After a long week, you deserve to treat yourself to a short getaway! But, deciding which destination to travel to can be daunting, especially since around Pune and Mumbai we don’t have a lot of options. There are Lonavala, Mahabaleshwar and Lavasa.
#KudiHighOnLife suggests that for the next weekend you trade the racket of cars honking and music blaring, for the pleasant tones of whispering winds and singing birds, the green blanketed hillsides, and the foggy roads of Mulshi and Tamhini Ghat. 
Hardly, 50-60kms from the Pune city, Mulshi is the rural area that got minimally urbanized through a few resorts and restaurants here, but is mostly off-the-grid-ish (there is no or low network connectivity here) and is appreciated for its rustic charm and natural ambience.
You would know you are in Mulshi when you see the nearby villagers in their traditional sarees or all-white attire and Gandhi Topi selling grilled corn or fruits plucked from their farms or some much-needed hot and steaming cups of tea, accompanied with Pakode or egg omelettes, among other things. 
The Essence of Mulshi:
The monsoons are the best time to visit Mulshi; drive through the winding roads of the hills embraced in a thick layer of fog, halt at the designated stop-areas on the road to enjoy the view, dance in the rains, re-energize with a village-style, cup of steaming, hot tea that is freshly prepared and indulge in some roasted corn, dusted with chilli powder or crispy onion bhajjis/pakodas. In truth, there is not much to do or see at Mulshi when compared to other tourist places, say Mahabaleshwar, with all its points to visit or the boating at the Venna Lake or horse-back riding.
Mulshi is a tranquil destination; the place you escape to, to get away from the high-rise cityscapes of Pune and Mumbai, and find peace in the lap of nature.
Picture this: standing in the incessant rains, with a cup of hot Masala Chai, overlooking the Mulshi Lake; it makes you believe life is good. At that moment, you are forced to let go of your worldly-worries: be as calm as the universe that surrounds you, be as free as the birds you can hear chirping in the trees, and enjoy the breeze playfully caressing your face.
The villagers who set up shop in the Mulshi areas are the warmest and most endearing people you would have interacted with in recent times; they are friendly and excited to chat up with city-folks. We met one of the Chai-Tapri owners, a young guy brewing a unique kind of Gavati (lemongrass) Tea in his make-shift shop; a delicious twist to the regular cup of Masala tea we know and love. We left this Tapri with a full-fledged Gavati Tea recipe on our hands and a generous bunch of gavati (lemongrass): freshly handpicked from his own farm!
As you drive up ahead from Mulshi towards Tamhini via the Tamhini Ghat, the fog gets denser, the rains get torrential, and there are waterfalls, big and small, along the road.
The #KudiHighOnLife Tip: On the weekends, the waterfalls are overcrowded. Nonetheless, if you go up the steps of the waterfall, be cautious as you may encounter a few groups of drunk men frolicking around. Though there are policemen patrolling the area, it’s advisable to be safe than sorry!
Do it the #KudiHighOnLife way:
Go to Mulshi, have a fun-filled long drive, indulge in some delicious food, rain-dance in the monsoons and come back the same evening.
Or, if you are feeling extra-adventurous, you can go camping overnight, or join one of the many camping tours to Mulshi!
If you are looking to spend a peaceful weekend, you could have a staycation at one of the wellness resorts at Mulshi; there are a few, and each one better than the other. During your staycation, you can go hiking, bird-watching in the Tamhini Forest or peacefully unwind at the spa!
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Kudi High On Life 