Hello travelers, I am Muskan, your travel buddy, and I am here to share an amazing experience of a trip to Mahabaleshwar.
In August, my colleague Shashwat and I, both tired of job searching, decided on a whim to escape our routine. On the night of August 12th, Shashwat called me, expressing his frustration with work and suggesting we go anywhere to get away. I agreed, and without much planning, we chose Mahabaleshwar. We quickly called our friends Riya and Mayur, and the next morning, we set off on a spontaneous trip to Mahabaleshwar on our bikes.
Route to Mahabaleshwar:
We left our house at 7:00 a.m., Mahabaleshwar was around 140 kilometers from our place. It was raining, and we were all packed in our raincoats.
Maharashtra is known for its majestic view of the Aravalli Ranges. Lush green mountains with their tops hidden in clouds are mesmerizing to watch.
Places Covered in Mahabaleshwar:
- After taking a few Chai and Vada Pav breaks, we finally reached Panchgani, which is a small town near Mahabaleshwar. The roads here were beautiful.
- On our way, we saw the view from Sydney Point, which was a bit blurred because of clouds and rain.
- Next, we visited Mapro Gardens, known for being a top strawberry producer (Mapro stands for Mahabaleshwar Products). Though it was off-season, we couldn’t explore the strawberry garden, but I highly recommend stopping by for lunch. We savored their delicious pizzas, sandwiches, and fries.
- I clicked pictures along the way and reached Tapola Lake. It looked stunning, embraced by clouds. I took a boat to ShivSagar Point for around 2000 rupees.
Hidden Gem in Mahabaleshwar:
Tapola Lake, around 30 km from Mahabaleshwar, is also known as Mini Kashmir. It’s a must-visit, but no network, but the beauty is worth it. The route was breathtaking, shrouded in fog and mist, with clouds enveloping us as we rode. We encountered numerous waterfalls along the way.
Food and Accommodations in Mahabaleshwar
Food:
- Mapro Gardens‘ fresh strawberry fudge is irresistible. Just the thought of it makes my mouth water. We wouldn’t hesitate to go back to Panchgani just to indulge in that strawberry fudge again—no exaggeration!
- With full stomachs, we set out to find a place to stay. The heavy rain and exhaustion from riding made it challenging, especially on the crowded long weekend. After an hour of wandering the streets of Panchgani, we finally found a decent hotel. It was just okay, and I wouldn’t recommend it, so I won’t mention the name.
- We had our dinner at Sher E. Punjab and would recommend going there. The food, staff, and ambiance of this place are very good. After having dinner, we did some more window shopping on the streets and headed back to our hotel.
Stay:
- With my experience, skip Panchgani. We found a room for Rs.1,000 per night. After a power nap around 5 p.m., we explored famous viewpoints. Fog and rain made it eerie yet stunning—like scenes from a Raaz horror movie. Spellbound by the beauty!
The visibility decreases as we climb higher. We decided it would be best to just go back before a woman in a white saree came to us begging for a lift. But I assure you that we weren’t let down. We had never seen a location that exquisite. It was surreal.
The best time to visit Mahabaleshwar.
Visiting Mahabaleshwar throughout the winter, from November to February, may be the ideal time of year. Young couples and honeymooners find it ideal because of the temperature drop, which allows them to take advantage of the cold weather to cuddle up. In Mahabaleshwar, it rains from July to October.
Tips for travelers:
- Throughout the trip, we were wrapped in raincoats, but finally, we gotta snap some pictures in our regular outfits.
- Save your hotel receptionist’s number and directions on your phone. After all the drama, we called it a night and went to sleep.
After boating and breakfast, we left Mahabaleshwar with hopes of returning. I visited the Mahabaleshwar Temple for blessings, then headed back to Pune, with a must-stop at Mapro for strawberry fudge. A final pizza-and-fudge treat, and we rode back to Pune, reaching home in the evening.
The trip’s chaos and mishaps made it memorable. Until the next adventure—bye!
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Happy Exploring!!!