Zenith waterfall: Khopoli, Maharashtra
Looking to visit a waterfall near Mumbai during the monsoon which is not too far away from the island city then Khopoli is the desired destination. To reach Zenith Waterfall Khopoli board a Central Railway train bound for Khopoli.
The journey takes around about 2 hours and 40 minutes. It is advisable to check the railway time-table in advance since trains going to Khopoli are not very frequent.
Another option available is to board a train till Karjat and then take a connecting shuttle train to Khopoli. At Karjat do not miss out on the amazing vada-pavs that are sold on the railway station. They are a must-have. The train ride during the monsoon is very refreshing after crossing Dombivli there is lush greenery all over the place and the rain adds the X-factor that gives the whole place a new glow.
Once in Khopoli walk out on the western side of the railway station and cross a concrete bridge. Just after crossing the bridge there are two options of getting to Zenith Waterfall. The first is to walk to the waterfall and the second is to hire an auto rickshaw. Walking is a preferred option since the monsoon weather is perfect to walk. While walking look around the hills and observe the numerous other waterfalls in that region.
zenith waterfall
The walk to Zenith waterfall first goes through a small industrial complex which is approached after about a 20 minute walk from the railway station. From the industrial complex, it takes another 10 minutes to where one will notice plenty of cars and bikes parked and a few makeshift stalls selling roasted corn.
From here the actual walk to the waterfall begins. Keep in mind not to wear shoes on this trip as there is a section during this walk where one has to wade through water and so wearing floaters are a preferred option here. Walk past a small gate and then through a narrow walking trail till a point where there is a shallow and wide stream.
The only option to reach Zenith waterfall is too walk through the stream as getting around it is not even an option. After walking through the stream head north towards another narrow walking path that leads you through a small patch of the woods. After about a ten minutes walk through the woods Zenith waterfall will be finally visible from a distance.
Just at the entrance of the waterfall there are a few makeshift stalls selling chai (tea) and roasted corn. The waterfall is about a good 25 feet high and is only active during the monsoon and attracts a lot of crowds on weekends.
It is advisable not to enter too deep into the water pool created by the waterfall since there have been cases of people getting drowned in it.
Many people spend time lazing around just a few meters away from the waterfall, near the mouth of the stream. It is advised not to pollute this water as it is an important source of water for the people living in the nearby villages.
After the monsoon season is over and when the waterfall has dried up this very same location becomes a thriving place for rock-climbing and rappelling.
Zenith waterfall is the ideal place to visit and have a very good up-close view of a waterfall that is not too far away from Mumbai.
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