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Think of Mahabaleshwar and you think of strawberries and cherries. This verdant hill station, nestled in the folds of the Sahyadri Range in Maharashtra, is a haven for tourists looking to cool off from the bustle of daily life. A summer escape since the British era, it… read more
Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra’s most popular hill station, attracts countless visitors because of its weather. Pleasant all through the year, every season is a fantastic time to plan a holiday. Before you rush to book your tickets though, let’s find out which is the best time to visit Mahabaleshwar.
Winter, from November to February, is possibly the best season to visit Mahabaleshwar. The temperature drop makes it a great time for young couples and honeymooners who can use the cold temperature as an opportunity to snuggle up.
It rains from July to October in Mahabaleshwar. Visit only if you don’t mind the cold and the wet. Of course, it is also really beautiful with a fine mist swirling around and nature displaying her beauty for all to see. This is the right season for treks and to enjoy the numerous waterfalls that abound in the gentle folds of the Western Ghats.
Summer in Mahabaleshwar is from March to June. Unlike a typical summer in Maharashtra, Mahabaleshwar has a pleasant climate, making it the perfect summer retreat for those looking to escape the heat of the plains below. Many families and youngsters visit Mahabaleshwar for their annual summer vacation. The weather is great for outdoor activities and sightseeing. Mahabaleshwar Tourism is indeed spectacular and is a must visit places
Mahabaleshwar is a family friendly destination. There is much for the kids to enjoy here. For the grown-ups, there are sightseeing options, berry fields and adventure activities that can be enjoyed. The beauty of Mahabaleshwar is that irrespective of whenever you decide to visit, Mahabaleshwar will not disappoint.
Peak Season (December-February)
Winter is from December to February and it is the best season to visit Mahabaleshwar. The weather is just right, and one can head outdoors without worrying about the hot sun. The temperature stays between 10 and 32 degree Celsius. Many people visit Mahabaleshwar in winter, especially young couples and honeymooners.
Shoulder Season (March-June)
Mahabaleshwar is a great summer retreat if you are looking to get away from the hot sun. For families this is the best climate to visit Mahabaleshwar as they can plan their trips around summer vacations of their kids. The temperature stays between 15 to 35 degrees Celsius, which makes it slightly warm, but still better than an Indian summer.
Low Season (July-October)
You either like the rain, or you don’t. If you are visiting Mahabaleshwar in the monsoon, you will need to like it. The hill station experiences mild to heavy rainfall. While this leaves the hill station looking gorgeous, it makes moving around a tad inconvenient.
|
Travel Seasons |
Min/Max Temperature |
Season |
|
March - June |
15-35 degrees |
Pleasant Days |
|
July - October |
19-33 degrees |
Moderate rains |
|
November - February |
10-32 degrees |
Dry, windy and cooler |
Temperature: Avg. of 35 degrees high to 15 degrees low
Weather: Mahabaleshwar during summer is the quintessential summer retreat for people in Maharashtra. While the rest of the state reels under the unbearable heat, this hill station is pleasant and inviting. The days could be slightly warm, but nothing like the harsh sun of the plains below. Evenings and early mornings are cool and the perfect time to go sightseeing or to just walk about enjoying the local sights and sounds. This is also vacation time, and parents and families from Mumbai and Pune make the most of the proximity of Mahabaleshwar to enjoy a nice weekend here. Is it any wonder that a countless number of visitors make it a point to visit Mahabaleshwar in these four months?
Significant events: The sun is warm but it never gets too uncomfortable, except in the middle of the afternoon. The rest of the time, it is a pleasant companion as you go about enjoying your holiday in Mahabaleshwar. The temperature and weather is perfect for outdoor activities such as trekking or bicycling. You can also ride a Shikara. Ask at your hotel for the best deals. If you are a nature enthusiast, you can go bird watching and even explore some of the nearby caves.
Why you should visit now: If you’re looking to cool off from the hot sun and harsh summer of your city, this is the time to allow the cool embrace of Mahabaleshwar take you on a vacation. The weather, the activities and the sightseeing options are numerous. There are really some amazing places to visit in Mahabaleshwar , so make sure to check it out
Know before you visit: Understandably, this is the busiest season of Mahabaleshwar. Expect plenty of crowds – families with young kids, young couples and groups of youngsters, all looking to have a good time. Book your hotel in advance to avoid getting disappointed.
