Are you looking for some top places to visit in Lonavala, Maharashtra? Lonavala is familiar for its vibrant beauty and tourist locations. You will have a lot of options here for camping, trekking, beach, etc. This post will give you insights about the top 20 places to visit in Lonavala.
This popular hill station is located between Mumbai and Pune in Maharashtra. Lonavala is known for its natural beauty and cool climate. You can visit this place in summer and winter, which gives a peaceful and relaxing mood. It is commonly known as the jewel of the Sahyadri Mountains. Khandala is the perfect gateway spot located 625 meters beyond sea level. And Lonavala is 110 km from Mumbai and 60 km from Pune. Historical sites, natural wonders, religious attractions, etc., are the different places to visit in Lonavala. It also serves as an opening point for tourists interested in visiting the famous, ancient Buddhist rock-cut caves of Bhaja and Karla, situated near this hill station. It also has an important Yoga center near it for health-conscious tourists. The mentioned below are some of the places you can visit in Lonavala.
Pawna Lake is a famous place to visit in Lonavala for picnic and camping sites, with a spectacular landscape. Located 20 km away from Lonavala, Pawna Lake is an artificial lake encircled by immense beauty. The lake is formed by the Dam built across the Pawna River, and the lake is an exact picnic spot in Lonavala. The road leading to the lake is a silent and serene drive with refreshing greenery and craggy hills passing you by. Suppose you are thinking of a quiet and peaceful day from the beauty of nature. It is a serene place and is an excellent weekend gateway. Greenery includes this lake, which makes it a delight for those who want to spend time in the lap of nature. While monsoon is the perfect time to visit this place that abounds with unbelievable sights, you can enjoy this during the winter season and love barbecues by the lake. With some peaceful music, you can relax away from the bustling crowd, at a distance of 15 km from Lonavala Railway Station and 10 km from Lohagad Fort.
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Rajmachi is a little village situated in the Sahyadri mountain spine of the Konkan region of Maharashtra and Rajmachi is, also called Udhewadi. A visit to this Fort recovers the senses with its gorgeous views. A trip to the Rajmachi Fort can lead you to the region’s secret sceneries, which will charm you. From this place, you can view the Duke’s Nose. This is certainly one of Lonavala’s most exhilarating activities. There are chiefly two forts in Rajmachi, one being the Shrivardhan Fort and the other being the Manaranjan Fort. The Rajmachi Fort is a wonderful trekker, making tourism even more exciting.
The real beauty of Rajmachi is seen during the monsoons when the place decorates gives an entirely new look. The lustrous streams, pearl-like waterfalls, and the lush green meadows endeavor a verdant look to the scenery, which is a treat to the eyes. There are numerous caves and monuments which can be discovered in the Fort. Mainly Ancient Buddhist caves known as Kondhane caves are positioned on the western side of the Rajmachi plateau. Among the other places to visit in the village is the lovely lake, which is a delight to the photographers. The nearby lake is quite picturesque. This place offers beautiful views of the green area and is enormously popular with holidaymakers, particularly nature lovers and walkers. Rajmachi is almost known for its night trek.
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The Matheran hill station is the best place to adore the sunset and sunrise view, along with some mind-blowing sceneries to keep you fresh and upfront. This extraordinary hill station suggests the best tourist places in Matheran, untouched and undisturbed by the town’s bustling city life. The place is located on the Western Ghats that ranges from around 800 meters above sea level. The place always has pleasant weather to enjoy during any time of the year, but its beauty gets added up during the season of rain and thunderstorm.
The tourist places in Matheran are unconditionally breath-taking. Another thing about the attractive hill station is that it is eco-friendly, and it is one of the few places in the world that do not permit any vehicles inside. So, the minute you step into the little town, you will be transported back to an idyllic old-world era of red-soiled roads, automobile-free pathways, and lush green hills everywhere. The cold breeze and the fresh air devoid of pollution is the reason that is sufficient for tourists to crowd to Matheran all year. Matheran town is the finest option for people who love nature and those who like to take a break from their busy city life.
There are many lakes in Mumbai, but Karjat Lake is one of the well-known places in Maharashtra and is located in Lonavala. Travelers mostly prefer Lonavala Lake, Talao Pali, and Khandala Lake as the best nine lakes near Karjat. There are eight lakes near Panvel, a city 31 km from Karjat, and seven lakes near Badlapur, 35 km distant. The most famous are Talao Pali near Panvel and Charlotte Lake in Badlapur.
