The most favorite monsoon picnic spot of Puneits & Mumbaikars. It is at a height of 620m above sea level. From Bombay Lonavala is 128 km by railway and 92 km by road. To reach Lonavala Trains take about 2.30 hours from Mumbai and 1 hr from Pune. Local Trains from Pune take 1 hr 30 min to reach Lonaval. When ever I go to pune I always visit lonavala & khandala. The best season to visit these places is monsoon season I stayed two days & visited whole lonavala & khandala.
Lonavala
Lonavala is such a place where nature is present in all its splendor. Lonavala has become famous because of nature’s gift. Lonavala has been blessed with valleys, hills, Milky Waterfalls, Lush Greenery and pleasant cool winds. This region full of natural beauty. Words are not enough to describe the beauty for this place. Lonavala is an epic poem created by God. Beautiful mountain ranges trying to reach the sky are sites that please the human mind and give an experience of heavenly pleasure.
The morning sun rising over here appears as if it is sprinkling rose water all over.The whole place is covered with a thick blanket of fog early in the morning this is how the day begins here.
Khandala
Khandala neighbors Lonavala. Although is comparatively small, it is equally blessed with natural beauty and bounty. Deep valley on one side and high hills on the other side divide Khandala and Lonavala. Luckily, modern industrialization has not adversely affected Khandala. Whenever a tourist visits Lonavala he also wishes to visit Khandala. While traveling on Mumbai Bangalore National Highway, one has to cross the arduous Khopoli - Khandala Ghat.
This is the famous Borghat. In a short distance of 8 Kms one has to climb a height of 369 meters. This is a difficult Ghat to climb. But once you reach here, you feel that this climb has been worth the trouble. Khandala is One place where you will fall in love at First Site. In fact this is exactly the reason that we feel must have inspired the makers of the movie "GHULAM" to include a song "AATI KYA KHANDALA" in their movie which has created huge waves throughout India.
Main reasons for this is the fact that it is very close to Mumbai, so people from Mumbai find it very convenient, other reason is that the passengers traveling to south India or returning from there also pass through, making this place a busy spot. And the natural beauty of Lonavala & Khandala makes one forget the fatigue of the journey. Being at a considerable height from sea level, these two places enjoy a cool climate.
Rajmachi Park: On the way to Mumbai from Lonavala there is a beautiful garden before the beginning of the Ghat. It gives a spectacular view of the surroundings. On the East Side two towers of the Rajmachi Fort can be seen and at the bottom is the huge valley. There is a restaurant here and a temple close by. The Ghat begins from this point so many people come to enjoy the view. There is children’s park & there are regular bus services from lonavala bus station.
Ryewood: This is a big & beautiful garden situated near Lonavala. This garden covers a lot of ground & it is full of majestic tall trees. There is an old Mahadeo temple in this park. There is history behind the name Ryewood. An English officer Mr. Rye stayed in this place for quite some time. Hence this woods are named after him.
Duke’s Nose: This place is named after Duke Wellington whose pointed nose this cliff resembles. It also looks like a hood of a snake, which is why it is also called as "Nagfani"(Hood of Snake). This point can be approach from INS Shivaji and Kurwande Village.
Shivaji Park: This ground which was known as a playground which was converted into a garden there is statue of Shri Shivaji Maharaj in this park. As it is near located near the city many people visit this park.
Lohagad Darshan: In this small garden located in Bhangarwadi, there are plenty of toys for children to play there is also a big statue of Savarkar here.
Amruntanjan point: At the beginning of the Khandala Ghat, and at the end of the first slope there is a huge hoarding of Amrutanjan. There is a lot of flat space around here and the view of the valley and Dukes Nose is breath taking beyond this one can also see the city of Khopoli.
Kune Falls: This water falls where water comes down from a height of more than 100 feet is majestic in appearance one can have bath in the water that flows through the valley. This place is between Lonavala and Khandala. This fall can be seen in Khandala Ghat while coming from Mumbai. It runs for many days long after the monsoon is over.
Tiger’s Leap: This is a special spot in this area. If one looks at the valley carefully from this spot it appears as if a tiger is leaping into the valley, that is why this name. This spot is a furlong away from INS Shivaji. It gives a fascinating view of the valley. There is provision for viewing the valley from the safe confines of a big hole. A stone thrown down from here ricochets at many places and gets destroyed here. Making it as an another unique experience.
Sakur Plateau: On the way to INS Shivaji there is a turn and a zigzag road. At a distance of approximately 4 miles and at a height of 1000 feet is a plateau. This plateau is on the way to village Ambavane. Thick forests occupy it and it’s sparsely populated. Tungi, Korigad, Lohagad etc.
Monkey Hill: All the trains coming down from Khandala halt here for brake testing. There is a huge flat land to south of the railway tracks. This place is exactly above Khopoli town and it can be approach from Khopoli as well as Borghat reversing station. It is a favorite picnic spot.
Reversing Station: This old place belonging to the railways now remains unused. During the night, this place illuminated with hundreds of lights becomes alive and gives a fascinating view.The division of Lonavala and Raigad District starts from here.
Besides all these the Lonavala Chikki is the most popular sweet over here.
if you all get time to visit these places please visit Watching the nature’s beauty here is an unforgettable experience.