Mahabaleshwar is regarded as the queen of hill stations in Maharashtra. Before, Bollywood got infatuated with Switzerland and other exotic locales, Mahabaleshwar used to be the favourite outdoor shooting location.
The fogs, many hidden trails and breath taking scenery of Krishna river valley makes it a pretty good choice.
What remains strongly associated with Mahabaleshwar are the strawberries. If you visit during the strawberry season (October to March), you can see fields with rows of strawberry shrubs. Of course, fresh strawberry cream and milk shake is just an arm's length away.
Reaching Mahabaleshwar : It is 220 Kms from Mumbai (Detailed Road Map Mumbai to Mahabaleshwar ) and 120 Kms from Pune Detailed Road Map: Pune to Mahabaleshwa. There are frequent buses to Mahabaleshwar, though one would suggest taking one’s one car as there are many “points” to be covered and one’s own vehicle will make it more enjoyable.
Best Time to Visit : October to May (That said, even Monsoons at Mahabaleshwar are enjoyable)
Accommodation : There are many resorts in Mahabaleshwar including MTDC resort at Mahabaleshwar
Mahabaleshwar Travel Guide
Strawberries
: Do visit Mapro centre at
Mahabaleshwar - panchgani road - they serve
excellent strawberry creams and milkshakes. Also try to visit a farm in
the morning when the berries are plucked.
View
Points
: Venna lake, Wilson Point (Sunrise); Marjorie Point (View of Shivaji
forts); Arthur Point (Savithri river winding down the
valley); Kate’s Point (View of Dhom Dam); Lodwick Point and
Elephant Point (where the rock resembles an Elephant trunk)
Kshetra
Mahabaleshwar
: Has three important temples - Mahabal and Atibal and Panchaganga
Temple. At Panchganga temple, five rivers originate
- Koyna, Krishna , Venna, Savitri and Gayatri.
Pratpapgad
: It is at Pratapgad that Shivaji killed Afzal Khan on 10th Nov
1659.Climb to Pratpapgad is exhilarating and offers excellent views of
the Konkan valley. There is an important Bhavani temple built by
Shivaji whose idol was brought from Nepal
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Mahabaleshwar gets crowded during summer holidays and long weekends - be sure to make accommodation arrangements before commencement of the journey. Travelpaisa has exhaustive list of Mahabaleshwar budget and luxury resorts
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Panchgani which is just at 25 Kms from Mahabaleshwar is relatively quiet and Panchgani can be an excellent option to stay as there are good quality hotels and resorts
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Mahabaleshwar has numerous good quality restaurants ( most of them serving Gujarati Thali). Hotel Rajesh at Mahabaleshwar and Temple View at Kshetra Mahabaleshwar are popular.
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Do not miss Sunrise at Wilson Point and Sunset at Bombay Point
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Hire a local guide and he will take guide you to all the important points at Mahabaleshwar. Be sure to negotiate with the guide (Rs. 300 should be fine)
- If you visit in off season or on week days, drive a hard bargain with the hotels