Being a travel enthusiast, planning a
holiday to me is to first scan the days on which the major occasions
(birthdays/anniversary) falls. Fortunately, this year it was all the 3 major occasions
falling over weekends. Could not have asked for anything better than this....Really.
Having celebrated the two in style, it was time to plan for the special one
(despite three decades, I still like to celebrate my birthday to the hilt with
someone really special) and having thought a lot on the location, zeroed on for
a weekend trip to the beautiful land of strawberry – MAHABALESHWAR. Best part
with this place, no pains of taking holidays and searching for the cheapest
possible flights (Marwari mind after all).Laughs. All we had to do was to
identify hotel/resort and board Vento express which was a cake walk for me
after travelling to numerous places.
Mahabaleshwar with its magnificent
scenic view points, the perennial springs and waterfalls of Mahabaleshwar
plateau along with the salubrious weather it enjoys truly lives up to its
reputation of being the 'Queen of Hills'. At an altitude of 1372 meters, this hill station offers a wonderful
climate and a soothing location away from home.This place has
something for all – young and old, trekker and stroller, shopper and foodie or
maybe someone who just loves to laze around. Therefore, you will find families,
backpackers, moony honeymooners, all doing their own thing and generally having
a good time.Strawberries, Mulberries and carrots
are the specialities of Mahabaleshwar. One should not forget to try strawberry
cream, corn patties and corn grown locally available in both roasted and boiled
form with masalas.
Day 1 –
(31st August 2013) -Mumbai – Vashi – >NH4 –> SH63 =>SH72 =
Mahabaleshwar – Total distance – 275 km)
To ensure that we beat the crazy traffic, we set out from Mumbai
at 6:00 am and it sure was a breeze driving on the broad (no need to turn on ac,
that’s another advantage to kick-start journey early in the morning), traffic
free roads. However, got somewhat stuck on Vashi bridge for some time (so if
someone wish to avoid this much traffic also, perhaps start even earlier by 5)
The roads all along were in great shape and we covered the 230kms in just under
5hours including a leisurely halt for breakfast at our favourite place – Mc Donald’s,
Vashi. After an excellent breakfast, we moved on without any further breaks.Then
the ghat section began with narrow roads and continued right through to
Mahabaleshwar. As the traffic was sparse, the narrowness of the roads did not
pose much of a problem. Just had to look out for the mini-trucks that were
driven by F1drivers! The ghat is steep at places and is winding which could
pose problems for people suffering from motion sickness.
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| Scenic beauty all throughout |
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| The road to Mahabaleshwar on the ghats. |
Before you know it, you will be facing a checkpoint where they
collect ‘Pollution tax’ from all vehicles entering Mahabaleshwar. It is at a
T-junction. If you want to stay in MTDC or the PWD cottages turn right, otherwise
for all private Hotels like Club Mahindra, Citrus etc. turn left.
We had our reservation in Citrus Chambers, heritage property so
with the help of some people out in road (who were doing their job to help
people with hotel booking) we went and checked in.Only thing there were no
signboards to be seen throughout so it is better to have your GPS on or keep
asking the passer-by for the directions. Landmark for this place is Aram
Marg.Citrus is very close to Veena Lake and just a couple of kms away from the
main market.. We were lucky enough to get the renovated suite among all the
other suites available.
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| Citrus Chambers |
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| Reception@Citrus |
This place is absolutely fantastic for a quiet relaxing weekend.
Far away from the hustle-bustle of the cities, but
be prepared you might not want to leave the resort at all!! The suites are luxurious
and comfortable and spread all over the property…there is enough greenery to
make you feel you are living right inside the forest. If you wish to have your suite next to the restaurant to avoid
walking , then this is the suite for you…Just walk few steps , you will reach
restaurant and then further few to hit reception. . Add
to that the most professional, courteous & warm staff I have EVER seen!!!
They catered to our each & every request in the most professional way. Well
there's no real downside to this place, the only upgrade that can be made is to
maintain swimming pool area. The entire place makes you feel as though you've
entered an era long gone by. You can hear the rusting of the leaves in the
trees, the soothing music in the background, bask in the sun, or simply stroll
along in the vast expansive property. Truly a heritage place
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| Citrus Restaurant |
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| Kate's Point |
Needle hole point is located near Kate's Point. One can
see a natural rock formation with a hole in between, thus giving the name
Needle-hole.
