Top Things to do in Lonavala
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The 10 Best Things to Do in Lonavala, India
Lonavala is one of the twin hill stations located near to each other, the other being Khandala. These hill stations are very popular getaway spots for people from Mumbai and Pune, which are very well-linked with Lonavala by road and rail. Monsoons are the best time to visit Lonavala/Khandala.
Restaurants in Lonavala
1. Narayani Dham Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 133 reviews
2. Pavana Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 442 reviews
Reviewed By Ganesh B
=>The water is surreal... With juxtaposition of the sky, and the water...
=>Camping is a must...leave early... The approach road is difficult and confusing... Even after using Google maps... Plan in such a way that you reach before sun set....
=>You can play cricket and sit around the lake for sunset...
=>At night bon fire is must... Camp organisers have speakers and all that is required....
=>Toilet facilities are available... Toilets are clean...
=> Do kayak in the morning (a guy visits the camp and charges 300 per person) and play around the water. Careful again water runs deep and the fall is not gradual. (100+feets). Lots of oysters to see.
=> Carry warm clothes it's really really cold in the morning..
=> Carry power banks though they have charging facility
=> You won't be able to njoy once the sun is up as it gets very hot.
Cheers
3. Della Adventure
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
Located between Mumbai and Pune and spread across 36 acres, Della Adventure is India’s largest adventure park and corporate outbound training destination. Brainchild of Mr. Jimmy Mistry, Chief Architect and Managing Director, Della Tecnica Group, Della Adventure has over 86 adrenalin-pumping adventure activities, including the country's longest ‘Flying Fox’ zip line at 1,250 feet; India’s highest Rocket Ejector at 4.5 floors high; India’s first permanent public track for dirt-bike racing – with bikes ranging from 110cc to 250cc; ATV rides which includes the world’s largest 800cc 4X4 Polaris Ranger; the most professional hard ball bowling machine on an astro turf cricket pitch, and India’s first four-lane night Rappelling.To ensure safety of the highest possible international standards, it also houses PETZL equipment and safety gear, which is used for Rappelling, Flying Fox and the Ropes Challenge Course set-up: built with more than 100 tons of steel and which covers 27 team-building activities.Also introducing, India's First and only swoop swing conducted by New Zealand certified Bungee Masters and India's first permanent Bungy station 45 meters high giving you one of the best experiences of your life.
Reviewed By ShabsMeherKaiz - Mumbai, India
Adventure Sports state of art facility. Amazing place if you love adventure activities.
Aqua Zorb, Double Seater Cycles, Rocket Ejector, House Ridding, Dog Walk, Flying Fox, Cyclying, Rodeo (Bull Ride)Trike, DellaKnock Out are some of the fun activities.
There is a seprate section for artifical rock climbing, balancing log, balancing plank, broken bridge, swinging bridge, high rope challenge, burma bridge are some of the challeging activities, not to forget the flying fox.
You need yo carry a spare pair of clothes if you want to enjoy water zorbing.
You can have a look at the horses and be careful not to go close to their stable when they are resting.
There are a variety of dogs that you can enjoy taking for a walk.
There is a separate ac section where there are indoor activities like carrom, chess, Pool, air hockey, fooseball, Virtual Dancing, darts and table tennis.. You can chill and relax there too if you want to get away from the scortching Sun.
Do ensure you carry your glairs, cap and wear a sunscreen.
Food at the Parsi Dhaba was excellent. Delecious and tasty.
PNF Bar and Resturaant is a great experience too tasty food and gerat customer service.
Over the Staff was good and helpful.
Its good for kids 8 years and above.
4. Lohagad Fort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 452 reviews
Reviewed By 138500423 - Pune, India
I visited this fort in 1990 & most recently yesterday.
It was a pleasant surprise for me to see that this fort has undergone excellent development.
The Government has transformed the real trek fort into a family trek fort now thru the development of making steps from the foothills to the top of fort. It takes 20 to 30 minutes from foothill to fort main entrance at top. More than one hour to see complete fort.
Fortunately, entry is free.
Parking fee;
2 wheeler Rs. 20
4 wheeler Rs. 50
Bus Rs.80
Timings are 7 am to 5.30 pm
Fort map is there at the foothills at start of the trek.
One government staff at main entrance on top & two government staff on the fort,
to monitor entry & exit of visitors within time.
At foothills, there is a good parking space, couple of restaurants with lodging facility.
Few village women are selling snacks, lemon juice & butter milk, corn etc on steps.
On route, couple of monkeys available.
Route & distance from Pune.
Pune Vishrantwadi to Lohagadh Fort - 73 km
The total road condition is very good using Pune Mumbai old highway till Shivaji chowk. The further road from Shivaji to Lohagadh is also very good.
a) Pune Visharantwadi to Shivaji chowk junction before Kamshet village - 47 km
Take left turn from Shivaji chowk junction to road going to Pawna dam, lohgadh, tikona etc
b) Shivaji chowk junction to Lohagdh fort - 32 km
Follow the sign board on road. On reaching Pawna dam, the right side road leads to Lohagadh
While on this road you will be able to see following forts;
Tikona - to your left
Tunggadh as well as Pawna dam - in front
Lohagadh - to your right
Visapur - to your extreme right next to Lohagadh
NB: If doubt exist in your mind at any junction, please ask before proceeding so as to ensure being on right route instead of driving on wrong route without asking.
