Panchgani is surrounded by the Sahyadri Hills on all sides and is one of the most gorgeous hill stations in Maharashtra. If you've been looking out for a low-key place to explore and visit for a family vacation in Maharashtra, Panchgani is the one for you. It has ample things for kids, adults, and the elderly to explore. From theme parks to adventure sports and camping, there is an array of places to visit and explore on your trip to Panchgani. Be it mountains, waterfalls, lakes, ancient temples, forts, or even famous points, you surely don't want to miss out on visiting them.
Here are some of the best places to visit in Panchgani that should definitely be on your itinerary, whenever you plan the trip!
When you visit Panchgani, Dhom Dam is just mandatory. The dam was built in 1982 to supply water to the nearby villages for agricultural purposes. It is a beautiful dam located just 12 kilometers away from the main town and is convenient to get to. Nature and the flowing water are all you need to spend a nice evening at the dam.
You can't afford to miss out on the water spots here. It is one of the best things to enjoy at the Dhom Dam. You can hire a scooter boat or even a speedboat at the dam area. Sailing or just boating is also an option that you can opt for if you want.
Timings: Morning through the evening.
Entry Fee: No charges.
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Kaas Plateau is truly a paradise of nature as you get to explore and see an endless variety of flowers here. This valley was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. You also have Kaas Lake which is just a few minutes away from the Kaas plateau and you can easily hike up to the lake and spend a good time with family and friends.
It's the best place where photographers and nature enthusiasts will have fun exploring and hiking around. You can easily spend half your day going around and exploring the beauty of more than 850 species of flowers in the Kaas Plateau. You can also explore the Thoseghar waterfalls and Bamnoli when you visit here, as they are all located in the neighboring areas.
Timings: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Entry Fee: INR 100 per person.
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It’s an exciting journey to visit and explore the Rajpuri Caves in Panchgani. The cave is surrounded by small ponds, and the lush greenery just adds to its charm. According to folk stories, Rajpuri Caves hold a mythical and religious significance. It is believed by the locals that the caves were used by Lord Kartikeya to conduct religious rituals. The ponds that surround the caves are also believed to be the shelter place for the Pandavas when they were exiled.
Besides, it is also believed that the Ganges flow through these caves. This is one of the reasons why the people bathe in the water that flows through the caves. All of these myths and beliefs combined make Rajpuri Caves a very significant landmark in Panchgani that you can't miss out on. Not for the myths, but you should definitely visit this place to witness the beauty of nature.
Timings: Morning through the evening.
Entry Fee: No charges.
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For a refreshing time out in Panchgani, visiting the Lingmala Falls can just be what you need. You can take a bath under the fall that falls from a height of 500 feet and makes for a beautiful scene with the green tall trees surrounding it. It's the perfect destination for a weekend getaway with your family and friends. The Dhobi and Chinaman waterfalls are also located in the vicinity as you can see from the Lingmala Falls. If you like, you can hike up to these waterfalls as well and spend a pleasant evening or plan a picnic there.
Going to Lingmala Falls is one of the best things to do during the monsoon. The sereneness during this time is at its peak and you’d have a good time sipping on tea and vibing with the sound of waterfalls!
Timings: 8:00 am to 5:30 pm.
Entry Fee: No charges.
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Adventure sports have been one of the most popular things to do when in Panchgani and you may want to try your hands at paragliding at Horizon Point the next time you visit. Apart from Horizon Point, Tapola, Khinger, and Bhilar are some of the most popular spots in Panchgani that enable you to experience paragliding. They have ample trusted and reliable paragliding clubs that you can visit and enjoy the experience with your adrenaline rushing through your veins!
From elementary level to advanced level, you can choose which ones you'd like and experience these spots for yourself. The hill station has favorable wind for this sport and you also get a view of the clear blue sky, valleys, and hills from up top. For all the adventure lovers, paragliding in Panchgani should be on your to-do lists.
Timings: 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Ticket Costs: Around INR 2,000 per person.
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Kamalgad Fort is one of the most popular sought-after places among adventure seekers and history geeks visiting Panchgani. Located at a distance of about 41 km from Panchgani, The fort was built by the Marathas and is one of the oldest standing forts in the hill station. For outdoor enthusiasts, hiking up the hill to get to the fort is a splendid experience. It is quite a trek but the view from the topmost point of the fort is breathtaking and will definitely be worth all the cardio it takes to reach there!
You can also visit the Red Ochre Caves and explore more of the hill and the fort while you’re hiking up the hill. If you want, you can also hire a local guide who will take you through the historical significance and glorious past of the fort.
Timings: Morning through the evening.
