Destination Guides
Saputara vs Mount Abu: Which Hill Station Suits a Gujarat Family Getaway?
By Bookaday Editorial Team · Published · 8 min read
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Quick summary
- Saputara (Dang district, Gujarat, about 1,000 m) and Mount Abu (Sirohi district, Rajasthan, about 1,220 m) are the two hill stations Gujarat families visit most.
- From Ahmedabad, Mount Abu is much closer: about 235 km (roughly 4 to 4.5 hours) versus about 409 km for Saputara.
- From Surat, Saputara is the clear winner at about 164 km, and it is about 80 km from Nashik.
- Saputara peaks in the monsoon, with its Monsoon Festival in August; Mount Abu is best from November to March and gets more rain than anywhere else in Rajasthan.
- For pool days, Bookaday lists three Saputara resorts with pools; Vanvaso Resort & Adventure Park includes pool access in its day package.
Saputara vs Mount Abu comes down to where you live and when you travel. Mount Abu is the easier drive from Ahmedabad and has more classic sightseeing; Saputara is closer for south Gujarat and Maharashtra families and is at its greenest in the monsoon. This guide compares drive times, height, weather by season, things to do, crowds and stay styles, then gives a verdict by traveller type. Explore Saputara on the Saputara destination page.
How far are Saputara and Mount Abu from Ahmedabad and Surat?
From Ahmedabad, Mount Abu is about 235 km, roughly 4 to 4.5 hours, while Saputara is about 409 km. From Surat, Saputara is about 164 km, an easy half-day drive, while Mount Abu sits far to the north, beyond Ahmedabad. Your starting city usually decides the trip.
| From | To Saputara | To Mount Abu |
|---|---|---|
| Ahmedabad | About 409 km (a full day) | About 235 km (around 4 h 20 min) |
| Surat | About 164 km | A long drive north, via Ahmedabad |
| Vadodara | About 309 km | Via Ahmedabad |
| Mumbai | About 250 km | Much farther |
| Nashik | About 80 km (around 2 hours) | Much farther |
Sources: Gujarat Tourism (Saputara), CabBazar (Nashik), Holidify (Ahmedabad to Mount Abu). Mount Abu's nearest railway station, Abu Road, is about 28 km from the town, according to Housing.com.
How do height and weather compare by season?
Mount Abu is higher, at about 1,220 m, and gets cold winter mornings; Saputara sits at about 1,000 m. Both are greenest in the monsoon. Mount Abu receives more rain than any other part of Rajasthan, with over 500 mm a month in July and August, according to Wikipedia's climate data.
| Season | Saputara | Mount Abu |
|---|---|---|
| Monsoon (July – September) | Peak season: green hills, waterfalls, Monsoon Festival (8 – 29 August in 2026) | Very wet; foggy, green |
| October – February | Cool and clear; good for treks | Best season (November – March, per Housing.com); chilly mornings |
| March – June | Pleasant relief from the plains | Milder than the rest of Rajasthan; May highs around 32.5°C |
Sources: Gujarat Tourism, DeshGujarat (Monsoon Festival), Wikipedia (Mount Abu climate), Housing.com.
What can families do in each?
Saputara is about lakes, viewpoints and adventure parks; Mount Abu is about a lake, Jain temples and a high peak. Mount Abu has more classic sightseeing, while Saputara is simpler and less commercial, which Gujarat Tourism highlights as part of its charm.
| Saputara | Mount Abu | |
|---|---|---|
| Lake | Saputara Lake, known for sunsets | Nakki Lake, with boating (9:30 AM – 6:00 PM, per Housing.com) |
| Viewpoints and walks | Governor's Hill walks, Gandhi Shikhar dawn treks | Guru Shikhar, the highest point, about 9 km from town |
| Heritage | Tribal culture; Dangi dance at the Monsoon Festival | Dilwara Jain Temples (11th – 13th century) |
| Adventure | Adventure-park resorts | Trails and viewpoints |
| Pace | Quieter, less commercial | Busier, more developed |
Visiting Dilwara? Housing.com lists visiting hours for non-Jains as 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, so plan the temples for the afternoon.
How crowded do they get?
Both get busy on long weekends and during school holidays. In Saputara, the Monsoon Festival is the big peak: DeshGujarat reports about 2.61 lakh tourists at the 2025 festival and about 14.67 lakh visitors to Saputara over 2025. Mount Abu's busiest period is its November to March season and holiday weekends, so book stays early for both.
