Saputara Tourism And Travel Guide

Saputara is an elegant little hill station in the Dang district of Gujarat. Said to be the only hill station of Gujarat, Saputara sits on a plateau that seems blessed by nature with pristine streams and lakes, mountain peaks of the magnificent Sahyadri, dense forests and is inhabited by the native tribes of the Dangs.

Accentuated by an all the year round weather, Saputara is a little known, but well developed hill station that is entwined with mythology and history. The ancient Hatgad Fort built as a watch tower by Maratha King Chhatrapati Shivaji, the Nageshwar Mahadev temple that stands as a symbol of Saputara or the ‘abode of Serpents’, Shabari Dham where Lord Ram met the old tribal woman Shabari and the tribal hamlets whose native dances and drumbeats reverberate through the cool, wind-swept mountain air are what make the little hill station, a delightful one. Visit Saputara as the little town gets busy to greet the annual Paragliding Festival or the colorful native Dang Durbar!

If you are planning to visit Saputara, our tourism and travel guide should help you plan a memorable trip.

Saputara is located about 4 km from the Maharashtra border. It is easily accessible by road from any of the neighboring states and the most ideal way to reach the town would be by road.

By Air:

The nearest domestic Airport is the Ozar Airport at Nashik that serves domestic flights to some of the major Indian cities. You could also book a flight to Surat Airport and reach Saputara by road. The nearest International Airport is the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport at Mumbai that caters to domestic flights to most Indian cities and international flights as well.

By Train:

The nearest railway station is the Railway Junction at Bilimora that is connected to most cities of Gujarat and Maharashtra by rail service. You could also travel by train to Nashik and hit the road to Saputara from thereon.

By Road:

One of the happening ideas to get to Saputara is driving to the hill station by yourself. You could also book a cab to the hill station. Otherwise there are plenty of comfortable private and state transport buses from most cities and towns roundabout Saputara.

Getting Around:

There are local car rentals you can call for a sightseeing trip and there are shared jeeps as well. If you are travelling solo or in pairs, you could also hire a two wheeler from Nashik for a day’s ride! There are also the local buses and for short distances, it is lovely to go on a trek up the windy footpaths.

Saputara has a breezy all through the year weather and can be visited any time of the year. But the best seasons are the post - monsoon winter months.

Summer (March – May):

Summers are not very hot and though considered off season, is far a pleasanter place when compared to the plains. Check out the summer festivals of the native tribes.

Monsoon (June – September):

Monsoon Festival rings in a beautiful monsoon season when the landscape turns a lush green. Monsoon showers are moderate, so you could enjoy a holiday in Saputara where it’s misty, cool and most pleasant.

Winter (October – February):

Heralding the Annual Paragliding Festival, Saputara’s winters is one of the best seasons for a visit. There are bird watching stints and trekking up and down the green carpeted meadows is a delight. Check out the locally grown strawberries.

Paragliding Festival:

You can indulge in a number of adventurous sporting activities that are going to keep you on your toes. Plan your trip in tune to the Paragliding Festival in winter.

Wild Waterfalls:

Near Saputara are some of the most beautiful wild regions where we find gently cascading mountains streams. Check out the Gira and Girmal waterfalls that put out a splendid natural shower.

Tribal Artefacts:

Study the art and culture of the native tribes of Gujarat at the Artist Village. Try your hand at bamboo carving or Warli painting and buy as many souvenirs as you desire.

Lake Gardens:

Saputara’s Gardens are a delightful place to be in any time of the year. The Rose Garden, Step Garden and the most attractive Lake Garden by the Saputara Lake are a must visit.

Table Point:

Governor’s Hill or Table Point is one of the most interesting view points of Saputara. Apart from giving a picturesque view of the rolling countryside beneath your feet, it is one of the best places to watch the sun set.

Day out by the River:

Mahal Eco Camp by the River Purna is a cool place for nature lovers and bird watchers. Camping by the riverside is an amusing way to spend a holiday!

Saputara Lake:

Encircled by the low lying mountain ranges of the Sahyadri, the Saputara Lake is a main attraction of Saputara. A trip to the lake is never complete with a boat ride or a hot lemongrass chai by the river side stalls.

Yet another Hill station:

A short drive away from Saputara waits yet another charming hill station, complete with an undiluted lush environment, hilly winding roads and the most amazing views! Don is best visited during the verdant monsoon months.

Cable Car Ride:

A midair ride on a cable car is one of the prime attractions of Saputara. A ride on the cable car to Sunset Point, gives a bird’s eye view of the valleys and meadows spread beneath your feet.

Governor’s Hill:

Table Land is one of the most popular tourist places of Saputara. A far cry from the quiet, natural open spaces of Saputara, the Table Land offers wholesome fun and gaiety for the family!

Locally grown by the farmers in Dang, Saputara’s strawberries are a seasonal delicacy. You would find them in the market or on the Saputara to Nashik Highway. Tourists could buy authentic tribal handicrafts made of bamboo, wood and metal at Artist Village, including metal crafts created by the Bastar tribes. If you are travelling via Nashik, you could check out the finest grapes, sun dried raisins, onions and tomatoes.

The Forest Nursery might sell you saplings and seeds of flowering plans if you are interested. You could buy honey from the Honey Bee Center located near Saputara Lake garden, or the beautiful Dangi sarees from Ahwa village, where a village fair is held during the Dang Darbar festival in summer. About 50 km from Saputara, is a tiny village called Ambapada where you could buy real exquisite bamboo products and tribal handicrafts.

The hill station which has a good footfall of tourists has some delicious varieties of street food you can indulge in. There are the spicy hot boiled corn that are so delicious to bite into on cold winter days, washed down with a cup of tea or the special lemon grass chai. There are an ample number of restaurants and you can get to eat the traditional Gujarati and Maharashtrian thali meals, along with South Indian, Chinese and Continental cuisines.

Check out Saputara’s parathas, daal kichadi, katti mithai dhal, dhokla and kachoris and pav bhaji. You get a lot of veggie options in a typical Gujarati thali and while you are about it, you could also relish the traditional spicy Kathiawad cuisine of Sourashtra and southern Gujarat. Some of the hottest Kathiawad dishes are lasaniya bataka, rajwadi kichadi and kadhi. Finish off meals with fruit custard and halwa.