Strawberries and waterfalls

The winding mountain road to this old small town leads to canopied pathways, dark and shadowy. It's a little windy here. You get an eerie feeling as you wander alone. But, like Alice in wonderland, one can be lost blissfully as you venture further into this popular hill station - Mahabaleshwar, where the weather is always cool.

A day in the splendid strawberry fields after a trek to the wonderful waterfalls, a good night sleep in one of the old neatly maintained bungalows and waking up early to a magnificent sunrise make a beautiful holiday in this hill town. Mahabaleshwar strawberry is said to contribute to about 85 per cent of India's strawberry production.

The place is truly a delightful tourist destination with many unique places to visit. While there is the famous Pratagad Fort built by Shivaji and temples atop the mountains which looks almost sculpted like huge tall art pieces, it is the time spent amid the wild abundance that makes you want to come back to this forested green plateau spread surrounded by valleys and peaks. While you can travel around in cars and on foot, the horse ride around short distances was big fun.

This richly forested place in the Sayadri mountain range also has a small quaint market place lined with small shops of tourist interest. One can stop by for a quick bite. Other fun spots that are a must-visit are the refreshing waterfalls, including the Lingmala Waterfall, and the beautiful Venna and Koyna lakes.

There are several mountain view points with from where you can watch the breathtaking sunrise and the captivating view of the deep valleys and rivers around. Naturally formed, the Arthurs Point, Savitri Point, Three Monkey Point, and the Needle Hole Point among others have unique and marvelous rock formation worth.

With its evergreen attraction throughout the year, Mahabaleshwar serves as a refreshing getaway for people in nearby cities such as Mumbai and Pune. Just 121 km away from Pune, it takes two hours by car to reach Mahabaleshwar. While you are in Mumbai, you can catch a quick getaway to this green hill station for a rejuvenating break.