Mahabaleshwar; This is a small town and a municipal council in Satara district in the Indian state of Maharashtra which can be clearly referred to as a hill station it comprises of three villages namely Malcolm Peth Old Kshetra Mahabaleshwar and part of the Shindola village. It is also a source of the Krishna river that flows across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The climate of the area is suitable for the cultivation of Strawberries; Mahabaleshwar strawberry contributes to about 85 % of the total percent of the strawberry production in the country.
Elephants Head Point
Elephants head is one of the popular places in the Mahabaleshwar it is situated next to the kite’s point and can also be referred to as the Needle hole point. The tourists or the observers can see or observe the natural rock formation with a hole in between it thus giving it the name needle hole. From these points, tourists can also get a view of the Sahyadri Mountain. The elephant’s points is a place that is mostly mistaken with needle whole point and Kates point.
Arthur Seat Point
Arthur seat point is surrounded by the deep Savitri gorge on one side and a lush green plateau on the other side. It is located at a height of around 1470 m. The Arthur seat point is popularly called the queen of the points, it is named after Sir Arthur Mallet who was the first man to build a house at this point it is also the only point that clearly shows the geological contrast between the Konkan and the Deccan territories which is also one of the most popular viewpoints for it dramatic grand canyon like views it is famous for the floating of the light objects light things like cold drinks when they are thrown in the valley comes up again due to the air pressure in the valley
Lingmala Waterfall
Lingmala waterfall is situated on the right-hand side of the road while traveling from the Mahabaleshwar to Panchgani. on the way there is a signboard indicating the directions to the waterfall you turn on the left side from the signboard from the gate you take a distance of 1.5 km to reach a smaller waterfall and 2.5 km to reach this main waterfall. There are a lot of stairs ends the route to the lower deck so the trek can be a bit tiring but the route and the views are totally worth it which takes for about 30 minutes from the entrance to reach the lower waterfall.
Mapro Garden
The name Mapro is a short form of Mahabaleshwar products Mapro was founded in 1959 by Mr. Kishore Vora who is very popular in Maharashtra state for its processed fruits products like fruits crushes, squashed Mapro as also diversified into products like chocolates, honey, gulkand, and many more Mapro garden is also a place mostly known and the most tourists attraction sites and known for their strawberry produce.
Venna Dam or Lake
Venna is one of the man-made lakes and was constructed in the year 1842 by Sri Appa Saheb Maharaja, who was mostly known as the ruler of Satara, The Venna lake is surrounded by the lush greenery, it as an area of about 28 acres having periphery around 7-8 km and is fed by the repeated springs it is a popular spot for honeymooners tour as well as families tour. Pratap Singh Garden is situated on the banks of the Venna lake.
Pratapgad Fort / Pratapgarh
Pratapgad is a place also known as Pratapgarh, and is a large hill fort located in Satara district of Maharashtra it is a fort that lies at an altitude of 1080 m and is built on a spur that overlooks the road between the villages of Par and Kinesvar. It is among the most scenic places in Mahabaleshwar and one of the best forts near Pune ( 10 best places to visit in Pune ). It is also one of the best heritage places to visit located near Mumbai and another popular attraction sites not to miss in Mahabaleshwar.
Krishnabai Temple / Krishna Devi Temple
The Krishnabai temple was built in 1888 by a ruler of Ratnagiri on a hilltop which is overlooking the Krishna valley. This temple as a Shiva lingam and a beautiful statue of Goddess Krishna, a small stream of the river that is flowing from a cow face falls in a kund or water tank which is the source of the mighty river Krishna and the stone carved columns and ceilings are the special characteristics of this temple.
Kaas Pathar / Kaas plateau
The Kaas plateau is popularly known as the plateau of flowers, Kaas Plateau is one of the famous tourist’s attractions in Maharashtra and also one of the best popular picnic spot among nature lovers during the late monsoons. The name Kaas originates from the Kaas plateau was formed by the volcanic activities and is covered by a thin soil cover as a results of which no vegetation thrives in the region.
Mahabaleshwar Mandir
Mahabaleshwar Mandir is an ancient Hindu temple which is situated in the old Mahabaleshwar in Satara District of Maharashtra. It is also one of the popular Mahabaleshwar tourist attraction sites it is a temple that is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the important Pilgrimage sites for the Hindus.
Vajrai Falls, Near Satara
Vajrai falls is located near Kaas flower Valley in Satara district of Maharashtra it is also a picturesque waterfall the fall is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Mahabaleshwar. The falls is a tier waterfall which cascades down from a height of around 260 m. This can be referred to as a perennial waterfall but is very spectacular during monsoons. People do come from different corners of the world during the monsoons to watch the beautiful flow of the stream.
