I forgot all about sleeping in and watching the series, and the excitement of exploring a new place took over me. I was packed and ready to go within minutes. Unfortunately, I had to wait until the morning to leave. My friends arrived before the sun rose and we were all set to go and make some wonderful memories. 

Why Lonavala?

Lonavala is a hill station that is located 83 kilometres from Mumbai making it a perfect spot to go on a weekend getaway. We rode to Lonavala on the Mumbai Pune expressway, which was a really rejuvenating ride. The route offers great views of the Western Ghats, and it looks even more beautiful in the rainy season when everything is lush green. The route is dotted with beautiful waterfalls as well that make the journey exhilarating. 

Proximity to Mumbai wasn’t the only reason why we chose to ride to Lonavala but also because of its affordability. There are a ton of places that we could visit and it didn’t cost us much either to go to those places. 

Route to Lonavala 

Day 1

We left early in the morning to avoid the morning traffic and we reached within 2 hours. The ride was a pleasant one and we took a couple of halts to take some pictures along the way. We had a hot cup of coffee on the way and grabbed a quick bite. 

Once our stomachs were full, we knew we were ready to take on the adventures that this beautiful place that in store for us. We were all set to go to the first place on our list. 

1. Karla Caves

Time: 9 am

As soon as the Lonavala plan was in the making, we just knew that we had to start with Karla Caves. Also known as Karle Caves, these are carved from a rocky hillside. These caves are among the oldest Buddhist cave shrines in the country. They were carved almost 2000 years ago and it is believed that many caves are still unearthed in the region. 

Karla caves are made of an extensive collection of beautiful halls and monasteries which reflect a rich history. The temple is made from pillars from the Buddhist period and you will have to climb 150 stairs to reach the cave. 

These caves were developed over two periods: from 2nd century BC to 2nd Century AD and in 5th – 10th Century AD. 

Entrance Fee: Rs. 5 per person.

2. Lunch: German Bakery Wunderbar

Time: 1 pm

We spent way more time exploring the caves than we had planned to. In fact, we didn’t feel like leaving the place! But our grumbling stomachs reminded us that we had to get lunch. And we headed to a place whose reputation preceded itself. 

You must not miss German Bakery Wunderbar if you are looking for some incredible food. After ordering almost half the menu, we were all fuelled up to go to our next destination. 

Don’t forget to pick up packets of Maganlal Chikki and chocolate fudge from the shops that are right outside the restaurant. You will seriously regret it if you don’t, trust me! Lonavala has the best chikki ever. 

3. Lion’s Point

Time: 3 pm

Lion’s Point was around 13 kms from German Bakery and it took us about 30 mins to reach the place. This vantage point is exactly between the Aamby Valley and Bhushi Dam in Lonavala. It is definitely one of the most popular viewpoints in the area. 

Luckily, there was an overcast and the weather was extremely pleasant. Suffice to say, the panoramic view from Lion’s Point was majestic. During the rains, it gets even more beautiful and you can see small waterfalls mushrooming at different places. Once we soaked in the awesomeness that this place had to offer, we drove to the next place. 

4. Tiger’s Point

Time: 4.30 pm

Another popular tourist point is the Tiger’s Point or Tiger’s Leap and that was where we were headed to next. It is a cliff top which offers a panoramic view of the surrounding hills. We were wowed by the greenery and we just couldn’t get enough of it. We stayed back until it was starting to get dark and we headed to the homestay we were staying overnight. 

We had a long day ahead of us the next day, so we just decided to hang out at the homestay, have an early dinner and sleep. 

Day 2:

• Rajmachi Fort

Time: 7 am

We woke up to the chirping of birds, which was a pleasant change from all the honking that is common in Mumbai mornings. We had to get an early start to the day. After freshening up and having a quick cup of tea, we started our drive to Rajmachi Fort. We reached there by 7 am and began our trek. 

Rajmachi is a small village in the Sahyadri range. There are two forts in Rajmachi – Shrivardhan Fort and Manaranjan Fort. The Rajmachi fort was a strategic fort to control Borghat, which was a historical trade route.

We trekked a little bit and we were welcomed to sights that were out of this world. We wanted to do the full trek and reach the top but that was a plan for some other time. The mini-trek we did warmed us up for what came next.

• Della Adventure Park 

Time 11 am

We grabbed a quick brunch and headed straight to Della Adventure Park. This is India’s ‘Largest Xtreme Adventure Park’. All of us were adrenaline junkies and our plan to go to Della finally came to fruition.

There are over 50 thrilling activities to choose from – right from Motocross dirt bike riding, Archery, Rocket Ejector, Rappelling, Paintball, Buggy Ride to name a few.

We could have spent the entire day there but we knew we were short on time. 

