Lonavala (Lonavla) & Khandala (Maharashtra)

Hotels & Resorts in Lonavala & Khandala

Lonavala and Khandala are two charming little hill stations on the western slopes of the Sahyadri's, 5-km apart, that straddle the Mumbai - Pune highway at an altitude of 625m, quite popular as health resorts. Blessed by the nature in bounty, the hill resorts have plethora of places of Tourist Attraction in Lonavala & Khandala - Beautiful Hills, Deep Green Valleys, Huge Lakes, Historic Forts, Waterfalls, etc.

Lonavala and Khandala offer breathtaking views of cascading waterfalls during the monsoon, and the surrounding mountains of the plains spread out to the horizon. A trip to these holiday resorts can be combined with that on the Karla, Bhaja, and Bedsa caves, which are very near from Lonavala.

Lonavala is located in the western part of the state of Maharashtra. It is set amongst the slopes of the Sahyadri mountain range. Also known as the "Jewel of The Sahyadri", Lonavala is a place of this region where nature is present in its entire splendor. It has become famous because of nature's gift of beautiful valleys, hills, milky waterfalls, lush greenery, and pleasant cool winds.

Khandala being the smaller of the two is relatively calmer and is the pride of the Sahyadri Mountains. It is endowed with abundant natural beauty and like Lonavala, Khandala also provides a popular gateway from the hustle and bustle of cities of Mumbai and Pune. The lush greenery of the mountains especially during the monsoons and the misty paths attract tourist like honeybees here. The silver waterfalls amidst the lush greenery are extremely magical. Lonavala's bazaar is filled with surprises. The beauty of this place is a refreshing experience.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Location: Situated On Mumbai-Pune Highway, Maharashtra
Lonavala Is Known As: Jewel Of The Sahyadri
Houses: Many Lakes And Caves
Best Time To Visit: October To May

PRIME ATTRACTIONS

There are numerous lakes around Lonavala and Khandala. Lakes such as Tugauli, Lonavala and Bhushi are worth a visit; so is the Valvan lake, which has a beautiful dam, a garden as well as a Pisiculture centre.

Karla & Bhaja Caves
Karla and Bhaja Caves, located in the hills at a distance of 11-km from Lonavala, are important places to visit. These rock-cut cave temples dating back to 2nd century BC and are amongst the oldest and finest examples of Buddhist rock cut temple art in India, belonging to the Hinayana sect of Buddhism. Adventure seekers can try their hand at rock climbing at the Duke's Nose peak and other locations in the Karla hills, near Lonavala.

PLACES OF INTEREST

• Satayam Shivam Sundaram
• Bhushi Dam
• Lohagad Fort
• Kaivalya Dham Yoga Center
• Bhairavnath Deva Sthan

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Though one can enjoy the beauty of these places through out the year, the best time to visit Lonavala and Khandala is from October to May.

HOW TO GET THERE?

Air: Nearest airport is situated in Pune at 64-km.

Rail: Lonavala is on the main railway line between Mumbai and Pune. All express trains plying between the two cities stop here. There is also an hourly shuttle service for Pune.

Road: Lonavala situated on the Mumbai Pune Highway. It is 104-km from Mumbai and 64-km from Pune. The bus service between Lonavala and Pune is good. Buses shuttle between Lonavala and Khandala. Travelers can hire bicycles on hourly basis to explore Lonavala or to go to Khandala.