Lonavala

Information About Lonavala :

Situated in the Sahyadri range of the Western Ghats close to Pune and Mumbai, Lonavala is the most visited hill station in Maharashtra and the place to be during monsoons. With lots of waterfalls, lakes, and hills around, it is a popular destination for camping, trekking, and other adventure sports.

Surrounded by dense forests, waterfalls, and dam alongside lakes, it is a must-visit if you admire nature. Located at an elevation of 624 m above sea level, Lonavala is one of the twin hill stations - Lonavala and Khandala (these two can be easily visited together). The popular tourist attractions in Lonavala are Bhaja caves, Bushi dam, Karla caves, Rajmachi fort, Ryewood lake, among others. Lonavala is also popular for the treks like the Andharban trek that starts from a village called Pimpri and ends in Bhira.

Lonavala is famous for its production of the hard candy chikki which is a sweet eatable thing made from different nuts mixed with jaggery. It is also a major stop on the railway line which connects Mumbai and Pune.

Best Time To Visit Lonavala :

The best time to visit Lonavala is from December to February. The average temperature during this time ranges from 12 degrees Celcius to 29 degrees Celcius making the weather perfect for sightseeing.

The monsoon months of June to September experience heavy (almost 24-hours) rainfall in Lonavala. If you don't mind getting wet, this is considered to be a great time to visit as Lonavala turns exceptionally beautiful with greenery all around. Summers in Lonavala are hot and humid.

How To Reach Lonavala :

Mumbai and Pune are the major cities near Lonavala. It is well-connected by train to Mumbai and Pune, with local trains running every 2 hours. One can take a taxi or a bus to reach Lonavala from Mumbai and Pune. One can also directly take a bus or a taxi from Mumbai, Thane, Pune, or other nearby towns as even the road drive is picturesque and nicely maintained.

1 . How To Reach Lonavala By Flight :

Lonavala enjoys the proximity to two international airports- the Lohegaon Airport, Pune (70 km away) and Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai (90 km away). You can board flights up to either of the cities and travel to Lonavala by road or rail.

Nearest Airport: New Pune International Airport - 45 km from Lonavala

2 . How To Reach Lonavala By Road :

Situated on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Lonavala is well connected by a network of highways linking the two cities. A lot of the tourists visiting Lonavala prefer to drive down from Mumbai or Pune and enjoy the mesmerizing ride.

MSRTC also runs regular buses from Mumbai and Pune to Lonavala which are quite comfortable to travel in.

3 . How To Reach Lonavala By Train :

The Lonavala Railway Station is an important junction of the Mumbai-Pune railway route and falls almost midway. Thus, all trains traveling from Mumbai to Pune and vice-versa stop at Lonavala. It takes around 2.5 hours by train from Mumbai and 1.5 hours by train from Pune to reach Lonavala.

There are also direct trains running from Mumbai to Lonavala the most popular of which are Pragati Express (12125), Indrayani Exp (22105), Chennai Mail (11027), Deccan Queen (12123), and Bsl Pune Exp (11025).

Places To Visit In Lonavala :

1. Tiger's Leap :

Tiger's Leap viewpoint is located around 8 km away from Lonavala and is a major tourist attraction of this place. It is a clifftop with a sheer drop of over 650 m, offering a comprehensive view of the hills and the Western Ghats. It is famous for the stunning sunrise and sunset view, especially on a clear day.

Tiger's Leap is an unusual name given to this place due to the resemblance of the shape with that of a tiger leaping into the valley. This point, which provides an interesting view of the valley below, is just a short distance away from INS Shivaji. The exhilarating views should, however, be enjoyed from a safe spot rather than from the top of the cliff which is precarious. The echo point on Tiger's Leap is another major attraction.

Tiger's Leap

2 . Rajmachi Fort :

Rajmachi is a small village situated in the Sahyadri mountain range of the Konkan region of Maharashtra. Rajmachi is famous for the historical fortress which has two fortified peaks - Shrivardhan and Manaranjan forts, located near two famous hills of Lonavala and Khandala.