Bounded by the beautiful greenery and majestic mountains, the campsite is an ideal gateway to spend an unforgettable vacation with your family. Revel in happy and well-maintained camps nearby the lake and get an exclusive stay experience during the trip. You can enjoy a range of outdoor activities like kayaking, archery, rifle shooting, etc. and spend your unforgettable time with your friends by choosing this lake. Additionally, relish delicious and mouth-watering meals at the campsite and tingle your taste buds.
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Alibaug is a small coastal town in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, which is particularly known for its beaches, villas, and beautiful scenery. Alibaug is also known as Alibag, which is popular as a weekend gateway from the cities of Mumbai and Pune. This beach is 1 kilometre away from Alibaug depot, particularly this beach has a lot of water sports activities like horse riding, paragliding, camel ride, Bullock cart, sea safari, motorbike, etc. One can see nearby Kolaba Fort during low tide. Kolaba Fort is 10 minutes walk able distance from the beach near the mid-sea. This beach is always kept neat, clean, and correctly maintained. It is one of the main attractions of tourists in Alibaug. The exact time to visit the beach is before sunset. In that time, there will be seating arrangements, fast food and shopping facilities all will be arranged.
Alibaug has received the name of ‘mini-Goa’ due to the high tourist footfall all year. Alibaug is also home to Mandwa beach, and it is famously known for the countless number of movie shootings that take place. The beach offers a fabulous view of the Gateway of India from its bay, and you can sit and sip on a cool drink on the sand under the orchard of coconut trees facing the beach.
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The added architectural marvel of the Maratha is the Lohagad Fort which is also known for Iron Fort that commands an appointment while you are in Lonavala. This Fort was created in the 18th century and is a top destination for trekking and nature lovers, specifically Pune and Mumbai. Balanced at an elevation of 1,033 m above sea level, Lohagad Fort is associated with neighboring Visapur Fort by a range. Balanced on an inspiring hill near Malavali, this endpoint is the perfect amalgam of ancient architecture and natural beauty. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj used to have his treasury in this Fort.
If you have any idea to visit places in Lonavala, you cannot skip out the Lion’s Point. Lion’s point is primarily known for evening and night trekking, and it is one of the best places to visit in Lonavala at night for adventure lovers. Lion’s point is situated midway between Bhushi Dam and Aamby Valley in Lonavala at 12 km from Lonavala Railway Station. And it is one of the popular lookouts in Lonavala and must include places in Lonavala tour packages. The view from Lions Point is royal and panoramic. During the monsoon season, one can see many small waterfalls, lush green hills, and lakes. The sunrise and sunset views are mesmerizing from that place. The wind is very strong at this place, and it was fairly thrilling to view numerous adventurous people get close to the edge to get a living-on-the-edge photograph. The drive to the point is also similarly scenic. The Shiv-ling peak is a conical peak that can be viewed towards the left side of Lion’s Point. Roosted off the cliff, the place presents astonishing sceneries of the sunset. You can visit this place to enjoy a wing and to take photographs.
Duke’s Nose is a famous viewpoint situated about 7 kilometres from Lonavala. Being at a hill station, Lonavala has many vantage points, and Duke’s Nose is an amazing lookout that has been named after the Duke of Wellington because of the resemblance in shape. And this place is also called Nagphani as its shape looks like a snake’s hood. At the top, there is Mahadev Temple devoted to Lord Shiva. It is enormously famous for hiking and its picturesque location. Along with influencing nature lovers with its picturesque location, this place with long trails and rocky outcrops also appeals to adventure seekers for trekking, hiking, rappelling, hiking, etc. Furthermore, it is a well-known picnic spot that you can visit with your friends and family for a fun outing.
Lonavala and Khandala are the twin hill stations situated near each other and are favorite monsoon getaways in India. Khandala is also known for its panoramic beauty, deep valleys, lush greenery, waterfalls, and lakes. It is located at the end of the Bhor Valley and serves as a popular hiking destination. Lord Elphinstone, the Governor of the Bombay Presidency, established Khandala and Lonavala in 1871. There is no reliable historical evidence to propose the origin of this place and the founded fathers. However, it is well known that Chatrapathi Shivaji and the Peshwa rulers ruled Khandala until it was taken over by the British.
