Things to do in Panchgani

Panchgani was discovered by British during the British Raj in India. This was created as a summer resort and retirement place for British because of its pleasant climate.

This place was developed and created by Superintendent John Chessonwas who was in charge during 1860 of the hill station. Chesson was buried in the graveyard of St. Peter Church.

Panchgani has been famous location for movie makers and movies like Taare Zameen Par, Raja Hindustani, Agent Vinod and making more are shot in Panchgani. It was entirely an educational centre and a health resort, with only the overflow of tourists from nearby cities. The fresh air and invigorating climate of Panchgani made it a good place for convalescence, especially for those suffering from tuberculosis. Thus Panchgani became famous as a health resort.

Today Panchgani attracts visitors from all over the country and facing ecological problems like excessive traffic, pollution and commercial activities.

City Attractions:

Sydney Point

This point was named after Sir Sidney Beckwarth, who was Commander in chief in 1830. This point gives you a complete view of Krishna river valley, Kamalgad Fort, Dhom dam and view of the historic city of Wai.

Table Land

The plateau is the highest part of Panchgani with an elevation of 4550 feet above sea level & covers 95 acres. The springy turf of tableland is beautifully carpeted with the tiny blue bonnet & star & other pretty grasses that come up in the month of August & September.

The place now provides entertainment with horse riding, Merry go rounds, mini trains etc., also with few food stalls & couple of games counters.

Bihlar Waterfalls

Bhilar waterfalls can be only viewed during monsoons. This fall is the source of the Kudali River, approximately 300-350 ft in height & is said to meet the Venna River at Sangam Mahuli near Satara.

Rajaouri Caves

About 10 km from Panchgani, are situated caves known as 'Rajapuri caves'. The caves bear within a temple of 'Kartik Swami', son of Lord Shiva.

The whole Complex consists of four main caves – 3 of them joined by underground tunnels& one, which is separate. There is a water bath traditionally called “Kund”in the first cave, which constantly keeps on being filled by water flowing from the mouth of a sacred “Gomukh”. Two other ponds over there are a little smaller.

Parsi Point

Parsi Point is a picnic spot lies on the road which leads to Mahableshwar. It offers panoramic views of picturesque Dhom Dam backwaters and the lush green Krishna valley.

Serbaug

Serbaug thrives with a wonderful children’s park and a beautiful garden. This place is home for many birds like Fauna, rabbits, turkey and swans.

Things to do:

Caves, Plateau, Temples and natural beauty.
Very good place for relaxing

Places nearby to visit:

Bhaneshwar
Mahableshwar
Wai
Satara

Famous for:

Temples
Caves
Relax and enjoy natural beauty

Suggestions:

Panchgani is a very small city and can be explore by hiring an auto rickshaw
Mahableshwar is only at a distance of 1 hour which is a worth visiting hill station
Climate is cool and warm throughout the year.

Things to do in Bhimashankar

Bhimashankar is the origin of Bhima River also known as Gupt Bhimashanker. Bhimashankar is blessed with dense forest, peaks and a place for pilgrimage of Lord Shiva. The temple of Bhimashanker was built in the 18^th century with architecture of Indo Aryan style.

Bhimashanker is covered under thick forest and as number of pictorial points of waterfalls, temples, streams, Kamajla Lake and Hanuman Point. Best season to travel to Bhimashanker is monsoon and winter season.

City Attractions: 

Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary

Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary is the home of a variety of rare species of birds and animals, especially for flora and fauna. The Gaint Squirrel is the most famous and attractive animal of the sanctuary.

Other speices like Panther, Wild Bear, Mouse Deer, Sambar, Hyena, leopard and many more can be found in this sanctuary.

Hanuman Point

This point is located to the west of Sahayadri ranges and gives you a beautiful and scenic view of the forts, hill station, dense forest and rivers.

Bombay Point

Bombay Point is famous point for sunset view.

