Known for being featured in blockbuster films like Raja Hindustani and Taare Zameen Par, otherwise known as “Table Land”, Panchgani is around 250 kms from Mumbai and 108 kms from Pune.
This hill station falls under Satara district of Maharashtra. Apart from some of the finest boarding schools, this place is also known for its picturesque beauty and pleasant climate and so a frequent weekend getaway.
How to reach Panchgani?
As mentioned above, Panchgani is one of the best and most frequented weekend getaways – both from Mumbai and Pune. Although way closer from Pune than from Mumbai, but still a favourite among Mumbaikars.
Panchgani from Mumbai:
By Bus
This is the fastest way to reach Panchgani from Mumbai. The journey takes around five and a half to six hours and there are several Tours & Travels from where you buy your tickets or can book on Redbus, MakeMyTrip and so on. Bus would start from Borivali and would take the Western Express Highway to pick passengers from designated points.
By Train
There are no direct trains from to Panchgani from Mumbai, so travellers can off-board at Satara, Khed or Chiplun and then travel to Panchgani by bus or car which is around 30-40 kms away. But the best would be to get off at Pune station since Pune is well-connected although it is 108 kms away from Panchgani. From Pune station a cab can be booked.
By Car
There are three routes to consider when travelling to Panchgani from Mumbai
1. Mumbai – Navi Mumbai – Khopoli – Lonavla – Pune – Khandala – Wai – Panchgani.
2. Mumbai – Navi Mumbai – Khopoli – Pali – Kolad – Mahad – Mahabaleshwar – Panchgani.
Most preferred route is Route 1 as it saves around an hour and a half, compared to the other one!!
Best time to visit:
Anytime is a good time to visit Panchgani. Summers to escape the coastal heat. Monsoons, to enjoy the rains, green cover that soothes the eyes and random nameless waterfalls where you can stand, take pictures or just taken a break from snaps and get drenched. And winters are equally pleasant and not too cold like Mahabaleshwar!
Places to visit:
Since its close to Mahabaleshwar, hence a lot of places are there which can be accessed between Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani.
1. Tableland
A part of the Deccan plateau that was raised due to tectonic pressure, this is a volcanic plateau, which is the second highest in Asia after the Tibetan Plateau. This place is known among photography enthusiasts and adventure seekers because this is where they can indulge in paragliding.
2. Kate’s Point
Offering panoramic view of the valley and the river, this point is on a mountain plateau.
3. Arthur’s Seat
Named after Sir Arthur Mallet, who was the first man to have constructed his residence here, this point is located at an elevation of 1340 meters, and is popularly known as “Queen of the Points”.
Arthur’s Seat Point area consists of six points – Arthur’s Seat Purpose, Echo Point, Hunter Point, Tiger Spring point, Window point, and Malcolm point.
4. Sydney Point/ Lodwick Point
Previously known as Sydney Point, this point is located 5km west of Mahabaleshwar and the vantage point offer unrestricted view of Pratapgarh Fort. Lodwick Point is known for the wooden path that opens to a mountain clearing and a breathtaking view.
5. Parsi Point
Surrounded by lofty green mountains on all sides, this point is ideal for an uninterrupted, captivating view of the Krishna Valley and the pristine waters of the Dhom Dam.
6. Dhom Dam
21kms from Panchgani and closer to Mahabaleshwar, this place is known for engaging in activities like scooter boats and speed boats.
7. Mapro Garden
You can’t visit Mahabaleshwar and return without berries and the list includes strawberries, gooseberries, raspberries, mulberries and blueberries. But strawberries take the cake because strawberries grown in Mahabaleshwar accounts for 85% of the total strawberry production in India.
Although Mapro Garden has taken over the strawberry market and sell all types of products that can be produced from strawberry there are various other farms that are equally good but may not have marketed their product well.
8. Rajpuri Caves
Believed to be one of the places where Pandavas sought shelter during their exile, Rajpuri Caves is one of the oldest sites in Panchgani to visit. This place is also known for the temple of Lord Karthikeya and is said to be constructed by the sands of the cave.
