Planning for a two-day trip away from the mundane of city life of Mumbai, & Pune? Visit Lonavala, a beautiful hill station nestled at an altitude of 622 m in the Sahyadri Mountains of Maharashtra. Often called the ‘Jewel of Sahyadri’ and the ‘City of Caves’, it is one of the famous hill stations in Maharashtra, and among the top places to visit near Mumbai. This charming hill station is renowned for its picturesque landscapes, which include verdant valleys, cascading waterfalls, tranquil lakes, ancient forts, and intriguing caves. Our travel guide presents a comprehensive Lonavala 2-Day Trip itinerary that encompasses all the key attractions. Discover the essential Lonavala tourist spots that should not be missed during your two-day excursion to create lasting memories.
Karla Caves
Karla Caves complex is an ancient Buddhist rock-cut cave complex located in Lonavala, among the top hill stations in Maharashtra. These caves are carved into a high spur of hills on the north side of the Indrayani valley, approximately 100 meters above ground level. The cave complex consists of 16 rock-cut excavations of which cave 8 is the chaityagriha. The caves were created in two phases – from the 2nd century BC to the 2nd century AD, and from the 5th to the 10th century AD. While the rock excavations at Karla are not as intricate as those at Ajanta and Ellora, the grand chaityagriha at Karla is the most magnificent and largest in all of India. Visitors will be impressed by the exquisite motifs, sculptures, inscriptions, stupas, pillars, and the 37-pillar aisle at Karla Caves during their Lonavala 2-day trip from Mumbai.
Book Here : Lonavala Heritage Tour Packages
Lion’s Point
If you wish to catch the best sunset view as part of Lonavala tour packages be sure to include a visit to Lion’s Point in your itinerary. Positioned between Bhushi Dam and Amby Valley, Lion’s Point stands out as one of the most sought-after vantage points in Lonavala, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. It is even more captivationg during the monsoon season with numerous small waterfalls, verdant hills, and lakes in the vicinity. The Shiv-ling peak is a conical peak that can be seen towards the left side of Lion’s Point, among the prominent places to visit in Lonavala. For those craving more excitement, consider embarking on an evening or night trekking and camping adventure to this spot. Spending time amidst the tranquility of nature, breathing in the fresh air, and gazing up at the starry sky will undoubtedly create lasting memories of your two-day stay in Lonavala.
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Bhushi Dam
Bhushi Dam is a masonry dam constructed on the Indrayani River in Lonavala, making it one of the notable tourist places near Pune. The dam was constructed in the late 1860s to provide water for the Great Indian Peninsular Railway’s steam engines. Water from the dam was transported to Lonavala, Khandala, and the railways’ reversing station through cast-iron pipes. The sight of water flowing over the dam walls during the monsoon is truly remarkable. Although swimming is not allowed in the dam due to the unpredictable water flow, visitors can still enjoy the water on the steps. There is also a waterfall near the dam, formed due to the overflow of the dam during the monsoon months. Visitors can sit and enjoy the stunning views of the surroundings while soaking up the sun as part of the Lonavala Leisure tour.
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Celebrity Wax Museum
Celebrity Wax Museum in Lonavala, housing approximately 100 wax sculptures of famous personalities from all over the world, is one of the highly sought-after places to visit as part of Lonavala tour from Pune. Established by the renowned wax sculptor Mr. Sunil Kandalloor, the museum aims to provide a similar experience to those who are unable to visit Madame Tussauds Museum in London. The collection includes wax figures of prominent individuals from various fields such as religion, social service, history, art, literature, and pop music. Among the notable statues are those of Swami Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi, B R Ambedkar, M S Subbulakshmi, Kapil Dev, Charlie Chaplin, Narendra Modi, Saddam Hussein, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and many more. Additionally, the museum showcases depictions of Shirdi Sai Baba, Jawahar Lal Nehru, as well as wax models of renowned musicians, politicians, and social activists.
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Tiger’s Leap
Tiger’s Leap, also known as Waghdari, is a stunning viewpoint in Lonavala, one of the most picturesque hill stations near Pune. Perched on a cliff with a dramatic 650 m drop, it offers a panoramic view of the hills and the Western Ghats. Located at Kurvande on the way to Aamby Valley from Lonavala, the spot earned its name from its resemblance to a leaping tiger. The verdant surroundings, captivating valley views, misty mornings, and refreshing breeze make it a must-visit place during your Lonavala tour from Mumbai. The sunrise and sunset vistas are truly awe-inspiring. During the monsoon season, a small waterfall near the viewpoint adds to the charm.
Book Here : Lonavala Adventure Tour Packages
Lohagad Fort
Situated at an elevation of 3400 feet in the Sahyadri mountains, Lohagad Fort is a historic fort located close to Lonavala. It is one of the best places to visit in Lonavala and among the popular places of heritage in Maharashtra. Constructed by Guru Govind Singh in 1564 CE as a prison, the fort was later captured by Shivaji Maharaj in 1648 CE. However, due to the Treaty of Purandar in 1665 CE, he had to surrender it to the Mughals. Shivaji Maharaj reclaimed the fort in 1670 CE, after which it was utilized by the Peshwas. Shaped like a scorpion’s tail, the fort features four entrances – Maha Darwaja, Ganesh Darwaja, Hanuman Darwaja, and Narayan Darwaja. Lohagad Fort is a popular spot for trekking near Pune & Mumbai due to its convenient location, easy trekking trails, and picturesque green surroundings. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Karla, Bhaja caves, and Pawna Lake from the fort.
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Rajmachi Point
Rajmachi Point is another vantage point located on the way to Mumbai from Pune, just before the starting point of the ghat in Khandala. It is one of the top places to visit as part of Lonavala 3 day tour. The place got its name because of Rajmachi Fort which is situated opposite this point. This point offers picturesque views of Rajmachi Fort, the surrounding valley, and the waterfalls of Lonavala. There is a temple and a children’s park in the vicinity. One can also have a clear view of the expressway from this point.
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Pawna Lake
Pawna Lake is an artificial lake formed due to the construction of the Pawana Dam across Pawana River which originates in the Western Ghats. The lake is surrounded by rich greenery, making it one of the prominent tourist places in Lonavala. Boating facilities are available at this place, which adds to its popularity. While enjoying a boat ride on the lake, tourists get magnificent views of three ancient forts- Tikona, Lohagad, and Tung. Surrounded by spectacular landscape, it is also a popular picnic and camping spot in Lonavala. Nowadays, Pawna Lake is fastly gaining popularity among the locals who are looking for a quiet weekend getaway from Pune and Mumbai in the lap of nature with their friends and family.
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Bhaja Caves
Bhaja Caves, located in Maharashtra, are a well-known Buddhist cave complex of the Hinayana faith and are considered one of the most popular heritage sites near Mumbai. Dating back to the 2nd century BC, this group of 22 rock-cut caves is situated 400 feet above the village of Bhaja on an ancient trade route which extends from the eastern side of the Arabian Sea towards the Deccan. The architectural style of the Bhaja Caves is similar to that of the Karla Caves, with the most prominent excavation being the chaityagriha (Cave 12), which is believed to be the earliest of its kind. The caves also feature a group of 14 stupas, relics of resident monks who died at Bhaja, and a seasonal waterfall that falls into a small pool at the bottom.
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