It will take more than one hour to stroll at your leisure to see the scenic picturesque views all around the fort providing very very beautiful & magnificent views of Mountains & water bodies.
At the top, there are sign boards telling the names of the various historical spots on the fort.
Time to visit;
Winter
Rain
Early in the morning in summer
The best one day plan is;
a) Visit Bedse caves
b) Visit Pawna lake
c) Visit Prati Pandharpurt
d) Visit Lohagadh
This fort is right on top in my list of forts that provides most magnificent spectacular views.
Please do see the attached photos in this review to give you the feel of how you will see the fading scenery during summer.
Hope the reader finds above information helpful to trip to this fort.
Wish you all the best.
5. Bhaja Caves
Overall Ratings
4 based on 209 reviews
Reviewed By dkranjan - Bengaluru, India
Not many people are aware that there are Buddhist caves like Ajanta, Ellora or Elephanta about 20kms from Lonavala.
Both are Buddhist Stupas, built in sometimes between second century BC and second century AD, and considered one of the oldest caves in India. Basically these were built during Hinayana period, when putting up of statues of Lord Buddha was not in practice. After a couple of century when Mahayana sect influenced Buddhism, particularly in these areas of Western Ghat,they introduced the statue of Lord Buddha, which seems somewhat superimposed. The shape and feature of the statue is rustic to some extent, somewhat different from than our known statues, of Ajanta, which was may be built about couple of centuries later. The Architectural beauty of Buddhist Vihar's/ Chaitya halls, somewhat resembled with Greco-roman architectural in Europe, though with no connection there to.
The beauty of these rock cut architecture lies not only in its shape of horse shoe chaitya halls, with dome made of wooden ribs but also its sunlit windows. The wood work in the ceiling are still gleaming even after more than two thousand years.
I wonder how anybody could have built these wonders more than two thousand years ago, in such unfriendly terrains.
Both the places are within twenty Km from Lonavala. The Mumbai Pune highway connects both. Both are a few kilometers from the highway, in opposite directions. More people visit the Karla caves because of the presence of the Ekavira Temple.
You have to climb about 150 steps , which is quite steep at times, to reach both the caves. Climb is tough for the aged people, but manageable. While climbing for the Karla caves you find a variety of stalls on both sides, who cater to food, drinks and pooja thalis also. Here you climb under the shades of the stalls. However, in Bhaja, you climb under the direct rays of the sun, which makes it more tiring. There are hardly any trees to sit and catch your breath under its shade.
6. Mountain Top Camping
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 121 reviews
Fort Rajmachi is a very popular destination for Trekkers and Nature Lovers. Mountain Top Camping at Rajmachi has a Camping Site (named as GO. NEE. DA. WADI), close to village Udhewadi on the plateau of Fort Rajmachi. GO. NEE. DA. WADI is in fact a Botanic Park developed by an NGO. There are 2 dormitories in GO. NEE. DA. WADI for camping in peaceful natural surroundings. There are ample open spaces for pitching Tents for those who love Tent Camping. Mountain Top Camping provide tasty homely food to campers. Transport from Lonavala to Rajmachi and return is also arranged on specific request.
Reviewed By Viral30
If going via car, take innova, no tempo travellers. You can cover upto 7kms via car, go via della road.
Road is muddy in monsoon, wear proper shoes, only from the stairs to the fort is little risky, else its easy trek.
Easily done in 6 hours (breaks +eating)
Plan to reach back by 6pm
7. Western Ghats
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 240 reviews
Reviewed By Prasanna1965 - Kuwait, Al Kuwayt, Kuwait
This is one of the best places in India to visit, especially, in monsoon season because all Mountains are lush green everywhere. It rains heavily here in monsoon season. There are several spots all over the western ghats, which are worth visiting. One can go with friends & families. It is preferred to have your own vehicle or rented vehicle so that one can have stopover at any scenic spot along the way.
8. Kune Waterfalls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 59 reviews
Reviewed By devansh768 - Ahmedabad, India
Kune Waterfalls one the best visit for us while we were at Khandala. Great place for family vacation and also excellent place for group picnic. Rainy season is the right to visit this place. Food is good and please do visit the nearby wax musuem. We enjoyed photography and enjoyed precious time of life.
9. Lion's Point
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
10. Nagphani (Duke's Nose)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 51 reviews
Reviewed By nilesh_pp - pune
Did this trek in Jul '17 and when rains were at their all time best. Traveled with a trek group and this was a big group across different age categories.
Started with Sinhagad express from Pune and disembarked at Khandala. In my opinion this was the best thing. After a short breakfast the trek starts. right from the Railways station at Khandala. The station will not offer any stuff you can buy, so arrive well planed.
The trek from Khandala makes it interesting trek and gives you the best experience. I had a jacket, but after a spell or two decided to soak in mother nature and rolled up the jacket and got all drenched.
Rains can be tricky for treks, so ensure you have good pair of shoes. you have to cross waterfall (walk through them) so be prepared, short burst of spells can mean trouble when crossing them, DO NOT underestimate water.
The latter part of the trek gets steep but in my personal opinion its quite manageable. AT the top there is the temple and you can have lunch there and then the descent.
Our route back was to kurvande and that was a piece of cake and very easy route, once at Kurvandem you have an option to take a local transport (Rs 30/ person) for the railway station or walk the route (~7 Kms), I took at walk and enjoyed it equally, with Tata DAm along the route it was a good walk.
Back by a 3:30 local and back at home by 4:30.
All in all, fun sunday.