Entry Timing: 6am to 6pm
Entry Fee: Free
Contact: 020 2612 6867
9. Lingmala Falls
The spectacular waterfall that comes to life during monsoon lies on the Mahabaleshwar-Pune Road.
10. Pratapgarh Fort
A day trip from Mahabaleshwar or that can be visited enroute Mahabaleshwar, this fort, built in 1656, is known for the Battle of Pratapgarh between Shivaji and Afzal Khan, a general of Adil Shah dynasty.
Although not too well-maintained this a place one must visit to be amazed by the architecture of the fort that was constructed to defend the banks of the Koyna and Nira rivers, and the Par Pass.
11. Kamalgad Fort
A fort whose builder remains unknown but whose administration was looked over by a mokasaddar (manager) from Bijapur during Maratha times, this fort now lies in ruins. Known for treks, this fort is also called Bhelanja or Kattalgad where Kattalgad means death fort.
13. Kaas Plateau
A UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, that is also known as “Plateau of Flowers”, Kaas Plateau is situated 50 kms away from Panchgani. Offering more than 850 species of flowers on display, this plateau looks like a colourful carpet during monsoon. There are three slots available to visit this site and per day 3000 visitors are allowed. Two in the morning and the other in the afternoon and the slots should be prebooked.
Entry Timing:
7am – 11am
11am – 3pm
3pm – 6pm
Entry Fee: INR 50 + INR 20 for parking
14. Harrison’s Folly
Popular for paragliding, this is the first hill before entering Panchgani.
15. Bhilar Falls
Seasonal waterfalls that I fed only by the monsoon rains and offers mesmerizing views of the Western Ghats.
16. Wai
Located 14 kms from Panchgani, this prominent town is in the foothills of Panchgani and most famous for Dholya Ganapati Temple and surrounded by green mountains.
17. Wilson Point
Also known as the Sunrise Point is the highest point in Mahabaleshwar that lies at an altitude of 1,439 meters. Because of its elevation it provides spectacular colour of the sky during sunrise.
18. Chinaman’s Waterfall
Another stunning waterfall that is a sight to behold during monsoon, this waterfall lies closer to Mahabaleshwar and around 16 kms from Panchgani and shouldn’t be missed. The location of the waterfall could not be tagged so you can ask the locals for the accurate place.
19. Devrai Art Village
Spread across two acres, Devrai Art Village situated in the hilly terrains of Panchgani is a non-profit initiative that houses handicrafts made of metal, stone, bamboo and wood made by highly skilled Adivasis that connect us to nature.
Entry Timing: 10:30am to 5:30pm (open on all days, artisans have a holiday on Wednesdays)
Contact: +91 9923339726
Address: Devrai, Panchgani CHS. Opposite On Wheelz Amusement Park, Panchgani, Maharashtra 412805
You can also book their homestay called Devrai Homestay for as low as INR 2000/ night with lake and valley view.
20. Venna Lake
You would be surprised to know that this is a man-made lake and not a natural one!! Built by Chhatrapati Shri Appasaheb Maharaj in 1942. A tourist hotspot, this lake offers rowboat and peddle boat rides which is quite an attraction here.
21. Panchganga Mandir
The Panchganga Temple was built on the confluence of five springs of a river, namely Krishna, Venna, Savitri, Koyna and Gayatri, by Seuna king Simhana in the 13th century. Although renovation was undertaken in the 16th and 17th century, the architecture of the temple remains fascinating without much differentiation between pre and post renovation.
Where To Stay?
Since the distance between Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani is only 20 kms, travellers can either opt to stay at Panchgani or Mahabaleshwar or even Wai or somewhere in between.
There are some absolutely breathtaking stays, away from the hustle bustle of town centre (town centre is mostly preferred by families because of the easy access to the market). Quite a lot of these places cannot be located on Google maps so you can connect with the hosts to check the exact location.
Devrai Home Stay – Mentioned above.
