One of the oldest hill stations in the world, Panchgani sure makes it to the top of this list. A short distance from Mahabaleshwar, this hill station is known for a lot of fan-favourite points including the Kaas Plateau (with an altitude of 1,200 meters, it is a biodiversity hot spot with many varieties of flowers and butterflies) and the Rajpuri caves. The Mapro Garden in Panchgani is another famous tourist attraction, with a restaurant, a chocolate and cheese factory, a children’s play area and a retail outlet that sells its products.
Best Time To Visit: September to May
Best Things To Do: Sydney Point, Table Land, Harrisons Folly, Kaas Plateau, Rajpuri caves, Mapro garden, Pratapgad Fort
Distance From Mumbai: 250 to 300 km
How To Reach: Book a train from Mumbai to Chiplun, Khed, or Satara, then take a cab to Panchgani. You can also take a bus to Panchgani from the Bandra Housing Board Office.
