1. Overview: From UAE to Fazlani Nature’s Nest
Fazlani Nature’s Nest is a wellness retreat in India on Soex Flora Farm Village near Lonavala in Maharashtra, set between Mumbai and Pune with views over the lake and surrounding hills.
Guests from the UAE often come for structured Ayurveda programmes, weight management, detox, stress and sleep recovery and pain relief at an Ayurveda retreat near Mumbai that feels rural and quiet rather than urban.
In simple terms, your journey is:
Dubai, Abu Dhabi or another UAE city → Mumbai or Pune → scenic drive to Fazlani Nature’s Nest.
This is an Ayurvedic retreat from the UAE with one short to medium haul sector and a straightforward overland transfer.
2. Best flight options from the UAE
2.1 Main departure cities
Most UAE guests will start from:
Dubai International Airport (DXB)
Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport (AUH)
Sharjah International Airport (SHJ)
Travellers from other emirates usually route via one of these three.
2.2 Typical routing pattern to India
From the UAE you are very close to western India, so routings are simple.
Direct flights to Mumbai (BOM)
From Dubai:
Multiple daily non stop flights from DXB to BOM on carriers such as Emirates, flydubai and Indian airlines.
Average flight time is around 3 hours to 3 hours 15 minutes.
From Abu Dhabi:
Several direct flights from AUH to BOM with Etihad and Indian carriers.
Typical flight time is also around 3 hours to 3 hours 15 minutes.
From Sharjah:
Non stop flights from SHJ to BOM on Indian low cost airlines are common, again around 3 hours 10 to 20 minutes. MakeMyTrip
Reaching Pune (PNQ)
There are fewer or no regular non stop UAE to Pune flights at some times of year.
Many guests who prefer Pune route DXB/AUH/SHJ → Mumbai (BOM) or Delhi (DEL) → Pune (PNQ) on a short domestic leg. Wellness Mahotsav
For most travellers, total journey time from the UAE to Mumbai is about 3 hours in the air plus ground time. Even with a domestic hop to Pune, the entire journey is often within 6 to 8 hours.
2.3 When to arrive
To keep your first day at this wellness retreat in India relaxed:
Aim to land in Mumbai (BOM) or Pune (PNQ) between 06:00 and 14:00 local time.
This gives time for immigration, baggage and the road transfer, with arrival at Fazlani Nature’s Nest by mid to late afternoon.
If you prefer a softer pace, you can:
Take a late evening flight from the UAE,
Arrive in Mumbai before dawn,
Sleep a few hours in an airport hotel, then transfer to Fazlani in the morning.
2.4 Cabin choice and in flight wellness
The UAE to India sector is short, although still worth planning.
Economy is comfortable enough for most guests, especially with an aisle seat and carry on kept light.
Business class becomes attractive if you are combining long haul into the UAE with this leg, or if you live with back pain or high stress and want maximum comfort.
Simple in flight wellness ideas:
Drink water regularly and keep coffee and alcohol modest.
Choose lighter dishes rather than multiple heavy meals.
Stand and stretch once or twice in the aisle; on a three hour flight it still helps.
If you are on a late night departure, treat the sector as a short quiet period rather than a work sprint.
3. Indian visa guide for travellers from the UAE
This section looks at UAE citizens first, then notes for residents of other nationalities living in the Emirates.
3.1 Do citizens of the UAE need a visa to enter India?
Yes. UAE passport holders need a visa to enter India.
India offers:
E-visas for eligible nationalities, which include UAE citizens, and
Visa on Arrival (VoA) for UAE nationals who have previously held an Indian e-visa or regular paper visa.
If you are a UAE resident with another nationality (for example Indian, British, European or African), your visa requirements follow your passport, not your residence.
Indian citizens and OCI cardholders do not need a visa for entry.
Other foreign nationals apply for an Indian visa according to their passport rules.
3.2 E-visa or regular visa
E-visa (recommended for most UAE visitors)
The Consulate General of India in Dubai confirms that eligible travellers can apply online for an Indian e-visa through the official portal indianvisaonline.gov.in.
E-visas cover tourism, short yoga and wellness stays and short medical visits, which fits a stay at an Ayurveda retreat near Mumbai very well. Ministry of Home Affairs
Visa on Arrival (VoA) for UAE nationals
India offers VoA for UAE nationals, although only for those who have previously obtained an Indian e-visa or regular paper visa. Indian Visa Online
VoA is available at selected airports including Mumbai and is usually valid for stays up to 60 days, often with double entry.
Many guests still prefer the e-visa route since approval is granted before travel and arrival tends to feel smoother.
A regular sticker visa through the Indian mission or BLS centres in the UAE is relevant when:
You need a different category,
You plan frequent or long business stays, or
Your passport or travel pattern is complex. Cgi Dubai
Always check the latest rules with the Indian Embassy or consulates in Abu Dhabi or Dubai before you apply.
