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Mumbai
Welcome to the city that never sleeps! Pulsating, Alive, On the
Move, Vibrant, Fun -- this is Mumbai or as it is still frequently
referred to -- Bombay. The most modern city in India, it captures
the spirit of the changing pace set by liberalization and modernization.
Once
a cluster of seven islands, Mumbai was presented to King Charles
II in 1661 as part of the dowry when he married Princess Catherine
de Braganza of Portugal. Over the years, as colonialism gave way
to independence, Mumbai has transformed itself into an entity with
thriving markets, business houses and many different communities
reflecting a cosmopolitan and trendy atmosphere rarely seen elsewhere.
On the surface, it represents the ever-changing face of today's
India -- the old coupled with the dynamic new, and yet at its very
core, the heart of the city is steeped in Indian customs and values.
It is the capital of Maharashtra state, and its official language
is Marathi although English and Hindi are widely spoken and understood.
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The fast-paced life has given rise to hordes of "fast-food
outlets" on almost every road, offering lip-smacking choices
of Mumbai's very own pau bhaji, bhel puri and kababs. There is no
dearth, though, of multi-culinary delicacies dished out in posh
restaurants by expert chefs. Mumbai is a shopper's delight with
bargain buys, exclusive boutiques, ethnic markets and mini bazaars.
This busy city is also the hub of a thriving cultural life, with
a constant stream of performances in music, dance and drama. The
seat of
the
Hindi film industry, known locally as Bollywood, it produces the
largest number of films in the world. Mumbai caters to the adventurous
and the romantic through its sporting activities, nightclubs, pubs,
theatres, beaches and restaurants.
Old
and new, rich and poor, classical and modern -- its all here for
you to savour and enjoy!
Khandala
/ Lonavala & Karla
Khandala
and Lonavala are two charming hill stations on the western slopes
of the Sahyadris, 5 kms apart straddling the Mumbai-Pune highway
at an altitude of 625 m. Very popular with Mumbaities, they also
alternate as getaways and health resorts.
Khandala
is the smaller and calmer of the two, although browsing through
Lonavala's bazaar could yield some wonderful surprises. Both towns
offer some spectacular scenic views of the surrounding hills and
in the monsoon, with a myraid waterfalls, the atmosphere is enchanting.
Karla
about 12 kms from Lonavala, is the site of the largest chaitya caves
(shrines) in India, built in 80 BC. Amongst the best-preserved Buddhist
temples in India, they represent the zenith, in terms of design purity,
of this style of temple architecture. About 3 kms from the main road
is the more peaceful setting of the Bhaja Caves. Thought to date from
around 200 BC, 10 of the 18 caves here are viharas (monasteries) while
Cave 12 is an open chaitya earlier than Karla.
Mahabaleshwar Mahabaleshwar
Mahabaleshwar
was the summer capital of the erstwhile Bombay presidency. A popular
town, with an air of unspoilt beauty, it meanders leisurely for 5
kms at an altitude of 1372 m. You can while away the hours boating
or fishing at the placid Venna Lake or explore the walks or the thirty
points that offer panoramic views of the valley and the sea.
The
crystal waters of the numerous waterfalls are delight to bathe in.
The adventurous could trek down to Pratapgarh Fort, 24 kms away
where Shivaji dramatically bested General Afsal Khan. You could
just roam through the tiny lanes of the bazaar, shopping for everything
from shoes to luscious strawberries,blackberries,jams and jellies.
Panchgani
Panchgani derives its names from the five or 'panch' hills around
it. At an altitude of 1334 m it is just 38 m below Mahabaleshwar.
These 38 m translate themselves into a breathtaking 18 km approach
offering heart-stopping views of the Krishna River on the one side
and the coastal plains on the other. Panchagni is the quintessential
residential hill station with an old world charm
Matheran
Matheran
is an undulating hilltop cloaked in shady trees, that sprawls languidly
at an altitude of 800 m. The journey involves an adventurous two-hour
ascent in a toy train, with food and drink vendors and monkeys jumping
on and off as the valley glides by sedately. Alternatively, a tough
11 km hike through thick and shady forests or a winding car drive
can get you there just as well.
Amboli
Snuggling coyly, in the southern ranges of the Sahyadri hills, Amboli
at an altitude of 690 m is the last mountain resort before the coastal
highlands settle, with a sigh, to form flat beaches.
Visit
numerous view points for a pleasant view of the lush hills and fertile
plain. Seaview Point offers a rare view of the land all the way
to the golden Konkan coast. You can spend hours angling for a fish
at Hiranya Keshi or picnic at Nagatta Falls, Mahadev Gad and Narayan
Gad. Another pleasant and different expedition is a visit to the
Bauxite Mines, 10 kms away.
For
a few days of isolation, Amboli is an ideal resort.
MAHABALESHWAR TOUR
We offer Mahabaleshwar in a "package". The
package is inclusive of: travel agent To & Fro transport
from Mumbai back up to Mumbai by Air-Conditioned video coaches. The
transport is up to the central point of Mahabaleshwar ie the market
or ST stand. (It is expected of the tourist to hire a cab from that
point up to the hotel. Although some might like to be disembark at
the Hotel itself, it is practically not possible to drive a large
coach into the small city to each & every hotel, & waste other
tourists' time, waiting for their hotel to arrive.) travel
agent
• Sightseeing of Mahabaleshwar & Panchgani by tourist
taxies on sharing basis. (The tourist taxies will pick you from
your hotel & drop you back after the tour is over. One single
tourist taxi accommodated four persons. One can hire a complete
taxi for just two by paying an extra amount amounting to Rs.600/=)
• Accommodation at the hotel of your choice for three
nights. (With or without meal plan as per your choice. All current
applicable taxes are included in the package cost. It is possible
to extend the package duration by paying the extension cost, for
any number of days that you wish to extend) travel agent
A package tour is of 3 nights 4 days
duration with 3 nights accommodation at a wide choice of Hotels as
per the itinerary: Package Tour
Itinerary
|
Day |
Itinerary |
| Day 1 |
Depart from Mumbai at 10.00
pm |
| Day 2 |
Reach Mahabaleshwar at 06.00 am. Check In at the hotel
at 10.00 am.Post lunch sightseeing of Panchgani with table
land by tourist taxi on sharing basis. |
| Day 3 |
Post breakfast local sightseeing of Mahabaleshwar.
Return to hotel for lunch. |
| Day 4 |
Day free for shopping & leisure. |
| Day 5 |
Depart for Mumbai at 09.00 am. Reach Mumbai at
approximately 03.00 pm. |
Cost includes:
- Mumbai-Mahabaleshwar-Mumbai transport by AC
luxury coach.
- 3 nights accommodation at the hotel with
taxes.
- Sightseeing by non ac taxi.
- Meals in the entire duration of the
tour.
Cost does not include:
- Transfer from hotel up to bus stand.
Optional
Tours :
»
Alibaugh
»
Murud
Janjira
»
Ganpatipule
»
Dahanu
– Bordi,
»
Shriwardhan
»
Harihareshwar
»
Ashta
Vinayak Darshan
»
Bhimashankar
»
Shirdi
»
Nashik
Suggested
Itinerary
4 Days / 3 Night Daily Package Tours Mahabaleshwar
5 Night / 6 Days Mumbai – Aurangabad – Mumbai
7
Night / 8 Days Package Tour : Mumbai – Lonavala – Pune
– Mahabaleshwar – Mumbai.
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