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Distances: Mumbai to Mahabaleshwar via Mahad is 220 kms Mumbai to Pune is 180 kms & further Pune to Mahabaleshwar is 130 kms. Panchgani to Mahabaleshwar is 30 kms.
Area: Vast green plateau of about 150 sq. kms.
Height: 4500 feet above sea level.
Climate: Never too hot because of the heights. Never too cold bacause of the nearness to the arabian sea. Duration of higher temperature is short.
Seasons: October, Diwali & X'mas holidays & summer. Hotels are open round the year even during the rainy seasons.
The jungle of Mahabaleshwar is thick & produces many commercial as well as medicinal trees & plants. The wild life is limited to foxes, jackals, & wild boars. Deers & bisons are found in the brahma aranya area. Panthers are rare. The famous bird in the urdu poetry, Bulbul is found everywhere in the plateau. The weather of Mahabaleshwar & healthy & contains an ideal of 20% oxygen which is often agumented in foggy weather of late summers & early monsoon, when the pleateau is covered by thick mist. The water contains a meager percentage of iron which helps to increase hemoglobin in the blood.
Beauty of Mahabaleshwar:
 An evergreen vast plateau with long beautiful roads, horse rides & foot paths along forest. Honey & chikki, channas, waling sticks. Fruits like strawberries, raspberries, goose berries & muberries. Vegetables like red potatoes, french beans, beets, salad, carrots, raddishes. Boating in Venna lake.
VARIOUS POINTS SIGHTSEEING
Kate's Point
Unlike all the others, affords a view of the Deccan side. While most hills here have less variety and grandeur, valleys like the Krishna Valley are extremely beautiful, with a winding river and patches of cultivation and deep waters originating from the Dhom Dam. Kamalgad, Panduagad and Mandhardev, three fine peaks, are also prominent objects in the landscape.
A fun aspect of the Kate's Point is the 'Echo Point', which is situated very close by. If you?re looking to unleash the child in you, just walk up till Echo Point and scream to your hearts content! It never stops being fun. Or therapeutic!
Wilson Point
Also called as Sunrise point. The highest point. 4710 ft above sea level. It is a vast plateau. There are three masonary round platforms to see the sunrise. You are advised to see sunrise from platform no:2. You can see sunset also from this point.
Connaught peak
The second highest point. Presents panoramic view of a green carpet. You can see sunrise as well as sunset from this point.
Elphiston point
The first point of M'war/ Overlooking two valleys, koyna on the left & savitri on the right.
Arthur's Seat
Queen of all points. Some compare the stractification of rocks on southern side to the world famous stratification of rocks of the Grand Canyon of Colarado. USA. It is facinating to see the barren deep valley Savitri on the left & shallow green valley on the right. It is more facinating to know that Arthur's seat is the only place showing geographical distinction of kokan & Desh (Deccan), two territories of Mahabaleshwar, so clear & so near. If you go by the steps you come across a spring known as Tiger's spring which is supposed to be the source of the river Savtri. Immidiately below the seat is window point. You have to go deep by steps to reach the window point.Kates Point: Offers breathtaking view of krishna valley & deep waters of the dhom dam. From southern side it looks like an elephants head. There is also an echo point.
Bombay Point
Very popular sunset point. Shows the sahyadri range koyana valley & pratap garh.
Lodwick Point & Boars Head
Protruding towards pratapgardh from M'war plateau you will see the surrounding scenery with awe.
Pratap Gadh
At a distance of 25 kms from Mahabaleshwar stands the majestic Pratapgadh housing the tomb of Afzalkhan at the toe of the fort. There is a temple of bhavani mata, the idol of worship of King Shivajiraje Bhosle. There is a statue of Shivaji Maharaj inside the fort called Bale killa.
Table land
Largest in Asia. A small plane can land here.
Venna lake
 The Venna lake is one of the major tourist attractions of Mahabaleshwar. The lake is surrounded by trees on all sides. A late winter evening boat ride through the slight fog is well appreciated. Tourists can enjoy a boat ride over the lake or a horse ride next to the lake. A number of small eateries line the banks of the lake. The Mahabaleshwar city market and the S.T. bus stand is about 2KM from the lake and makes for a nice walk during the day. Most tour operators include the Venna lake in their tours. Most buses, private vehicles will stop at the Venna lake on their way to Mahabaleshwar on request.
Mahabaleshwar
Panchaganga Mandir
As per the hindu mythology five holy rivers krishna, venna, koyna, Savitri & gayatri show their token appearance here in five springs flowing closely. They are seen flowing in five stone conduits & joining in one horizontal half channel leading to the Goumukhi cowface spout. Though the Gaomukh it falls in the cistern below. On the northen side there is a similar conduit through which the holy 'ganga' appears every twelve years. From the conduit on the southern side flows the holy saraswati when the following astrological times come together, namely, Bhadrapad month, shasthi (6th day) ,Tuesday sun in hasta nakshatra, Rohini nakshatra in predominance & Vyatipat. This miraculous yoga (coincidence) is known as the "Kapila Shasthi Yoga", which is believed to be very auspicious occassion as per the Hindu faith.
Gardens
Makharia Garden.
Pratap Sinha park.
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