This location is the best location to visit in Igatpuri in the rain. Bhavali dam is an earthfill dam, from which darna river flows. It is one of the most scenic dams around mumbai. Bhavali dam is a complete package for a full day trip. You can even stay here overnight and enjoy the early morning sun at this place. There are many things you can do around this place.
Things to do at Bhavali dam and Waterfall
Paddy fields before bhavali dam
The first thing you see as you turn from mumbai nashik highway are the most 7picturesque paddy fields you can find. This place looks like heaven on earth. The first time I visited Bhavali dam I waited on this road for half an hour taking in the scenery and clicking pictures. If you visit in the summer though you can outright skip this place and move on.
Bhavali dam
Straight on that road you will see the dam. You can either take your vehicle right below the dam and walk up the stairs on the left side of the dam gates. Or there is another offroad patch which takes you right next to the dam. Note that there is no parking space for a car on the dam but you can park a bike up there. You can get a nice view of the lake from up on the dam. You can also climb down from the dam down to the lake. There are stairs which lead down to the lake.
Bhavali lake
There are many points around the lake to get near the water. You can even camp around in many places nearby. The lake is so huge that in monsoon sometimes you can even see waves in the Bhavali lake. The water is quite clean in the lake itself though you may find a lot of plastic waste in the water in between the lake and the waterfalls. So you can take a dip into the water and enjoy with your loved ones near this lake as It is shallow in many places near waterfall
Bhavali waterfalls
100-200 meters from the bhavali dam are two beautiful waterfalls. Both waterfalls can be seen from the road and are easily approachable. One can even climb a little at the first waterfall and reach a cave-like structure made by the waterfall. The climb is easier if you go towards the bridge, face the waterfall and follow a trail on the right side of the bridge. You can also climb from the waterfall but it is a bit steep and in the monsoon can become slippery. It is quite safe to go here.
Hilltop picnic point
Right before the first waterfall around 20-30 meters you will find a small off-road patch going up on a hilltop. You can take your vehicle or even have a 10 minutes walk up the hill. This hill point has a panoramic view of the entire lake, the two waterfalls from this point. It is a nice picnic point to relax and have food. It’s lush green and in the rain it could become very foggy.
Food options at Bhavali lake
There are a few restaurants at this place on the Mumbai to Nashik highway. And there are a few stalls near the waterfall but only on monsoon weekends. You won’t find anything sustainable at these stalls so it’s better to have your food near the highway. Or you can get your own food and eat it by the lake or on top of the hill.
How to reach
By Air
The closest airport to Bhavali dam is Nashik airport but you will get better options for flights if you travel via Mumbai airport. Bhavali dam is situated around 70km from nashik airport and 126km from Mumbai airport
By Train
If you are coming via Mumbai to Bhavali dam then Igatpuri station is the closest station near Bhavali dam. You can get a rickshaw to come here. The distance from Igatpuri station to Bhavali lake is around 11km.
By Road
While coming from Mumbai to Nashik on the highway after the ghat, travel around 6km towards Nashik and you will find a road on the right where there is a big board with bhavali dam and waterfall written over it. Follow this road straight towards the bhavali dam. You have to take a left turn just before the Bhavali dam to reach the waterfall.
Best time to visit Bhavali dam
Since there is a huge lake and 2 major waterfalls in this place one or one and a half month after the monsoon begins till the end of the monsoon is the best time to visit here and you will find the best weather and waterfalls full of water at this time. Everything is lush green at this time. You can always come off season. The water in bhavali dam will be less and dried up waterfalls but you can still go till the water in the lake and have your fun.
FAQ
- Is it safe to travel to bhavali lake?
Yes it is quite safe to visit bhavali lake and waterfall bt if you climb higher make sure you have good grip on your footwear and walk carefully as it gets very slippery.q
- Can we swim in the bhavali lake?
Yes you can swim in bhavali lake though i will suggest you swim near by the waterfall area if at all as it gets deeper near
- Can cars go to bhavali dam?
Yes cars can go till bhavali lake and waterfall. You have to park on the road and walk upto 50 metres to reach both places from the road
- Can we do camping at bhavali lake and waterfall?
Yes You can. The area further up from the waterfall is perfect for camping. There are also a few campsites around the lake
- How are the roads to reach bhavali dam and waterfall?
The roads are in very good condition; the highway from Mumbai and Nashik is also very good. There is an offroad patch from the dam to the waterfall which goes around the lake but you can always choose to go 100 meters more and use a good road.
- Can you stay near bhavali lake?
There are several places to stay at bhavali lake
Paradise knock campsite and villa
Kk tree retreat oyo
Nek villa
Touchwood bliss resort
The grand garden resort and spa
- How much time can you spend at bhavali dam?
From a few hours to 2 days there are 2 waterfalls, a huge lake, trekking spots, dam and beautiful lush green paddy fields there. Your eyes never get tired looking at this view in the monsoon. But in summertime just a few hours is enough at this place.