Maharashtra

Mahabaleshwar & Panchgani

Marvelous trip!

TOUR OVERVIEW

This is Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra’s most popular hill station, and once the summer capital of the Bombay Presidency during the British Raj. Mahabaleshwar means ‘God of Great Power’ in Sanskrit. Indeed, the place is great and bountiful, rewarding the visitor with a mix of old-world charm, natural beauty and modernity. Although it is a summer destination, this “Queen of the Shayadris” is heavenly in monsoon.

Panchgani derives its names from the five hills around it. At an altitude of 1334 m it is just 38 m below Mahabaleshwar. These 38 m translate themselves into a breathtaking 18 km approach offering heart-stopping views of the Krishna River on the one side and the coastal plains on the other. Panchagni is the quintessential residential hill station with an old world charm. This can be seen in the architecture of the British buildings, the Parsi houses and the boarding houses that have been around for a century or more. For glimpses of a vanished era, a special visit can be arranged to some of the old British and Parsi homes.

Instead of giving a day-wise itinerary, we thought it is better to suggest the routes and let you decide which ones you will be willing to do on what day. The payment to the taxi driver will be direct. Taxi rates in Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani are governed by the Taxi Union. These are indicative prices and may change due to off season and/or whether the attractions are open or not:
Tour 1 – Mahabaleshwar Darshan (This is 4 hours tour, including echo points, waterfalls, Mapro gardens, lake and market visit)
Tour 2 – Pratapgad Darshan (This is 4 hours tour requires bit of a trek. It is usually open in monsoon and the scenery is lush green)
Tour 3 – Tapola the Mini- Kashmir Darshan (This is 5 hour tour)
Tour 4 – Panchgani Darshan (this is 2 hour tour if stay is at Panchgani including view points and temple)