This is a beautiful twin hill station located on the western Deccan Plateau of Sahyadri Ranges in Maharashtra State. And it is situated 625 Meters (2050 feet) above the sea level. Lonavala has a salubrious climate. The average rainfall is about 4500 mm (about 180 inches) between June to September. The Hill Station area is around 30 sq. Km. and the local population is 50,000 (approx.). The Lonavala – Khandala Municipal Council was formed in 1877. Marathi, English, Hindi and Gujrathi are the commonly spoken languages. This is well connected by Road and Railway to Mumbai and Pune.
Lions viewpoint was easily the best part of my lonavala trip. The moment you reach the edge of the cliff after walking across the road, you just cannot avoid saying “wow!”. The view is majestic and panoramic. You would see dozens of small waterfalls all over the place with one waterfall pretty prominent in the view.
The Bhushi Dam is a masonry dam on the Indrayani River in Lonavala, Maharashtra, India. In 2014, the Indian Railways announced plans to develop Bhushi Dam as a tourist resort with participation from the private sector.
Lonavala Lake is located in the outskirts, 1.6 km away from the town. It is popularly known as the monsoon lake, as this lake is filled with water during the monsoon months and dries up during the summer season making it possible to walk to the temple in the middle of the lake which usually needs a boat. Different species of birds and fauna can be spotted along the banks of the lake. Additionally, visitors come here for enjoying holidays & excursions, swimming, angling and nature view
Bhaja Caves or Bhaje caves is a group of 22 rock-cut caves dating back to the 2nd century BC located in Pune, near Lonavala, Maharashtra. The caves are 400 feet above the village of Bhaja, on an important ancient trade route running from the Arabian Sea eastward into the Deccan Plateau.
Bhaje Waterfall Rappelling is very good for Beginners & also easily accessible from Pune & Mumbai also. You have to take a Little steep walk of 30 Minutes to Reach Waterfall from Bhaje Village.
Duke’s nose trekking spot near Lonavala. One Hour walk takes you to the top of Duke’s nose. Valley crossing from Dukes Nose to Duchess Nose is great fun due to roaring winds, Foggy atmosphere & of course Deep Valley. Rappelling from the Dukes Nose is quite thrilling experience with 90 Degree Rappelling in a combination of Overhang & Deep Valley View.
Kataldhar is the name of a big waterfall near Lonavala in Pune district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. This waterfall is not so famous because reaching the valley is somewhat difficult and need some experience of basic trekking before exploring this place.
Pawana dam is one of the excellent place for one day outing. It is surrounded by forts like Lohagad, Tikona, Tung and Visapur which will add beauty to it. During the rainy season most of the people visit this spot. To reach to the dam you have take old mumbai pune highway & at Kamshet you have to take left turn from main highway it is around 17 km far.
Snuggled at a distance of 2 km from Khandala, the Kune falls is an excellent escape. Whether you are looking for a place for rejuvenating your soul or wish to inhale the fresh soothing air, this is just the right place for you. It is located right in the Kune village and is one of the best waterfalls of Maharashtra and also one of the best places to visit in Khandala. The water here plunges down from a height of 622 m above the ground and the stunning backdrops it extends are a feast for the eyes. This scenic waterfall is divided into two sections and the highest drop is about 100 meters long. The sparkling water, fresh air, and blankets of lush green make the visual experience epic. In monsoons, the aura of the waterfall transforms and the entire region is beatified.
Korigad (also called Koraigad, Koraigad or Kumwarigad) is a hill fort located about 20 km (12 mi) south of Lonavala in Pune district, Maharashtra, India. Its date of construction is not known but likely predates 1500. It is about 923 m above sea level. The planned township of Aamby Valley is built over the fort's southern and eastern foothills. The closest village is Peth Shahpur, about 1 km (0.62 mi) north of the fort.This fort was incorporated into his kingdom by the Maratha ruler Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj along with the forts of Lohagad, Visapur, Tung and Tikona in 1657. On 11 March 1818, Colonel army tried to take over this fort but even after a prolonged siege could not make any headway. Finally on 14 March, by igniting the stored ammunition by means of a loose cannonball he succeeded and this fort went to the British.
