Strawberry Hills, the Konkan Coast & Royal Maharashtra
This 7-day circuit covers three of Maharashtra's most distinctive landscapes — the misty plateau hill station of Mahabaleshwar, the pristine Konkan coastline at Tarkarli, and the royal Maratha heritage of Kolhapur — all easily reached by road from Pune in a single, logical loop.
The journey begins in Mahabaleshwar (1,353m), the largest hill station in the Western Ghats and the source of the Krishna River. Famous for its strawberry farms, zigzagging viewpoint roads, and the panoramic vistas over the Sahyadri valleys, Mahabaleshwar has been a beloved retreat since the British era, when it served as the summer capital of the Bombay Presidency. Two nights here allow time for the major points — Wilson Point, Arthur's Seat, Pratapgarh Fort, and the famous Mapro strawberry farms — without rushing.
From the hills, the road descends through the Konkan region to Tarkarli — one of India's most beautiful and least crowded beach destinations, where the water is clear enough for scuba diving (a rarity on India's west coast) and the Karli backwaters offer a tranquil contrast to the open sea. The 17th-century Sindhudurg Fort, built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on an island just off the coast, adds a layer of Maratha naval history to the beach experience.
The circuit concludes in Kolhapur — a city steeped in Maratha royal heritage, home to the revered Mahalaxmi Temple (one of the Shakti Peethas of India), the New Palace museum, and the dramatic hilltop Panhala Fort. Two nights here give time to absorb the city's history, its famous Kolhapuri cuisine, and its equally famous leather craft, before the final drive back to Pune.
What makes this journey special
Your journey, unfolded
Welcome to Maharashtra! Your representative meets you at Pune Airport and you set off on the scenic NH48/Wai-Surur route to Mahabaleshwar (about 120 km, 3 hours). The drive itself is a highlight — climbing through the Sahyadri range with stops possible at Wai (a charming riverside town on the Krishna) and Panchgani, Mahabaleshwar's sister hill station known for its colonial-era boarding schools and Table Land plateau.
Arrive Mahabaleshwar (1,353m) by afternoon and check in to your hotel. Evening at leisure on the Mall Road — Mahabaleshwar's main street, lined with shops selling strawberry products, leather chappals, and local honey.
A full day exploring Mahabaleshwar's plateau and viewpoints. Begin with Wilson Point (also known as Sunrise Point, the highest point in town) and Arthur's Seat — nicknamed the "Queen of all Points" — with sheer 1,200-metre drops into the Savitri valley and views toward the Konkan coast on exceptionally clear days. Elphinstone Point and Lodwick Point offer further dramatic panoramas, the latter with a memorial obelisk to General Lodwick.
Drive to Pratapgarh Fort (24 km) — built in 1656 by Shivaji Maharaj, and the site of his decisive 1659 victory over the Bijapur general Afzal Khan. The fort's ramparts, the Bhavani Temple, and the views over the surrounding valleys make it one of the most historically significant forts in Maharashtra. On the return, stop at the famous Mapro Garden at Mahabaleshwar's outskirts — strawberry farms, a food park, and the chance to sample fresh strawberries with cream, jams, and squashes made on-site.
Afternoon: Venna Lake for a boat ride, and Old Mahabaleshwar — home to the ancient Krishnabai Temple, believed to mark the source of the Krishna River, one of South India's most important rivers.
After a leisurely breakfast, check out and begin the long but scenic drive down to Tarkarli on the Konkan coast (approximately 270 km, 7 hours). The route descends from the Sahyadri plateau through the Amba Ghat and into the lush, palm-fringed Konkan belt — mango and cashew orchards lining the road as you approach the coast. A stop for lunch en route (own arrangement) breaks up the journey.
Arrive Tarkarli by evening and check in to your beachside resort. The contrast from the cool hill air of Mahabaleshwar to the warm, salt-scented Konkan coast is immediate and welcome. Evening at leisure on Tarkarli Beach, watching the sunset over the Arabian Sea.
A full day exploring the Tarkarli-Malvan coastline. Morning: optional scuba diving — Tarkarli is one of the few destinations on India's west coast where the water is clear enough for diving, and PADI-certified operators offer introductory dives suitable for complete beginners, taking you among coral patches and reef fish just off the coast. For those who prefer to stay dry, a glass-bottom boat ride offers similar views without getting wet.
Boat ride to the Devbagh Sangam — the point where the Karli River meets the Arabian Sea, with sandbanks, mangroves, and the chance to spot dolphins in season. Visit Sindhudurg Fort — an extraordinary sea fort built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1664-67 on a rocky islet just off Malvan, accessible by a short boat ride. The fort's 3-km perimeter wall, the Shivaji Temple within, and the unusual handprint and footprint impressions said to be Shivaji's own make this one of Maharashtra's most evocative Maratha-era monuments.
Afternoon: explore Malvan Market for local Malvani specialities — kokum, dried fish, and the area's distinctive spicy cuisine. Optional Tsunami Island — a sandbank in the Karli backwaters reachable only by boat, popular for its dramatic isolation.
After a final relaxed morning on the beach, check out and drive to Kolhapur (approximately 175 km, 4.5 hours) via the Amboli Ghat — a beautiful monsoon-fed mountain pass known for its waterfalls and dense forest, a scenic transition from the coastal Konkan back up onto the Deccan plateau. Arrive Kolhapur by afternoon and check in to your hotel.
