Understand
[edit]
Panchagini is a popular weekend destination for the residents of nearby cities like Mumbai (266 km) and Pune (98 km). Although popular throughout the year, the monsoon and winter seasons are most sought after. During monsoon, the otherwise barren cliffs turn lush green and numerous waterfalls thunder down the cliffs. Winter is cool and it is also the strawberry season. Panchagani also has some strategic viewpoints offering unobstructed views of the valleys, lakes and cliffs. Panchgani is a place to shop for strawberries and strawberry-related products like jams, wines, crushes and more.
Get in
[edit]By plane
[edit]By train
[edit]- Satara CR (STR). Satara is the nearest rail station, located 50 km away
By bus
[edit]Buses are available from Mumbai (7 - 8 hrs, fare starts from ₹500) and Pune (3 hrs, fare starts from ₹500)
By car
[edit]Self-driving and biking holidays are very common in Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar. They serve as a weekend destination for residents of Mumbai and Pune
Get around
[edit]Pnachgani has no public transport. For visitors without their vehicle, need to book a car for sightseeing. Hotels can arrange for cars. Mahabaleshwar can be included in the sightseeing trip.
See
[edit]
Map of Panchgani
- 1 Table Land. Located at an elevation of 4,500 ft, it is the second-largest plateau in Asia. It can be reached by car and car parking is available. It spans a vast area and features several eateries offering a diverse range of snacks. There is also a kids' zone featuring toy trains and merry-go-rounds. There are also options for horse rides and horse carriage rides. The strategic location of the plate offers breathtaking views of the surrounding and offers great views during sunrise and sunset.
- 2 Sydney Point. A popular viewpoint in Panchgani, offering unobstructed views of the Dhoom Lake and the Krishna River valley. nearby hill cities of Wai and Mandhardeo. There are views of the Kamalgad Fort. Te nearby region is a hub of adventure activity, including paragliding. Paragliders can be seen flying above the hills and the lakes. It is named after Thomas Sydney Beckwith, commander of the Bombay Army. The viewpoint is beautifully landscaped with meandering pathways. There are a couple of pavilions for visitors to sit. There is also a hanging bridge. There are benches equipped with solar-powered benches, where visitors can charge their mobile phones.
- 3 Parsi Point. Named after the Parsi community, the Parsi Point was once a place used by the nearby Parsi community for meeting and socializing. Today it is a strategic location that offers great views of the surrounding lush green hills, towering cliffs and the Dhom lake. The place houses several food stalls selling delicious snacks. Also, there are several activities to keep the kids busy.
- 1 Devil's Kitchen (South of Table Land). The place has a mythological connection with the Pandavas of Mahabharata.It is believed that the place served as a kitchen for the Pandavas during their exile.
Do
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- Horse Ride: Horse rides are available at Table Land. There are various options. A short round costs ₹300 and for a big round it is ₹600. A 6-point round costs ₹1000 and 9-point round costs ₹2000
- Horse Carriage Ride: Table Land also offer horse carriage ride. It accommodates 4 persons and costs ₹1400 and covers an area of 20 acres. There is a student's discount and students can avail the ride for ₹50 per student.
- 1 Velocity Entertainmentz, 35 2-5 Bhose Village, Panchgani-Mahabaleshwar Road, ☏ +91 21 68241451. Open Daily, 9 AM-9 PM. The largest amusement park in Panchgani with one of India's professional mountain go-kart track and more than 12 rides and games for all ages. There is also pure vegetarian restaurant, ATM, shops, and petrol pump within the place. Free Entry. Go-kart: ₹350-650 and other rides: ₹150-500.
There are also options of Paragliding and Go-Karting
Buy
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Strawberry/Litchi Crush, Jam, lots of fruit juices and mocktails, candies & honey. Kholapuri Chappals, Madhusagar Honey, Channa, Malas Jam
- 2 Mapro Garden. Mapro is a leading brand in the food processing industry. They started with the humble strawberry jam. Over the years, it grew in leaps and bounds and led to the formation of Mapro, known for its jams, syrups, spreads and fruit chews. The Mapro Garden is a garden that unfolds the story of the evolution of Mapro. It has large stores selling a variety of processed food products. The area also has an open space for several kids’ activities. There is a cafe and an ice-cream stall.
- 3 Devrai Art Village. Devrai Art Village in Panchgani is the birth place of stone Dokra. The ancient metal art of casting brass following the lost wax process has been given a new art form by fusing stones with metal. Not only stone Devrai Art Gallery has blended dokra with other metals, stones, wood and even paintings. At Devrai Art Gallery the age-old art goes through constant evolution of new designs and new processes while staying rooted in our tradition.
- 4 Just Chill Beer and Wine. Strawberry Wine is another sought-after souvenir of the region. A 750 ml bottle of Strawberry Wine costs about ₹600. Also available are mulberry, raspberry, chocolate, mango (alphanso), kiwi, peach, pineapple and plum wine.
- Fresh Strawberries: From October–November to April–May, the entire stretch of road between Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar is lined up with makeshift stalls selling fresh strawberries. Mulberries are also on sale. Prices vary according to variety and season, but are subject to heavy bargaining.
Eat
[edit]- Strawberry Cream: From fine dining restaurants to roadside stalls, it is sold throughout the region. The dessert consists of fresh cream combined with slices of strawberry. It is topped with a scoop of strawberry ice cream. Finally garnished with strawberry slices and a dash of strawberry syrup. There are other seasonal options where the strawberry is replaced with other seasonal fruits like mulberry and mango. The chocolate cream is available throughout the year. Price: ₹160 for a medium-sized strawberry cream.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]There are various hotels in Panchgani ranging in price from ₹500 all the way to ₹6k.
- Ravine Hotel (Palace on Winds), Sydney Point, ☏ +91 2168241060, [email protected]. Check-in: 12, check-out: 10.
- Prospect Hotel (The Heritage Hotel), Ring Road, ☏ +91 2168240763. Panchgani's oldest and highest located hotel. Prospect has modern and comfortable rooms, beautiful gardens, food, and friendly staff and owners.
- Sai Palace, Jai Bhawani Scoiety, Panchgani Bazaar, ☏ +91 9420628396, [email protected]. A comfortable resort a 5-minute walk from Panchgani bus stand.
- Wonder Woods (Panchgani Hotels Wonder Woods), ☏ +91 9273005444. A heritage resort.
- Animish Bungalow, ☏ +91 9881234193, [email protected].
- Belscot. A bungalow.
- Umbrella Inn, Sahyadri Hill Resort, Bhilar Rd, ☏ +91 88888 81990, [email protected]. A mid-sized resort.
- Eco camp, ☏ +91 2168-241164. Eco-camp that has a fine view of the Krishna Valley. Tents and rooms can be rented out.
- 1 Basilica Resort, Toll Booth, S No 392, Wai-Panchgani Rd, Dhandeghar (near Sydney Point), ☏ +91 2168 240 945. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Resort with on-site leisure options, including indoor games and light outdoor sports. 6150.
Connect
[edit]Go next
[edit]- Satara
- Mahabaleshwar: Twin town and similar hill station complete with temples and a fort. Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar can be combined in a single trip.
- Pune: Serves as a base for Panchgani tour. It is the second largest city in Maharashtra and is a cultural and educational hub
- Lonavla: Another similar hill-station known for its hill forts and Buddhist caves