Maharashtra Year End Tour/Trek

Introduction:

To begin with we were six, namely Hamsa, Jayashree, Gururaj, Purushottam, Raghavendra and I (Rohit). We hit Khollapur via Rani Chennamma Express, which landed us there late in the afternoon.

From Rohit, Hamsa, Jayashree, Raghavendra, Gururaj, Purushottam

Places visited:
Day 1 ~ 2 - 2009-12-25 ~ 2009-12-26 - Bangalore -> Khollapur [Lakshmi Temple] -> Khed
Day 3 - 2009-12-27 - Khed -> Mahad -> [Raigad Fort] -> Mahad -> Poladpur[halt]
Day 4 - 2009-12-28 - Poladpur -> Mahabaleshwar -> Panchagani -> Poladpur[halt]
Day 5 - 2009-12-29 - Poladpur -> Neveli -> Ganapathipule[Beach + Temple][halt]
Day 6 - 2009-12-30 - Ganapathipule -> [Jaigad Fort] -> Ratnagiri[Pawas] [halt]
Day 7 - 2009-12-31 - Ratnagiri[Pawas] -> [Bhagavati Mandir] -> [Aquarium] -> [Ratnagiri Gateway Beach] -> [18 Hand Ganesh] -> [Lokamanya Tilak Residence] -> [Thiba Palace] -> [Batia Beach] -> Ratnagiri [halt]
Day 8 - 2010-01-01 - Ratnagiri -> Taral -> [Vijaydurg Fort] -> Devagad -> [Light house] -> [Devagad Fort] -> [Devagad Beach + Crematorium] -> Nandgauv -> Kanakavali -> Sawanthwadi[halt]
Day 9 - 2010-01-02 - Sawanthwadi -> Amboli -> [Hiranyakeshi Temple] -> [Swayambu Siddivinayaka Temple] -> [Amboli View Point - kawalesad] -> [Nangartas Water fall] -> [Amboli View Point Mahadeva] -> [Amboli Water Falls] -> Belgaum
2010-01-02 ~ 2010-01-03 - Belgaum -> Bangalore.


View Larger Map

Finale:

Total Expenses - INR 4,300 Inclusive of Travel, Food & Accommodation per head.

Day 4

2009-12-28 - Mahabeleshwar + Panchagani

It was quite disappointing on reaching Mahabeleshwar, the place was owercrowded with hawkers & tourists. There were traffic jams too.

From 2009-12-28 - Poladhpur

We visited the famous Mahabeleshwar Temple,

From 2009-12-28 - Poladhpur

and a couple of View points before heading off to Panchagani. In Panchagani we were keen on Table top View point and nothing else.

From 2009-12-28 - On the way to Mahabeleshwar

We took a long circular walk in the hot hot sun. The place was indeed good with a couple of water spots and panoramic views.

From 2009-12-28 - Fresh Strawberries

On our way back we our driver was kind enough to take us to a Strawberry farm where the girls had the opportunity to hand plucked half a kilo Strawberries.

From 2009-12-28 - Straberry Flower

However the girls were stupid enough to pluck unripe and disfigured Strawberries, when given the luxury to selectively hand pick the Strawberries.

We spent the Second night at Poladhpur. We took a late night walk along the Poladhpur ~ Mahabeleshwar Highway in cool and pleasant weather. We also stayed up playing Addictive Poker

From 2009-12-28 - Mahabeleshwar - View Point

From 2009-12-28 - Panchagani- Purushottam Posing

From 2009-12-28 - Panchagani Table Top View Point