Panchgani has an advantage over Mahabaleshwar with regard to the monsoon, or rather the lack of it, as it is in the rain shadow. The station remains open throughout the year.
ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE
Panchgani is only 19 km (12 miles) from Mahabaleshwar and is well connected with Pune (100 km; 62 miles) and Bombay (277 km; 172 miles) by regular bus services. Taxis are available from Pune for Rs350.
GETTING AROUND
Panchgani is spread over an area of 3.4 sq km, and has lovely views of the Krishna valley, and the huge reservoir formed by the Dhome Dam. All the places of interest can be visited on foot, though ponies are also available for hire.
WHAT TO SEE
The most interesting sight is the Tableland above the Panchgani ghat. This flat expanse of rock has superb sunrise and sunset views and is a favourite playground 
for the school-children from the many boarding schools in the area. Several pleasant walks lead from the Tableland into the valleys. The countryside round here is beautiful and all the walks listed below provide gentle exercise punctuated by wide views and quiet picnic spots. Sidney Point and Parsi Point are the most popular. There is a walk down to the Dhome Dam from Sidney Point. The Meherbaba Caves and Rajapuri Caves are interesting sights, and Harrison Point, Bombay Point, Kachhawari Point are favourite spots for picnickers and visitors.The other favourite sight is Wai (12 km; 7 miles), a small town on the bank of the Krishna river with several temples to Shiva and Ganpati. It is best to take a taxi (Rs50) although the walk is interesting. The Buddhist Caves at Lonara are a further 7 km (4 miles) away (see below).
RECREATION
The Panchgani Club offers temporary memberships to visitors, who can make use of the card-room, table-tennis and other indoor games.
WHERE TO STAY
There are several Western-style hotels as well as cheaper lodges and boarding-houses to suit all budgets. Among the better hotels are Aman (tel 211, 392), a modern and rather ugly hotel but the staff are pleasant. Prospect (tel 268), II-Palazzo (tel 226) and Jerroz (tel 238) are small family-run hotels.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Tourist Information Centre on Dr Billimoria Road provides general inforation and maps. There are two churches, Roman Catholic and Protestant. There also a Parsi Fire Temple.