Nagphani Point

Nagphani (Serpent’s Hood) is located about 20 mins away from the temple. This place looks like the hood of Cobra and gives you panoramic view of the hills, rivers and forts of Matheran range in the back ground.

Trekking

Bhimashanker is famous place for trekkers as it is located at a height of 3250 feet above sea level. You can climb up to the top in 4 hours through Shirdi or Ganesh Ghat.

Things to do:

Pilgrimage
Trekking
Photography
Wild Life Sanctuary
Natural Getaway

Places nearby to visit:

Pune
Lonavala
Khandala
Mumbai
Alibaug

Famous for:

Pilgrimage
Trekking
Photography
Wild Life Sanctuary
Natural Getaway

Suggestions:

Pune is 95 kms and Kartaj is 45 kms away from Bhimashanker.
Bhimashankar can be reach by trekking through Shidi or Ganesh Ghat.
Please get in touch with local people for route details before visiting any of the points.
Good trekking shoes, torch, rain cheater and extra water bottles are a must.

Things to do in Gangtok

Gangtok is the capital city of Sikkim and is growing fast as a tourist destination due to its natural beauty and location in the Himalayan region. Gangtok is very famous for its handicrafts such as Wall hanging, prayer wheels, carpets, rugs and jewellery.  

Tourists all over the world come down to Gangtok for its attraction which includes monastery, temples, lakes, wildlife parks, frozen lakes, handicrafts and peaks. The natural beauty of Gangtok and its peaceful Chortens/Stupas offer a truly unique traveling experience to its visitors.

The best time to visit Gangtok is during March to May and Oct to Dec.

 City Attractions:

Himalayan Zoological Park

Himalayan Zoology Park is for all wildlife lovers where you can find wildlife creatures living in their natural habitat. Located in the Bulbulay area you will find creatures like snow leopards, musk deer, blue sheep, barking deer, red panda, black deer, Himalayan palm civet, Tibetan wolf, spotted deer and bears.

The Zoological Park is spread over an area of 205 hectares of mountainous land with terrain suitable for high altitude animals and birds.

Tsomgo Lake

Tsomgo Lake is a holy lake worshipped by the Sikkimese. Tsomgo Lake is about 20kms away from Nathula Pass which is 400km away from Lhasa.

Sikkim derives its water from melting snow on the mountains around through Tsomgo Lake. Tsomgo Lake is frozen during the winters and during other seasons it is covered with thick fog.

Enchey Monastery

Enchey Monastery was built in the 1909 on the site blessed by Lama Druptob Karpo, a tantric master well known for his power of flying. This monastery was built on the hill above Gangtok city which gives a excellent view of the Kanchendzonga peak.

Enchey Monastery has collections of masks, images of Gods, Goddesses and other religious objects. Masks are used in the annual dance functions organized in January called as ‘Chaam’.

Tsulakhang Royal Chapel

Royal chapel is also known as Tsulakhang Royal is a famous and main place of worship in Gangtok. Royal chapel contains a vast collection of Buddhist scriptures and located in the palace grounds.

Ganesh Tok

Ganesh Tok is a very small temple located 7kms from Gangtok at an altitude of 6,500 meters. This temple is so small in size that one person can enter it. From this temple you can see the world’s third largest peak - Kanchendzonga peak.

Dul-Dul Chorten

Near to Deorali Bazaar, are two exquisite Stupas, the "Dul-dul-Chorten", was built to memorialize the victory of good over evil, the "Jhang Club Chorten" was built to continue the memory of a great spiritualist of today.

Things to do:

Trekking
Water sports
Mountain Biking
Lakes
Peaks
Monastery

Places nearby to visit:

Siliguri
Bagdogra
Darjeeling
Pelling
Yuksam

Famous for:

Peaks
Monastery
Lakes
Trekking, Mountain Biking, Water sports

Suggestions:

Tsomgo lake Sikkim falls in the restricted area and hence an Inner Line Permit, which can be obtained from the Police through the Tourism Department or travel agent, is required by visitors to visit this place. Foreign nationals are also permitted to visit this lake.

