Weekend Destination near Pune : Mahabaleshwar

Here I am with yet another blog on my latest short and sweet weekend road trip.This time the destination was

Mahabaleshwar/Pachgani,

though I had been earlier to this place but I decided to pen it down this time.

Mahabaleshwar/Pachgani have been favorite spots not only for people living in Pune or Mumbai but even all over the country.Most of them, who are from Pune go even for a days trip, leaving early morning and get back at night.But to be frank I think to admire the beauty of place you should at least have 1 night spent here, so you have 2 days to be spent.
As usual we were gang of 4 who always are ready to travel and we had decided to trip on silent weekend rather than long weekend which attracts too much crowd and then you loose the sanctity of the place.
We started early morning to avoid the highway traffic and so that we could reach our destination at ease.We made our first stop at the Harrison's Folly.

Then we made a stop to Mapro Garden for some delicacies : cheese sandwiches, pizzas and hot chocolate brownie.

Hotel Stay:

We had done booking at 2 hotels, one in Mahabaleshwar city(Pratap Heritage) and the other just at the start of Panchgani (Sherbaug Luxury Tents).

Amongst hotels in mahabaleshwar and panchgani Sherbaug is surely most recommended.

First one was Mahabaleshwar city so that we could cover the main places in Mahabaleshwar and get back to hotel easily.We had done the booking online and had seen few pics of the hotel and rooms and we were convinced that it will be a great stay.But somethings just dont turn up as they are wanted to be.The hotel location was right in a crowded area and the road to it made it difficult and even worse were the steep slopes for parking.Ohh, it was a nightmare trying to park there, it gives me goosebumps even now while thinking of it.Surely not a cup of tea for everybody other than the taxi drivers there.
We had decided to cover main places the day we reached and reserved the next morning for Pratapgad.As it was onset of monsoon, we had geared up for some heavy lashes.We first headed for the Panchganga temple, which is source of origination for 5 rivers(Godavari, Krishna, Savitri,Veena and Koyna).The road to this temple is what makes your road trip worth, although there are proper roads to it but it is covered with dense forest.The climate adds spice to it and just makes you enjoy driving there.As soon as we reached the temple premises it started pouring down very heavily.This temple was built in 13th century and improved in 16th century by Shivaji Maharaj.




Next we headed for the Lingmala waterfall which was around 7-8km from Panchganga temple.The Lingmala waterfall is famous for 2 things, one is a natural pool that is created by the stream and the waterfall itself.

Paths have been made proper enough for tourists to get the feel of walk in jungle.The panaromic view of waterfall is quite picturesque.

After having few selfies and pics 😉 we had to make a move as it was already 5.30 and closure timing of the area as it gets dark quickly.
It was showering, so we decided to stop for some garma garam bhajji and masala papad 😜 and headed back to hotel, me driving with the headache of parking at hotel. 😒

Day 2 Morning: Pratapgad

 





 The next day we decided to take a cab to Pratapgad as it was too foggy and couldn't risk it to drive there.It was great drive to the fort with many spots convincing me of my decision not to drive.

  






The fort is famous for its magnificent architecture and mainly for the great event when, great Shivaji Maharaj had killed Afzal Khan at the footsteps of this fort.It is about 1 hours trek with proper footsteps to have look of the fort.
Do have the masala taak while you walk there.

Day 2: Sherbaug Luxury Tents

As we had our booking done for the day at Sherbaug, we headed there after completing Pratapgad.This time we were not expecting much from the resort other than well maintained parking area.But this time it was great surprise for us, not only a proper parking but the hotel enthralled us.The entrance was made of a old banyan tree with mild showers to chill you for the stay ahead. 

We had booked ourselves luxury tents in the resort.


The resort was very well planned, with a artificial waterfall pool created inside.                                                                       ➡



Each thing was used very adequately, trees not cut but used very creatively, which included tree houses built in.The waterfall pool was a great part of it, you can enjoy as much time as you want there and then come out with bone fire present to heat you up.At night we were given complimentary bonfire for barbecue.The resort had just given us what was needed, a relaxed stay.

 A time well spent on this trip inspiring us to go for more and more such.

"Nature brings the best out of you, so guys pack up, keep going and always remember its always better to travel than to arrive"