Elphinstone Point was one of the first viewpoints the British surveyed on the plateau, and it is named after Mountstuart Elphinstone, Governor of Bombay in the 1820s. It sits off the road to Arthur’s Seat, roughly 9–10 km from the bazaar, above the point where the Savitri and Koyna valleys drop away through thick forest.
It is less crowded than Arthur’s Seat and, to many people’s eyes, just as beautiful — especially at the end of the day, when the ridges turn blue one behind another and the sun sets over the Konkan. The photograph at the top of our home page was taken here.
Top things to do at Elphinstone Point
Stay for sunset
Find a place along the railing about 40 minutes before sunset and watch the valleys fill with shadow. On clear winter evenings the colours are extraordinary.
Spot the forest birds
The forest around the point is good for Malabar whistling thrush, hornbills and other Western Ghats birds early and late in the day.
Make a loop of the western points
Elphinstone, Malcolm Point and Arthur’s Seat sit on the same road — see all three in one taxi loop.
How to get to Elphinstone Point
- From the bazaar: about 9–10 km, around 25 minutes by taxi along the Arthur’s Seat road.
- Self-drive: the road is narrow and winding; drive slowly in fog.
- Guided: the western viewpoints are on every local point tour, and neighbouring Arthur’s Seat is included on the day trips from Pune.
Insider tips
- Carry a jacket for the evening: the temperature drops quickly once the sun goes.
- Leave while there is still some light if you are driving yourself — the forest road is unlit.
- In the monsoon the approach may be closed or the point lost in cloud.
- There are a few snack stalls, but no proper restaurant nearby.
Tours that include Elphinstone Point
These guided trips cover Elphinstone Point or combine easily with a visit:
Private day trip from US$145 per group Day Trip to Mahabaleshwar–Panchgani (Guided Full-Day Tour)
The most complete way to see both hill stations in one day from Pune. A private AC car with an English/Hindi-speaking driver-guide covers Panchgani’s Table Land and viewpoints, Mapro Garden and the strawberry farms, then Mahabaleshwar’s Arthur’s Seat, Venna Lake, the Panchganga temple and Pratapgad Fort.
- Table Land and Parsi Point in Panchgani
- Arthur’s Seat, Venna Lake boat ride and Mapro Garden
- Pratapgad Fort and the Panchganga temple
Day trip from US$73 Pune: Day Trip to Mahabaleshwar, Wai & Panchgani
A slightly shorter, food-and-heritage-flavoured route: stop on the Krishna at Wai for the Peshwa-era Menavali ghat and Nana Phadnavis Wada, then climb to Mahabaleshwar for Arthur’s Seat, the temples and the market, with Mapro Garden and seasonal strawberry picking on the way back through Panchgani.
- Nana Phadnavis Wada and the Menavali ghat at Wai
- Arthur’s Seat viewpoint and old temples
- Mapro Garden, strawberries, honey and berry wines
