Location: Across the Sahyadri ranges | UNESCO inscription: 2012
The rich biodiversity of the Western Ghats is recognised as being of outstanding universal value as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the natural category. The region is one of the world’s eight hottest hotspots of biological diversity, making it an ecologically sensitive area. Older than the Himalayas, this mountain chain plays a major role in shaping the Indian monsoon and supports extraordinary biodiversity, including many species found nowhere else, as well as 325 globally threatened species of plants and animals, including birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish.
In Maharashtra, the Sahyadris offer misty mountain roads, dense forests, dramatic escarpments and seasonal waterfalls. Places around the region’s hill ranges provide opportunities for hiking, birdwatching and simply sitting still while clouds roll across the valleys.
The monsoon transforms the landscape into a vivid green world, although heavy rain can make trails slippery and increase the risk of landslides. Winter and the post-monsoon months can be more comfortable for many outdoor excursions.
How to reach: Fly or take a train to Mumbai or Pune, then continue by road to your chosen destination in the Sahyadri ranges.