Lonavala comes alive in the monsoon, when the Sahyadri hills turn green and waterfalls appear everywhere. Explore the Karla and Bhaja Buddhist caves and hike to forts like Lohagad.
Highlights
- Tiger’s Leap and Lion’s Point viewpoints
- Karla and Bhaja caves
- Lohagad and Rajmachi forts
- Bhushi Dam (monsoon)
- Pawna Lake camping
What to eat
- Chikki
- Vada pav
- Corn on the cob in the rain
Where to stay
Villas and resorts around Lonavala and Pawna.
Getting there
About 2 hours from Mumbai and 1 hour from Pune by road or train.
Tips
- Monsoon weekends are packed: go midweek.
- Some waterfalls and dams can be dangerous in heavy rain; follow closures.
- Wear proper shoes for wet trails.
Best time to visit
Jun-Feb. See what else is good in June and our best time to visit India guide.
Places to see in and around Lonavala & Khandala
55 places within 40 km. Tap I’ve been to add them to your India passport.
- Lonavala Hill station, 0 km
- Matheran Hill station, 30 km
- Karla Caves Caves, 7 km
- Bhimashankar Temple Temple, 38 km
- Bhaja Caves Caves, 8 km
- Lohagad Fort, 8 km
- Kondana Caves Caves, 10 km
- Rajmachi trek Trek, 9 km
- Karnala Fort Fort, 34 km
- Atmantan Wellness Centre Wellness retreat, 24 km
- Dharana at Shillim Wellness retreat, 0 km
- Matheran Hill Railway Museum, 31 km
- Bhor Ghat Mountain pass, 5 km
- Khandala Hill station, 4 km
- Karnala Bird Sanctuary Wildlife sanctuary, 37 km
- Rajmachi Fort Fort, 9 km
- Kune Falls Waterfall, 3 km
- Ghorawadi Caves Caves, 32 km
- Tikona Fort, 17 km
- Visapur Fort Fort, 9 km
- Tung Fort Fort, 11 km
- Thanale Caves Caves, 22 km
- Ballaleshwar Pali Temple, 31 km
- Prabalgad Fort, 31 km
And 31 more on our Maharashtra map.
Food to try in and around Lonavala & Khandala
Maharashtra favourites to look out for.
- Vada pav
- Pav bhaji
- Puran poli
- Ukadiche modak
- Sabudana khichdi
- Kanda poha
- Shrikhand
- Sol kadhi
- Kolhapuri sukka mutton
- Pandhra rassa
- Kunthalgiri Khawa GI: sweet
- Mahabaleshwar Strawberry GI: fruit
The full food passport, state by state.
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