By Amanpreet Singh
Hey, Cloggers! After months of planning and coordination, we finally nailed down a destination that promised the perfect blend of natural drama, easy accessibility, and classic hill-station charm: Lonavala. Situated high in the Sahyadri range of the Western Ghats, Lonavala is more than just a pitstop between Mumbai and Pune; it is a lush, vibrant green haven, especially during the monsoon, when the hills awaken, waterfalls roar, and the mist rolls in like a majestic ocean tide.
This wasn’t just a trip; it was a pilgrimage to the “Jewel of the Sahyadris,” aimed at recharging our souls with fresh air and exhilarating treks. This comprehensive Lonavala travel guide captures every moment of our four-day escape—from conquering ancient Maratha forts to battling the crowds at popular dams and finding serene solitude amidst the clouds. Joining me for this truly epic journey, filled with beautiful sights and lovely chaos, were the usual suspects: Rahul, Simran, Vikram, and me.
Day 1: The Descent into Greenery and the Taste of Tradition
Our journey began with the thrill of the drive. The Mumbai-Pune Expressway, especially the stretch through the ghats, offers a cinematic entry into Lonavala. The sheer volume of rain turned the hillsides into gigantic, emerald sponges, weeping hundreds of temporary waterfalls. It was an instant reset button for the senses.
The Epic Drive and the Cozy Check-in
The drive itself was the initial Epic adventure. Visibility dropped to near zero as we ascended, forcing us to rely on pure instinct and the occasional glimpse of a truck’s taillights. This white-knuckle experience, though slightly terrifying, built the anticipation perfectly. As we arrived, the town greeted us with a cool, misty embrace.
We opted to rent a private villa just outside the main town area. For a group of four friends, having our own space—complete with a small balcony overlooking the valley—is non-negotiable. It allows for late-night board games, messy communal cooking, and the freedom to blast questionable 90s music without disturbing neighbors. Our villa, nestled among dense trees, quickly became our lovely, misty base camp for the days ahead. The air inside was thick with the scent of wet earth and pine, instantly relaxing us.
The Chikki Challenge: Fun with Friends
You cannot talk about Lonavala without mentioning chikki. This iconic, brittle sweet, made primarily from jaggery and nuts (peanuts being the classic), is synonymous with the town. We immediately headed to a bustling local shop to stock up.
The first instance of fun with friends was the “Chikki Challenge.” We bought six different varieties—the classic peanut, the exotic sesame, the surprising cashew, the flaky til, and a spicy version we weren’t sure about. We then blind-tasted them, trying to guess the primary ingredient and rating its crunch factor. It devolved quickly into a sticky, sugar-fueled debate over which was superior (Simran, predictably, championed the almond variety). This simple tradition perfectly set the light-hearted tone for the rest of the trip.
Our evening ended with a long, leisurely Maharashtrian thali dinner at a local establishment, filled with spicy curries and soft bhakri bread, followed by a quiet night on the balcony watching the distant lights of the valley flicker through the mist. The tranquility was palpable, a Lovely welcome to the hills.
Day 2: Scaling the Legacy of the Maratha Empire
The second day was dedicated to the most crucial element of any proper Lonavala travel guide: the historical treks to the ancient hill forts. These forts are not merely ruins; they are massive stone sentinels overlooking the Deccan Plateau, testaments to the strategic genius of the Maratha Empire.
The Epic Trek to Lohagad (The Iron Fort)
Our primary target was Lohagad Fort, or the Iron Fort. It’s accessible via a moderate 4 km trek, which, during the monsoon, becomes an adventurous scramble. The fort’s location is incredible, perched on a lateral spur of the Western Ghats, commanding a clear view of the plains and the nearby Pawna Lake.
The ascent felt truly Epic. The path was frequently slippery, turning our planned hike into a cautious, muddy climb. We had to use the old handrails and sometimes even crawl over moss-covered steps. The relentless wind, carrying sprays of rain, added a theatrical dimension to the experience. We looked out for the fort’s famous shape: its final bastion is a narrow, tongue-like projection of rock called the Vinchukata or ‘Scorpion’s Tail.’
At every challenging step, the fun with friends resurfaced—from Rahul sliding comically down a muddy patch (and the subsequent photo shoot) to Vikram’s detailed, improvised history lecture on the fort’s handover between the Mughals and the Marathas.
The Beautiful Moment: Above the Clouds
Reaching the summit of Lohagad was our first true Beautiful Moment of the trip. The air was unbelievably fresh. The fort itself, though aged, held an aura of powerful history.
We stood at the edge, gazing down upon the vast, swirling mist that filled the valleys below, occasionally parting to reveal the sparkling blue waters of Pawna Lake. It truly felt like standing on an island in the sky. The sheer scale of the landscape—the vast plains, the dense, green forest, and the sheer drop of the cliffs—was humbling. We spent an hour just silently absorbing the view, trading the chaos of the climb for the profound silence of the mountain top. The remnants of ancient walls and cisterns served as perfect backdrops for reflection and photography.
