Here’s How to Plan a Memorable Trip to Lonavala

Surrounded by the lofty Sahyadri mountain range, Lonavala is an idyllic, quaint town in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Being home to several azure lakes, and cascading waterfalls, this hill town experiences a huge visitor influx throughout the year. Like other neighbouring towns such as Lavasa, Khandala, etc., it can be visited in any season, thanks to its mild climate. Earlier considered to be a weekend getaway for people residing in nearby cities like Mumbai, Pune, etc., now it is becoming equally popular among tourists from all over the country. If you want to spend some time in nature’s lap and calm the chaos in your mind, this is definitely the place to be.

Apart from its diverse natural landscapes, this hill station is also famous for being home to several hilltop forts. A few of these iconic structures have turned into popular vantage points as they offer absolutely stunning views of the surroundings. From admiring natural beauty to immersing yourself in the local culture and experiencing some adventurous sports like trekking, hiking, etc., there is a lot you can do here. So, whether you are a newlywed looking for a Mumbai tour package for couples or want to go on a fun vacation with your family/friends, Lonavala should be on your list of places to visit.

Best Time to Visit

With pleasant weather throughout the year, Lonavala is a place that can be visited in any season. However, the winter season (October-February) is the best time to explore this small Maharashtrian town. Around this time, the average temperature ranges between 19-22^oC, making it perfect to experience several outdoor activities. Or, if you are fascinated by the rain-washed beauty of hilly areas, July–September is considered to be a great time for a trip to Lonavala. With fresh air, misty surroundings, and lush greenery all around, the monsoon season has all the reasons to be a preferred choice for plenty of tourists.

How to Reach

Being the popular tourist attraction that Lonavala is, it offers seamless connectivity from other parts of the country. Mumbai and Pune are two nearby major cities, so you can easily find a flight, bus, or train to either of these. Once you reach there, the best option to reach Lonavala is to hire a private taxi or take a private/state government bus. Cleaving through the scenic mountains with several passes and tunnels, the Mumbai-Pune Expressway makes the entire journey a memorable experience. Thanks to the excellent road conditions, it does not take more than 2 hours to reach Lonavala.

Accommodation

Finding decent accommodation in Lonavala is not a problem, even during the peak tourist season. There are several resorts in Lonavala that you can choose from. Or, if you want a more luxurious experience, there are several private villas in Lonavala as well that come equipped with several modern amenities.

Best Places to Visit in Lonavala

When you visit a place like Lonavala that has so much to offer, the main challenge is planning the perfect travel itinerary. After all, you wouldn’t want to miss any major tourist attractions. For your convenience, here is a comprehensive list of all the famous places in Lonavala that you should definitely cover on your trip:

• Bhaja Caves
• Tiger’s Leap
• Karla Caves
• Tikona Fort

Bhaja Caves

Bhaja Caves, a group of 22 spectacular rock-cut caves, is among the major tourist attractions in Lonavala. This cave complex, which was built approximately 2,200 years ago, features a total of 14 stupas along with several other sculptures. All these structures are known for their intricate carvings and inscriptions related to Buddhism. However, Bhaja Place is not just a religious centre for Buddhist people, as it also serves as a popular sightseeing place in Lonavala.

Tiger’s Leap

Situated at a height of 650 metres, Tiger’s Leap is one of the most important places to visit in Lonavala and enthrals a large number of tourists on a daily basis. This is a popular viewpoint that has been named because its shape resembles a tiger taking a leap into the valley. Being an excellent combination of serenity and exuberance, this is a place where you can plan a day picnic and just laze around during the day. You can either go to the Echo Point and have some fun or take a refreshing dip in the stream that flows nearby. Or if indulging in some exciting activities is your idea of having fun, then this place also has enough options such as trekking, rafting, etc.

Tikona Fort

A trip to Lonavala is always incomplete without visiting some of the amazing historical forts this town is home to. Although there are a few of them that you can include in your Lonavala local sightseeing tour, the Tikona Fort is the most popular one. Perched at an impressive height of 1066 metres, this fort got its name because of its triangle-like shape. Originally named Vitangad, this magnificent structure used to be among the prime forts in the Maval region. Although it was captured by the Mughals once, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj regained control shortly after. There is a small cave right at the main fort entrance that leads to a guard tower and a cluster of five other caves. You can also see the remains of a Hindu temple in the fort, along with a large stone wheel and some damaged water tanks.

Karla Caves

Known by several names, including Karli Caves, Karle Caves, etc., this is another collection of ancient rock-cut caves that is among the must-visit places in Lonavala. Located at a small distance from the Bhaja Caves, these fascinating caves are often associated with the Mahasamghika sect of Buddhism. The main aisle of the cave complex is made up of 37 pillars topped with kneeling elephants. Other than this, you will also get to see several amazing sculptures and stupas with inscriptions related to the Hinayana phase of Buddhism, etc. Another major highlight of the Karla Caves is a Hindu temple that has been dedicated to Goddess Durga. This temple was not part of the original structure and was built many years later using a small part of the entire complex.

Now that you have all the important information, you can easily plan a trip to Lonavala. At Veena World, we offer a wide range of all-inclusive Lonavala tour packages that you can choose from.