A Weekend Road Trip to Mahabaleshwar from Mumbai

Decorated with small hills of the Western Ghats of India, Mahabaleshwar is one of the most beautiful places in Maharashtra. If you are planning a weekend trip to Mahabaleshwar from Mumbai, you will witness the picturesque scenery that will stay with you forever.

This small town was once the summer capital of Mumbai in the British period. It is a top destination for Maharashtrians and receives huge crowds over the year. You will see couples, kids, friends, solo travelers, basically all kinds of travelers in Mahabaleshwar. 

The distance between Mumbai and Mahabaleshwar is 259.7 km and it will take 5-6 hours to reach there. The road journey to Mahabaleshwar from Mumbai is terrific. You will get plenty of attractions on the way to Mahabaleshwar. Travel with your friends and family to an exciting weekend trip to Mahabaleshwar and make the best memories. 

In this article, we have covered the best places you can visit in Mahabaleshwar, and the winter season is considered the best time to visit this beautiful small hill station. So without further ado, let’s straight away dive into the topic of a 2-day trip to Mahabaleshwar from Mumbai. 

1. Elephant’s Head Point

Full of picturesque scenery, Elephant’s Head Point is one of the famous places to visit in Mahabaleshwar. This elephant-shaped small hill is located at Sahyadri range which is also known as Needle’s Point. This hill is popularly known as the elephant’s head point because the shape of the hill looks like an elephant’s head when viewed from afar. 

Plus the gap between the elephant’s head and its trunk looks like a needle pointed upwards which is why it is also called needlepoint. For people who love to visit hill stations in 2022, Mahabaleshwar is the best destination for them. Add this beautiful sight to your 2 days Mumbai to Mahabaleshwar trip by road. 

Timings: 6:00 am to 6:00 pm   

Time required: 1-2 hours

Entry fees: NA

Best things: It is the best picnic spot as the whole area is surrounded by lush greenery and beautiful scenery.  

2. Chinaman’s Falls

A visit is incomplete without a visit to Chinaman’s falls as it allows you to submerge in the serenity of your surroundings. The thunderous voice at the top and the silence at the bottom of the waterfall is simply amazing. 

One of the most beautiful and significant waterfalls of Maharashtra will be what you witness on your road trip to Mahabaleshwar from Mumbai. The name of the place is kept after the Chinese prison which is situated in the vicinity. It serves as the perfect place for a perfect weekend trip. 

Timings: 6:00 am to 6:00 pm

Time required: 2-3 hours

Entry fees: NA

Best things: The gardens at this waterfall were watched by the Chinese in the 19th century.  

3. Lingamala Falls

Another best waterfalls in Mahabaleshwar, Lingamala falls is absolutely brilliant that will definitely make you awestruck. The waterfall is located beside the Lingamala forest Bungalow. The best part about this place is that it provides a spectacular view of Dhobi waterfall. 

The water level of Lingamala falls is about 500 ft from the top and the waterfall looks more beautiful during the season when the area gets flooded. There are two waterfalls at this place, one is the mini waterfall which is perfect for swimming, and another one of 500 ft from the cliff. A trip from Mumbai to Mahabaleshwar by road is perfect to get a view of Lingamala falls. 

Timings: 6:00 am to 6:00 pm

Time required: 1-2 hours

Entry fees: INR 15 

Best things to see: The best thing here is the mini waterfall that allows you to swim and enjoy your day. 

4. Table Land

Mahabaleshwar is bestowed with a beautiful plateau and Table Land is located above 4500 sea level. Not only this, but Table Land is also the second-highest plateau in Asia. Surrounded by majestic hills and the scenic beauty of deep valleys, Table Land is a famous place in Mahabaleshwar to visit. 

Not to mention the sunrise and sunset from Table Land will mesmerize you and give you a sense of calmness. Furthermore, if you love adventure this plateau region offers many outdoor activities like trekking, horse riding, mini trains, arcade games, and merry-go-rounds. Table Land is described as a picturesque marvel of nature because of its landscapes. 

Timings: 24 hours

Time required: 1-2 hours

Entry fees: NA

Best things to see: Covered with bluebonnet grass and majestic laterite this place is perfect to indulge in outdoor activities. 

5. Mahabaleshwar Temple

The Mahabaleshwar trip without Mahabaleshwar Temple is incomplete. So make sure that you add this ancient shrine to your list of places to visit in Mahabaleshwar. The temple is a resemblance to Maratha heritage and it is popularly known as Mahabali. Temple attracts many tourists from all over India and the world. 

The temple near Satara is said to be one of the ancient temples in India and many devotees visit this place to seek blessings. This huge temple is guarded by huge five ft tall walls which have two sections- the outer section and the inner section. So make sure that you pay your visit to this ancient and magnificent temple and seek blessings from Lord Shiva. 

