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Mahabaleshwar is the largest hill station in the Sahyadri range of Maharashtra state. It is situated at an altitude of 1372 m above seal level in the Satara district, about 115 km southwest of Pune.

Due to its high altitude, the town has a cool climate and offers many pleasant walks. There are several lookout points which offer spectacular views of the surrounding hills and valleys. There is an old Shiva temple in the forest, which is the source of five rivers, including the Krishna river which is the second longest river of peninsular India.Its very good place to vosit.

Mahabaleshwar is visited by many thousands of tourists every year. It is well connected by bus with the important towns of the region. There are numerous hotels for every budget. The peak season is March-May; it rains very heavily from June to September.

Among the local delicacies, strawberry shakes and corn patties are well known. Ingredients for these are all grown locally.

[edit] Get in

Way to Aurthur's Seat, Hunter Point, Echo Point & Tiger Falls

The Shiva Temple in old Mahabaleshwar is near the source of 5 rivers, and the water keeps flowing throughout the year.

You can take a tourist bus (Volvo) from Mumbai, departing from Dadar East, Sion or Vashi. The ride will take you 6 hours and will cost around Rs 350. An ordinary AC bus will cost Rs 200. The Volvo bus from Pune is currently operated by two private companies (Neeta and Konduskar), and they charge approx Rs 200 each way. The Govt. Express bus from swargate starting 5.45AM and every hour with a moderate price of 110/- per individual.

Mahabaleshwar is also accessible by road from Mumbai, about 247 km. It takes about 4 to 5 hours by car if taking a route via Panvel through Mahad and Poladpur.

After the opening up of the Mumbai -Pune expressway and the highway onwards from Pune to Satara, this is the much better and preferred option to drive down from Mumbai.The distance via this route about 40 kms more but you reach much faster. You have to get off this highway at a place called Sirur and then travel via Wai and Panchgani to Mahabaleshwar.The road is less winding than the other one via Poladpur but more easy as far as driving is concerned.

You can also reach Satara by train from Mumbai/Banglore. Mahabaleshwar is 47 km from Satara and takes little more than one hour from there.

Try to arrive here in the morning because most of the hotels have a check-in time of 9AM. If you arrive later you may have to wait until another room becomes vacant.

A must see is a water well in the heart of market in the compound of the Library which is almost 150 years old. It still provides water to locals and is some 100 feet deep.

[edit] Get around

Mahabaleshwar is built on a plateau and getting around is quite easy. Taxis, autorickshaws and buses leave from the center of town near Irani's petrol pump opposite the Club. The main destinations are the "points", named after prominent British administrators who found these splendid locations with unbeatable views. The points are located at various edges of the plateau in different directions. Rental cars and taxis can get there quickly. For the more adventurous, horses are available in town and there are lovely shady bridle paths for delightful rides. The best way to get around is by bus which is provided by Govt. You can book ticket prior only.Cost is around 60/- to 70/- per individual. Govt. Bus has two tour one is Pratapgad darshan in morning 9.15AM and Mahabaleshwar darshan in noon 2.15PM. They are best.

[edit][add listing] See

Aurthur's Seat

Looking down from Echo Point

Although there are close to 25 'Points' in Mahabaleshwar, lots of these points would give you the same view (of mountains/valley) from a slightly different angle. The following are a must:

• Lodwick Point
• Arthur's Seat
• Babington Point
• Wilson Point
• Kate's Point
• Bombay Point (Sunset Point)
• Elephant's head Point
• Lingamala Falls (best viewed from behind Surya Resort)

[edit][add listing] Do

Horses at Lake Venna

Trekking in Mahabaleshwar

Trekking in Mahabaleshwar

Trekking in Mahabaleshwar

Trekking in Mahabaleshwar

Trekking in Mahabaleshwar

Trekking in Mahabaleshwar

Trekking in Mahabaleshwar

There are many things to do in Mahableshwar. In your leisure time you can roam about the bazaar and do lots of shopping. You can also try your luck at the poker machines

• Tapola. About 50 KMs from Mahabaleshwar. Tourists can enjoy boating. Many scenic view points and strawberry farms on the way.  edit
• Lake Venna. Visit lake Venna for a ride on paddle/ or rowing boat. You may ride boat on your own or, alternatively, you can hire one. Beautiful and scenic lake.  edit
• Horse Riding. You can hire horses for some riding at Venna Lake  edit
• Trekking. There are many many trekking trails around the hills of Mahabaleshwar. Ask your hotel for the nearest trekking trail  edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

The Bazaar is in the center of town and consists of a pedestrian-only street with shops selling everything from fancy locally-made walking sticks to snacks and the specialty of the region - roasted chickpea nuts. At the far end of the bazaar stands a Mahabaleshwar institution, Imperial Stores, owned and run by generations of the Irani family. Here you can get anything from videos to provisions to ice cream to beer.

