Mahabaleshwar, a popular hill station in the Western Ghats, is about 260 kilometers from Mumbai, making it a comfortable 5-6 hour drive through scenic landscapes. Unlike Mumbai's humid weather, Mahabaleshwar offers a cooler and more refreshing climate, especially during the monsoon and early autumn. Nestled at an elevation of about 1,353 meters above sea level, this lush plateau is surrounded by deep valleys and dense forests, providing a serene escape from the urban heat. The geography of Mahabaleshwar is marked by its stunning viewpoints, rolling hills, and the Krishna River, which originates from this region, adding to its natural charm.
ENROUTE MAHABALESHWAR
We started our journey at around 8:30 AM. As usual, I forgot my jacket at home, so we had to turn back to pick it up. It's not uncommon for me to forget something or other! Thankfully, it wasn’t too late, because Mahabaleshwar was quite chilly. Yes, 17-23°C is cold for us 🤣.
We halted for breakfast and grabbed burgers at McDonald’s, followed by a quick stop at Hortons for coffee. Hortons has recently expanded its chain to India. I had tried it before, but my wife, sister, and brother-in-law were eager to give it a go.
I must mention here that coffee was very good but i think they could have made it better with less sugar.
WHILE IN SATARA
An hour before reaching Mahabaleshwar, you pass through Satara, a region steeped in history. Once the capital of the Maratha Kingdom under the revered Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Satara is now popular for its weather and cuisine. The region is especially famous for its delicious goat meat, so we couldn't resist stopping to enjoy a hearty meal at one of the many restaurants serving this local specialty.
If you are meat lover then you must try goat meat curry if you are in satara.
FINALLY IN MAHABALESHWAR
We stayed at Bella Vista Mahabaleshwar, a great resort for family time. The entrance to the resort was welcoming, but the real highlight was the view from our room was full of fog. Mahabaleshwar was covered in fog, which we loved since we don't get to experience that near the coast!
The resort is surrounded by lush greenery and features a large kids' play area and a game zone with activities like snooker, table tennis, carrom, and chess. Almost every day after breakfast, we spent some time playing snooker and table tennis, making the most of the resort's amenities.
We visited few tourists spots of which I have few uploaded pictures.
Below is area near famous waterfall Lingamala. We could not visit there as it was raining heavily and route to reach the waterfall was not ideal to carry 3 year old kid.
Below scenic pictures were shot from Kates Point.
Weather was pleasant and it was raining for few days when we’re there so last and not the least that we didn’t miss the opportunity to enjoy Scotch and delicious food during our trip.
You get to see lots of sellers sellling corns in small cups with different flavours. Basically they boil corns and mix it with different sauces and masalas.
Below photos are from cheese factory cafe we visited. We ordered korean bun (i am not sure it was authentic korean bun or modified version but it was delicious) and pizza.
Thats all folks from my trip to Mahabaleshwar. I hope to visit this place again next year for the perfect weekend getaway with family and friends.