PANCHGANI

The temperature in Panchgani is around 12C during the winter, and sometimes reaches 34C during the summer; however, the humidity level is very low. The monsoon rainy season spans between June and September.

Panchgani is about one hours' drive from kaas plateau. Two hours away from Pune. 5 hours from Mumbai. Panchgani is also a great diversion for travellers to and from Goa. There are various hotels, homestays and campsites to choose to stay at. Some of the notable ones are the star luxury such as Ravine Hotel. Ravine hotel contains 65 rooms which offer free WiFi, room service, and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels. Guests will also find electric kettles, free bottled water, and ceiling fans.

Other hotels include Homely Stay at Hotel Malas, the heritage Prospect hotel and the campsite Eco Camp for backpackers and paragliders and Sweet Memories Homestay. Cottages are also available. Panchgani Cottages offers comfortable accommodations in Pānchgani. Free private parking is available on site. The air-conditioned rooms include a flat screen satellite TV and a seating area for your convenience. There is also a refrigerator. Each room includes a private bathroom.

Declared as the UNESCO World Natural Heritage sites of India in 2012, Kaas Plateau in Panchgani is a magical place with landscapes with lakes, flowers and butterflies all around. Kaas Plateau is a biodiversity hotspot situated at a mighty altitude of 1200 metres and is a major biodiversity hotspot owing to the many varieties of endemic flowers and butterflies that are found here. Housing about 850 species of beautiful wildflowers, the 1000 hectare area of the plateau is now a reserved forest which is famous for its natural beauty and flora, Kaas Lake and how it turns into a valley of flowers during monsoon. Recently, the place has started gathering a bit of tourist rush and popularity for all the natural treasures that it holds. However, to preserve the virgin charms of this location, the number of visitors have been restricted to 3,000 per day. State Transport buses ply from the parking area to Kaas Plateau and cost INR 10 per person each side.

Sydney point is a small spot at the top of high land, right at the start of Panchgani when you enter from Wai-side. If you are the creative kinds and are looking for inspiration, this could be your chance to think over in the perfect surroundings.

Table Land is a plateau that marks the highest point of the entire region of Panchgani with the height of 4500 feet above sea level. But that's not it - spanning over an area of a whopping 95 acres, the Table Land ranks second on the list of the largest plateaus in Asia! The base rock of this plateau is majestic laterite entirely covered with dense foliage of miniature blue bonnet grass. The dizzying height of Table Land offers a jaw-dropping view of deep valleys and majestic hills.

This scenic point is situated on the way to Mahabaleshwar, and overlooks the Krishna valley and the blue shiny waters of the Dhom Dam. It is surrounded by lush green mountains and provides some spectacular views. If you're looking for a place to stop for a while and just breathe, this is it. The best part about it is the soul-soothing breeze that refreshes any tired traveller's senses.The Parsi Point gets its name from its significance to the Parsi community in the past.

Situated at the south of the table land, the Devils Kitchen has a mythology associated with it: It is believed that the  Pāndavas  of the  Mahābhārat  epic had stayed here for a while. Pāndavgad Caves (near  Wāi ) are also said to be built by them then.

Devrai Art Village is an art village located very close to Panchgani. It is a non profit initiative to connect with nature and celebrate creativity. A core group of highly skilled Adivasi craftsmen and artists from the naxalite affected areas of Gadchiroli & Chhattisgarh find a livelihood and a safe refuge here in Panchgani. The unique style of their product range comes out through combinations of different mediums such as iron, brass, stone, wood,bamboo and fabric."

Being a hill-station, Panchgani doesn't have much to offer to its shopaholic visitors, but it does not completely disappoint. Its markets feature some of the most exquisite wooden handicrafts, leather goods, slippers and other apparel, fruit- based products and other confectionaries. Mapro Shops offering fruit crushes, marmalades, jams and fruit drink concentrates are found in every other corner of the city. Mala's Fruit Products is also a great outlet selling the same. Strawberry lovers can head to Strawberry Den for fresh strawberries, cream and jams. Other noteworthy markets are the Shivaji Circle and the Buddha Bazaar. The Buddha Bazaar is the most famous weekly market in Panchgani.

Open only on Wednesdays; it is flocked by locals and tourists for the best local produce at rock bottom prices. It hosts everything from organically grown fruits and vegetables to different varieties of jams. Pots and pans and Kolhapuri chappals are also common articles of purchase. If you have a sweet tooth, be sure to check out Roach & Sons or Kerala Bakery, some of the oldest bakeries in the city. Handicrafts and leather fans will love the Shivaji Circle market. Slippers and bags are a rage among female shoppers in this market. One can also witness the process of making channa and chikki here.

Panchgani makes a great destination for paragliding because of its scenic view. Various reliable paragliding clubs are there in the city. You could go on a joyride or take courses across levels, starting from elementary to advanced level.