Mumbai to Mahabaleshwar via Mahad is 220 kms. Panchgani to Mahabaleshwar is 19 kms. Vast green plateau of about 150 sq. Never too cold because of the nearness to the arabian sea. Duration of higher temperature is short.
Hotels are open round the year even during the rainy seasons.
Panthers are rare. The famous bird in the urdu poetry, Bulbul is found everywhere in the plateau. The water contains a meager percentage of iron which helps to increase hemoglobin in the blood. The capacity of the jail was 120 prisoners. Sir Charles Malet, the first resident in Pune darbar of the Peshwas in 1791 happens to be the first european to step on this plateau.