Duke’s Nose, Rajmachi Fort, Visapur Fort, Korigad Fort, Tung Fort, and Tikona Fort are the main trekking places in Khandala. Amrutanjan Point, Ryewood Park, the Bushy Dam, Valvan dam, Kune Falls, and Rajmachi Point are other tourist places in Khandala. It is also well known for many cave temples like Bhaja Caves, Karla Caves, and Bedse Caves. These cave temples are an example of Buddhist architecture and are a sign of the presence of the Hinayana sect in the past. The hill station shot to fame across the country after presenting it in a popular Bollywood film.
Tiger’s Leap is a major tourist attraction seated in the lap of nature at the height of 650 meters above sea level. Interestingly, this vantage point has been called so because of its shape that looks like a tiger leaping into the valley. It is visited by adventure seekers who indulge in trekking and hiking. This point, which delivers a motivating view of the valley below, is just a short distance away from INS Shivaji.
There is a small waterfall near this viewpoint, which streams during the monsoon months. It serves the determination of relaxing in the water better than Bushy Dam, due to the force of the fall being higher. Also, after the brief steep descent, the fall becomes a stream with a fair amount of power to go all the way down to the bottom of the Tiger’s Leap. The site is visited by various tourists for indulging in adventure activities like rafting when the streamflow is medium. This site encloses excellent trekking, safe spots for viewing the valley and its nearby backgrounds. Tiger’s Leap can only be edited via trekking. To reach this point, one has to de-board the local bus at the nearest village and, like a short trek till the viewpoint.
Do you like to visit the oldest caves in India? Then, you can visit the Bhaja Caves, as it is one of the top places to visit in Lonavala. The Bhaja caves consist of 22 rock-cut Buddhist caves situated near Pune. You can visit mostly along with the Karla Caves, and these caves are supposed to have existed since the 2nd century BC. Travel back on this trip to ancient Indian rock-cut caves with the finest rock-cut architecture of all times based on your interest. The ancient caves are safeguarded as Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Bhaja Caves houses have 14 majestic stupas groups, the heirloom of the resident monks who died at Bhaja. In these, five are stupas can be viewed outside the ancient cave while nine are outside displaying an inscription with three monks – Ampinika, Dhammagiri and Sanghdina. These stupas have been shaped very intricately, presenting the name of the monks along with their titles.
Kune Waterfall is a fabulous waterfall located at 622 m, existing among the famous Sahyadri Mountains. This waterfall is located near the Kune village in the Pune district of Maharashtra. The Kune Church is located close to Kune Waterfalls and serves as a landmark to attain the waterfalls. It takes just a short walk to reach Kune Falls from the church. The waterfall is situated on the old Mumbai-Pune Highway, and this place entices tourists in large numbers during the rainy season when the waterfall is at its peak and flows down heavily. There are no probabilities that you can miss this waterfall because it is one of the best places to visit in Lonavala with your family. And it is also considered to be the 14th largest waterfall in the country and one of the best tourist places in Lonavala. Kune Falls is split into two sections, and it inclines to form a pool below. Apart from taking a refreshing dip in the cool water, you can love a picnic with your loved ones and try various adventurous activities, such as zip lining and rappelling.
Karnala Bird Sanctuary is one of the places to over 150 species of residents and 37 species of migratory birds. During the monsoon season, travelers can spot an intense collection of bird species such as the racket-tailed drongo, golden-backed woodpecker, and heart-spotted woodpecker. Three rare birds have been sighted: the ashy minivet, three-toed kingfisher and Malabar trogon. In the winter season, several migratory birds can be seen in the count of the resident birds. The migrant birds comprise a variety of birds such as the blackbird, blue-headed rock-thrush, blue throat, red-breasted flycatcher and black-headed Cuckoo-shrike, to name a few.
This sanctuary itself includes moist deciduous forest, and the forest department has done hard work to educate the visitors by tagging numerous trees within the forest. It is a bird sanctuary, and it also offers shelter to wildlife animals. Wild boars, langur and rhesus monkeys are normal wildlife found here. Do you hear about Karnala Fort? Karnala Fort, also known as Funnel Hill, is situated within the safeguarded region of Karnala Bird Sanctuary. The fort positions at 445 m and was built during the 12th century.