Tips: The weather is pleasant but the sun can still burn. Apply your sunscreen every time you step out during the day.
Temperature: Avg. of 33 degrees high to 19 degrees low
Weather: The weather in the monsoon season of Mahabaleshwar ranges from moderate to heavy rainfall - and it rains almost the entire monsoon season. Don’t let this put you off. If you like the rains or are interested in nature, this is a good time to visit, as the entire landscape turns a lush green. The air is fresh and invigorating, and the hill station is as though covered with a fine gossamer veil. The only flip side to the weather is that most activities are shut for the season, leaving you to find ways to entertain yourself. However, that makes it a great time to head out for a walk in the rains, with no destination in mind. You can stop by the many lakes and waterfalls that spring up during this season. Take care, though; the roads can be slippery.
Significant events: The monsoon is perfect for trekking in the hill slopes of Mahabaleshwar. Put on your trekking shoes and head off into the gentle folds of the mountains of the Western Ghats. The slopes and roads may be slippery with the rain and growing moss, so take care while you are walking and climbing. If you are looking for some easier activity, you can just walk around until you come to a waterfall or lake, any of the many such water bodies that take form in this season. Or, you can curl up with a book by the window and watch the water cascade down, creating an ethereal world outside.
Why you should visit now: The weather is beautiful, undoubtedly. However, because of the slight inconvenience, the crowds are smaller and this means you get better deals at hotels. Moreover, the streets are emptier and you can have the place pretty much to yourself, without worrying about too many tourists.
Know before you visit: Mahabaleshwar has a wet monsoon. Go prepared. Keep a raincoat or an umbrella handy. However, be ready to get thoroughly soaked, in spite of precautions.
Tips: Carry proper walking shoes as the wet roads and hill sides can be slippery and treacherous. Pack sensible clothes that will dry quickly.
Temperature: Avg. of 32 degrees high to 10 degrees low
Weather: Planning a winter holiday to Mahabaleshwar? This is an amazing time to be there. Yes, weather of Mahabaleshwar in winter season is colder than the surrounding region, but nothing that a light jacket or shawl cannot take care of. If you are visiting with a loved one, this is the perfect season to cosy up in the evening with a warm fire crackling nearby. Walk hand-in-hand along the many misty roads of the hill station to relive your romance. Families looking for a quick weekend break can plan it around the strawberry festival. Enjoy the delicious fruit, picked straight from the orchard. There are many restaurants that offer a special winter menu that deals with strawberries, strawberries and strawberries. Those of you with a sweet tooth will have a great time.
Significant events: A visit to the Mapro Strawberry Garden is a must if you love these delicious red berries. Several resorts also have their own berry gardens and you can plan the vacation along with their picking time so you can enjoy the activity too. Winter is also a great time for outdoor activities. Besides walking about, you can try your skills at thrilling activities such as mountain trekking and rope climbing.
Why you should visit now: Winter is a fabulous season to enjoy the beauty of Mahabaleshwar. The slight nip on the air, the strawberry season and a sun that shines warmly on your walk, all make for the perfect weekend holiday.
Know before you visit: Expect crowds. Many people visit Mahabaleshwar during winter. Book your accommodation and travel in advance so that you are not disappointed.
Tips: Prepare to eat plenty of strawberries. This is the season, and you will find this on the dessert menu of almost all restaurants and hotels. Carry a light jacket or shawl as it gets quite cold in the early morning and late evenings.
Mahabaleshwar on your mind? Plan your holiday with us, and we will assist you in making all the necessary arrangements for your vacation. Do go through our several special Mahabaleshwar Tour Packages and find one that suits your exact needs. At Thomas Cook, we are eager to help you in whichever way we can, and should you require help in your bookings, we can take care of your travel and hotel accommodation as well. Our experts are standing by, to offer you all the support that you could need. You can also check out more ways on How to reach Mahabaleshwar
The fastest way to get to Mahabaleshwar is by flight. However, it doesn’t have an airport of its own. The closest one is at Pune, at a distance of 120 kms. Pune International Airport is well-connected to the rest of the country and also offers connectivity to several international destinations across the world. The nearest international airport is Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport at Mumbai. Both the airports are further well-connected to Mahabaleshwar and you can avail the excellent taxi service that is present at the airports.