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| Elephant Head Point |
Next we saw The
Elephant’s Head Point and it is truly one of the best points to be visited. The
cliffs which overhang resemble an elephant’s head and trunk. Thus the point got
its name as the Elephant’s Head Point.
The point renders breath-taking views of the surroundings. The mountain range of Sahyadri is also visible from this point and it is bewitching to watch. It is the extreme end of the mountain range.
The point renders breath-taking views of the surroundings. The mountain range of Sahyadri is also visible from this point and it is bewitching to watch. It is the extreme end of the mountain range.
The Lingmala Waterfall is a fantastic sight to watch. It presents an enrapturing view of cascading water. It disperses from the top of a steep cliff. The water falling down looks like thin silver streaks.
After spending some time with nature , clicking some pictures as
these points provide plenty of photo opportunities (In other words , it’s a
visual treat )we went back to hotel as it was turning dark. And the rest of the
evening followed with dinner (alacarte as per our meal plan) and my birthday
celebrations.
Day 2 (1st-
September 2013) – Mahabaleshwar – Panchgani – Wai – Pune – Lonavla –
Mumbai)
Next morning, we checked out at 12:00hrs had a leisurely buffet
breakfast at our resort. After some relaxation in the form of wonderful massages,
courtesy: resort’s massage chair and clicking some resort pictures, we started
our journey back home via Panchgani. Since our Panchgani points were left so on
the return trip took the Panchgani-Wai-Pune-Lonavala-Mumbai route. This route
is longer by about 50kms but due to the expressway, it is quick and the roads
right through are very good.
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| Veena Lake |
First spot which was hardly 4 km from our resort was Veena Lake.It is the centre of all activity, and is filled with people and boats…To our surprise there was not much rush as compared to the previous evening and we got boat also very easily without any waiting. Best part weather was just about perfect with no rains/sun.The Venna lake located between the Mahabaleshwar market and Kshetra Mahabaleshwar is surely the lifeline of sorts of tourism in Mahabaleshwar as it is called by the local people there.
There is a decent cafĂ© specializing in Pizzas, sandwiches and strawberry with cream, although we didn’t eat anything. The on campus chocolate factory was made visible through windows on one side. While walking down from one end to the other, you could see the fundamental stages and processes involved in making a bar of chocolate, just from loose cocoa beans. Packaging was done behind the scenes and the packed products (Mazaana - Mapro's new product line) fine dark chocolate) were sold on the floor below. They sell 3 varieties, chocolate coated raisins, chocolate coated cashews and chocolate coated peanuts in 2 sizes. They are reasonably priced.
Next came the wonderful spot called Table Land. To reach, one
just need to move straight and straight and simply follow the signboards (which
one rarely misses).It is the second longest mountain plateau in Asia. From here
one can get a great scenic view of Panchgani hill station it’s true that it’s a
6.5 Km Long Table located at high altitude. Getting there is not an issue but
parking surely is.One is definitely in for an adventurous experience as far as
parking is concerned
Typical of Hill station you can see the river flowing backside
and good view from the point. One of the good point to click images and enjoy
the landspaces No special drive required as it comes on way back and after few
distance came yet another point called Sydney point – Just another point ,
nothing special and one can easily avoid to stop here.
After finishing most of the Panchgani’s prominent must see points,
we head back to Mumbai with just one coffee break at CCD.Reached Mumbai at 1800hrs after a leisurely drive following a
rejuvenating holiday in Mahabaleshwar.
Brief
snapshot of the finances incurred.
1.
Citrus Resort – Rs 8500(suite) including taxes and all meals.
2.
Petrol – Total distance travelled – Around 550 – Rs 2500-3000 depending on the
car/mileage.
3. Toll –
Rs 300
a. MSRDC
Vashi toll plaza – 30+30 = 60
b. MSRDC
Kahalapur toll plaza – 165
c.Khedshivapur
Toll Plaza- NH4 - 75
4.
Mahabaleshwar pollution tax: INR 30/- (For Car)
5.
Mahabaleshwar Entry tax: INR 20/- per person (valid for 7 days)
6.
Panchgani Entry/Vehicle Pass – INR 20/- per person.(valid for 7 days)
7. Panchgani
pollution tax: INR 50/- (For Car) – Valid for 7 days.
8. Car
parking: INR 10 to 20/- (You have to pay everywhere)
