Panchgani
(District Satara - 412 805. Telephone ( 02168) 40301, 41086).

Lucky are those who study at the boarding schools here. Known as the 'Mecca of Maharashtra', Panchgani offers you a splendid climate and magnificent scenery. There are mysterious valleys, numerous hamlets and sparkling rivers.

Visit the panoramic Table Land, Kamalgad Fort and kiddies' park. En route to the Panchgani caves, you can pay homage at the Ganesh temple at Wai.

Getting There

By Air
Nearest airport is Pune, 98 kms.

By Rail
Nearest railhead is Wathar, 45 kms. on Miraj - Kolhapur section of South Central Railway.

By Road
Mumbai - Panchgani via Pune, 270 kms. Mumbai - Panchgani via Mahad, 266 kms.

State Transport buses ply from Satara, Pune, Wai Mahabaleshwar, Mahad to Panchgani.

MTDC also runs a daily bus service to Panchgani from Mumbai.

Accommodation

Hotel 'Five Hills' - self contained standard/ deluxe/ suites (64 rooms and 2 dormitories.

Checkout Time: 9.00 a.m.

Reservation: Mumbai and Panchgani.

The 'Silver Oak' restaurant has a beer bar.

Pandharpur
(District Solapur - 413 304)

The most prominent pilgrim spot in and around Maharashtra. In the festive months of July - August, the famous temple of Lord Vitthal draws thousands of devotees from all over the country.

For the devoutly religious, there are many other temples to visit such as the Laxmi Temple, Pundalik Temple, the Vishnupad Temple, Trimakeshwar Temple and Shri Ram Temple.

Getting There

By Air
Nearest airport is Pune, 204 kms.

By Rail
Nearest railhead is Pandharpur on the Kurduwadi - Miraj line of South Central Railway. But a more convenient railhead is Solapur, 74 kms.

By Road
Mumbai - Pandharpur, 386 kms. Pune Pandharpur, 204 kms.

State Transport ply from Pune, Solapur, Nanded, Satara, Ahmednagar to Pandharpur.

Accommodation

'Padmavati Tank' - self contained rooms (23 blocks) and Dormitories (3 blocks - 32 beds).

Checkout Time: 12.00 noon.

Reservation: Vittal Rukmini Trust, Pandharpur (Telephone 02186 - 23550).

Panhala
(District Kolhapur - 416 201. MTDC Telephone (02328) 35048. Privatized Telephone: 02328/35333)

Situated at an altitude of 977.2m., Panhala is a charming hill resort which makes for a complete holiday. Panhala's historic fort throws up memories of Chhatrapati Shivaji, such as his epic escape from the forces of Siddi Johar. Besides, there's the Sambhaji Temple, Someshwar Temple, Teen Darwaza, Raj Dindi and several other sights. Of special interest are the Blue Basalt Temple on the Sacred Jyotiba hill, 9 kms., the 7th century A.D. Mahalaxmi temple at Kolhapur, 18 kms., and the wildlife sanctuary at Radhanagari, 52 Kms.

What's more, there's abundant natural beauty to luxuriate in.

Getting There

By Air
Nearest airport is Belgaum, 123 kms.

By Rail
Nearest railhead is Kolhapur, 18 kms. om South Central Railway.

By Road
Mumbai - Panhala, 428 kms. Via Kolhapur. Kolhapur - Panhala, 18 kms.

State Transport buses ply from Kolhapur, Belgaum to Panhala.

Accommodation

MTDC self contained 8 rooms and 4 tents (seasonal)

Privatized - MTDC - self contained 12 rooms and 2 Dormitories.

Checkout Time: MTDC - 9.00 a.m. Privatized - 12.00 noon.

Reservation: Mumbai, Kolhapur and Panhala.

Panshet
(District Pune - 412 107 Telephone (0212) 631 408. Mumbai - 4938561, 4938562).

Set in an idyllic location, between Panshet Dam and Varasgaon DAM, Panshet offers you a holiday option that's radically different. There are water sports galore! Kayaking, Windsurfing, Exciting rides in speedboats and on water scooters - all planned to excite the child in you. besides, you can see Sinhagad Fort and Sinhagad National Park, Khadakvasla and the forts Torna and Raigad.

Getting There

By Air
Nearest airport is Pune, 45 kms.

By Rail
Nearest railhead is Pune.

By Road
Mumbai - Pune, 170 kms. Pune - Panshet, 45 kms. [Pune - Khadakvasla - Sinhagad - Panshet].

Accommodation

Self-contained rooms (29 Blocks) and Suites (10 Blocks).

Checkout Time: 12.00 noon.

Reservation: Pune and Mumbai.

Water Sport facilities are available (Except during Monsoon).