Things to do in Lonavala

Bhushi Dam is a masonry dam on the Indrayani River. It is one place in Lonavala which is bound to cheer you up during the monsoons which are the ideal time to visit the attraction. Visiting the dam is one of the best things to do in Lonavala. The overflowing water over the steps of Bhushi Dam and the rocky terrain make this place a hit among the people of nearby areas who throng in large numbers on weekends during monsoons. It tends to get so crowded that many individuals find it hard even to get a decent standing spot.

Tiger's Leap is an unusual name given to this place due to the resemblance of the shape with that of a tiger leaping into the valley. Tiger's Leap is around 8 km away from Lonavala and a major tourist attraction of this place. It is a cliff top with a sheer drop of over 650 m, offering a comprehensive view of the hills and the Western Ghats. Boasting of immense picturesque beauty and gorgeous views, the vantage point also offers hiking and trekking opportunities and it is one of the topmost things to do in Lonavala.

Lonavala is a town and a hill station in Pune district. It is about 64 km from Pune and 96 km from Mumbai. It is a major stop on the railway line which connects Mumbai and Pune. Other than that, it has numerous tourist attractions and there are umpteen things to do in Lonavala. The picturesque Lonavala lake is one of them. With several activities and a beauteous view, the lake is a big hit among the tourists and the localites alike.

Duke's Nose is a popular landmark located about 7 kilometres from the quaint town of Lonavala which is a famous Hill Station in the district of Pune. The region is hugely famous for hiking and its picturesque location. Tourists often visit the landmark to get a panoramic view of the beautiful Sahyadri Ranges, the splendid valleys and the dense forests that cover the Sahyadris. The landmark often serves as an ideal picnic spot for tourists exploring Lonavala. Duke's Nose is also famous for trekking and rock climbing due to the topographical features of the spot that consists of long trails through the forests leading to the steep rocky outcrops of the spot. This is also one of the most adventurous things to do in Lonavala.

Situated between Bhushi dam and Amby valley in Lonavala, Lion's Point is a popular vantage point in the city which offers spectacular panoramic vistas of the adjacent hills and the valley below. The hill top is surrounded by cascading waterfalls, lush green valleys and majestic mountains and is a famous tourist spot in the city. Watching the sunset from the vantage point is one of the popular things to do in Lonavala.

Imagica Adlabs, opened in April 2013, is one of the popular entertainment theme parks that is often referred to as a one-stop recreation centre. It is located on Mumbai-Pune Expressway and is one of the latest additions to the list of Mumbai's entrainment hubs. A world-class entertainment park, Imagica Adlabs is a one of its kind destination picnic spot with a plethora of entertainment options which include live shows and a wide variety of interesting activities. Along with several other exciting things to do in Lonavala, make sure you definitely try this one out.

Midway between Lonavala and Khandala is a fort by the name of Rajmachi Fort, a prominent landmark that watches over some of the most breathtakingly beautiful and wide sceneries of the region. Atop the Western Ghats, the complex comprises two forts that are individually located at the Shrivardhan and Manaranjan Peaks. From the fort, tourists can catch an aerial view of Duke's Nose, Karanala, Mahuli, Bhimashankar, Matheran and Ulhas River. This is definitely one of the most thrilling things to do in Lonavala.

Aamby Valley is a beautiful township about 24 kilometres from Lonavala, in the district of Pune in Maharashtra, India. It has been developed by Sahara India Parivar. The 10,000-acre hilly terrain that the township now occupies has been converted into a splendid landscape through designs that are best suited for the environment and have an urban infrastructure compatible to international standards. The township is frequented for a day-long picnic or a weekend getaway by many. The mesmerizing natural surroundings and best in class infrastructure are sure to take your breath away. Aamby Valley must be experienced at least once in the lifetime and it is one of the major things to do in Lonavala.

One among the most unique things to do in Lonavala, the Celebrity Wax Museum is definitely the talk of the town. This Wax Museum is founded by a 38 year old wax artist from Kerala, Sunil Kandaloor. It houses sculptures of Rajiv Gandhi, Benazir Bhutto, Michael Jackson, Kapil Dev Adolf Hitler, AR Rahman and many more. Image of Chhatrapati Shivaji is the highlight of the museum.

Located at the starting of Khandala Ghatsa, the Amrutanjan Point is an excellent view point from where one can get a magnificent aerial view of the town Khopoli as well as the Duke's Nose. This is an enjoyable picnic spot owing to it's pleasant weather, during most of the year and the beautiful surroundings. Owing to the gorgeous views, this is one of the most popular things to do in Lonavala.

Got a sweet tooth? Great! Shopping in Lonavala is going to be an enticing experience for you. Shopping in Lonavala is all about chikkis and fudges. You will find dozens of places from small shops to showrooms lined up on the streets of Lonavala selling these sweet nibble worthy items. The local delights are worth purchasing. You can also add fresh jams, jellies, and chewda to your shopping list. Cooper's is the oldest shop in town to shop for chikkis and fudge. It's popularity and demand can be gauged from the fact that huge crowds are always lined in front of the store to get a taste of their famous chikki and fudge. Be sure to add this activity among your list of top things to do in Lonavala.

Carved into a rocky hillside, Karla caves are among the oldest Buddhist cave shrines in India. It is located on the Pune-Mumbai highway at Karla and if sources are to be believed, these are only a few among scores of other caves unearthed in Sahyadri Hills. Carved almost 2000 years ago around the 2nd century BC to the 5th century AD, this place constitutes a large collection of beautiful Chaityas (halls) and Viharas (monasteries) reflecting upon a journey of the past, narrating some amusing stories. Explore these age old caves is among the top things to do in Lonavala.

