The total distance between Mumbai to Panchgani would be about 265 kms. It is approximately a 5 hours drive from Mumbai. One way would be to go via Mahad but the best bet instead would be the famous Mumbai Pune Express Highway. A word of advice here, that, though the road is lucrative and appealing please don’t overspeed and keep it between 80 and 90 kmph. You can break for refreshments on the Food Mall or Food Plaza on the Expressway.

At the end of the Expressway you take the road to bypass the Pune city with the Highway that takes you to directly to Katraj. After passing Katraj Ghat the pleasant drive continues and you come to the scenic Khambatki Ghat. Once you come down the Khambatki Ghat keep on to the improved highway till you come across ‘Surur Faata’ on your right. It takes you to Wai, which is on the foothills of Panchgani, this road is really enjoyable with its own hamlet feeling and farms by the road.

The phrase - 'getting there is half the fun' finds its meaning relevant on this route. Wai is famous for its ‘Pedhas’ and the ‘Dholya Ganpati’- a huge statue of Lord Ganesh. Just after you get out of the small town of Wai, starts the picturesque ‘Pasarni Ghat’. This is the last milestone on your journey towards Panchgani and you know not by the boards that you are in Panchgani, but the cold breeze that touches your cheeks.

You are welcomed by the red soil, the strawberry farms, the old English architectural structures, the boarding schools, and the school kids along the road. Soon you reach local marketplace and just about five kms is Whitehouse at the Bhillar Village, on the Panchgani-Mahabaleshwar Road.