Which stay styles and resort pools are available?
In Saputara, Bookaday lists three resorts with pools: Vanvaso Resort & Adventure Park, Savshanti Lake Resort and Treebones Resort & Adventure Park. Bookaday does not list Mount Abu properties, so ask Mount Abu hotels directly about pools and day access. Rates vary by season and room type, so ask each property.
| Saputara resort | Style | Pool and day access (as listed) |
|---|---|---|
| Vanvaso Resort & Adventure Park | Adventure park, groups | Pool in Day Picnic Package, 9 AM – 6 PM |
| Savshanti Lake Resort | Lake views, calm | Pool listed; not in day package, ask |
| Treebones Resort & Adventure Park | Adventure park | Pool listed; no day package documented |
Source: Bookaday listings, checked 15 October 2026. See them on the Saputara swimming pool listings and our guide to resorts in Saputara with swimming pools.
Which one should you choose?
Choose Mount Abu for a shorter drive from Ahmedabad, winter sightseeing and the Dilwara temples. Choose Saputara if you live in south Gujarat, Mumbai or Nashik, want a monsoon getaway, or prefer a quieter hill station with adventure-park resorts.
| You are… | Better pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Family from Ahmedabad, long weekend | Mount Abu | About 235 km |
| Family from Surat, Valsad or Navsari | Saputara | About 164 km from Surat |
| Monsoon traveller | Saputara | Monsoon Festival, waterfalls |
| Winter sightseeing and temples | Mount Abu | Dilwara, Nakki Lake, Guru Shikhar |
| Family with active kids | Saputara | Adventure-park resorts with pools |
| Couple wanting quiet | Saputara | Less commercial, lake sunsets |
Quick notes on other comparisons
- Saputara vs Mahabaleshwar or Matheran: those are in Maharashtra and suit Mumbai and Pune travellers; Saputara is closer for south Gujarat.
- Saputara vs Daman: hills and cool air versus a beach-and-fort break; Daman is about 12 km from Vapi.
Ask before you book
Hello, we are [X] adults and [Y] children visiting Saputara on [dates]. 1. Is the pool open to day visitors or only staying guests? What are the pool hours? 2. Is the pool outdoor or heated, and does it close in rain? 3. Which activities and meals are included? 4. What is the rate for our dates? Thank you.
Browse the Saputara day picnic listings and tap Ask on WhatsApp. Bookaday helps you find and contact resorts; they confirm access, timings and rates.
FAQs
It depends on where you start and when you go. Mount Abu is better from Ahmedabad (about 235 km) and for winter sightseeing, with Nakki Lake and the Dilwara temples. Saputara is better from Surat (about 164 km), Mumbai or Nashik, and in the monsoon, with greenery and the Monsoon Festival.
Saputara is at about 1,000 m in the Sahyadri range, according to Gujarat Tourism. Mount Abu, in the Aravalli range, is at about 1,220 m, according to Wikipedia. Mount Abu's higher altitude gives it colder winter mornings.
Yes. Saputara is in Dang district, Gujarat, and Gujarat Tourism calls it the state's only hill station. Mount Abu is in Sirohi district, Rajasthan, near the Gujarat border, and is described as Rajasthan's only hill station.
Saputara is the classic monsoon pick, with green hills, waterfalls and the Monsoon Festival, which ran from 8 to 29 August in 2026. Mount Abu is also green but very wet, with over 500 mm of rain a month in July and August. Drive ghat roads carefully in fog.
Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra suits travellers from Mumbai and Pune who want a larger hill station. Saputara is closer for south Gujarat families, simpler and less commercial, with adventure-park resorts. From Surat, Saputara is about 164 km away.
Yes. Bookaday lists three Saputara resorts with pools: Vanvaso Resort & Adventure Park, Savshanti Lake Resort and Treebones Resort & Adventure Park. Vanvaso includes pool access in its 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Day Picnic Package. Ask each about day access and whether the pool is heated.
Sources
- Gujarat Tourism: Saputara (opens in a new tab)
- Wikipedia: Mount Abu (opens in a new tab)
- Housing.com: Places to visit in Mount Abu (opens in a new tab)
- Holidify: Ahmedabad to Mount Abu (opens in a new tab)
- DeshGujarat: Saputara Monsoon Festival 2026 (8 Aug 2026) (opens in a new tab)
- Also used: CabBazar (Saputara to Nashik) and Bookaday Saputara listings, checked 15 October 2026.