then follow the instructions to travel given above in the By Train section. Many busses travel through this route going towards Gujarat. You can find a bus closer to your home
Best time to visit Vandri Lake
Though the main season to visit for trekking, camping and enjoying the view is monsoon but you can still find a little beauty left for some time after monsoon as well as the winter in Palghar sets in around palghar district.
If you wish to come here the best time is very early in the morning if you can manage it. I love to reach this place at around 5 am and leave from my home by 3 am. The sunrise is just beautiful from the lake area near the dam or the parking area. If you are not crazy for sunrises like me you can still try to make it as early as possible as later the traffic becomes horrible.
In the evening you can catch the sunset here but you will have to do some walking around the lake to get a good view and leave immediately from the location so that you can return to the parking place before it gets dark.
Places to stay near Vandri lake
Though it is a 4-hour journey from Mumbai approximately you may want to get the best of it so unless you make a camp of your own I will suggest these properties to stay
- ‘Castra into the woods’ which is a camping place
- ‘Renature campaign in the woods’ another camping place both these camps are a little ahead of the lake you can find them on the map
- Jem realtors, green meadows this is a hotel just 5 mins away near to the highway
- Tanglewood this is a small bungalow for rent which is in a small lane from the main road towards Vandri lake
- Heavenly Hills Bungalows for a group of friends or family this place is good
FAQ
- Is it safe to visit Vandri Lake?
The lake is quite safe and there is a village nearby but they don’t hassle you. At normal hours there are a lot of tourists so that also adds to the safety point of view But it’s always better to be careful.
- Can we swim in Vandri lake?
Yes, you can take a dip into the lake and nobody will stop you. It is also safe at the edges of the lake the more towards the centre you go the deeper it gets.
- Where is Vandri Lake located?
Vandri lake is located in the Palghar district around 4 kilometres from the western express highway. Just go below the bridge where you see a big board for Nakoda Dham and Last Vegas
- Can cars go to Vandri lake?
Yes, cars can go up to the lake and a little beyond as well but the trek spot you have to walk as it gets narrow just 20 meters in where cars can’t go there is a parking spot for cars as well as you can park on the side of the road near the dam. If you wish there is also an offroad patch for cars near the dam which takes you a bit closer to the water stream.
- Can we do our own tent camping near Vandri lake?
Yes if you are an experienced camper then you can get your own tent and just set it up a little further up viewpoint near the water
- How are the road conditions to reach Vandri Lake?
The roads leading to this place are in good conditions. A few irritating speed breakers here and there but overall the road is good. And the western express highway from Mumbai is just amazing.
- What type of people are there at Vandri lake?
Well, you go on a weekend you may find the place a little crowded near the main spots. The crowd consists mostly of people from Mumbai and Vasai-Virar area. A group of friends and families are the usual crowd of this place and you can also find motorcycle riding groups around on Sundays.
- Can we do fishing at Vandri Lake?
In the nearby village, the main mode of Income is fishing in this lake so it is prohibited to do fishing in the lake for non-local people.