Lush greenery and calm surroundings make up the Valvan Dam, which is a near-perfect evening outing spot, near Lonavala in Maharashtra. The Valvan Dam is a huge water barrage that serves as the water source for the generation of electricity at the Khopoli Power Station, which is owned by Tata Power and is located at the foothills of the Sahyadri Mountains. Enveloped with an altogether different kind of peace, and surrounded with scenic views on all sides, the Valvan Dam and lake are the perfect spots for nature lovers and people who seek solace. Being a very pristine, spectacular landscape, this is also an excellent place for photography enthusiasts. This is one of the best things to do in Lonavala.

The Ryewood park is located close to the Lonavala market, once a Botanical garden, it is now converted into a park. Marked by well maintained and landscaped lawns and gardens, a children park and countless old species of trees, this one makes up for an ideal picnic spot. Relaxing at the park is one of the top things to do in Lonavala for both the localites and the tourists.

Deep and dense rain forests, meadows blooming with flowers, tiny rivulets, ethnic tribal villages or long forgotten temples, the Lonavala - Bhimashankar trail has it all to offer you. This is arguably the best countryside trail, as claimed by many amateurs, and is waiting for you to explore it. The popularity of Lonavala as a hill station only adds to the appeal and makes your experience priceless.

The Karla and Bhaja caves are among the oldest caves in India and date back all the way to 160 B.C. and are situated near Lonavala in Maharashtra. The Bhaja caves are a group of 22 rock-cut caves which are believed to have existed from the times of Hinayana phase of Buddhism, which is of 2nd to 1st century BC. Karla Cave is the largest Hinayana Buddhist chaitya (temple) in India Travel back in time on this trip to ancient Indian rock-cut caves with the best rock-cut architecture of all times. The ancient caves are protected as Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India.

This is one of many forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji, adorned with elements and styles of Maharshtrian architecture. Not only the grandeur of the structure, but the sceneries and views all around, make it another favorite of all its visitors. Literally translated into 'the Iron Fort', this fort was used to house prisoners during the reign of Shivaji. Later, it was used to keep looted treasures. Make sure to put this in your bucket list of things to do in Lonavala.

Located in Dhankawadi Lonavala, Narayani Dham Temple is dedicated to Ma Narayani. Built in 2002, the shrine is constructed in white marbles and is a popular tourist spot of the city. The magnanimous four storeyed temple also houses idols of Ganpathi, Hanuman and several other deities which are decked up with dazzling jewels and in beautiful apparels.

Bungee Jumping takes place in an adventure park called Della Adventures and is one of the best things to do in Rishikesh. The equipment is attached at a height of 150 ft and lasts for about 7-10 minutes. People above the age of 10, with a body weight of above 35 kgs are allowed to take the jump. The experts explain all the safety measures before the jump and most importantly after the thrilling experience that leaves you dumbfounded you even receive a certificate saying you have successfully overcome your fears.

Surrounded by a huge plateau, is a historical fort, land marking the lush green and dreamy mountains of Khandala. A 3-hour drive away from Mumbai, this one is often marked as a favorite for the monsoons. At an altitude of 4,000 feet, the fort is famous for its protective walls and intricate designs. Within the fort are caves, cisterns of water, a decorated arch and old houses. There are quite a few Hanuman temples scattered within the complex. The interior of the fort now lies in ruins, unlike the exterior. Trekking to the fort is one of the most thrilling things to do in Lonavala.

A dominant hill fortress of the Pawana Maval region of the Konkan, Tikona Fort is a loved, frequented and very popular one-day trek spot of Maharashtra. The real Marathi name of the fort is Vitandgad, but it gets its more famous name from the triangular shape it is built in. With a clouded origin and dynamic history of many takeovers and recoveries, the fort stands tall along the green hillocks of Sahyadri. It still commands awe and respect with its high fortifications, large doorways, seven water tanks with clean water and a spectacular view from its topmost bastion.

Located in Rajmachi, the temple displays architecture and design similar to that of the other Shiva temples in Konkan region. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Mahashivratri is celebrated in a much grandeur and festivity here as hundreds of devotees visit the temple to offer their prayers. A beautiful dense forest is located in the temple's backdrop. Visiting the temple is one of the top things to do in Lonavala.

It is great fun even for adventure enthusiasts as one can trek through the nearby areas. The Tungarli Dam is built alongside Tungarli lake in the region of Rajmachi. The dam helps in the irrigation facilities of the region. One can also camp alongside the lake after an adventurous trekking trip making it a soulful experience. Also enjoy the lush green surroundings on your stay here.

Aundoli is a charming campsite located right in the heart of Lonavala. The campsite is a perfect way to take a break from the monotony of the city and embark on an unforgettable camping experience amidst bounteous nature, rich wildlife and towering mountains in the backdrop. Sprawling over a vast area of 3.5 acres of land, Aundoli is a ideal getaway spot popular among honeymooners, backpackers, adventure enthusiasts, friends and family alike. It is a hot pick among localites and tourists alike and is one of the best things to do in Lonavala.

Lonavala Waterfall is situated a little high up on the Bushi Dam near the Lonavala Railway Station. The waterfalls is a popular picnic spot in the area and has a number of small eateries and food stalls selling knick-knacks. Be sure to put this under your list of things to do in Lonavala as this experience is going to stay with you for long.