Everyone says, don't go to Mahabaleshwar during this time of the year ( April-May). You won't see it's true beauty.
But, I was eager to go there and see what lies there.
Once I reached Mahabaleswar, I must agree that it wasn't like the typical hill stations, where the weather is on cooler side and you find clouds almost near to you. It was hot, the entire area was deprived of its green cover. However, according to the locals, weather was on a slightly chill side than the previous years.
Now that I was here for a two day trip, I decided to go and explore the place.
The cab business here is almost regulated (At least, that's what every other cab driver/ agency says). The rates are fixed (at least, that's what the taxi drivers told me) but then, I got a cab for a discount ( I was lucky)
According to me, the best place to stay is near the market area as the bus stop is also nearby and there are lots of eateries. The shopping becomes easy and at night time, it's becomes too lively of a crowd.
There are 6 packages from which one can choose and if you do that as the driver says, it will become hectic. You can't enjoy. The package details are pretty same across all cab vendor. According to me, the best is to follow your plan.
My Day 1 started with going to Elephant Head. A very good place to sit back and enjoy the view. If we go a little ahead from where the boundary is, i.e, you will find a small break area in the wire locking to go ahead, you can experience amazing view of the entire city. There was a small bridge connecting to the other side, which I assume would be filled with water during the rainy seasons. Elephant's head is an amazing view and I was left amused as to how such beauty came into existence.
Further, I went to Strawberry garden. One can get to see how the Strawberries are cultivated and the entire process. Do try out their strawberry cream that they offer. This place is perfect to relax and act as a perfect dessert for the view that Elephant's head view point had to offer.
Late evening and night was spent shopping at the local market and enjoying the maggie and ice gola.
The morning started with visit to Pratapgad fort. A decent place. Just a one time visit. Followed this I went to the string of view points. Echo point, hunting point, tiger spring. Apparently, the water that a old lady gives there to drink is fresh water. She fills the glass in front of us from a small pipe that's connected to somewhere to top of the hill. The water did taste lot different and it did make me feel fresh.
I spent the noon visiting the view points and enjoying the cool breeze with coffee and Maggie. Post that I left for Mapro and table land
This was probably the best part of the trip. Table land had a cave which was really chill. You can see the sunset from there which gives amazing view.
On the other side, one can go to the extreme end of this view point to get amazing view.
There are chariot and horse rides available to go to the ends. The horses add an amazing topping to the view.
finally, Mapro garden is a good place for all sort of juice drinks and all.
That ended my two day trip of Mahabaleswar.
Have a look at the photos attached and leave your comments.
