mahabaleswar or matheran, may end- good idea?

BestYears

Hi,

Could anyone tell me how are mahabaleswar or matheran as travel destinations during last week of may?
We are a young couple but unfortunately we can't indulge in any trekking at the moment due to my partner's ankle issue. So is the climate and scenary pleasent enough to spend an enjoyable 4/5days there?
I'm in Pune, I found that lonavala etc, are scenic/ have good climate mostly during the monsoon period but not all that great right now.

would apprecaite your inputs.
Thanks!

delhiwala

There is no trekking but at both the places you'l have to do a lot of walking to enjoy the places !

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BestYears

thanks .. think that can be managed but what about the climate at that time? will it be too crowded?

delhiwala

That's tourist season, so yes crowds will be there.......

piccolina

Will be pretty warm at that time of the year - I'd been to Matheran 2 years ago in May and it was warm during the day, pleasant at night.

And as for the crowds, it'll be school holiday time, so you'll probably find a lot of families there.

BestYears

Thank you for your replies! considering taking a flight to other another part of india now

snonymous

Would suggest you avoid Matheran where the pathways are rubble strewn and could be uncomfortable for anyone with an ankle problem. You would have to take a horse ride or engage a hand pulled rikshaw as motor vehicles / bicycles are not allowed there.

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bobbyshah

I would avoid Matheran with an ankle problem. You may want to consider Saputara, its quite cool throughout the year.

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BestYears

Thank you guys .. think you missed my earlier reply. I agreed to the good advice given by IM'ers and ditched this idea!

We are going to Darjeeling, pelling and Borong (Sikkim) instead

Wish you all a good summer!

rushijoshi

Humm.... Darjeeling, Gangtok my favourit destination. I visited this place last year (December).

I am providing you some information which may useful to you.

• Traveling Info
• Places to See
• Staying
• Tips

Traveling Information
Nearest airport from Darjeeling/Gangtok is Bagdogra. There is no direct flight from Mumbai to Bagdogra, you have to go either Delhi or Kolkata. I would prefer to go via Delhi because cheaper fare, flight timings and last but not list you can get chance to view The Great Himalayan including Everest.

There is a flight from Delhi to Bagdogra from AirDeccan @ 1100 AM and Spicejet @ 1115 AM, to get this flight you need to take 0700 AM flight from Mumbai. Few days Airdeccan flight is going to Bagdogra via Guvhati which increases your travel time and cost, so avoid those days. To make your journey more cheaper (as you need to spend more in Gangtok), I would suggest you to go Delhi via Train (Rajdhani is best option). Don't forget to get down @ Delhi Cant stations, which is nearest from Airport).
I prefered this not just to make my trip cheaper but also to avoid flight cancellation due to fog in Delhi.

You would probably reach to Bagdogra by 0200 PM from there you can directly go to Sikkim. (Share taxis are available from Siligudi, you can take whole rear seat which cost you around (500 RS).

Places to See
If you want to cover entier Sikkim and Darjeeling then you atleast need 10 Days (excluding traveling time).
You can start your trip with some adventure activities (dont go to Gangton on 1st Day, stayed at Kalimpong and enjoy beauty of Teesta River and enjoye White water rafting... a Best in North-East india.) on the same day or next day you can go to Gangtok. Use gangtok as base station. Dont spend more time in Gangtok (1 day is good enough) very next day (3rd Day) start your journey for Changu Lake. on 4th Day you you can start your journey for Lancung, Yumthang Valley, Zero Point and Guru Dongmer lake (Dont miss this, we missed because of snow). This will take 3 full Days.

On your next day, start your journey for Darjeeling. (you will get share taxi again). It seems you are traveling lot, but dont worry you will get enough rest and still enjoy the trip).

Spend two days in Dearjeeling, dont forget to see Sunrise and The Mt. Kanchangjanga. Ennjoye Darjeeling train (0800 AM), just enjoye ride for 1 or 2 stations as it will take long.) and sped time for Darjeeling site seen.

on the 2nd day leave for Meerik, few people are suggesting to keep their belongings in to hotel and finishing their trip for Meerik in 1 Day, but my personel experience is saying dont keep your belongings into Darjeelign Hotel, take it and start your journey for Meerik and spend 1day-night in meerik...
And from meerik you can directly go to Siliguri/Bagdogra.

Staying
Kalimpong, good hotels available. If you are going in group and someone is not coming for Water Rafting then he/she can take care of your belongings.

Gangtok, plenty of hotels available. ( you are going in pick which cost you little more)

Yumthan/Gurudongmer, Hotels/Accomodation will be arranged by tour traveler.

Darjeeling, planty of good hotels available.

Meerik, Hotels are good and cheaper compare to Darjeeling.


Tips
You have to reach @ flight little early as seats are allocating first come first serve basis, they will not confirm you the seat allocation. From Delhi you can chose your seat from A series and in return you can chose from F series, which gives you view of Himalayan.

Avoid traveling alone, I understand Privacy but you will get privacy in Hotels .

People of this region are realy good and helpfull so No problem. Just bargain little in advance.

Dont forget to take identity card of all.

In pashupati nagar (Nepal) near Mirik you will get good shopping market, Bargain lot and Dont mesmerise, they are selling all china products.

If you are Vegetarian then you will get few hotels @ MG road, Gangtok but take some foods with you while traveling to Yumthang and Gurudongmer lake. (As in Veg they are only serving you Rice with Curd) take some Maggi from Gangtok itself. You will get good Vegi food in Darjeeling but in Mireek it is difficult.
For Non-Vegi you are in heaven.

If you want to know more or want to extend your journey to Kaziranga, just let me know I will provide you more information.

Regards
Rushi

BestYears

Thanks Rushi! I had started another thread for the said trip and with the help found there, my iternary is pretty well planned out now, including tickets and hotel bookings.

Intinerary advice for Darjeeling, Gangtok, etc

I'm set for the summer!

bobbyshah

Here's some info for Darjeeling that you may want to read:

http://www.hillstations.com/travel-t...al/darjeeling/