Entry Fee: No charges.
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Devrai Art Village is a non-profit establishment that portrays a unique style of art and craft pieces that is true to the rooted traditions and culture. This establishment is run by a group of tribal artists and craftsmen and aims at providing the group of artists a safe livelihood by selling their artworks.
The sculptures and artifacts made from an alloy of brass and stone are commonly popular. It is known as the Rock Dhokra and is one of their best sellers as well. They also have other pieces that are made of wood, iron, bamboo, and fabric. When visiting the Devrai Art Village, you can visit the art gallery and not only view all the different pieces of art that are on show, but you can also participate in a workshop that is conducted by the local artists.
Timings:
Entry Fee: INR 200 onwards.
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If you're looking for a getaway from the busy life of the city, Wai is the place you must visit in Panchgani. It is away from the polluted air and a large number of people. You can spend your time in peace and tranquility when in Wai. It is a small town that is home to more than hundreds of temples that hold great historical and mythological significance. For this reason, Wai is also known as “Dakshin Kashi''.
Wai is one of those places that is commonly visited by devotees to visit the temples, pray and pay respects to the gods and goddesses. You also have the famous Wai Caves that need you to take a small hike to explore. The caves are big and mesmerizing that you must not miss visiting. The Dholya Ganpati Mandir is another tourist and devotional place that you can visit when in Wai. After you have participated in the early morning pooja at this temple, you can take a dip in the Krishna River or even take a refreshing swim.
Timing: Can visit any time of the day.
Entry Fee: Free.
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If you're looking to go sightseeing in Panchgani, you would want to stop at Sherbaug. It's a well-known tourist destination that is a theme park and a resort all in one. You can have an amazing time exploring the theme park itself. It has a horror house and the biggest man-made waterfall along with water guns and rain dance. The park also has a rare collection of fossils and cacti that you can visit during your stay.
If you like that, also arrange for bonfires in the evening. You can enjoy some barbecue and some fun activities at this time. Besides, they also arrange a nature walk for the tourists which takes you around the property and gives you a nice long tour of the place. For an overnight stay, they serve you breakfast and have many activities for the next day outlined for you.
Timings: 9:00 am to 6.30 pm.
Entry Fee:
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Table Land is the highest point in Panchgani which is at a height of 4,500 feet above sea level. It’s also the second-longest mountain plateau in Asia. This makes it one of the best places to see a sunrise or a sunset. Along with the beautiful view of the valleys, hills, and green spaces, there are also a lot of sightseeing spots here that you can take your time to explore.
Table Land has the One Tree Hill Point which, as the name suggests, has the only tree grown on this plateau. Another spot you can visit is where the footsteps of Pandavas have been embossed into the ground. It is one of the most popular spots to visit at Table Land. After you have explored all the sightseeing places here, you can have some chaat, snacks, roasted corn, misal pav, coconut water, etc from the small stalls that are located here.
Timings: Open all day long, all days of the week.
Entry Fee: Free.
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Summing Up
Panchgani is known for its gorgeous nature, hills, valleys, and outdoors that you can indulge in. It makes for the ideal getaway for people who want a change from their busy work lives and have some time off amidst tranquil nature. But that's not all that Panchgani offers you; you have all the places mentioned above that you can visit and enjoy some fun activities. Exploring and going on adventures with your family in Panchgani can be one of the best ways to spend your weekend in Maharashtra.
What Are The Top Sightseeing Places In Panchgani?
Panchgani is a beautiful hill station located in Maharashtra. You have the gorgeous Devrai Art Village, Kaas Plateau, Sherbaug, Kamalgad Fort, Wai, and Dhoom Dam as some of the best sightseeing places to visit in Panchgani.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Panchgani?
The best time to visit Panchgani is during winter. The weather is pleasant and you get to really enjoy all the activities at the hill station. You can visit the place anytime between September and March.
How Many Days Are Enough For Panchgani?
Panchgani is a decently-sized hill station with ample things to visit and indulge in. So, about 3 to 5 days should be enough time for you to properly see and explore the hill station.
What Is Special In Panchgani?
Panchgani is known for a lot of things including its temples, valleys, hills, sightseeing spots, adventure sports, and its historical and mythological significance as well.
How Far Is Panchgani From Pune?
Panchgani is 106 km away from Pune.
How Far Is Panchgani From Mahabaleshwar?
Panchgani is around 19 km from Mahabaleshwar.
How Far Is Lavasa from Panchgani?
Panchgani is 145 km away from Lavasa.
How Far Is Mumbai From Panchgani?
Mumbai is around 242 km away from Panchgani.