Whether you arrive at Pune or Mumbai, simply go to the pre-paid taxi counter and state your destination. Once you get your token, you can get into the next available taxi and soon be on your way to Mahabaleshwar. Take care to travel only with registered taxi operators to avoid getting taken for a ride.
Both cities also offer you the option of booking a seat on state-run or private owned luxury buses that ply regularly between the cities and Mahabaleshwar. You can book your ticket in advance or hop into the next available bus. Some of the operators do require prior booking, so plan your journey accordingly. You will take about 3.5 hours from Pune, while the journey from Mumbai will be about 5.5 hours.
The airports at Pune and Mumbai are both geared to cater to the well-travelled visitor. The airports have all the amenities that you could think of. Restaurants, cafes, restrooms, book stores, souvenir shops and even exchange bureaus. You will also find comfortable corners where you can rest between your journeys with a book in your hand.
The area outside Mumbai airport is fairly crowded all hours of the day and night. Do factor in travel time from the airport to your destination.
If you stay in any of the major cities or towns of Maharashtra, you can easily plan a road trip to Mahabaleshwar. The city is well-connected to the rest of India with an excellent road network. You can either drive down yourself or hire a private taxi to bring you to Mahabaleshwar. The roads are wide and it is an easy drive to this hill station.
Driving down to Mahabaleshwar allows you to enjoy the scenery at your own pace. You can stop when you please to stretch your legs or to take wonderful pictures along the way. As you get closer to Mahabaleshwar, the road starts to wind quite a bit and you might be in for a slightly rough time.
There are also several state-run and private luxury bus operators and you can book yourself a seat on either of these to get to Mahabaleshwar. The frequency of these buses is quite good and you can pick a time that suits you. The advantage with buses is that you can focus on the beautiful landscape as it passes you by without worrying about the road or oncoming traffic.
Let’s take a look at the distances between Mahabaleshwar and some its major neighbouring cities:
Mumbai to Mahabaleshwar – 250 km
Pune to Mahabaleshwar – 120 km
Satara to Mahabaleshwar – 45 km
Wathar to Mahabaleshwar – 80 km
Hyderabad to Mahabaleshwar – 580 km
Nashik to Mahabaleshwar – 330 km
Kolhapur to Mahabaleshwar – 180 km
If you plan on visiting Mahabaleshwar during the holiday season or on an extended weekend, you might need to book your seat in the luxury bus in advance simply because of the rush.
Mahabaleshwar is the quintessential hill station that does its best to stay secluded from the world to create a haven of bliss and quiet. Which is why perhaps it has no railway station of its own. The closest railway station is at Satara, which is still at a distance of 45 kms from Mahabaleshwar. Satara is connected to all major cities in Maharashtra and other parts of the country as well. Another station for you to alight at is Wathar, which is about 60 kms from Mahabaleshwar.
Whether you alight at Satara or Wathar, you need to find transport for your onward journey. You can book a seat in a state-owned MSRTC buses that will take you to the heart of Mahabaleshwar. Alternatively, you can hire a private vehicle or a taxi to take you to your destination in Mahabaleshwar. The advantage with a private car is that you get dropped right to your doorstep, as against the bus which will drop you at a public spot, leaving you to hire another vehicle to reach your hotel.
The train journey to Satara or Wathar is beautiful and if you happen to be traveling during the monsoon or the winter, you will love the mist-i-cal landscape that the train will slowly take you through.
Mahabaleshwar is quite popular among people in Maharashtra as well as other parts of the country. Keep in mind the time when you plan to holiday in Mahabaleshwar. Holiday seasons will see heavy volumes of people traveling daily on these trains, whether to Mahabaleshwar or not. Do book your tickets well in advance to avoid being waitlisted, which means you cannot board the train. If your travel plans coincide with summer holidays you are well advised to book months in advance to avoid disappointments. Visit the Indian Railway official website or go to any Indian Railway booking counter at a railway station to book your tickets. Remember, you cannot board the train without a confirmed reservation.
