TRIP ADVISORIES

For those of us not privileged to be able to commute by helicopter, these road travel advisories may conceivably be of assistance. These are generalized advisories; distances are only approximations. The information is as of March 2009.

 From Mumbai via Pune Expressway

Although about 40 kms longer than the route via Mahad and arguably less scenic, we recommend taking the Pune Expressway route simply because it is safer and often much quicker. Till the turn-off to Wai-Panchgani-Mahabaleshwar, it is a divided carriageway throughout. Depending on traffic, travel time is usually between 4 and 5 hours, though some have made it well under 4 on clear days. Total distance is 280 kms.

1. Exiting Mumbai. We find the road via Mankhurd to be faster than going through Chembur and Deonar. At Chunabhatti, take the Eastern Expressway highway and then turn right under the flyover at Mankhurd. The signage is excellent. At the end of this road, you turn left and join the road to Navi Mumbai.
2. Via Palm Beach Marg. After the Navi Mumbai/Thane Creek bridge (toll: Rs.30/-), you have two options. You can continue straight on, and then turn right towards Belapur or, take Palm Beach Marg. To take Palm Beach Marg, go over the first flyover after the toll gates, climb the second and keep left. Take the off-ramp here, marked to Belapur. On the right, as you get onto the off-ramp is GHK Cold Storage. Follow Palm Beach Marg (no trucks allowed, hence quicker, though considerably longer), past Seawoods Estates and some spectacularly ugly construction. Enjoy the views of mangroves on your right. You may not have this view for very long. Palm Beach Road ends at a traffic light. Go straight through, past some shopping arcades on the right. At the end, there are two sharp left hand turns, close to each other. Take the second turn. This climbs up a ramp which turns sharpy right, then descends to a roundabout. Go straight through the roundabout till the second roundabout under the CBD Belapur flyover. Turn right (ninety degrees) and climb up the ramp to join the road to the Expressway. Fun, isn't it?
3. About 17 to 20 minutes after you start the Expressway you come to the first toll gates at Khopoli/Khalapur. The toll is Rs.140. There is a rest stop a kilometre after the toll gates. We do not recommend this. It is crowded, not very pleasant and generally messy. There is a much better rest-stop after Lonavla and the second toll gate; here, there are actually two rest-stops, right next to each other. Use the second: ample parking, clean fuel if you need it, a Subway, a Cafe Coffee Day, and excellent food.
4.  After the Expressway ends, keep on the Pune Bypass. Do not turn off. A few kilometres after Chandni Chowk, the road angles off to the right and climbs. Follow this through the new and beautifully constructed Katraj Tunnel. You are now on the Satara-Bangalore road. A few kilometres after this is a toll gate (toll: Rs.40). Keep on this road.
5. You then come to a narrow toll gate, usually heavily trafficked. The toll is Rs.14. This is the beginning of the Khambatki Ghat. The Ghat is one-way. About six kms from the foot of the ghat there is a turn-off to the right at Surur that passes under a flyover with signs to Wai and Mahabaleshwar. Turn right under this bridge and take the road to Wai. At the beginning of Wai town, you turn right towards the town. Keep left to follow the road to Panchgani (there will be a fork with a road going straight; do not take this, it leads to the Dhom dam).
6. Climb the Pasarni ghat to Panchgani. If they hassle you for an entry fee, bellow lustily that you are a visitor to Mahabaleshwar. Do not pay more than Rs.5/-. Drive 18 kms to Mahabaleshwar. Here you must pay an entry fee. Carry on to a T-junction, past Dina and Fredricks hotels. Turn right at the junction; 100 yards down the road, to your right, is the Club.

From Mumbai via Mahad

A truly scenic road, the Mahad route can often be slower than the route via Pune because of traffic and narrower road widths. You rarely sustain the cruising speed of the Expressway or the Satara-Bangalore road. Still, many prefer it. Driving distance is about 245 kms, travel time varies between 4 and 6 hours depending on traffic. Only two persons in recorded history have done it under 4. Their claims remain unverified.

1. Exit Mumbai, as above.
2. You now have two choices: take the expressway to the first toll gate at Khopoli/Khalapur, or take the old Mumbai-Pune NH4 via the Panvel Bypass and turn right onto the Road to Vadkal Naka-Pen-Alibag-Goa. If you take the expressway, after the Khalapur toll gate, take the immediate exit; cross over the expressway and follow this road. It merges finally a few kms short of Pen.
3. After Pen, carry on to Vadkal Naka, and turn left towards Mahabaleshwar and Goa. The road ahead goes to Alibag.
4. Follow the Goa road through Mahad to Pohladpur. There is a good rest-top called Visava before Pohladpur. Turn left at Pohladpur and begin the 40+ km Ambenali ghat to Mahabaleshwar. Pay an entry and pollution tax and then follow the road up to the Mahabaleshwar market. The Club is dead ahead of you as you pass the ST stand to your right (with Treacher & Co on your left).