Panchgani
The Panchgani is also known as Panchgani it is a famous hill station and municipal council in Satara District of Maharashtra it is one of the top hill resorts near Pune and also among the best places to visit near Mumbai ( Best Weekend Gateways from Mumbai ). It is also one of the popular tourist attraction sites in Maharashtra and among the places admired to be visited.
Elphinstone Point
The Elphinstone point is one of the highest points in Mahabaleshwar which overlooks the two valleys, with rivers Koyna on the left and Savitri on the right, the Elphinstone can also be referred to as the most famous viewpoints situated at the top of the hill near Arthur Seat Point in Mahabaleshwar. The lofty cliff commands a panoramic view of the Pratapgarh the tourists can also admire the Ravine, which lies in between the Elphinstone point and the Arthur seat point.
Raigad Fort
The Raigad fort is a hill fort that is situated alongside Pachad in Raigad district of Maharashtra it is referred and also known to be one of the most popular forts in Maharashtra and also the most popular places for trekking near Mumbai. It is one of the prime places that one can visit on a Maharashtra tour and also one of the historical forts in the Mahabaleshwar tour packages as well as in Lonavala ( 10 Best things to do in Lonavla )Tour packages. The place was also earlier known as Rairi, Ruins of the three watchtowers can be seen in front of the palace grounds overlooking an artificial lake called Ganga Sagar Lake which is created next to the fort.
Lodwick Point
The Lodwick point was previously known as Sydney point the Sydney point lies at an elevation of 4887 feet above sea level. Lodwick point has 2 points – Lodwick point and Elephant’s head point. This point was rechristened in the honor of General Lodwick who was the first British officer to climb the hill in the year 1824. This point offers unmatched views of the Pratapgad Fort and Elphinstone point at a distance.
Bombay Point / Sunset Point
Bombay point is one of the places from where people can view the magnificent sunset over the valleys below at Mahabaleshwar. The Sunset point is one of the best and the oldest point of Mahabaleshwar and the point was named so owing to its location on the Bombay road .it as a large open space that as a bandstand and it is an ideal place for a late afternoon picnic.
Savitri Points
Savitri is one of the top places that one can visit in Mahabaleshwar .which is popularly called as suicide point and it is suited between the Elphinstone point and the Arthur seat point this place was known as the originating point of the beautiful Savitri River. The Savitri point is situated at the top hill from which visitors or the tourists can get an uninterrupted view of Savitri river and its valley.
Panch Ganga / Panchganga Temple
Panch Ganga temple is constructed at the confluence of the five rivers, Krishna, Venna, Savitri, Koyna and Gayatri all the rivers come out from the mouth of a cow in this Temple, thus the place being called Panchganga Mandir. This temple was constructed by the Raja Singhandeo, the Yadava ruler of Devgiri in the 13th century were in the 16th or the 17th centuries.
Dhobi Waterfall
The dhobi waterfall is an enchanting waterfall on Old Mahabaleshwar Petit Road, Dhobi waterfall is placed facing the famous Elphinstone Point the waterfall is enclosed on all sides with the rocks and the water drops down into the Mahabaleshwar Valley and finally meets the Koyna River. It sets amidst lush green valley the fall is a perfect picnic spot to spend a fun-filled day with the family and the friends. Tourists or visitors are always advised that the best time to visit the falls is in the rainy season or just after the rainy season.
Chinamans Waterfall
The Chinamans Waterfall lies towards the south of the Koyna valley in Mahabaleshwar. It is ranked to be one of the best waterfalls in Mahabaleshwar and also among the prime place to visit ion a Mahabaleshwar Trip. This waterfall Cascades down from the height of 500 feet into a deep valley. The waterfall flows from two different points and merges into a single stream it is positioned at the top if the Venna valley the calm surroundings and the exotic waterfalls render a perfect holiday spot.
Wilson Point / Sunrise Point
The original name of the point is Sindola Hill, which is also known as sunrise point and one can experience the beautiful sunrise from this point and the point is named after Sir Leslie Wilson who is the governor of Bombay province from 1923 to 1926. The Wilson point is a plateau with the three watching towers each at a different spot.
Connaught Peak
Connaught Peak is one of the second highest peaks of the Mahabaleshwar region and is perched at an elevation of 1400 m above the sea level. It is one of the top viewpoints in Mahabaleshwar and also among the popular tourist places in Mahabaleshwar town , formally known as the Mount Olympia, this peak was renamed as Connaught peak after Duke of Connaught visited this spot 18 years.