visit to Ganapathipule/Alibagh in mid August'09 Q&A

[shakti]

we are planning to visit Ganapathipule or Alibagh in weekend of 15th august. request advise
1 which is the best place to visit out of the two?
2. road route from Pune?
3. weather condition in mid august?
4. best place to stay?
5. best eating joints /specialty
6. frank opinion if this is the right time to visit
Regards

[Travel HotSpot]

Hi,

Will respond to your queries in bullets:

1. Yes it is the right season that is if you love outdoors, essentially getting wet in the rains, and moving around in the lush greenery.

2. Please connect with the locals if you want to venutre into the sea, because they would advise you and how good or bad it could be.

3. Ganpatipue is very beautiful, still innocent and very very virgin. Alibaug is now comparatively corrupt.

4. For stay at Alibaug, you can go for either independent cottages available starting Rs 800 and above per couple (i guess you can also bargain) or for luxurious ones like Kamat, etc... Private bunglows are also available. At Ganpatipule the MTDC resort should be the choice without doubt. About food, MTDC provides good food, unless you want to experiment with local cuisine... Vegetarians have very little choice.

5. Njoi

[Prasad]

Frankly speaking I haven't been to Alibaug recently so really can't tell you much about it.
I'd visited Ganpatipule in the first week of June 2009 basically as it was our wedding anniversary and my wife wanted to visit the famous swayambhu Ganesh temple. We went there with family. It was an awesome experience. Few of my friends visit their every year.
We'd driven from Mumbai via Pen, Mahad, Mangaon, Chiplun on the NH 17 and just few KMs before Hathkumbe take a right. From Pune I guess you can take the NH 4 and then turn left at Shirwal and via Bhor reach NH 17 near Mahad. You may take other opinions or refer to http://maps.google.co.in
The drive was just great but on our way back it started raining heavily and was driving at 20 KMPH with caravans of Trucks in front on me. So take care while you drive and ensure that the tyres are in good condition for the drive. Consider the weather forecast.
The best place to stay there is the MTDC resort. We enjoyed our stay there.
Food wise you don't have much options around. Do refer to my review on Ganpatipule.
All the best and happy journey and safe driving. Do write your reviews after you come back.
One more thing about Alibaug, if you are visiting with friends then it's ok but if with family then I haven't heard good things about Alibaug so please take recent and wise opinion.

[uday]

Ganpati Pule is better choice, if you want religious visit mixed with pleasure. Alibaug being closer to Mumbai can have mad rush.
From Pune one more route could be Satara-Umbraj-Koynanagar-Chiplun-G'Pule.
MTDC is best-in case you don't get, one private homely guest house (yogayog, If I remember correctly) is reasonable and clean. Contact owner-Mr. Kulkarni 02357223847 or 02357235018 for more details.
Wish you happy journey and enjoyable holiday.
uday

[Fenil]

1 which is the best place to visit out of the two?
Ans: Ganapatipule any day!

2. road route from Pune?
Ans: Take the route which goes via Satara.

3. weather condition in mid august?
Ans: It must be raining there but it would be beautiful.

4. best place to stay?
Ans: MTDC Resort is the best...close to the beach and also to the temple, market and S T Stand.

5. best eating joints /specialty
Ans: The restaurant in MTDC serves all the delicacies, veg as well as non-veg. Pink coloured kokam kadi and brown colored Modak is the specialty here.

6. frank opinion if this is the right time to visit
Ans: Maharashtra Tourism recommends Ganapatipule the whole yr so mid-Aug would be the right time. If u hav doubts, u can call MTDC Helpline.

FENIL