1-Bedroom Guest house with Valley View – Guest House Hosted By Vishwajeet, Mukavale
Number of Guests It Can Accommodate: 2
Bedrooms: 1
Beds: 1
Bathrooms: 1 (private)
Breakfast: Not Provided
Pets: Not Allowed
Price: INR 3,780/night for 2 guests (excluding tax)
Royal Stone Villa Mahabaleshwar Entire villa hosted by Rahul – Mukavale
Number of Guests It Can Accommodate: 10
Bedrooms: 3
Beds: 3
Bathrooms: 3
Breakfast: Provided
Pets: Allowed
Price: INR 5,111/night for 6 guests (excluding tax)
Colonial Stone Cottage – Entire Bungalow Hosted by GB – Gureghar
Heritage Stone Bungalow with working Fireplace and British Colonial Style Architecture
Number of Guests It Can Accommodate: 6
Bedrooms: 2
Beds: 2
Bathrooms: 1
Breakfast: Not Provided
Pets: Allowed
Price: INR 6,500/night for 4 guests (excluding tax)
Kamat Riviera, 2.5 Acre Villa with heavenly view – Private room in villa hosted by Sunil – Panchgani
Number of Guests It Can Accommodate: 9
Bedrooms: 3
Beds: 3
Bathrooms: 3
Breakfast: Not Provided
Pets: Not Allowed
Price: INR 13,500/night for 2 guests (excluding tax & cleaning fee)
Luxury AC Tents – Private room in rental unit hosted by Aditya – Satara
Number of Guests It Can Accommodate: 2
Bedrooms: 1
Beds: 1
Bathrooms: 1
Breakfast: Provided
Pets: Not Allowed
Price: INR 6,500/night for 2 guests (no tax)
Swiss chalet with Tudor styled facade amazing view – Entire villa hosted by Manisha, Panchgani
Number of Guests It Can Accommodate: 12
Bedrooms: 5
Beds: 5
Bathrooms: 5
Breakfast: Provided
Pets: Allowed
Price: INR 32,400/night for 10 guests (no tax)
Stunning Valley View Pool villa – Private room in villa hosted by Manisha, Panchgani
Number of Guests It Can Accommodate: 10
Bedrooms: 4
Beds: 6
Bathrooms: 4
Breakfast: Not Provided
Pets: Not Allowed
Price: INR 23,760/night for 8 guests (no tax)
Valley view Bungalow on rent in Panchgani – Entire home hosted by Janak, Panchgani
Number of Guests It Can Accommodate: 16
Bedrooms: 9
Beds: 10
Bathrooms: 6
Breakfast: Not Provided
Pets: Not Allowed
Price: INR 12,200/night for 12 guests (excluding tax & cleaning fee)
Krishna River Camp – Campsite hosted by Milan, Wai
Number of Guests It Can Accommodate: 16
Bedrooms: 1
Beds: 2
Bathrooms: 1
Breakfast: Provided
Pets: Allowed
Price: INR 3,500/night for 2 guests (excluding tax)
King’s Cottage Couple in 1912 property – Entire place hosted by Shahram, Panchgani
Number of Guests It Can Accommodate: 2
Bedrooms: Not Mentioned
Beds: 1
Bathrooms: 1
Breakfast: Provided
Pets: Not mentioned
Price: INR 6,500/night for 2 guests (excluding tax)
Redstone Organic Farm Stay – Private room in farm stay hosted by Mona, Panchgani
Number of Guests It Can Accommodate: 16
Bedrooms: 7
Beds: 15
Bathrooms: 9 shared
Breakfast: Not Provided
Pets: Allowed
Price: INR 2,800/night for 2 guests (excluding tax)
Book here
There is a lesser known plateau behind the homestay that one can trek.
Every once in a while, we need to step away from the din and bustle of city life to take a breather in the hills which Panchgani offers to the residents of Mumbai. And I being one, surely love my time whenever I visit Panchgani, a little away from the comparatively more crowded Mahabaleshwar, yet a little less explored!
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