3.3 Types and duration
For most foreign tourists, India’s standard e-visa options include: Ministry of Home Affairs+1
30 day e-Tourist Visa
1 year e-Tourist Visa
5 year e-Tourist Visa
These are usually multiple entry within validity, with a stay limit per visit. A single stay at Fazlani Nature’s Nest of 1 to 3 weeks, plus a little time in Mumbai or elsewhere, fits very comfortably into the 30 day e-visa. Guests who visit India often sometimes choose a 1 year or 5 year option.
3.4 Application basics
For an e-visa you will usually need:
A passport valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date, with at least two blank pages.
A digital passport-style photograph.
A scan of your passport information page.
The address and contact details of your first stay in India, for example: Fazlani Nature’s Nest – The Wellness Retreat Soex Flora Farm Village, Takwe Badruk (Taluka Maval), Near Lonavala, Maharashtra 412106, India.
A bank card to pay the official e-visa fee online.
Apply only through the official Indian e-visa portal linked from the Indian Embassy / Consulate sites, not through third party agents that add service charges without real need.
A safe application window is 2 to 4 weeks before departure, even though approvals often arrive faster.
New e-Arrival Card requirement
From 1 October 2025 all foreign nationals travelling to India need to complete a new e-Arrival Card online before departure, according to recent airline advisories directed at passengers flying from the UAE. Indian citizens and OCI cardholders are exempt. Times of India
This card captures your personal and travel details and is checked at immigration.
Completing it a few days before your flight avoids last minute stress at the airport.
3.5 Health, customs and paperwork
Yellow fever: India requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you have been in, or transited through for longer periods, a country with risk of yellow fever in the previous 6 days.
Direct flights from the UAE to India do not normally trigger this requirement, since the UAE is not on the yellow fever risk list.
Take out travel insurance that covers medical treatment, cancellation and baggage.
Print or save copies of:
Your e-visa approval or VoA-related documents,
Your e-Arrival Card confirmation,
Return or onward tickets,
Insurance details,
Any medical letters and prescriptions linked to your programme.
Keep prescription medicines in original packaging in hand luggage and declare controlled items if customs officers ask.
4. Choosing Mumbai or Pune as your arrival airport
Fazlani Nature’s Nest is positioned so that you can fly into either Mumbai or Pune. Official distance and travel time guides show that:
Mumbai – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) is about 115 to 118 km from the retreat, usually around 2 to 2.5 hours by car.
Pune International Airport (PNQ) is about 51 to 55 km away, usually around 1 to 1.5 hours by road.
Summary of trade offs
Recommendation for travellers from the UAE
For most guests, the easiest pattern is:
Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah → Mumbai (BOM) on a direct flight,
Then a pre-arranged car or resort transfer directly to Fazlani Nature’s Nest.
If you strongly prefer a shorter drive and do not mind one extra flight, you can:
Fly UAE → Mumbai or Delhi → Pune (PNQ),
Then travel from Pune airport to Fazlani by road.
5. Arriving in India: immigration, baggage and SIMs
The arrival process at Mumbai or Pune is straightforward once you know the sequence.
Follow signs for Immigration / Foreign Passports / e-Visa / Visa on Arrival.
Present your passport, printed e-visa approval or VoA paperwork, and e-Arrival Card confirmation if requested. Times of India
Provide fingerprints and a quick photo if asked.
Proceed to baggage reclaim, collect your luggage and walk through customs using the green channel if you have nothing to declare.
In the arrivals hall you will find:
ATMs and currency exchange counters for Indian rupees,
Cafés and small shops,
Mobile network counters (Jio, Airtel, Vi) where you can buy a local SIM with data and calls. A passport photo and copy may be required.
Many UAE travellers also arrive with an international roaming plan or eSIM active, then add a local SIM later if they wish.
Keep your phone charged so you can stay in contact with the Fazlani team or your driver once you leave customs.
6. Getting from Mumbai or Pune airport to Fazlani Nature’s Nest
6.1 Nearest airports
Pune International Airport (PNQ)
Around 51 to 55 km from Fazlani Nature’s Nest, usually 1 to 1.5 hours by car.
Mumbai – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM)
Around 115 to 118 km from the retreat, usually about 2 to 2.5 hours by car, depending on traffic and weather.
6.2 Fazlani’s airport transfers
Fazlani Nature’s Nest offers chargeable pick up and drop services from nearby airports and stations, including Mumbai and Pune.
When you confirm your stay, send the reservations team your full flight itinerary.
They can arrange a private car and driver to meet you in the arrivals area.
Having your flight details allows the team to track delays and adjust the pick up time.
You can reach reservations via: Fazlani Natures Nest
Email: reservations@fazlaninaturesnest.com
Tel: +91 22 6630 0000
6.3 Prepaid taxis and ride hailing
If you prefer to arrange your own transfer:
Both Mumbai and Pune airports have prepaid taxi desks inside arrivals. You pay upfront, receive a slip, and meet your driver outside.
