Colonial administrators chose this stretch of the Sahyadri range for its climate more than a century ago, and the boarding schools they built still give Panchgani a certain old world calm that its twin hill station down the road has traded for a busier tourist scene. Named for the five hills that ring the town, Panchgani sits atop the edge of one of Asia's largest volcanic plateaus, with strawberry farms filling the slopes below. Most things to do in Panchgani begin with the view, whether that means a plateau walk at sunset or a valley overlook framed by mist. Places to visit in Panchgani spread easily into neighbouring Mahabaleshwar too, so a short stay here rarely runs out of viewpoints, farms and forts to cover.

Table Land, Asia's second largest volcanic plateau, draws visitors for horse rides, paragliding and a wide sweep of sunset views over the surrounding hills. Parsi Point looks out over the Krishna River valley and the Dhom Dam backwaters, its roadside stalls selling strawberries and cream to match the view. Mapro Garden turns the region's real cash crop into an experience of its own, with strawberry ice cream, milkshakes and jams sold straight from the farm, best timed to the picking season between November and February. A short drive into neighbouring Mahabaleshwar brings you to Venna Lake for boating and horse rides, and further out, Pratapgad Fort, built by Chhatrapati Shivaji in 1656, marks the site of a decisive Maratha battle and still holds a temple to Goddess Bhavani within its walls.

What stays with most visitors has less to do with any single viewpoint than the particular hush of these hills. Mist rolling across the plateau by mid morning, the smell of fresh strawberries at a roadside stall, and evenings cool enough to want a blanket even outside the monsoon all shape the memory of the trip. October through June brings the clearest weather for sightseeing, while the monsoon turns the valleys a vivid green better suited to waterfalls than open viewpoints. Sterling Panchgani, a 1-acre property perched on its own private hillock, keeps this stretch of the Sahyadri range within easy reach, with an open air jacuzzi and fountain pool to unwind in after a day of sightseeing, and Maharashtrian classics like vada pav and puran poli served at its own Silver Oak restaurant.