If you’re looking for a peaceful, pet-friendly getaway far from the crowds of Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani, or Matheran, Saputara might just be the hidden gem you’ve been searching for. Tucked away in the lush Dang district of Gujarat, this charming hill station offers scenic lakes, serene waterfalls, and breathtaking viewpoints — all perfect for travelers with pets. Unlike the buzz of mainstream tourist spots, Saputara remains refreshingly quiet and close to nature. What makes it even more special is its connection to the local Adivasi tribal culture, which adds a unique cultural richness to your travel experience. Whether you’re strolling along the lake or watching the sunset with your furry friend by your side, Saputara promises a relaxed and soulful escape. We went to Saputara for a 3 day roadtrip with our pet. We followed the itenary mentioned in the table below:
| Before lunch | After lunch | |
| Day 1: Pune to Saputara | Breakfast break at Hotel Sai Sagar pure veg. Lunch break at Hotel Rajesh | Reach Saputara and check-in Hotel Lakeview |
| Day 2: Local sight seeing in Saputara. | Saputara Lake, Sunrise point | Gira waterfall |
| Day 3: Saputara to Pune | Lunch break at Hotel Sanskruti pure veg. | Reach Pune. |
Day 1: Pune to Saputara – Hitting the Road!
We kicked off our much-awaited road trip on the morning of June 14th. With our bags packed and our dog’s travel kit ready (toys, water bowl, leash, treats – the essentials!), we left Pune at 8:00 AM in our Tata Nexon.
🥞 Breakfast Stop:
Our first stop was at Hotel Sai Sagar Pure Veg – a clean, pet-tolerant spot where we could stretch out a bit and enjoy a hot breakfast. Our dog had his own treat time in the shade nearby.
🍛 Lunch Break:
We paused for lunch at Hotel Rajesh, which had enough parking and shaded areas to keep our dog comfy while we took turns dining. On the way to Saputara, just a little distance before Hatgad Fort, we came across a set of beautifully carved stone steles. There were a series of hero stones smeared in saffron color. There was a stone sculpture of Waghdev (tiger-god). There was a sculpture of Ganesha as well inside a small enclosure. The local people workship of all of these steles.
In the Dang region, most people follow their own tribal traditions and pray to their ancestors. Their daily life is full of rituals, customs, and folk beliefs. Many believe that everything in nature — like trees, animals, and rivers — has a spirit. One of their most important gods is Waghdev, the tiger god, who is seen as a powerful and sacred animal.
The people of Dangs also believe in magic and spirits — some helpful, some harmful. Because of this, they often do special prayers, make offerings, and perform rituals to stay protected and keep peace in their lives.
In the Dang region of Gujarat, the local tribal people, known as Dangis, deeply respect a forest spirit called Waghdev, who is believed to take the form of a big cat like a tiger or leopard. Every village has a wooden statue of this animal god. Long ago, when tigers or leopards caused trouble by attacking people or animals, hunters would be called to stop them. But even after a dangerous tiger or leopard was killed, the villagers didn’t just celebrate — they came in large numbers to show respect to the animal. Many would even pray with folded hands and gently touch the animal, treating it like a god.
Hero stones, or Veergals, are ancient commemorative monuments erected in memory of individuals who lost their lives in acts of valor—typically in battles, wars, or other heroic confrontations. Unlike general memorial stones that may mark funeral remains, hero stones are not part of burial practices. Instead, they stand independently as symbolic tributes to bravery and sacrifice.
These monuments are usually upright stone slabs, often adorned with sculpted horizontal panels that reflect the artistic styles and cultural narratives of the time. Each band of carving tells a story—not just of the individual commemorated, but also of the broader social and historical context of the region.
Known by various names across India such as viragals, natukals, nadukkals, paaliyas, govardhan stambhas, kirti stambhas, and chhaya stambhas, these stones can be found in many parts of the country—from Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu to Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, and Central India.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, an art lover, or a curious traveler, encountering a Veergal offers a powerful glimpse into the courage, customs, and craftsmanship of ancient India.
🌄 Arrival in Saputara:
We reached Saputara by 5:00 PM and checked into Hotel Lakeview. They were kind and accommodating about our dog, which instantly set the tone for a relaxed stay. After a long drive, all three of us enjoyed a quiet evening stroll by the hotel.
Day 2: Exploring Saputara – Pet Friendly Sightseeing
We started our day exploring the calm and picturesque Saputara Lake. Early morning vibes, minimal crowd, and open spaces made it perfect for our pup to walk around. There are lots of shacks in the peripheral garden of Saputara lake.
When we reached there, we had clear view of the lake and its surrounding greenery. We could see the fog moving and it covered the entire lake within a minute which was a magical experience. There was fog everywhere with very low visibility.
🌅 Sunrise Point:
Next, we drove up to Sunrise Point. The views were worth the early effort, and our dog thoroughly enjoyed the cool breeze and chirping birds. There is a paid parking plot and some eateries. We started trekking from the end of the parking lot and reached the top most level of the stepped garden. We enjoyed the views from the garden. While descending, we came through the steps of the garden.
🌊 Post-Lunch Visit:
After a light lunch, we headed to Gira Waterfall – about 49 kms away from Saputara. The route to Gira waterfall is through a forest. The roads are well maintained and we enjoyed the lush green views. There is no mobile network on this route so we had to rely on saved google maps.
On way, we came across another temple in the forest. It consisted of a group of tribal memorial stones smeared in saffron color. There was a Ganesha, Nandi and a hanuman sculpture as well.
We continued our journey to Gira falls. On the way, we came across another beautiful sculpture on the left side of the road. It turned out to be a Waghdev sculpture.
We came across one more tribal temple jst 3kms before the waterfall. This temple was alos on the left side of the road. It was abutting the backwaters of the waterfall. There were two saffron colored stones in it.
Finally we reached the location of Gira waterfalls. Cars are not allowed beyond the ticket counter. There are charges for car parking as well as visitors. Surprisingly, the place was not crowded. One needs to walk for 3-4 minutes beyond the ticket counter to visit the view point of gira waterfalls. There is a street market on the walkway leading to the view point. The local tribal people sell handmade bamboo toys and articles in this street market.
Finally we reached the view point which offers 360 degree panoramic view of the waterfall.
There are some concrete steps near the viewpoint which led us to the actual waterfall. After the steps, there is a narrow paved pathway leading the to the actual waterfall. This paved pathway is also surrounded by bamboo toy shops. If was raining throughout. Finally we reached te waterfall but we didn’t enter the water.
Day 3: Heading Back – Saputara to Pune
On the last day, after having a heavy buffet break at Hotel Lakeview , we checked out from the hotel and left Saputara at 10:45 AM. We started the return journey to Pune.
🥗 Lunch Stop:
On our way back, we stopped for lunch at Hotel Sanskruti Pure Veg, highway restaurant with ample space outside – great for a little walk break for our pet. They allowed our pet in the semi open dining on request. All the hotels in this area are quiet unhygienic. But we didnt have an option as we were hungry and getting late for lunch. Post lunch, we continued the return journey to Pune. We came via Sinnar , Sangamner, Alephata and Chakan.
We finally reached Pune by 6:30 PM, ending a fulfilling road trip full of nature, bonding, and wagging tails.
Where did we eat ?
Hotel Sai Sagar pure veg, Chakan MIDC
Hotel Rajesh pure veg, Sinnar
Hotel Sanskruti pure veg, Sinnar