Nestled in the green valleys of the Sahyadri mountain ranges, Lonavala is like a breath of fresh air cradled between the two bustling metropolises of Mumbai and Pune. The hill station serves as a relaxing city break, presenting visitors with cliff-top and lakefront views, punctuated with hiking trails, waterfalls and rock-cut caves.
On your trip to Lonavala, make your way to the Karla Caves – a complex of ancient Buddhist caves – to admire the cave interiors, pillars and the stupa. If you like trekking, head to the historical Rajmachi Fort situated atop a plateau, surrounded by jagged mountains. You can also stop by the Bhushi Dam, a masonry dam set on the Indrayani River, or enjoy a picnic along the Tungarli Lake. For panoramic vistas of lush valleys and the Western Ghats, you can visit Tiger’s Point – a 2100-foot-high lookout.
Lonavala is easily accessible through a drive on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway. You can hire a car or take a bus along this scenic route with tunnels and winding roads that cut through mountains. Alternatively, you can take a train from Mumbai or Pune up to the Lonavala railway station.