Mahabaleshwar is about 260 kilometres from Mumbai — the Expressway to Pune, the road south to Wai, and then the Pasarni ghat up through Panchgani. About six hours by car, and the last hour is the one that matters: a ghat road of bends and, from June to September, some of the heaviest rain in the country.
In the monsoon, the Fortuner: high ground and a sure grip, the house's Command class. In the dry months the Hycross hybrid or the Crysta is enough, and quieter; for a family, the Carnival.
Up on Friday; Venna Lake, Arthur's Seat and, in the season, the strawberry farms on Saturday; Panchgani on the way back on Sunday. The car stays with you, and the house arranges the sarathi's stay.
Some viewpoints close in the monsoon and the ghat is slow in mist. Before you go, the house tells you what is open and what is not, and will suggest another week if the forecast is bad.
For the monsoon, the Fortuner. From October to May, the Hycross or the Crysta; for a family with luggage, the Carnival; for an occasion, a Marque car.
Beyond the city the house writes one figure for the day before you travel — the car, your sarathi, fuel, every toll, parking and GST — and, for a night away, the sarathi's stay, which the house arranges. The published rates are on the rate card; nothing is added on the road.
Reserve the journeyChoose Beyond the city. The figure is written first.