Nearest railway stations are at Siliguri (114 km) and New Jalpaiguri (125 km).

Nearest airport is at Bagdogra.

Things to do in Mahabaleshwar

Mahabaleshwar is a hill station located on the Western Ghats. Its beauty gets enhanced with its streams, peaks, thick forest and cool climate. It was established as a health resort in the year 1829 by John Malcolm the first governor to visit Mahabaleshwar.

Mahabaleshwar is famous for its fruits like strawberries, raspberries, goose berries and mulberries. Ever green forest with beautiful roads, horse rides and foot path.

Mahabaleshewar offers great view to its visitors and nature lovers, if your passion is to enjoy and appreciate the nature in an unruffled environment. You will never find a better place to relax and enjoy nature than Mahabaleshwar.

City Attractions:

Wilson Point

This point is also known as the Sunrise Point. It is vast plateau 4710 feet above sea level.

Elphinston Point

The is the only point overlooking the two valleys, Koyna on the left and Savitri the right.

Baghbad Point

Beautiful point with superb scenic view of Koyna dam and river solshi in front of you.

Bombay Point

Famous as Sunset point, you can view the Sahyadri range and Pratapgradh.

Panchgani Point

You can see the table land of Panchgani from this point.

Pratapgardh

Located at distance of 25 kms from Mahabaleshwar stands the majestic Pratapgradh. The tomb of Afzal Khan is located at the foot of the fort. You will also find statue of Shivaji Maharaj inside the fort.

Catholic Church

Roman Catholic Church is practically falling apart and currently being look after by a Hindu family.

Things to do:

Caves, Plateau, Temples and natural beauty.
Very good place for relaxing

Places nearby to visit:

Panchgani
Pune
Mumbai
Wai
Satara

Famous for:

Temples
Caves, Valleys, Hills
Relax and enjoy natural beauty

Suggestions:

Mahabaleshwar is a very small city and can be explore by hiring car
Panchgani is only at a distance of 1 hour which is a worth visiting hill station
Climate is cool and warm throughout the year.

Things to do in Matheran

Matheran is the only place in India where cars are not allowed. Totally zero polluted air, beautiful surroundings and panoramic views are a part of Matheran. Located 120 kms from Pune and 90 kms from Mumbai at a height of 800 meters above sea level.

Matheran means ‘Forest on the head’ and typical getaway for the urban residents. Since vehicles are banned in this area, the place is quite unique and different from other places. The only modes of transport are on Horseback, by man-pulled rickshaw, or on foot. Every one living in cities needs this sort of change once in a lifetime.

 
Old British-style architecture has been preserved in Matheran and most structures are now heritage structures. Matheran has been declared an eco sensitive region by the Union Environment Ministry.

City Attractions:

Coronation Point

Coronation Point is the best point for sunset view. It also faces the west and overlooks the Adewashi Village.

Lousina Point

Lousina Point provides excellent view of the hills, streams, valley and thick forest to its visitors.

Horse Riding

Since no vehicles are allowed from the entry point called Dasturi Naka. One has to simply walk or hire horses. This is the best and fun part of journey to the Matheran hills.

Photography

Beautiful views of valleys, streams, hills and thick forest can be captured easily.

Toy Train

The best part of one's trip to Matheran is the ride on the toy train, through the Western Ghats, through ‘One Kiss Tunnel’ and multitude interesting little points along the railway tracks.

Things to do:

Relaxing
Enjoying the nature
Away from pollution, crowd and noise
Photography
Trekking

Places nearby to visit:
Pune
Mumbai
Alibaug
Lonavala
Khandala

Famous for:

Weekend getaways
Holidays
Relaxing
Enjoying the nature
Photography
Trekking
Picnic spot
Horse Riding

Suggestions:

Travelling during the monsoon season is recommended.