Amba, popularly known as Amba Ghat is a beautiful mountain pass located on the Ratnagiri-Kolhapur road on NH 204 in Maharashtra. Situated in the Shahuwadi of Kolhapur district, at a huge height of 3200 ft above the sea level, it is an astounding hill station in Maharashtra lying the midst of Sahyadri mountain ranges. Boasting picturesque scenery, incredible mountain views and an amazingly pleasant climate, Amba attracts numerous tourists every year.

It is also evolving as an emerging venue for paragliding. Also, there are several tourist attractions located near to Amba which make it even more demanded tourist destination.

Surrounded by Bison Wildlife sanctuary and rainforests, Amba is a perfect nature centric getaway located far off from the hustle and bustle of cities. It attracts bird-watchers from all over the country during winters, as several migratory birds make it their winter home for a few months. One can witness its flora, fauna, wildlife and birds through Jeep safaris that are available in the reserve forest area.

Tourist Attractions in Amba

Though, there are only a few tourist attractions in and around Amba, but the scenic beauty of place and the pleasant and tranquil weather make it a perfect place to spend a couple of days.

The place becomes very beautiful with varied for and fauna during summer and monsoon season with a large number of spontaneous waterfalls. Apart from it, the Dajipur Wildlife sanctuary is an amazing place to enjoy closeness with nature while watching a large variety of migratory birds.

These days Amba is also becoming a preferred destination for those who want to enjoy paragliding in the mountains of Sahyadri. The coastal hamlet of Sangameshwar is located at a mere distance of 53 Kms and is a perfect getaway for the people who want to spend some days away from the busy city life. It is the base point for visiting iconic Marleshwar Shiva temple built inside a cave.

Also, at a distance of about 56 Kms, one can visit Panhala, an offbeat yet idyllic hill station set beautifully around an archaic fort.

Hotels

Being a small tourist destination and a mountainous place, there are not many places in Amba that offer a comfortable stay during your trip to this mesmerizing site. There are only a handful of hotels and guest houses in this area, thus, advance booking is required before heading to Amba for a holiday.

The area of Ambaghat is thick forest area and thus, there are only a few hotels where you can stay. Most of these hotels also offer holiday packages that include jeep safaris for visiting Dajipur Wildlife Sanctuary and other tourist attractions. But, advance discussion about packages is important to avoid any goof ups at the last moment.

Where to Eat

Amba possesses only a few places to eat in Amba, ranging from small restaurants to big hotels serving authentic Maharashtrian food. One can also enjoy several other cuisines here.

Weather and Best Time to Visit

The weather of the area is pleasant all year round with high rainfall during the monsoon season. Summers are extremely pleasant while winters are mildly cold.

If you want to get relief from sunny summers and want to enjoy pleasant weather, then June to September is the best time to visit Amba, as this area comes alive during this period with various spontaneous waterfalls. However, if migratory birds are the ones that attract yoy, then the best time to visit Amba is from October to March.

How to Reach

Amba is located on the road connecting Kolhapur and Ratnagiri and thus can be reached via any medium of transportation, including air, rail and road.

By Air

The nearest airport is Belgaum located at a distance of about 177 Kms. Apart from Belgaum, Pune (250 Kms) and Mumbai (400 Kms) are two nearby airports.

By Rail

The nearest rail link to Amba is Sangameshwar located at a distance of about 53 Kms from the place. Kolhapur and Ratnagiri are also nearby railway stations located at a distance of 66 Kms and 68 Kms respectively. 

By Road

Amba bus station is well connected to many other cities and towns via well-built road network. One can easily find state buses and private vehicles to reach Amba from Pune, Panjim, Belgaum, Kolhapur and Ratnagiri.