A Day Trip to Kaas Plateau from Mumbai (to and fro)

• • Maharashtra, Mumbai Suburban, Satara • Tags:

We hired a car driver for a day costing Rs. 1,000 plus food. We started our journey from Mumbai at 4:45 am. After 45 km of driving at 5:35 am, we reached Mumbai-Pune Expressway. After crossing Khalapur toll tax we stop at Hotel Neeta International for breakfast. We had 3 idlis, 3 vadas plus 3 tea. Cost Rs. 285 paid. We restarted our journey after breakfast. After another 62 km of driving, the Mumbai-Pune expressway ends. The time was 7:20 am. At 8:50 am we again stopped for a cup of tea at Pargaon. Tea Rs. 15 and Bhajiya Rs. 15. We paid Rs. 60 for three people. After another 46 km and a total of 267 km by now we reached the right turn for Satara City. We took a right turn that goes to Kaas via Satara City. After 21 km more driving we reached Kaas Plateau at 11:20 am.

Kaas Plateau from Mumbai Distance is 295 Km approx.

Total journey hours to Kaas Plateau from Mumbai is 6 hours 30 minutes approx.

The entry fee per person at Kaas Plateau is Rs. 10/-.

Four-wheel parking cost – Rs. 40,

Digital Camera charges Rs. 100/-.

Total Rs. 180 we paid.

We spend about 2 hours at Kaas Plateau with guide Shyam Rao Kadam. He charged us Rs. 100 per hour. He showed us many varieties of flowers such as Balsam, Abolima, Nilima, Topli Karvi, Brochera, Brahmini, Raan Halak, Toothbrush Orchid, Deep Kandi, Iltukoloria, Chandni Gend, Karnphool, Big Sunki, Kandil Pushp, Hathi Sund, Karwand, Jambul, Dupli Karvi, Dagdi Phool, Mickey Mouse, Tutari, Chendu Gend, Jambli Manziri and many more…

After spending about 2 hours at Kaas plateau, we were hungry. While returning, we stop at Hotel Blue Valley nearby Kaas plateau for lunch. Two of us had non-veg. thali (Rs. 180) and one veg. thali (Rs. 140). The quality of lunch was too good.

After another 295 km of driving we reached Mumbai at 9:15 pm.

Total toll tax we paid to and fro approx. Rs. 665.

Though flowers at Kaas Plateau can be seen from August till October but the best time to visit Kaas Plateau as per the guide is September and October.

Kaas Plateau is in 550 hectares land. In the year 2012, it is declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. There are about 130 varieties of flowers. The altitude is 1213 meters.

A must-visit plateau at least once.

Golden Temple in Kodagu – Distance from Madikeri Town

• • Karnataka, Kodagu •
Golden Temple at Kodagu in Karnataka, India

9:00 am we started our journey by hiring a cab from Madikeri town for the Golden Temple. On the way, we first visited Omkareshwar Temple in Madikeri town.

At 10:20 am we re-started our journey to the Golden Temple. At 11:20 am we reached Golden temple situated at Kodagu.

Golden Temple in Kodagu – Distance from Madikeri Town – We covered approx. 52 km.

Rs. 20 we paid for parking.

Vintage Cars near Madikeri Town – Worth a Visit

• • Karnataka, Kodagu •
Vintage Cars near Madikeri Town in Karnataka, India

After lunch at 3:45 pm, we started our journey from Madikeri town via a hired cab. It is a 31 km drive. At 4:40 pm we reached vintage cars.

There is an entrance fee as below:

Adults – Rs. 100
Children 5 years – Free
5 to 15 – Rs. 50
Foreign Nationals – Rs. 300

Camera Fees
Mobile – Rs. 30
Professional Camera – Rs. 100
Video Camera – Rs. 300

As I walk inside the showroom I saw Morris 9 – 1936, Morris 8 – 1936, Ford Model Y – 1936, Morris 8 – 1946, Ford Anglia – 1949, Morris Minor – 1951, Triumph Mayflower – 1951, Ford Mercury – 1951, Ford Popular – 1953,  Vanguard – 1957, Morris 8 series E, Volkswagen Beetle – 1976 and many more models on display including motorbikes.

Luckily, I met the owner but was unable to know more (except there are total of 85 cars) about vintage cars as he speaks only local language, but still, vintage cars are worth a visit. Though the showroom is only one year old, but various cars and bikes are 36 years collection. One should visit.