While many Mumbaikars like spending their weekends at malls or unwinding over long brunches, a growing number of people are choosing the outdoors instead. They drive toward forests, lakesides, and quiet trails for some silence, fresh air, and a sense of escape. Some take their 4x4s into slushy paths, while others park their camper vans beside hidden water bodies. What unites them is the need for a break that feels grounded and real. Actor Harshvardhan Rane is one of them.

Ask him how he disconnects from the relentless pace of Mumbai, and he shares, “I love getting into my camper van and driving to a place where there is a water body, some trees and mountains at a distance. The sound of birds and the breeze is always welcome. I get busy setting up my van and then cooking. The entire day goes by observing nature, cooking, cleaning, and clicking pictures. It is the simplest joy.”

For Harshvardhan, the perfect weekend is simple. Give him a van, a patch of wilderness, and a few quiet hours, and he is content. For him, adventure is not a break from life; it is the way he resets. He shares, “Going off the grid teaches me that humans have complicated their lives with things they do not really need to survive. Being out of my comfort zone is actually my favourite thing to do because that is what makes me grow.”

His connection with nature is both emotional and biological. The Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat actor says, “Simple things like walking barefoot in the sun and touching rocks and water have a scientific effect on our biology. It is the most underrated form of self-care one can practise.”

And when it comes to choosing between a luxury getaway and a rugged detour, he chooses the latter every time. He shares, “Maharashtra is full of beautiful getaway options. Karjat, Rajmachi, Shrivardhan, Kamshet... you can drive a hundred kilometres in any direction and find a stunning spot with homestays, camping sites, local food and a bunch of outdoor activities.”

Even though many outdoor enthusiasts travel in groups, Harshvardhan admits he is a lone wolf. “I am not part of any outdoor groups. I am not a great team planner, and it drains me to watch people debate about where to go and when to leave (laughs). I prefer leaving within thirty minutes of finding a two- or three-day window with no work. But one day I want to work on this weakness and plan a trip with people who love nature as much as I do,” he signs off.