Lonavala hosts have many wax museums, and a visit to Wax Museum is one of the main attractions in Lonavala. Housing around 100 wax sculptures of celebrities worldwide, Celebrity Wax Museum is one of the most famous places to visit in Lonavala. The museum is the brainchild of a well-known wax sculptor Mr. Sunil Kandalloor. He has built many such museums across the country by having in this mind those who cannot travel to London to see Madame Tussauds Museum. Sunil’s Wax Museum is located at Lonavala Square Mall and is one of the top places to visit in Lonavala. It is situated at a distance of 1 km from Lonavala Railway Station.
Tikona Fort, a famous historical site of the Maratha empire, obtains its name because of its triangular shape and is perched at the height of 1066 metres above sea level. Tikona Peth is the next-door village for the Tikona Fort trek. The hike from the village of Tikona Peth to the tip of this hill is a top gateway for adventurers at heart. Crossing numerous caves, temples, and water tanks is the best route that brings you to the edge of the extended parapet from where you can take in the imaginary beauty of the surroundings. The arrival to the Fort is via a small tunnel that leads to a sentry tower and a cluster of five caverns. The fortress and its pride are heavens for photography lovers. Tikona fort is nothing less than a luxury to the eyes of the spectators, particularly the explorers and wanderers.
Valvan Dam is an important dam on the Indrayani River at Velvan village near Lonavala in the Pune district of Maharashtra. The Lush greenery and calm environments make up the Valvan Dam, a near-perfect evening outing spot near Lonavala in Maharashtra. Bounded by scenic views on all sides, the Valvan Dam and Lake are the exact spots for nature lovers and photography enthusiasts. The finest time to visit the Valvan Dam is during the monsoon season when the water level is full.
Narayani Dham Temple is one of the most famous Lonavala tourist places because it is located in the heart of Lonavala. This fabulous temple complex is spread over 4.5 acres and has a beautiful, well-maintained garden. While the temple is devoted to Goddess Narayani or Durga, it also houses different shrines for Lord Ganpati and Shree Salasar Hanuman on the sides. The white marble construction enhances the temple’s charm and makes it one of the finest places to view in Lonavala for devotees, peace seekers, and tourists. You can have your lunch and dinner coupons in advance and enjoy delicious traditional food within the temple complex.
The Reverse Waterfall is an amazing fall that flows in the reverse direction, and this is one of the most famous reverse waterfall in India and among the only few. The exact time to visit this place is during the monsoon. And the trek to the waterfall is famous among adventure enthusiasts. If you like to spend more time with nature makes you happy, remember to include Reverse Waterfall in your Lonavala sightseeing places itinerary. This waterfall is different from the rest, and its water seems to flow in the reverse direction, that is, in an upward direction. This natural wonder is enclosed by lush greenery and is perfect for those looking to spend some peaceful time in the circle of nature. You can enjoy a delightful trek to the waterfall and plan a picnic too.
The Ryewood Park is located close to the Lonavala market, which was once a Botanical Garden, but now it is converted into a public park. This one style up for a particular picnic spot, marked by well-preserved landscaped lawns and gardens, a children’s park and countless old species of trees. It is spread over 25 acres, and the park is rich in flora with many old tree species, ornamental plants, flower beds, etc. There is also a small temple situated inside the park. There is also a Shiva Temple within the location that is perfect for meditation. Besides, the children’s park with swings keeps the young visitors entertained for hours. So, pack your picnic basket and visit this park to spend some enjoyable time with loved ones.
Are you looking for places to visit in Lonavala that make your heartbeat louder? Well, there is an amazing place for you in Lonavala, which goes by the name Della Adventure Park. You can enjoy and have fun with some thrilling adventure sports and opt for rides in amusement and water park. Della Adventure Park is full of fun amusement cum waterpark located in Lonavala. The finest feature about this adventure park is that it is home to the country’s first and only Swoop Swing. It even has one of the longest Flying Fox at an elevation of 1250 feet. Boasting many activities, including Aqua Zorb, swoop swing, flying fox, rappelling, paintball, buggy ride, bull ride, land zorbing, etc. The park also has an entertainment nightclub and numerous restaurants for fine dining and binge eating. Here you can enjoy your adventurous trip to Lonavala exclusively at Della Adventure Park with your friends, group and family.
As discussed above, if you like to visit any amazing and natural added places, you can choose Lonavala, situated in Mumbai. The above listed are some of the top 20 places you can visit and have a relaxing time with fun and memories with your family or friends.
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