Saputara
Gujarat's Only Hill Station
Overview
Saputara is the only hill station in Gujarat, set at around 875 metres in the Sahyadri hills of the Western Ghats within the tribal Dang district near the Maharashtra border. Its name means 'abode of serpents', and its heart is Saputara Lake, ringed by viewpoints, a ropeway up to Sunset Point, and terraced gardens. Unusually for India, it is at its most beautiful in the monsoon, when the surrounding forests and waterfalls come alive. MyTripMyTravel runs Saputara as a cool-climate retreat within a wider Gujarat circuit, chauffeured mountain transfers, honest Dangi tribal culture, and calm lakeside stays.
Saputara sits high in the Dang district of southern Gujarat, in the folds of the Sahyadri range where the state meets Maharashtra. It is the only developed hill station in an otherwise flat and coastal Gujarat, and that scarcity gives it a particular pull, a pocket of pine, mist, and cool air within easy reach of the plains cities.
The town is arranged around Saputara Lake, with a ropeway climbing to Sunset Point, an Artist Village, a museum of Dang tribal culture, and a string of gardens and viewpoints. The name means 'abode of serpents', a nod to the local Adivasi reverence for snakes, and the surrounding hills remain home to the Dangi tribal communities whose crafts, dance, and honey are part of the experience.
MyTripMyTravel treats Saputara as a change of pace rather than a headline. We time visits to the greenest window, run the mountain roads with an air-conditioned fleet, and can pair it with the Gira waterfalls near Waghai and the food and heritage of nearby Surat for a rounded southern-Gujarat loop.
At a glance
Saputara in brief
When to visit
September to February (monsoon for greenery)
Saputara is unusual among Indian hill stations in that many visitors come for the monsoon, from July to September, when the Sahyadri forests turn emerald and the waterfalls run full, though roads can be misty and slippery. The clear, cool window from October to February is the most comfortable for viewpoints and the ropeway, with cold nights in December and January. March to June is warmer but still milder than the Gujarat plains. We plan around the greenery or the clear winter light depending on your priorities.
Things to do
Experiences in Saputara
Saputara Lake
The central lake with pedal-boating and a lakeside promenade, the hub around which the hill station is arranged.
Ropeway to Sunset Point
A cable-car ride up to a ridge viewpoint over the Sahyadri hills, best in the late-afternoon light.
Gira Waterfalls
A wide seasonal waterfall near Waghai, at its most powerful during and just after the monsoon.
Artist Village & tribal museum
A look at Dang Adivasi crafts, bamboo work, and culture, with the small museum documenting local tribal life.
Sunset & Table Land viewpoints
A cluster of ridge lookouts and step gardens giving long views across the forested valleys.
Getting there
How to reach Saputara
Surat (STV), about 150 km away, is the nearest airport; some guests fly into Nashik or Mumbai and drive up.
The nearest railheads are Waghai and Bilimora; we handle the winding onward transfer up into the hills.
Saputara is reached by mountain road from Surat, Ahwa, or the Maharashtra side near Nashik through forested ghats.
Our air-conditioned, GPS-tracked vehicles manage the hairpin climb and the day trips to Gira Falls and Waghai comfortably.
Where to stay
The best hillside resorts around the lake and ridge, with valley-facing rooms and the widest comfort.
Well-run hotels close to Saputara Lake and the ropeway for an easy, central base.
Smaller forest-edge properties for a calmer, cooler stay away from the busier weekend crowd.
Where to eat
The regional unlimited vegetarian thali of dal, kadhi, shaak, and rotli, the reliable staple of any Gujarat hill stay.
Simple local Adivasi dishes and forest honey from the Dang region, tasted through the hillside kitchens.
Bhajiya, corn, and masala chai at the lakeside stalls, the classic cool-weather hill-station snack.
Good to know
Saputara, your questions
Is Saputara really the only hill station in Gujarat?
Yes. Set at around 875 metres in the Sahyadri hills of the Dang district, Saputara is Gujarat's only developed hill station, which is a large part of its appeal in an otherwise flat and coastal state.
When is the best time to visit Saputara?
It is famous for its monsoon greenery from July to September, when the forests and waterfalls are at their best. The cool, clear window from October to February is more comfortable for viewpoints and the ropeway.
How do I get to Saputara?
The nearest airport is Surat (STV), about 150 km away, and the nearest railheads are Waghai and Bilimora. The final approach is a winding mountain road we cover with our fleet.
What is there to do in Saputara?
The lake and ropeway, the Sunset and Table Land viewpoints, the Artist Village and tribal museum, and the nearby Gira waterfalls near Waghai are the main draws.
Is alcohol available in Saputara?
No. Saputara is in Gujarat, which is a dry state, so alcohol is restricted and needs a permit, we can help foreign visitors arrange one where required.
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