Evening: a relaxed introduction to the city — the bustling Mahadwar Road market for the famous Kolhapuri chappals (leather sandals) and the area's distinctive silver jewellery, followed by dinner featuring authentic Kolhapuri cuisine, renowned across Maharashtra for its fiery red and white mutton curries.
A full day of Kolhapur's royal and religious heritage. Morning: the Mahalaxmi Temple (Ambabai Temple) — one of the Shakti Peethas of India and the city's spiritual heart, an exquisite example of Hemadpanthi architecture dating to the 7th century, drawing devotees from across the country. Nearby, Bhavani Mandap — a historic hall built by Shivaji Maharaj II, used for royal ceremonies and now a public monument.
Visit the New Palace (1877-84) — built for Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, now home to the Shri Chhatrapati Shahu Museum, with an extraordinary collection of royal weapons, vintage cars, hunting trophies, and portraits documenting the Kolhapur royal family's history. Drive to Panhala Fort (18 km) — the largest fort in the Deccan, with a commanding hilltop position and panoramic views over the surrounding valley; this is where Shivaji Maharaj made his legendary escape from a Mughal siege in 1660.
Afternoon: Rankala Lake, a serene lake formed by a 9th-century earthquake, popular for an evening walk along its promenade. Optional visit to Jyotiba Temple — an important pilgrimage complex 18 km from the city, dedicated to a form of Lord Shiva.
A relaxed final morning in Kolhapur — perhaps a last visit to the Mahalaxmi Temple for morning darshan, or some final shopping for the city's famous Kolhapuri chappals and the traditional Kolhapuri saaj jewellery. Check out and drive back to Pune (approximately 230 km, 4.5 hours) via NH48, arriving in good time for your onward flight. The tour concludes at Pune Airport.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included ✓
- ✓ 6 nights accommodation in handpicked hotels & beach resort
- ✓ Daily breakfast throughout
- ✓ Private air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers & sightseeing
- ✓ English/Hindi-speaking driver-guide throughout
- ✓ Pratapgarh Fort entry
- ✓ Boat ride to Sindhudurg Fort
- ✓ Devbagh Sangam boat excursion
- ✓ New Palace (Shahu Museum) entry, Kolhapur
- ✓ Airport pickup & drop at Pune
- ✓ All applicable taxes
Not Included ✗
- ✗ Flights to / from Pune
- ✗ Travel insurance (recommended)
- ✗ Lunches & dinners (except where noted)
- ✗ Scuba diving / water sports at Tarkarli (payable locally)
- ✗ Personal expenses & shopping
- ✗ Gratuities for driver-guide
- ✗ Camera fees at monuments (nominal)
Your questions, answered
October to May is ideal for this circuit. October–February offers the most pleasant temperatures throughout — cool in Mahabaleshwar (10–20°C), warm but comfortable on the Tarkarli coast, and dry travelling conditions on all the ghat roads. March–May brings the famous Mahabaleshwar strawberry season into full swing and the Konkan coast is hot but the sea remains inviting. The monsoon (June–September) makes Mahabaleshwar spectacularly green and waterfalls thunder, but heavy rain makes the Tarkarli beach and water activities unworkable, and the ghat roads can be hazardous — we do not recommend this exact circuit during peak monsoon.
Yes — Tarkarli's diving operators offer introductory "discovery dives" specifically designed for people who have never dived before. These are conducted with a certified instructor accompanying you one-on-one or in a very small group, typically in shallow water (5–8 metres) among coral patches just off the coast. No prior certification or experience is required. Visibility is best October to May; the monsoon months are unsuitable for diving due to rough seas and poor visibility. If you'd prefer to see the underwater world without diving, glass-bottom boat rides are also available and give a good view of the coral and fish.
The Mahabaleshwar-to-Tarkarli leg (Day 3, ~270 km/7 hrs) is the longest single drive in this itinerary. If you'd prefer to break this journey, we can add an overnight stop in Ratnagiri or Ganpatipule en route, turning this into an 8-day tour. Alternatively, if your schedule is tighter, we can compress the tour to 5 nights by reducing Kolhapur to one night, though we generally recommend keeping two full nights there to properly see both the temple/palace heritage and Panhala Fort without rushing.
Kolhapur is famous across India for two very different things. Kolhapuri cuisine is known for its intensely spicy red and white mutton curries (Tambda Rassa and Pandhra Rassa), made with a distinctive blend of dried red chillies and coconut — not for the faint-hearted, but considered some of the finest non-vegetarian cooking in Maharashtra. Kolhapuri chappals are a Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged handcrafted leather sandal, made by artisan families using a traditional vegetable-tanning process; genuine Kolhapuri chappals are sold in the Mahadwar Road area and make for an excellent, authentic souvenir.
Absolutely. Every Discover India tour is fully private and built around your preferences. We can add Panchgani as a separate overnight, extend Tarkarli for more beach time, include Ganpatipule's beach temple en route, or adjust the pace throughout. Submit an enquiry with your requirements and our specialists will tailor the itinerary for you at no obligation.
Cancellations 60+ days before departure receive a full refund minus a small admin fee. 30–59 days: 75% refund. 15–29 days: 50% refund. Under 15 days: no refund. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance. Full cancellation terms are provided with your booking confirmation.
