Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani | Series 4

Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani hill stations near Pune are hill stations near Pune. It was always such a memorable and exceptional short travel for us. We as a family always make plentiful memories there.

Read more about the Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani hill stations in series 1, series 2, series 3.

Warning: Warning for the readers that this is an image heavy post. So scroll further at your own risk. :P

This was long overdue since my last series on Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani but life has been hectic and there is always something more to share with you, so I kind of decided to give the series some break and come back to you again.

In this last post on Mahabalehswar, I will share with you some of the places you can visit as a tourist and enjoy during your stay in Mahabaleshwar.

To start with, there is the famous Venna Lake, which is quite a pleasant spot to spend some time with street vendors offering orange carrots, radishes, strawberries galore along with some charcoal roasted corn cobs. These make for perfect munchies while you pass your time with family. Along the other side of road, you find various stalls, selling an array of food items, some games and even few basic rides for pre-schoolers.

Then there is a big flat ground for a gallop round the periphery or more realistically a trot. There is also a big open area, 100-200 meters ahead for numerous rides and swings with food arena for kids and family. I am not sure about the dependability or safety of these rides as so far we have not indulged in them.

You obviously can experience a boat ride in the Venna lake, it is quite a pleasant. You can choose from a family boat, paddle boat or semi-automatic boat. Like most Indian lakes, the rides are without any safety feature or life jackets. Though the boatmen assures you, they know how to swim and can save a couple of children if need be. They let the adults drown as it is easier to drown with them and difficult to save a full grown adult. So, basically you are on your own out there. :|

Having said that we have taken this boat ride many times without any untoward incident but it’s at our own risk.

Another stop for us is Kate’s Point, which is famous for a gorgeous view, Corn Patties and boast of lot of Bollywood movie shoots out there. Its a great place overall for at least an hour and more if you are in the mood. Also on the way to Kate’s Point, you cross multiple strawberry farms/ gardens where you can buy fresh strawberries (if in season), enjoy strawberry desserts like strawberry with cream, strawberry ice-cream to name a few. You can also indulge in strawberry picking sometimes on paid basis. Overall a good place to be.

One of other attraction worth mentioning is the Go Karting tracks dotted across the route between Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar. Go vroom, vroom, vroom…

On the way back to Pune, this time we explored two more options including Gliding Point and Devrai Art Village. Gliding Point is a vast flat land and you can drive up till the edge of the hill and from there you can glide over the valley. There is even a camel for a friendly ride.

Then there is Devrai Art Village which is established to provide livelihood to local artisans. Being from a creative background, I can’t help but be attracted to such art and places and if you have even the slightest interest, then you must visit this beautiful place, set a little inside from main road and just enjoy browsing through the earthy shop. I can’t afford even a smallest trinket from such a place but I love exploring these, probably hoping that I would be able to buy from here one day. :)

At the end of my Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani series, I hope you are well versed with where to stay, where and what to eat and how to enjoy Mahabaleshwar like a pro. Trip time!