Lonavala is a popular weekend destination for residents of Pune and Mumbai. This highland station's mild weather provides a welcome break from the sweltering summer heat. It's also a good place to start if you want to visit the famous, ancient Buddhist rock-cut caves of Bhaja and Karla. For the health-conscious guest, it also offers a vital Yoga facility nearby. Lonavala is rightfully known as the "Jewel of the Sahyadri Mountains" because of its numerous natural wonders. However, you will not be short on things to see and do in this modest hill station, which includes everything from lush green meadows to spectacular caves.

History of Lonavala

Many ancient Buddhist rock-cut cave temples may be found in the area around Lonavala, which was an important Buddhist center in the 2nd century BC. Lonavala was not historically significant because it is located in the difficult environment of the Sahyadri mountain range. This region was ruled by Chatrapati Shivaji, the first Maratha Emperor. It was afterwards ruled by the Peshwa dynasty, which established the second Maratha Empire. When the British vanquished the Peshwas, it was finally taken over by them.

Culture of Lonavala 

The famed dishes spring to mind when it comes to culture. The village is famous throughout India for producing 'chikki,' a hard candy that comes in a variety of flavors, including groundnut, dried fruit, and chocolate. Lonavala residents celebrate their festivals with excitement and zeal, and the entire town joins in. The most well-known celebrations are Ganesh Chaturthi and Vijayadashami. Spending time with the people provides an opportunity to learn about Lonavala's culture.

Things to do when in Lonavala

• Kamshet Paragliding - Kamshet, a lovely hill station nestled within the naturally tall hills of the Western Ghats. It is only a 2.5-hour journey from Mumbai. The location is known as Maharashtra's Paragliding Paradise because it is famed for a variety of adventure sports. Book this paragliding excursion in Kamshet and take to the skies with a group of certified pilots and flying enthusiasts to chase the sky over the mountains and plateaus.
• Pawna Lake Camping - This beautiful campsite is nestled in a lush green scenery along the banks of Pawna Lake, surrounded by misty Western Ghat valleys. The location of many tourist attractions nearby, such as Lohagad Fort, Tikona Fort, Tung Fort, and Visapur Fort, enhances the setting at Pawna Lake. Its refreshing ambiance makes it a lovely weekend getaway spot near Lonavala and Khandala.
• Fun filled Imagica - Imagica is a magical and fun-filled environment that offers entertainment, recreation, leisure, dining, shopping, and housing all in one location. Imagica is a favourite family attraction in MMum, offering a world-class Theme Park, international-standard Water Park, India's largest Snow Park, and India's First Theme Park Hotel.
• Rajmachi Fort Trek - The Rajmachi fort is decorated with a variety of flora and animals and is painted in the color green. Rajmachi is ideal for a one-day getaway vacation because it is surrounded by a succession of rocky mountains, bubbling waterfalls, and a beautiful view of nature. The hike to the fort is also divided into multiple levels. Newcomers can begin their trip from the base village of Tungari, near Rajmachi Fort, but experienced trekkers can start from the Tungari portion near Rajmachi Fort.
• Waterfall Rappelling - You can't really deny the immense amazement of waterfall rappelling. It's an extraordinary, thrilling experience accompanied by a good time with friends. There are other locations where this water sport can be enjoyed, but Bekre Falls is the greatest. Gliding down through the waterfalls from 75 feet above the ground is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
• Picnic at Bhushi Dam - One of the nicest things to do is go on a picnic, and the Bhushi Dam offers one of the best picnics in the area. The Bhushi Dam, a masonry dam on the Indrayani River, has been turned into a tourist attraction. The location is ideal for a weekend escape, with a plethora of food vendors, rooms, and entertaining activities.
• Dinosaur Park Lonavala - Experience a mini-Jurassic park deep in the center of Lonavala when it comes to places to visit with your family there. Dinosaurs Park features 36 life-size animated dinosaur sculptures spread out across six and a half acres. This park transports visitors to the dinosaur era, which is now extinct. Through its unique method of documenting, the Dinosaur Park Lonavala successfully conveys learning experiences about the world of dinosaurs.

Places to visit in Lonavala

• Rajmachi Fort Trek - If you visit Lonavala, the Rajmachi Fort should be at the top of your list of must-see attractions because it showcases some of the greatest architectural ideas from previous ages, as well as the fort's flawless tranquility. Perched on a steep peak in the Sahyadri Mountain, it is one of the most visited historical forts. Shriwardhan Ballekilla and Manaranjan Balekilla are two twin strongholds introduced in the game.
• Tiger's Leap - This is one of the most attractive sites to visit in Lonavala, with unsurpassed beauty. This peak, also known as Tiger's Leap, is a connecting point for the best views of the forest, greenery, and frothy cascades. This feature is shaped like a jumping tiger, and its steep hill collects the waterfalls as a stream, making it ideal for water activities such as river rafting.
• Karla Caves - Karla Caves is one of India's oldest Buddhist cave temples and one of Lonavala's most fascinating attractions. The caves were excavated onto a stony hillside between the 2nd and 5th centuries BC. As halls and monasteries, the caves are separated into various sections. They are very important to the Mahasamghika Buddhist sect, and there is a pillared temple here that dates back to the Buddhist period.
• Lohagarh Fort - If you are a history fan who wants to learn about the past, this should be your first choice among the attractions to visit near Pune within 200 kilometers. Lohagad Fort, a popular ancient monument roosted at an elevation of 3400 feet, is close to Pune. Lohagad fort trek is a fantastic site to satiate your need for adventure, offering an uncommon convergence of natural splendor and design.
• Tikona Fort - Tikona in Lonavala is a prominent hill fort after Rajmachi. It is located in Maval and is also known as Vitandgad. Tikona is regarded as one of Lonavala's most beautiful destinations. The fort is located in Kamshet, around 60 kilometers from Pune. Because of the hill, Tikona Fort was given that name. The village of Tikona Peth is the closest to the fort.

How to reach? 

• By Air - There is no airport in Lonavala. Lonavala is 64 kilometers from the nearest airport, which is located in Pune. You can, however, take a flight from any Indian city and then hire a local automobile. Road trips can also be planned from Mumbai.
• By Train - Because Lonavala is located on the main railway line connecting Mumbai (Bombay) and Pune (Poona), all express trains between the two cities stop here.
• By Road - For local transportation and interstate travels, we will offer you with all-India tourist permit vehicles. Taxis, state buses, and private buses are also available. A car trip to Lonavala can also be planned from the Mumbai Pune Expressway or the old Mumbai Pune road, NH4.