Timings: 6:00 am to 7:00 pm

Time required: 1-2 hours

Entry fees: NA

Best things to see: The temple walls have carvings of sacred Kalbhairav and sacred bull. And on the premises, it has Lord Shiva’s bed, damru, and Trishul. 

6. Wilson Point

Wilson Point also popularly known as sunrise point is the highest point in Mahabaleshwar. This place sits at the top of 1439m and is considered one of the most crowded tourist destinations in the city just like tourist destinations in Mumbai. 

Wilson Point is the big plateau that is spread across Mahabaleshwar and has three watchtowers that enable you to have a scenic view of Mahabaleshwar. If you are craving a top view of Mahabaleshwar then visit this place. The best part is that it is surrounded by lush greenery and allows you to spend some time near nature. 

Timings: 6:00 am to 8:00 pm

Time required: 1-2 hours

Entry fees: NA

Best things to see: Wilson Point was named after the first Governor of Mumbai province between 1923-1926. It was originally called Sindola Hills. 

7. Venna Lake

Lake in Mahabaleshwar, yes you heard it right. Venna is a manmade lake in Mahabaleshwar where tourists take a relaxing boat ride which is why most of the time it remains crowded. Not only this, you can do horse riding and children can ride on merry-go-rounds and other many things that you can do at this place. 

There are a number of eateries as well that double the fun and make the trip more joyful. In 1942, Shri Appasaheb Maharaj, the king of Satara and a direct descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, constructed Venna Lake. The lake’s perimeter measures 7 to 8 kilometers, and its surface area is 28 acres.

Timings: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm

Time required: 1-2 hours

Entry fees: NA

Best things: Paddle boat (max 6 people): INR 440 for an hour

Row boat (max 7 people): INR 250 for an half hour and INR 500 for an hour. 

8. Tapola

Tapola is a small village that is also known as ‘Mini Kashmir’. Tapola offers some of the most beautiful and ideal destinations for nature lovers and adventure lovers. Tapola is deeply dense and it is said that there are many abandoned forts in this dark and dense forest. 

A thrilling trek to Vasota Fort will make an adrenaline rush in you and give you the excitement that you want from this trip. Do you know that Tapola is also famous for many islands that are located in Shivsagar Lake? You could find at least 90 nameless islands here and not many people visit there it is one of the best places for Mahabaleshwar sightseeing.

Timings: NA

Time required: 3-4 hours

Entry fees: NA

Best things to see: Explore nameless islands across a 90-kilometer reservoir that allow you to learn more about Mahabaleshwar. 

9. City Shopping

Mahabaleshwar is known as the home of strawberries and hence you would get fresh and affordable strawberries compared to other parts of the country or Maharastra in particular. Your two-day trip to Mahabaleshwar allows you to shop, sightsee, and indulge in various activities, feasts, lakeside camping, and many more things.

From Mahabaleshwar, you may purchase items like strawberries, regional spices from Maharashtra, and secondhand jewelry. The location is particularly well-known for its just-picked strawberries and raspberries. If you are looking for restaurants in your Mumbai to Mahabaleshwar trip then you can tap places near its markets. 

Timings: 8:00 am to 9:00 pm

Time required: 1-2 hours

Entry fees: NA

Best things to see: Quality and affordable strawberries in Mahabaleshwar markets are what you should go for here. 

10. Panchgani

Most areas close to Mumbai and Pune have hill stations in India, but Panchgani is one of the greatest. Tourists from the adjacent metropolises of Mumbai, Pune, and other areas of Maharashtra, India, as well as from beyond, come to Panchgani and the nearby Mahabaleshwar because it is one of the “must-visit” hill stations in Maharashtra.

A little village named Wai is located on the banks of the Krishna River about 13 kilometers from Panchgani. Due to Wai’s historical significance, you should travel there. According to mythology, this is where princesses like Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi and Rani Gopikabai, Nanasaheb Peshwa’s wife, were born.

Timings: 6:00 am to 6:00 pm

Time required: One day

Entry fees: NA

Best things to see: Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi and Rani Gopikabai, Nanasaheb Peshwa’s wife, were born here.

Final Thoughts

The aforementioned places in Mahabaleshwar are famous tourist places. Whether you are with your family, friends, or alone this place has everything for everyone. A wholesome trip to Mahabaleshwar with your loved ones, what else do you want in a weekend?

If you are traveling here during monsoon season then make sure to take raincoats or an umbrella with you even if the weather forecast is predicting sunny weather because many times the prediction can go wrong and you might end up drenched in rainwater. 

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