Before we left, we went to one of the many multi-cuisine restaurants that are on the grounds. After the extreme sports, we were undoubtedly hungry. We tucked in some delish food and were ready to head to our final spot. 

• Khandala 

Time: 5.30 pm

After an adrenaline-filled day, we wanted to unwind before leaving for Mumbai. And, the Sunset Point in Khandala was the perfect place to do that. We were just in time to see the sun get ready to set. The blazing ball of fire stuck around for a while and we sat in silence as we saw it go down. 

You can see a popular trekking spot called Duke’s Point from this place. The picturesque spot offers a panoramic view of the surrounding hills. There couldn’t have been a better spot than this to witness a beautiful sunset. 

With such a serene end to our trip, it was finally time for us to head back to Mumbai. I must say, this was way better than just laying around in the house in pyjamas and watching back-to-back episodes of any series. 

What More in Lonavala 

We had been to Lonavala a couple of times before, so this time we skipped a lot of our usual spots and went to places we never had been to before. If you are going to Lonavala for the first time, you can visit the following places as well:

• Bhushi Dam: This is a masonry dam built upon Indrayani River. This is one of the best places to visit in the monsoons. The water from the waterfall flows over the steps of Bhushi Dam. You can enjoy the waterfall, sit on the steps and have a super fun time. 

• Sunil’s Celebrity Wax Museum: Well, we don’t have Madame Tussaud’s but this is a good place to go if you are interested in seeing wax replicas of celebrities. It is founded by a wax artist from Kerala, Sunil Kandaloor. It has wax sculptures of several popular people like Kapil Dev, Rajiv Gandhi, AR Rahman, Michael Jackson, and Chhatrapati Shivaji to name a few. 

• Lohagad Fort: This is a UNESCO world heritage site that is situated at a height of 3400 feet. This is the perfect blend of natural beauty and architecture. It was built in the 18th century and is a perfect destination for trekking. An interesting fact is that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj used to keep his treasury in this fort.

The trek to this fort is an easy one and even beginners can easily complete it. 

• Tungarli Dam: It is built alongside the Tungarli lake in the region of Rajmachi. You can camp beside the lake and enjoy the greenery.  

• Kune Waterfalls: These are the 14th highest waterfalls in India measuring at a height of 200 meters. Kune waterfalls fall in three tiers amidst the Sahyadri range within the Lonavala – Khandala valley. You can enjoy these falls from afar as entry is restricted. 

As we were heading back to Mumbai, we were already reliving the fun we had over the two-day trip. We found ourselves already making plans to visit in one of the long weekends and explore more places that are around Lonavala. 

Finally, I reached home and hit the bed almost immediately. Needless to say, I had a humongous smile on my face. 

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Reconciling With The Nature At Venna Lake

Venna Lake is 5.8 km from Berry Hill Resort, which is about 15 minutes from the hotel and is one of the best places to visit in Mahabaleshwar. This man-made lake receives less tourist attention; thanks to my travel buddy for suggesting this placid lake as it was indeed a good surprise and a soul-rejuvenating experience. We were moved by the beauty and tranquillity of this place with the lush greenery and still water which was soothing for our minds.

The stunning vistas kept us awestruck for a while. Later, after recovering from the nature-induced coma, we gorged on Maharashtrian street food in the kiosks by the lake. Craving for some activity, we went on a horse ride and stayed at the lake to catch the sunset. The lake is open for tourists till 7 pm, and boating and paddling charges are quite affordable.

A Short Detour To Pratapgarh Fort

At a distance of 24 km from the hill station lies Pratapgarh Fort. It is the most popular medieval fortification in Mahabaleshwar. If you are a person who loves to connect with the history of our country just like me, then this short detour to Pratapgarh Fort is worth the drive. The fort is a precious relic of the Maratha Empire, reflecting the freedom (Swaraj) struggle during Chhatrapati Shivaji’s reign. We spent a day soaking in the lush terrains, small ponds, tree-lined walkways, and the history and grandeur of the fort.

Savouring The Richness Of Lingmala Falls

Lingmala Falls is 6 km from Mahabaleshwar Hill Station. The foamy waterfalls and cold weather creates a terrific ambience during monsoons. Though the waterfalls are steep (at a height of 600 ft), the green background with vegetation enhances the beauty of this place. Lingmala Falls is perfect for couples, families, as well as solo travellers. My friend and I had a great time at this natural treasure and clicked Instagram-worthy pictures. It is a joy to capture the cascading seasonal falls, majestic waters, and abundant flora with your buddies. With caution, you can trek and swim at these waterfalls. When you are tired, you can listen to the gushing waters and relax.