Imperial Stores

[edit][add listing] Eat

Strawberries and Mulberries are the speciality of Mahabaleshwar. One should not forget to try the Corn grown locally available in both roasted and boiled form. Corn pattice made from it are delecious. The food prepared with local vegetables have a unique taste and one should also try the small tomatoes which look like cherries! Dont forget to have the staple food of Maharashtara the Vada Pav which is deleciously prepared by the local vendor next to the Hanuman Temple in the main market.

Almost all the hotels have their own restaurants. Hotel DreamLand, Hotel Panaroma & Hotel Shreyas have a nice restaurant and good food, and all three are close to the State Bus stand.

• Hotel Templeview - Vegetarian restaurant at old Mahabaleshwar for excellent parathas Rajasthani favorites. Hotel Woodland is another good option.

• Mapro Garden. Mapro garden restaurant offers a decent menu. Most of the tourist vehicles stop here, on their way to Mahabaleshwar.  edit

• Strawberries. Buy the 'sweet charlie' variety of strawberries from the main Mahabaleshwar Market. Alternatively, you can also venture out into interior parts to handpick your berry from the strawberry farms.  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

Generally restaurants here do not serve liquor, but a few places close to the State Bus Stand, like Hotel Shreyas have it on menu. You can buy all the liquor you want from Imperial Stores.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• The Dina Hotel, Lake Road (Overlooking Lake), ☎ (02168) 260246 / 261246 website:, [1]. A family-run heritage hotel with excellent and well furnished rooms with en-suite bathrooms & TV. Enjoy the panoramic view of the lake on the balcony as you sip your tea. Veg & Non Veg dining .Contact Mr Naval Jal or Hormuzd 6th & 7th generation owners for a relaxing break/stay. UK Contact: rohinjal@hotmail.com Rs 900-500 (starting off-season rate negotiable.).  edit

• Hotel Rajesh, e mail: hotelrajesh@vsnl.com, [2]. Centrally located pure vegetarian hotel with 70 centrally air conditioned rooms and 20 non airconditioned rooms. Parking, pool with waterfall, gym, childrens' play park with mini train.

• Hotel Templeview, (in Old Mahabaleshwar), ☎ (02168) 60025 / 60050, [3]. checkin: 24 hours. A family-run hotel with excellent and well furnished rooms and a big balcony to relax. They also have a dorm. Run by Mister Pradeep Jhaveri. The food is the best in the world. Ask Hitu. Rs250-500 (starting off-season; negotiable).  edit

• MTDC resort, New Mahabaleshwar (2 KM from the main market). checkin: 9.00AM; checkout: 9.00AM. Surrounded by the jungle, gives a true feeling of wilderness. Rooms are just about okay. Food is fine. Some parts of resort building are about 125 years old. The cottages have three large sized rooms and a large bathroom & dressing area with respect to the price paid. The food and service are good. Most of all the location of the resort is the best value addition. I one sentence described it as "Best Value for money". A Room rate starts from 700 for economy class.  edit

• Ramsukh, Old Mahabaleshwar, 7 KM away. Nice 3 star place  edit

• Sherwood Hotel Pride, Blue Valley Ride, Off Satara Road, - 412 806. Tel: 02168 - 270070 / 77 / 99. checkin: 12; checkout: 11. Excellent hotel - superb location and parsi food right in the middle of the jungle - best views in the hill station. 3000. (4000,) edit

[edit] Spurge

• valley view : includes gym ,indoor swimming pool , garden with view of valley , and good 3 star service.
• surya retreat : rooms pointing to valley, great view , open swimming pool.

• new hotel called saket.

these hotels can cut a few more bucks from your wallet. these cost in range of 3000 - 5000/night depending on season.

[edit] Get out

same as u get in