Saputara Hill Station

Saputara is Gujarat's only hill station, set at roughly 900 m in the Sahyadri range of the Dang district in western India. Its name means abode of serpents, and the town is built around a lake with gardens and boating. It is about 160 to 164 km from Surat by road, and the journey takes roughly 4 to 5 hours each way. GSRTC state buses run from Surat with fares from about Rs 106 (US$1.10), with services from about 00:30 to 23:40 listed on ixigo, and the schedule should be confirmed at the Surat ST depot. A private car or outstation taxi with a return fare is the alternative. Because of the long travel time, a same-day visit is tiring and many travellers stay overnight for a more relaxed trip. Attractions include Saputara Lake with pedal and rowing boats, the ropeway that climbs to Sunset Point, Table Point, Sunrise Point, Echo Point, the Step Garden and the Rose Garden, along with a museum of tribal culture. The nearby Gira Falls and Waghai botanical garden can be added with extra time. A one-day arc is to leave Surat at dawn, arrive by mid-morning, take the ropeway and tour the viewpoints, have a vegetarian Gujarati thali for lunch, boat on the lake in the afternoon, and catch the sunset before the long return. The best season is October to February for clear skies and cool air; the monsoon turns the hills lush and the waterfalls full, but the ropeway closes in heavy rain and mist reduces views. Summer is pleasant relative to the plains but can be crowded with holidaymakers. Food options are mostly vegetarian hotel restaurants and stalls selling corn and local snacks. Weekends and holidays see heavy traffic on the ghat road, so a weekday trip is calmer. Carry a light jacket in winter, as evenings can be cool.