Visit Sakleshpur & skip Coorg
Sakleshpur is a picturesque town nestled at the foothills of the Western Ghats. It is known for its stunning natural beauty and vast coffee and spice plantations. Located just 220 km from Bangalore, it is home to several magnificent temples, ancient forts, sparkling waterfalls, and scenic trekking trails. The area is surrounded by lush slopes of tea, coffee, and spice plantations, adding to its charm. One of the highlights is the 18th-century star-shaped Manjarabad Fort, which offers breathtaking mountain views and involves a short, pet-friendly hike of about 15 minutes. Sakleshpur remains an untouched and unexplored hill station, free from the usual tourist crowds. Other notable attractions include Murkannu Gudda, Hadlu Waterfall, Bisle Ghat Viewpoint, Shri Bettada Bhairaveshwara Swamy Temple, Manjehalli Falls, Jenukal Gudda (Honey Hill), and Agni Gudda Hill.
Visit Daman & skip Goa
Daman features breathtaking beaches such as Devka Beach and Jampore Beach, making them ideal spots for relaxation and sunbathing. The town is rich in history, showcasing well-preserved Portuguese colonial architecture, including forts, churches, and heritage buildings. Landmarks like Daman Fort and the Church of Our Lady of the Sea highlight its colonial heritage. Daman’s vibrant streetscapes are more appealing than those in Fountainhas, Goa, and the French Quarter of Pondicherry. The town also boasts an 11 km long marine walk that connects Kadiya Beach, Devka Beach, and Jampore Beach, making it a perfect location for morning strolls with your dogs. Nani Daman Fort offers a scenic retreat and is pet-friendly, while a short hike to Arjungad Fort is also possible with pets. Additionally, Daman remains relatively unexplored by tourists. If you’re looking for clean beaches, the charm of Mumbai’s Marine Drive, Art Deco architecture, Parsi houses, the colorful homes of Goa, the ambiance of Pondicherry, and Maratha forts—all at affordable prices—then Daman is an ideal destination for you.
Visit Ahilyanagar & skip Delhi
Compared to major cities like Delhi, Ahilyanagar (Ahmednagar) tends to be less crowded, which means a more peaceful environment for you and your pet. Ahmednagar is rich in history, featuring impressive Indo-Islamic architecture. Landmarks like the Fariah Bagh and the 17th-century Salabat Khan Tomb offer fascinating insights into the region’s past and provide a great backdrop for leisurely walks with your dog. The town has restaurants which are nestled in fruit farms where pets are welcome, allowing you to enjoy local cuisine with pets under trees.
Visit Badami & skip Hampi
The hotels, restraurants, homestays and bus stands are very close to the historical site of Badami. The main atttraction i.e. Agastya lake and the temple surrounding it are pet friendly. Badami Fort is also pet friendly. You can enjoy stunning views of the entire town of Badami from the Upper Shivalay on Badami Fort. Badami caves and the museum are the only two places where pets are restricted. If you do not have your own car, you can hire rickshaws which show all places in Badami in Rs. 500- 1000. These autos are pet friendly and can be found in the parking of Badami caves. You can find pet-friendly eateries where you can enjoy local dishes while your dog relaxes by your side, enhancing your overall experience of the local culture. Compared to more popular tourist destinations, Badami tends to be quieter, allowing for a more peaceful experience.
Visit Wai & skip Varanasi
The Ganpati Ghat and Menavali Ghat in Wai are beautifully situated along the Krishna River, surrounded by lush greenery, offering a stunning natural landscape. It’s an ideal spot for nature lovers and photographers looking to capture the beauty of the Western Ghats. These ghats have also been popular as film shooting locations, with well-known movies like Swades, Singham and Gangajal filmed here. The area is serene and calm, as it is less crowded, making it a peaceful place to relax, whether sitting under the large trees or on the steps by the ghat. The ghats also feature several picturesque Maratha temples. There is dedicated parking at Ganpati Ghat, and the area is completely pet-friendly. You can even take your pets to Dhom Dam in Wai for swimming and boating. Mapro Garden in Wai is also pet-friendly.
Visit Anjaneri & skip Palitana
While traveling from Nashik to Trimbakeshwar, there’s a left turn that leads to Anjaneri Hill. Once you take this turn on the Trimbakeshwar road, you’ll come across the ruins of eight temples. Among these, there is a group of three Jain temples. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is restoring the site by carefully dismantling and reassembling the ruins. One temple has already been dismantled, with its stones carefully marked and set aside for reconstruction. In addition to the Jain temples, there are remains of five Brahminical temples, two of which have been restored to good condition by the ASI. These temples are mostly visited by local villagers and remain relatively untouched by tourism. However, it is recommended not to bring pets inside the sanctum of the temples.
GPS location : https://maps.app.goo.gl/p81aRNQFLwss7U4K8
Visit Pitalkhora caves & skip Ajanta caves
The Pitalkhora Caves are an ancient Buddhist site featuring 14 rock-cut cave monuments that date back to the 3rd century BCE, making them one of the earliest examples of rock-cut architecture in India. It’s a wonderful place to visit, with fewer crowds, and no need for a guide as you can explore the caves on your own. The caves are located within the Gautala Sanctuary near Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. To reach the caves, you’ll need to climb 250 steps. The presence of a beautiful waterfall adds to the charm of the location. Pets are strictly not allowed in Pitalkhora caves due to the presence of leopards. It’s a great destination for history enthusiasts and nature lovers, and Pitalkhora Caves should definitely be on the bucket list for anyone interested in historical exploration.
Visit Shivneri Fort & skip Sinhgad Fort
Shivneri Fort, located in Junnar, about 3 hours from Pune, is a well-preserved historical site. However, it lacks designated parking spaces, so visitors must park their cars and bikes along the fort’s road. At the base of the fort, you’ll find several food stalls. The trek to the top is fairly easy and takes around 45 minutes, with the path being well-maintained and many of the steps recently constructed. Once at the summit, visitors can explore the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, a temple dedicated to Maharaj and Jijau Mata, the Kadelot point, a lake, palace ruins, and enjoy a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape.
