Finally, the rains have touched the soil of Mumbai city.
Rainy season as always brings with itself pleasures and problems.
Let’s look at the pleasures...
The smell of the wet mud , butta spiced up with masala and nimbu, the frogs croaking{yeah...I like their voice & not them!}, the melodious cuckoo{I heard her inspite of living in the city, how exciting!!}
and of course a trip to Lonavla!
~ Distance ~
This exotic hill station is at a distance of 60 kms from Pune and 110 kms from Mumbai along the Mumbai-Pune highway.
From Mumbai it was a 3 hour travel but owing to the Expressway and a speedy vehicle it is as fast as 2 hours.
~ How to reach here ~
Air: Pune being the closest airport is 66kms away.
Rail:All the trains travelling between Pune-Mumbai stop here.
Road:Taxis can be booked from the Dadar T.T. station.
Buses plying between Mumbai-Pune halt here.
The best option is to take your own car because it avoids the headache of looking for transport , once you are in the hillstation.
~ Some history ~
Discovered in 1871 by Sir.Elphinstone and is located at a height of 625m in the Sahyadris .The name Lonavla is derived from the word ’lanavli’ which means a city which is bordered with caves.Lonavla and Khandala are just next to each other {yeah...the same Khandala from the song...’aati kya Khandala?’}
~ Sight seeing ~
Lonavla-Khandala is basically a hill-station with a lot of scenic beauty.
Specific sightseeing is not much.
#Bushi dam:This is just another dam but what makes it special is that it overflows during heavy rains.The overflow itself makes it seem like a waterfall.This waterfall is a thumbs up among all visitors.However , lately many rowdy youngsters are seen hovering around this place.It is best to just have look at this waterfall and move further.The Valvan dam too is just another dam.
#Tiger’s leap point:This point is on a height which requires walking if you don’t own a car.But it’s certainly worth the visit.
#The Karla caves:Located at about 12 km from Lonavla .
The rock sculptures and a stupa attracts the visitors here.
~ Bonjour’s tips ~{ read at your own risk...hehe}
#Places to stay:
--Luxury-- The Fariyas, The Rainbow retreat.
--Moderate--The Avion, The Valvan Resort.
--Budget--Hotel Girija
#Fast food: Ramakrishna in the Lonavla market.
#Don’t forget to go up {in the ghats}from the Bushi dam.You can enjoy the fog there.We had to literally switch the car lights on as we couldn’t see anything due to fog.Also the real ’Lonavla’ {the greenery, deep valleys and scenic beauty}is here.
Earlier , the roads leading here were not well constructed but on account of the Sahara Amby Valley project{yeah...the same one which gifted our world-cup runners up with bungalows}they are now smooth and accessible.
#Whenever you go via Khopoli taste the batata wadas at ’Hotel Ramakant’in Khopoli.Recently, they have started the ’Ramakant mobile’to render service on the Expressway.
#Lonavla is usually visited by the city public who wish for a change.Unless, you are opting for some rest don’t keep more than 2 days chalked out for Lonavla.
#Rather than living in one of the resorts look out for bungalow owners who will rent you the bungalow for a couple of days.Then you will have the pleasure of living in the nature rather than those city-like resorts.
#Don’t forget to taste the ’chikki’or ’choclate fudge’here.Lonavla chikki is world famous.
So...gear up and have fun at Lonavla!
Comments are always welcomed and awaited.
Good luck,
Bonjour