Best Places To Stay in Panvel

If you are a nature lover, this bird sanctuary will be the best Panvel tourist place for you for its admirable assortment of exotic plants and over 200 species of native & migratory birds. You can choose from interesting trails like Hariyal and Mortaka nature trails to sight birds like Malabar Lark, Small Sunbird, Nilgiri Woodpigeon, Slaty Legged Crake, etc. Over 30 varieties of migratory birds like Bluethroat, Ashy Minivet, and Red-breasted Flycatcher visit the sanctuary each year. Don’t miss to see the colourful butterflies as you walk amidst the beautiful wilderness. If you visit during the monsoons, you can see many small ravines bubbling over with water accentuating the beauty of the sanctuary much more. The sanctuary also houses the ancient 12th-century Karnala Fort, which is a must-visit.Essential information:Location: Karnala Village, Raigad District, Maharashtra.Best time: July- August, and October- February. Timings: Every day 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.Price: Entry fee per person: Rs. 35, Camera charges: Rs. 100

This 12th-century monument, also known as the Funnel Fort due to its intriguing shape, is located inside the Karnala Bird Sanctuary. The two-level fort is historically important and has passed hands between Gujarat forces, Portuguese, Shivaji Maharaj, and the British. Being surrounded by lush hills and dense foliage, the place is a very popular trekking location. You can sight birds like Racket-tailed Drongo, Magpie Robin, and Malabar Whistling Thrush, Cattle Egret, etc. as you trek right inside the forest. Once you reach the summit at around 1500 ft above the sea level, don’t miss to see the 125 feet high watchtower, albeit in ruins now. There are beautiful Persian, Marathi, and Mughal era inscriptions on the walls and gates of the fort. There is also an ancient Bhavani Temple at the bottom of the fort, which should not be missed. Essential information:Location: The fort is located inside Karnala Bird Sanctuary, Karnala Village, Raigad District, Maharashtra.Best Time: October- April.Timings: Every day 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.Price: Entry fee per adult: Rs. 30, Camera charges: Rs. 100.

What  seems to be an unassuming place from the outside, is actually an iconic 18th-century worship place for the Jewish community in the area. One of the few places in the country credited for keeping the Jewish traditions alive, it is a must-visit while in Panvel. Stepping inside the synagogue is like taking a step back in time. The halls are adorned with antique hanging oil lamps, long wooden benches, high ceilings, marble slabs, and Mangalore tiles. This is one of the few places where the rabbi reads out the holy Torah in Hebrew, the native language of the Jews. People also like to visit an old cemetery with walking distance with tombstones dating back to the early 18th century. Essential information:Location: Mahatma Gandhi Road, Mominpada, Old Panvel, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. Best Time: Can be visited any time of the year.Timings: Open every day. Price: No entry fee.