Ola and Uber are available at both airports with designated pick up zones in the car park or linked areas. The app will show the exact location.
Simple safety checks:
Confirm the number plate matches the one in your app.
Make sure the driver starts the trip in the app before leaving.
Decline offers from drivers who approach you outside official counters or the app flow.
6.4 What the drive feels like
The drive from Mumbai or Pune to this Ayurveda retreat near Mumbai acts as a bridge between city life and retreat life.
From Mumbai you travel along the Mumbai–Pune Expressway, with open views of the Western Ghats, tunnels and dramatic hillsides.
From Pune you pass through the outer city and then quieter countryside on the way towards Lonavala.
Close to Fazlani, the road becomes more rural, with fields, trees and glimpses of the lake, before you enter Soex Flora Farm and the landscaped retreat grounds.
Most guests feel their system dropping a gear during this last stretch.
7. Layover and airport wellness ideas
From the UAE, many guests will fly direct to Mumbai with no layover. When a connection is involved or you spend time at the airport before departure, you can still treat that window as part of your wellness journey.
Dubai International Airport (DXB)
Multiple lounges (airline and pay per use) offer showers, light meals and quiet seating.
In Terminal 3 you will find a Zen-style indoor garden area and calm seating zones that are kinder on the nervous system than the main concourse.
Airport hotels inside or next to the terminals allow short stays if you need a real bed before a night flight.
Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport (AUH)
Newer terminals have large, airy spaces and lounges with showers and resting areas.
Quiet corners away from main retail zones work well for stretching, simple breathing exercises and a short reset.
Doha (DOH), if you route via Qatar
The Orchard indoor garden at Hamad International Airport offers natural light, plants and space to walk.
The Vitality Wellbeing & Fitness Centre provides a pool, spa and gym access for a fee at the airport hotel.
A simple airport routine helps: one nourishing meal, a short walk, a shower if possible and ten minutes of stretching.
8. Sample travel day plan from the UAE
Here are two realistic itineraries for an Ayurvedic retreat from the UAE.
Example 1: Dubai to Fazlani via Mumbai
Morning
Depart Dubai (DXB) on a non stop flight to Mumbai (BOM), around 3 hours in the air.
Early afternoon
Land in Mumbai, clear immigration and customs, collect baggage.
Meet your pre-booked Fazlani transfer or private car in the arrivals area.
Mid to late afternoon
Drive to Fazlani Nature’s Nest along the Mumbai–Pune Expressway.
Check in, enjoy a light Ayurvedic meal or herbal tea, and meet the wellness team for an initial consultation.
Example 2: Abu Dhabi to Fazlani via Pune
Late night Day 1
Take a late evening or just-before-midnight flight Abu Dhabi (AUH) → Mumbai (BOM) or AUH → Delhi (DEL).
Early morning Day 2
Connect to a short domestic flight Mumbai or Delhi → Pune (PNQ).
Late morning
Land in Pune, collect baggage and meet your driver.
Early afternoon
Travel by road to Fazlani Nature’s Nest, arriving by early or mid afternoon.
Check in, have a light meal, and rest or join a gentle yoga or breathing session.
Both patterns are easy to adapt from Sharjah by swapping your departure airport and chosen airline.
9. Wellness focused travel tips
Travelling from the UAE to a wellness retreat in India is a short hop on the map, although it still matters how you do it. A few conscious choices help your body arrive ready for Ayurveda, not frazzled.
Pack for the retreat, not just the flight
Light cotton clothing for warm days, a shawl or light jumper for evenings and air conditioning, comfortable sandals and trainers, and swimwear.
Modest yoga or exercise wear if you plan to join daily classes.
Travel light on food and stimulants
Choose simpler meals during the journey and avoid piling on heavy fried food.
Drink water regularly and keep strong coffee and alcohol modest so that digestion and sleep stay calmer.
Move and stretch
Even on a three hour flight, stand when the seatbelt sign is off, roll your ankles and stretch calves, hips and shoulders.
On the drive from Mumbai or Pune, one short comfort stop can make a big difference if your lower back tends to tighten.
Protect your nervous system
Use an eye mask, earplugs or headphones and a simple playlist that soothes you.
Treat the flight and road transfer as part of your transition, not a time to catch up on every email.
Set your intention for the stay
Before you arrive, take a few minutes to decide what you most want from this Ayurveda retreat near Mumbai: calmer sleep, lighter body, less pain, emotional space, or a reset for stress.
Share that intention honestly with the Fazlani team at your first consultation so that your programme reflects your real needs.
Once you pass through the gates at Fazlani Nature’s Nest, your journey from the UAE is over. From there, the hills, the lake air and the daily rhythm of Ayurveda can carry the work, while you focus on resting and receiving.