At the base of the fort is the village Udhewadi which is another name for Rajmachi. Rajmachi has seen many changes of hands from Shivaji Maharaj, Emperor Aurangzeb, Shahu Maharaj, and eventually the British reign. The fort of Rajmachi is famous among trekkers and adventure enthusiasts. If you want to experience a full-fledged trek, you can start from the side of the Kondhane caves which will take 3-4 hours of climbing, but otherwise, you can drive right up to Udhewadi village (from the Lonavala side) and then trek for hardly 20-30 minutes to the top of the fort. The simple and clearly marked trail on both the paths make Rajmachi a very popular beginner's trek.

Rajmachi Fort

3 . Imagicaa :

Adlabs Imagicaa, which opened in April 2013, is one of the most popular entertainment theme parks that is often referred to as a one-stop recreation center. It is located on Mumbai-Pune Expressway near Khopoli and is one of the latest additions to getaways from Pune and Mumbai. The park is divided into three entertainment zones namely Theme Park, Snow Park and Water Park with a plethora of entertainment options that include live shows, roller coasters, water parks, themed entertainment shows, and even a refreshing water park.

It is the brainchild of a renowned media firm called Adlabs Entertainment Limited, owned by the entrepreneur and film producer Manmohan Shetty. The place is packed with a plethora of amusements and leisure activities suitable for all age groups. Apart from luxurious accommodation, dining, and shopping options, this theme park also offers some self-made fascinating characters, live performances of acrobats, hip-hop dancing, magic show, and several other enthralling activities. Located at a distance of 75 km from Mumbai and about 91 km from Pune, it is a favorite among travelers of both cities!

Imagicaa

4 . Aambey Valley :

Aamby Valley is a beautiful township about 24 kilometers from Lonavala, in the district of Pune in Maharashtra, India. It has been developed by Sahara India Parivar. The 10,000-acre hilly terrain that the township now occupies has been converted into a splendid landscape through designs that are best suited for the environment and have an urban infrastructure compatible with international standards. The township is frequented for a day-long picnic or a weekend getaway by many. The luxurious urban infrastructure, the tranquil ambiance, and exclusive privileges at this exotic location attract tourists from all over the world. The mesmerizing natural surroundings and best in class infrastructure are sure to take your breath away. Aamby Valley, Lonavala must be experienced at least once in a lifetime.

At Aamby Valley, one can indulge in various activities during their visit to the township. They can explore the greenery around on foot or go on a long drive through the picturesque location. With three enormous artificial lakes in the vicinity and lush green forests around, water sports and adventure/ recreational sports are regularly arranged. The tranquil atmosphere is sure to put your chaotic mind to rest. This is one reason why a lot of people seeking a peaceful escape come here often.

Aambey Valley

5 . Lonavala Lake :

Lonavala Lake is located on the outskirts of Lonavala and is sourced by the Indrayani River. The lake fills up during the monsoons and dries up during the winter leading it to be popularly known as the monsoon lake. It is a popular picnic spot offering activities like bird watching, swimming, and angling.

Lonavala Lake

6 . Karla Caves :

Karla Caves are ancient Buddhist rock-cut caves and a famous tourist attraction located near Lonavala. Also known as Karli Caves, Karle Caves or Karla Cells, it is one of the oldest Buddhist cave shrines in India. These caves house one of the largest Chaityas (prayer hall with a stupa) in India. Karla Caves is mainly known for the Ekvira Temple located inside.

Also known as Veluraka in the olden times, Karla Caves house a humongous 15 - meter pillar along with a temple dedicated to Goddess Ekveera. It also houses a Buddhist monastery which is believed to have been built there around the 2nd century BC. One can spot a major ancient trade route near the caves running towards east from the Arabian Sea into the Deccan. One has to climb almost 150 stairs to reach the cave.