We had been to MTDC Karla on 23rd October 2010 with 8members and booked 3 non ac cottages....half of us reaching from Mumbai and the other from Pune...overall drive to Karla was smooth from expressway (2nd right to Lonavala exit) you reach MTDC after the toll of Rs.23/- in 15mins - the lane ends on MTDC resort and just before the entrance is Balagi tambe herbal hospital.
Indrayani restaurant serves the best Maharashtrian food in a clean restaurant and small play area for the kids makes your life easy and relax as u want a picnic to be.Cottages are clean and more than spacious (2rooms with 4 persons can sleep comfortably) and a verandah to sit out talk and relax.
Site seeing:
Karla caves with ekvira devi mandir (walk of 100 steps on the hill) (do have malai pedas.....ummmm) Bhajaa caves (100steps) opposite to karla caves, Tony Dhaba - 15kms from MTDC Balagi tambe - herbal hospital (next to MTDC resort) (they charge exorbitant, instead ramdeobaba medicies are cheap) Wax museum - charges 100/- per head and has only 15wax idolsThe water park was closed for renovation, but had a boat ride Rs.150 for 4 ppl and saw kingfisher and other birds near the lake.
Overall...a good place for a days picnic.