Lohagad is one of the many hill forts of Maharashtra state in India. Situated close to the hill station Lonavala and 52 km (32 mi) northwest of Pune, Lohagad rises to an elevation of 1,033 m (3,389 ft) above sea level.
Rajmachi is a small village in the rugged mountains of Sahyadri in India. The fortification at Rajmachi consists of two forts, namely Shrivardhan fort and Manaranjan Fort. Rajmachi Fort is a popular trekking destination. It is a very famous fort located near two famous hills of Maharashtra, Lonavala and Khanadala.
Tikona fort is a trekking destination noted for the large doors, the temple of 'Trimbakeshwar Mahadev', several water tanks and some Satvahan caves. Trek organisers also commend the views of Pawna dam and the nearby forts of Tung, Lohagad and Visapur. There is Pawana lake at the summit.
Tung Fort is a hill fort in Pune District, India.It is about 12 km from Malavli railway station and can also be approached from Lonavala. Tung Fort has an elevation of 1075 m above sea level.
Visapur Fort (also called Visapoor Fort) is a hill fort near Visapur village in Maharashtra, India. It is a part of the Lohagad-Visapur fortification.It is located in Pune district, 9 to 10 km from Malavli Railway station out of which 5 km is a steep road. It has an elevation of 1084 meters above sea level
The Karla Caves or Karle Caves or Karla Cells are a complex of ancient Indian Buddhist rock-cut cave shrines located in Karla near Lonavala, Maharashtra. The shrines were developed over the period – from the 2nd century BC to the 5th century AD.
Bairamji Point: It is 8 Km. from Khandala.
Barometer Hills: It is 2.4 Km. from Lonavala. It indicates weather conditions. If the hilltop is completely covered with clouds it may rain, if not it would be fair.
Bedsa Caves: The approach to these caves is slightly difficult and from the same period as that of the Bhaja caves. They are incompletely carved.
Bhaja Caves: The caves are as old as 200 B. C. having
Bhushi Dam: This is one of the famous tourist attractions in the rainy season. There are steps in front of the dam. The overflowing dam water flows down the steps.
Duke's Nose: It is about 12 Km. from Lonavala. The huge jutting soaring rock is like a majestic peak. It is so named owing to its resemblance to the nose of the Iron Duke -The Duke of Wellington. It is famous for Tracking and Rock climbing.
I. N. S. Shivaji: This is a Naval Training Centre.
Kaivalyadham: It is a Yoga Research and Treatment Institute.
Karla Caves: These are Hinayana Buddhist caves from 80 B. C. period. The central hall in these caves is beautifully carved and worth visiting.
Kune Point: This is between Lonavala and Khandala. Famous for scenic breathtaking views of and waterfall Kune valley.
Lohagad Fort: It is 2000 feet high from the foot of the hill. According to history this was under the rule of Bahamanies (1489), Bijapur (1637) and Shivaji (1648).
Lonavala Dam: This dam is 2.4 Km. from Lonavala, on the way to Bhushi Dam.
Pavana Dam: This is approximately 32 Km from Lonavala.
Rajmachi Fort: It is 2730 feet high from the foothills. And was under the rule of Shivaji from 1648.
Rajmachi Point: This point is famous for the breathtaking and scenic valley view and the Rajmachi Fort.
Reversing Point: It is also known as Amrutanjan Point too. In the old days the Pune Mumbai railway used this reversing technique to avoid and execute the sharp turns in the Borghat section.
RyeWood Park: Just a kilometre away from Lonavala. This is famous for very old and thickly wooded huge trees.
Sahara City: This is a newly developed planned and beautiful Hill Resort Township in Ambe Valley.
Sakur Pathar: The plateau that you can see from the Tiger’s Leap point. It is an extensive tableland that includes Tungi and Korigad forts. It is famous for its healthy climate.
Shirota Dam: Built by Tata Electric Company. The dam is 1.5 times bigger than Valvan dam. The approach road to the dam is from Kamshet village.