Maharastra and around in August 2012 - Itinerary

Hi,

I'm planning to cover few places in Maharashtra during August 15th-August 20th.. 5 nights n 6 days..

Below is my itinerary based on Google maps.. I'm not sure if it is practically doable .. I'm sure u would have been around these places.. please add any must see places and remove any not so good places and also any general suggestions r welcome.. Also suggest on accommodation..

I will be traveling with my wife. We would want to do it cost effectively and don't mind spending if some unique experience are there..

Day1: 14th: Bangalore-Pune by train Reach pune by 10.30am.

Fresh up and depart to Mahabaleshwar by bus

Check in to accommodation and Halt.

Cover only selected must see places here

Day2: Cover the left out places and leave towards Janjira fort, Raigad

Places to cover: Janjira fort, beach, Raigad fort, Harihareshwar.

Halt in some place

Day3: Take train from Roha near Raigad to Thane and from Thane take train to Igatpuri

Places to vist: Bhandardara Dam, Ratangad fort ( how long does it take to see this fort.. is trekking a must here or optional )

Stay at some place

Day4: Leave from Igatapuri to Lonavala by train

Places to cover: Lonavala, Matheran, Khandala, Karla, Duke's nose, Korigad fort, Loghad,

Stay at some place

Day5: After Lunch head to Pune or stay at Pune..

Visit Ganesh temple n other happening places in Pune ( need to figure out )

Day6: Depart from Pune to Bangalore by Flight after lunch..

Do suggest if this is doable or not and what other things need to be considered.

Day 1 - After the hotel formalities at Mahabaleshwar, you will only have enough time to see one place (point).

Day 2 - Are you planning to do this by bus? It will be very difficult. Raigad fort is not possible. It's a diversion from your route, the road is bad, and you don't have the time.
Go to either Harihareshwar or Janjira. Both are not possible.

Day 3 - You are really rushing it. Take a bus till Thane. Train to Igatpuri will do. Ratangad is a proper trek, skip it.

Day 4 - AFAIK, there is no direct train from Igatpuri to Lonavala. You will have to come back to Thane. I would advise you to skip the Igatpuri detour and go directly to Lonavala.
Lohagad and Korigad are beginner level treks but you can't check out Lonavala AND these two forts. Matheran is not in this region, remove it from your plan.

Take out some of these places and rework your plan. I would recommend something like.
Pune-Mahabaleshwar-Harihareshwar-Pune
Pune-Bhandardara-Lonavala-Pune

Janjira fort is shut off due to monsoon.
Harihareshwar would be mesmerizing, but you can't access the beach.
Also, Bhandardara would be a better bet. Ratangad fort is best ignored.

Hello dear,

Please see my comments in bracket and then my plan for this trip.

Your Iternary is:-

Day1: 14th: Bangalore-Pune by train Reach pune by 10.30am.

Fresh up and depart to Mahabaleshwar by bus (Skip Mahabaleshwar. Too rains and foggy. Cant enjoy much).
Check in to accommodation and Halt. (Hotels are damn wet and stinky)
Cover only selected must see places here (Boating, valley views are unavailable.
Day2: Cover the left out places and leave towards Janjira fort, Raigad (Closed in rainy season)
Places to cover: Janjira fort, beach, Raigad fort, Harihareshwar. (Raigad wil take a day. not good idea in rains)
Halt in some place (No good accomodation near Raigad and Janjira)
Day3: Take train from Roha near Raigad to Thane and from Thane take train to Igatpuri (you may stuck in hevay down pour in Igatpuri)
Places to vist: Bhandardara Dam, Ratangad fort ( how long does it take to see this fort.. is trekking a must here or optional )
Stay at some place (Bhandardara is hill station and place with heavy rain. Skip Ratangad, but do this trek in October. its vallley of flowers).
Day4: Leave from Igatapuri to Lonavala by train
Places to cover: Lonavala, Matheran, Khandala, Karla, Duke's nose, Korigad fort, Loghad, (Enjoyable for one day, but heavy traffic on 15th August. You will hate yourself)
Stay at some place (Lonavla may be)
Day5: After Lunch head to Pune or stay at Pune..
Visit Ganesh temple n other happening places in Pune ( need to figure out )
Day6: Depart from Pune to Bangalore by Flight after lunch..


My iternary would be:-
I would suggest this way, if you want to save some time.


14th Aug: Go to Lonavla.
its Tuesday, no traffic and less crowd of drunkards. See Bhushi dam, Dukes nose, Tiger Point, Korigad(if possible) and then move to Khandala and then return to Pune. (you will need a car for this)

15th Aug: Go to mahabaleshwar, pratapgad and then stay in mahabaleshwar.
OR
15th Aug: Go to kolhapur (my hometown), visit Panhala, rankala, have some Kolhapuri delicacious and then descent to Konkan area via radhanagri sanctuary. (great road via car)

16th Aug: Visit Diveagar, harihareshwar, sriwardhan beaches. leave for Igatpuri or Junnar (130kms)
OR
16th Aug: Go to Junnar, see Shivneri fort, leynyadri ganpati, Naneghat caves, reverse waterfall.

17th morning: reach igatpuri and visit Dhammagiri. Move to Bhandardhara and stay in posible.

18th: Leave for Pune and visit Pune (Sinhagad, kadakwasla, Ganpati etc and rest)
19th: Depart to bangalore


I would suggest you hire some car for this tour from Pune. I may be able to provide you a Diesal Sumo (with or without driver)
Let me know if you need any further help.


Enjoy,
regards,
Milind (Pune)

Avoid the Konkan coast in the monsoon ... the seas are rough, the roads are bad with a higher frequency of accidents/landslides. Janjira fort and 'pradakshina' at Harihareshwar will be closed off during the monsoon.
Ratangad fort is a trek of about 3-4hrs from Bhandardara which means it will not be doable.