Lonavala, with its twin town Khandala, sits at about 620 metres in the Sahyadri ranges of the Western Ghats, roughly halfway between Mumbai and Pune. It has been a hill retreat since the 19th century and is one of the most popular weekend escapes in Maharashtra.
The things to do in Lonavala go beyond the viewpoints: some of India's finest early Buddhist rock-cut caves at Karla and Bhaja, Maratha forts such as Lohagad and Visapur, lake camping at Pawna and, in the monsoon, countless waterfalls and misty valleys. Chikki, a peanut and jaggery brittle, is the local speciality.
One or two days is typical. The monsoon (June to September) is the peak season; October to February is pleasant and clearer.
For how to get there, when to go and where to stay, see our Lonavala travel guide.
Quick answer: best things to do in Lonavala
- See the great chaitya at Karla Caves
- Visit the Bhaja Caves
- Trek to Lohagad Fort
- Climb Visapur Fort
- See the view from Tiger's Leap
- Watch the valley from Duke's Nose
- Camp by Pawna Lake
- See Bhushi Dam and Kune Falls in the monsoon
- Trek to Rajmachi
- Buy chikki and fudge
Going by road? See our guide to road trips from Mumbai and Pune.
Comparing hill stations? See our guide to hill stations in Maharashtra.
Planning something active? Read our guide to weekend adventure trips from Mumbai.
Rock-cut caves
See Karla Caves
The Karla Caves, carved by Buddhist monks from around the 2nd century BCE, include one of the largest and best-preserved rock-cut chaitya halls in India, with a vaulted ceiling, wooden ribs that have survived for centuries, and carved pillars topped with elephants and couples. The Ekvira Devi temple stands at the entrance. It is a climb of a few hundred steps.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Good for
- History lovers
Visit Bhaja Caves
The Bhaja Caves, across the valley from Karla, are among the earliest Buddhist caves in the region, with a chaitya, monks' cells and a group of stupas. Reliefs of a king on an elephant and a chariot are notable. A waterfall flows beside them in the monsoon.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
See Bedse Caves
The Bedse Caves, further south-east, are a quieter group of Buddhist caves with finely carved pillars, reached by a short climb.
Forts and treks
Trek to Lohagad
Lohagad (iron fort) is an easy trek from Lohagadwadi, with four large gates and a long spur called Vinchu Kata (scorpion's tail). It was used by Shivaji and the Peshwas. In the monsoon, the fort is often wrapped in clouds.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Good for
- Beginners, families with older children
Climb Visapur
Visapur Fort, next to Lohagad and larger, is reached by a steeper trail that becomes a series of streams in the monsoon. Its plateau has ruins, water tanks and wide views.
Trek to Rajmachi
Rajmachi, a pair of forts above a village in the forest, is reached by a long trail from Lonavala or a steep climb from Kondivade. It is known for waterfalls in the monsoon and fireflies in May and June.
- Best time
- Monsoon; May to June for fireflies
Viewpoints and water
See Tiger's Leap
Tiger's Leap (Tiger Point) is a cliff edge with a sheer drop into the valley, especially dramatic when clouds swirl below in the monsoon. Waterfalls pour off the cliffs nearby after heavy rain. Stay behind the railings.
- Best time
- Monsoon mornings
Watch the valley from Duke's Nose
Duke's Nose, a rock outcrop near Khandala shaped like the Duke of Wellington's nose, is popular with climbers and rappellers and gives views over the Khandala ghat.
Camp by Pawna Lake
Pawna Lake, a reservoir surrounded by hills and forts such as Tikona and Tung, has many campsites with tents, food and bonfires. It is especially popular on weekends from October to May.
- Good for
- Friends, couples
See Bhushi Dam and Kune Falls
In the monsoon, water overflows the steps of Bhushi Dam and visitors sit in the cascade. Kune Falls, a tall three-tier fall near Khandala, is at its fullest after heavy rain. Both are crowded and can be dangerous in strong flows; authorities sometimes restrict access. Never enter fast water.
- Best time
- July to August
- Good to know
- Follow access restrictions; flows can be deadly
Town and food
Buy chikki and fudge
Lonavala's market is lined with shops selling chikki, fudge and other sweets, made here for generations. Try the peanut, sesame and dry-fruit varieties.
- Good for
- Food lovers
Relax at Ryewood Park and Tungarli Lake
Ryewood Park is a shady garden in town, and Tungarli Lake, a short drive away, is a quiet spot with views over the hills.
By season
Monsoon (June to September)
The peak season, with waterfalls, mist and green hills. Weekends are extremely crowded.
Winter (October to February)
Cool, clear weather for caves, forts and camping at Pawna.
Summer (March to May)
Warm days but cooler than Mumbai; fireflies appear in the forests near Rajmachi in May and June.
Things to do in Lonavala by type of traveller
Friends: A monsoon trek to Lohagad or Rajmachi and a night camping at Pawna.
Families: Karla and Bhaja caves, Tiger's Leap, Ryewood Park and chikki shopping.
Couples: A resort stay, misty drives to the viewpoints and a lakeside evening at Pawna.
What to do in Lonavala with one day
Visit Karla Caves in the morning and cross to Bhaja Caves. After lunch, trek to Lohagad or drive to Tiger's Leap for the view, and end with chikki shopping in the market.
Practical tips for Lonavala
- Lonavala is about two hours from Mumbai and one hour from Pune by road or train.
- Weekend traffic in the monsoon is very heavy; start early or go on a weekday.
- Heed warnings at waterfalls and dams; drownings happen every monsoon.
- Wear shoes with grip for caves and forts.
Plan the rest of your Lonavala trip
Lonavala things to do: FAQs
What are the best things to do in Lonavala?
See Karla and Bhaja caves, trek to Lohagad and Visapur, see Tiger's Leap and Duke's Nose, camp at Pawna Lake, see the monsoon waterfalls and buy chikki.
What is the best time to visit Lonavala?
The monsoon (June to September) for waterfalls and greenery; October to February for pleasant weather and clear views.
How many days are enough for Lonavala?
One to two days.
Is Lohagad trek easy?
Yes. It is one of the easiest fort treks in the area, suitable for beginners.
Things to do near Lonavala
- Things to do in Pune: about an hour away
- Things to do in Matheran: the car-free hill station
- Things to do in Mumbai: about two hours away
More things to do in Maharashtra
Published by the Kudozz Club editorial team · Last updated · How we research our guides
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