CLIFFHANGER: Elephanthead Point at Mahableshwar

It's interesting to note that the place often touted as the most popular hill station in Maharashtra is in reality a plateau. The tourists here are probably too busy enjoying the equitable weather to bother about geographical definitions. Mahableshwar's USP surely is the weather: not too hot courtesy its height, never too cold because of its proximity to the Arabian Sea. Inevitably, it's crowded with scores of sunset and sunrise points like Wilson Point, Bombay Point and Connaught Peak. From Arthur's Seat, you could savour a dose of the US-many compare the stratification of rocks on the southern side of this point to the world-famous rocks of the Grand Canyon of Colorado.

Spotlight

GETTING THERE SEASON: Summer time is strawberry season. MODE OF TRANSPORT: Buses ply daily from Mumbai (247 km). Pune is the nearest airport, also the most convenient railhead. ACCOMMODATION: Hotels for all budgets.

Apart from the passive appreciation of varying views from the many points, it's recommended that you explore the plateau on your own. Use a footpath to walk to Lamington Plateau or trek 24 km to Pratapgarh Fort. There's more to do. Boat in the Venna Lake, do some bird watching, go horse riding, experience the town's ancient side by visiting temples like Panchaganga, Shri Shankar and Shri Krishnabai. If you visit during the monsoons, don't miss waterfalls like Chinamans, Lingmala and Dhobi. People tend to see Mahableshwar as a weekend getaway but you won't regret devoting more than a week to enjoy this plateau.

HOT DEALS
Eastward Bound
Darjeeling/Gangtok: Here's a tour of the east limited to the outer fringe. From New Jalpaiguri onwards, travel to Darjeeling, Pelling, Gangtok, Lachung and Kalimpong at Rs 15,000 per head (accommodation, sightseeing, meal and travel). Contact Lohana's Tours & Travels at (022) 6183277/ 1572.

Mountain Calls
Shimla/Manali: A couple can stay at a 4-star hotel in Shimla for three days and at a 2-star hotel in Manali for another three days (Rs 15,500, excluding the travel cost). Offer on till the first week of July. Call (022) 6107671/72; log on to www.toshali.net.

TOURISM news

Thrust for the Industry: Tourism is set to get a fillip with the Department of Tourism's proposal to develop six travel circuits annually in consultation with state governments. Rs 41.5 crore has been earmarked in the annual plan 2002-2003. Other steps to boost tourism include a more vigorous marketing of Indian tourism products jointly with the private sector.

OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh: It may well be marketed as the perfect amalgamation of civilisation and the wild but no travel brochure can really prepare you for the awesome beauty of Pachmarhi, MP's lone hill station. An archaeological treasure trove, Pachmarhi's Mahadeo hills have rock paintings dating back almost 100 centuries. But its most tourist-friendly feature remains the fact that it has something for everyone. Trekking is among the inviting options-try tackling the Lanjee Giri hill and Handi Khoh, an impressive ravine with a 300 ft-high precipice. Those craving the archetypal hill experience could enjoy the sunset at Dhoopgarh, where the Pandavas are said to have spent a part of their exile. Other must-see destinations: Bison Lodge, the oldest house in Pachmarhi now a museum, and Satpura National Park. Pipariya is the nearest railhead (47 km) while Bhopal is the closest airport (195 km).