Panchgani derives its name from the five hills around it. At an altitude of 1334 m, it is just 38 m below Mahabaleshwar. These 38 m translate themselves into a breathtaking 18 km approach, that swoops around and bends with abandon, offering splendid views of the river Krishna on one side, and the coastal plains, on the other. Panchgani is the quintessential hill station. It can be seen in the architecture of the old British buildings, the Parsi houses, and the boarding schools that have been around for a century or more. Amble along the walkways, thickly canopied by lush trees and vegetation, and delight in the secrets you stumble upon. The river Krishna snakes through tiny hamlets, farms and ravines. Select a horse from one of the numerous stables and canter along unchartered routes through hidden lovers' routes, to the caves and the Kamalgad fort. Or while away your time at the bazaar. Taxis are available, but bicycles and horses are recommended for travelling long distances.
Location: Panchgani is an idyllic mountain retreat in the Krishna valley. It is far from the noise of Pune and the endless hustle-bustle and pollution of Mumbai metropolis. It is the first hill town one reaches from Mahabaleshwar on the Pune road.
The climate here is dry (75" of rainfall annually) bracing and cool. The water of Dhom Dam keeps farms and rice fields irrigated all the year round.

Pratapgarh fort
Pratapgarh fort is an interesting place to visit in Maharashtra. Pratapgarh is one of the forts built by shivaji to strengthen and to dominate the road system of the empire. Chattrapati Shivaji dedicated his life to the two mottos. The first mission of his life was to win back what he considered to be Maratha and for the Marathis against the usurping Mughal invaders from the north. The second motto of his life was to reinstate India's native Hinduism against what he believed to be the alien instruction of Islam; Shivaji built this fort with the former motive in mind. Pratapgarh is closer to Mahabaleshwar and one can trek to this Shivaji's hill fort of Pratapgarh from Mahabaleshwar. The other option being to take a bus, which covers the 2.2 km., journey in an hour to reach the foot of this hill. To reach the fort one has to climb 500 steps. It is best to climb these steps early in the morning or mid afternoon. During the climb one can see the distant sides. Corner bastions support a double bank of fortifications. The rounded main gate also called the 'Maha Darwaza' towers up with vertical slits. The windy rugged rocky heights of Pratapgarh are invigorating and one cannot but help fantasizing about the exploits of the great Maratha warriors under the able leadership of the Great Chattarpati Shivaji. As one climb up the 500 steps one comes across the Bhavani Temple (a local name given to Goddess Parvati) in the Power fort. "Chattrapati Shivaji" built this temple in a religious emergency, as he was unable to visit the Bhavani temple at Tuljapur. It was built in the last decade of the 17th Century. The windswept Bhavani temple possesses a pair of rugged lantern pillars.
As one treks further from the lower fort one comes across the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in the upper fort. It is here one can see the ruins of residential buildings and barracks made for Shivaji's army against the Muslim invaders. Below the fort there is a tomb dedicated to Afzal Khan the Muslim general of Bijapur, who was killed by Shivaji's steel-claws or "wagnatch". Muslims hold a memorial service every January or February (depending on the Islamic Calendar) at the Dargah of Afzal Khan.

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