Drooling & Binging On Berries

Your trip to Mahabaleshwar is not complete without visiting the strawberry farms. Cream Corner and Mapro Garden are the famous strawberry farms in Mahabaleshwar and are totally worth visiting. Strolling along with the strawberry farm, breathing the appetising smell of the fruit and picking them are simple treasures of life. Mahabaleshwar has a variety of berries including gooseberries and raspberries too.

Mahabaleshwar is a heaven of jams, jellies, squashes, and marmalades. You can sample them at Mapro Garden. You can also visit licensed bee farms and have a look at how the beekeepers work and get a tour of the bee farming.

Shopping To The Heart’s Content

Mahabaleshwar has plenty of options when it comes to shopping. If you have a knack for bargaining and getting good deals, head to Town Bazaar where you can buy unique products. Trinkets, handicrafts, leather goods, wooden toys, decorative items and more are available at the local shops for the best prices. We went on a shopping spree at Pratapgarh, where different types of items are available in one place. You can get a good deal on clothes and jewellery shopping at the local shops in Mahabaleshwar with good bargaining skills.

Catching The Golden Hour At Arthur’s Seat

Arthur Seat, a mountaintop, is the most popular tourist spot in Mahabaleshwar. The place is named after Arthur Malet who lost his wife and a one-month-old daughter in a ferry accident in Savitri River. Since then, Malet used to come to this place and stare at the river. We got teary-eyed after learning about this tragic story. The Arthur Seat is at a height of 1,470 m. There are five other points, Echo Point, Hunter Point, Tiger Spring Point, Window Point and Malcolm Point along with Arthur Seat.

Arthur Seat was originally called Madhi Mahaal and popularly called as Queen of the Points. The point is famous for floating of objects, that is if you throw lighter objects like bottle caps in the valley they come back to you by what is called the Magnus effect. Picturesque vistas dividing Kolkan and Deccan will melt your heart. There are monkeys at the Arthur Seat. Be careful with them as they may grab your things and run away. We watched a monkey snatch a bottle of a tourist and finish the fruit juice in it in a gulp! Watching the sun go down from the Arthur Seat is a sacred experience.

Such Hidden Gems: REVVING TO THE COFFEE LAND OF KARNATAKA: CHIKMAGALUR

The Other Points…

Opposite to Arthur Seat, there is a window-shaped mountain, Window Point. Echo Point, as the name suggests, echoes sounds. We screamed toward the valley until we were out of breath and had fun at this point. Tiger Spring Point has natural waters with shores teeming with wild animals. From the Malcolm Point, you can catch good views of Tornagad, Pratapgad and Savitri Valley. The Hunter Point was used by the British for hunting during the Colonial rule.

A Surfeit Of Adventures At Panchgani

Panchgani is not only a scenic spot but also a host of adventure activities and is a perfect place to attain an adrenaline rush. You can hike, paraglide, bike, parasail and more per your thrill. Paragliding clubs at Panchgani offer short air travels which you shouldn’t miss if you love to fly. You can get a bird’s eye view of temples, dams of Wai, green landscapes and stunning vistas while paragliding. If you still have time, then go shopping at Shivaji Market Circle for quality leather goods, wooden handicrafts, and other knick-knacks. If you are not a shopaholic and would rather grab a bite, then the famous Maharashtrian sweet – chikki is a must-try.

A Feast For The Eyes At Sydney Point

Sydney Point is located 21 km from Panchgani and is a visual treat for nature lovers with its astounding views of the Krishna Valley, Dhom Dam, Kamalgad Fort and the city of Wai it offers. The views of hill ranges of Pandavgad and Mandhardeo are worth living for. Sydney Point is named after the then Commander-in-Chief of Bombay Sir Sydney Bechwarth in 1830. The Point looks more magical during monsoons, but the route becomes a bit challenging during the pouring days.

Horse Riding On Asia’s Second Largest Plateau

Table Land is Asia’s second-largest plateau, and it becomes difficult to cover the vast length of the plateau by feet. A whopping 95 acres of the plateau is covered with dense foliage of bonnet grass. The views of majestic hills and deep valleys are truly spellbinding. Apart from horse riding, people go there to witness the magic in the sky during the sunrise and sunset. We couldn’t stay there for the sunset as we were getting late. Table Land also hosts fun activities; horse riding, trekking, merry go rounds and arcade games. All in all, Table Land is a treasure trove of scenic beauty and fun activities, making it an ideal getaway. If you are bound by time, visiting Table Land alone will be enough to make most of the trip.

Mahabaleshwar has a mystical aura that will hypnotise anyone. We couldn’t escape its beautiful spell. Whether it is solo travelling or a romantic getaway, or an adventure voyage with friends, Mahabaleshwar fits all. You can make the most of this trip by travelling the 210-km stretch via NH66 in your vehicle.

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