LONAVALA - KHANDALA

Khandala and Lonavala are places familiar to Mumbaites and within 5 kilometers from each other. Khandala has natural charms which have few rivals in the western ghats. Most easily accessible by train or by road, Khandala is only three hours from Mumbai. Khandala is at its best after the first monsoon showers or during the break at the height of the rains or immediately after the rains and in November and December. Due to its pleasant climate there are convalescent homes, hospice and sanatoria. You will see a landscape of quite a different type, bright and cheerful dotted with varieties of natural and human life.

Lonavala is a charming hill station located at a height of 625 meters on the western downhill of the Sahyadris. It reaches the peak of its beauty in the monsoons, attracting a large number of tourists. The route to the top offers breathtaking valley views along steep and serpentine tracks.

There are eye-catching spots like Tiger's Leap - a magnificent hill, The Horseshoe valley, and the lakes. There are several hotels and boarding houses and there is much more to explore. Bhushi Lake, and Bhushi Dam, another attraction are hidden in the hills well removed from the road. The spot is so supremely romantic that it is difficult to be able to leave it even after hours and hours. At the end of the dam the water of the lake jump over the terraces to join the river down below. The sight therefore becomes pleasing and cheerful. In the monsoons a variety of waterfalls speedily rush from the hills down to the deep in the valleys.

Shopping in Lonavala

Shopping in Lonavala is all about buying the famed chikki, chocolate fudge, jams and jellies. Lonavala is a paradise for chikki lovers. There are several shops selling varieties of chikkis.

What is Chikki ?

Chikki is a traditional crunchy, tasty, ready-to-eat Indian sweet made from four basic ingredients i.e. Jaggery, Sugar, Liquid Glucose and the basic material (groundnuts, cashews, almonds, pistachios).

Best Time to Visit Khandala and Lonavala

During Monsoon (June to September)

Lonavala Resorts

MTDC Resort (Karla) # 02114-282230 / 282064
[Tariff Rs.1300/- to Rs.4800/-; Rs.300/- to Rs.400/- extra for each extra person]

How to reach Lonavala

Lonavala is on the Mumbai-Pune Express Way. The drive along the Mumbai-Pune Express Way is worth taking. The Spectacular sights that lie on the way are simply astounding. Several State owned buses are available for the commute  to the hill station of Lonavala.

Distance

Mumbai to Lonavala - 89 Kilometers (By Road) Via Mumbai Pune Express Way
Pune to Lonavala - 66 Kilometers (By Road) Via NH4

Lonavala Map

Photo Gallery

br />