The Contrast of Visapur
Just a short distance away lies Visapur Fort, the larger and perhaps less-trafficked twin to Lohagad. While time constraints prevented a full exploration, the drive around the base gave us a sense of its imposing stature. Visapur is famous for its massive plateaus and intricate carving remnants. We decided to save the deeper exploration of Visapur for a future trip, appreciating that Lonavala offers layers of history waiting to be uncovered, beyond the single day’s trek.
Day 3: Waterfalls, Ancient Art, and Lake Serenity
Having satisfied our need for trekking and history, Day 3 was dedicated to the water—the magnificent waterfalls born from the monsoon and the ancient history carved into the rocks by generations past.
The Chaos of Bushy Dam
The first stop in our Lonavala travel guide for a natural spectacle was Bushy Dam. Let me be honest: visiting Bushy Dam during the monsoon is not an escape; it’s a cultural experience of collective frenzy. During peak season, the crowds are immense, all drawn by the spectacle of the dam overflowing.
The dam’s steps turn into a massive, multi-tiered cascade where people sit directly in the rushing water. It’s loud, chaotic, and incredibly exhilarating. This was pure fun with friends in the most public sense. We managed to find a safe spot, got completely soaked, and joined in the collective joy of the crowd. The energy was infectious, but after an hour of wading, we agreed we needed a dose of peace.
Kune Falls and the Journey to the Past
To detox from the crowds, we sought out Kune Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in the area. The three-tiered cascade is majestic, especially when viewed from the Lonavala-Khandala section of the old highway. The sight and sound of the water plunging several hundred feet, surrounded by dense greenery, offered a beautiful contrast to the dam’s chaos.
Our quest for serenity led us to a different kind of immersion: the rock-cut Buddhist temples of the Karla and Bhaja Caves. These sites, carved out between the 2nd century BC and the 5th century AD, showcase incredible examples of early Buddhist architecture. The chaityas (prayer halls) are massive and feature intricately carved wooden-like ribs supporting the stone roof.
The Lovely silence inside the ancient Karla Chaitya Hall was breathtaking. It was a space designed for reflection, and standing among pillars carved two millennia ago, we felt the profound connection to the past. This historical detour provided the necessary spiritual calm after the energetic rush of the waterfalls.
Evening Serenity at Pawna Lake
We consciously avoided the popular (and polluted) Lonavala Lake in favor of the larger, quieter Pawna Lake near Lohagad. This was where we found our second true Beautiful Moment. The lake is an artificial reservoir, but its vast expanse and the backdrop of the rugged hills are magnificent.
We drove to a quiet bank, set up our portable chairs, and watched the sun dip behind the mountains. The lake was calm, reflecting the fading light in perfect symmetry. We sat for hours, sharing stories, drinking hot tea, and reflecting on the sheer variety of experiences Lonavala had offered in just three days—from ancient art to monsoon mayhem.
Day 4: High Viewpoints and the Sweet Farewell
Our final morning was dedicated to chasing the iconic viewpoints, the spots that make Lonavala a photographer’s dream, before succumbing to the reality of the return journey.
Tiger Point and the View from the Leap
We woke up early to visit Tiger Point (Tiger’s Leap), named because of its shape, which resembles a tiger leaping into the valley. This is the must-do climax of any Lonavala travel guide. The sheer drop is dizzying, and the view is spectacular.
If you are lucky, the mist clears completely, offering an uninterrupted view of the valley. If you are luckier, the mist swirls below you, making you feel as if you are standing above the clouds. We got the latter—a majestic blanket of white cotton stretching to the horizon. It was our final Beautiful Moment, a powerful reminder of nature’s dramatic flair. We screamed into the void, took a dozen impossible photos, and celebrated the end of a successful adventure.
Nearby, we briefly visited Duke’s Nose (or Nagphani), a viewpoint known for its distinct shape resembling the nose of the Duke of Wellington. It offers slightly different panoramic views, focusing more on the deeper valleys toward Khandala.
The Sweet Farewell: Fun with Friends
The trip concluded, as it began, with food. We stopped for the essential Maharashtrian highway snack: vada pav and hot, strong chai, served roadside.
The final instance of fun with friends was the reflection on the drive back. We cataloged our favorite moments: Vikram’s unintended mud-bath at Lohagad, Simran’s surprising knowledge of Buddhist chaityas, Rahul’s fear of the coracle on Pawna Lake (though we hadn’t taken one here, the memory of past trips sufficed!), and the incredible, shared silence at Tiger Point.
Lonavala is often overshadowed by grander destinations, but its accessibility, the sheer density of its natural and historical sites (from the 2000-year-old Karla Caves to the 17th-century Lohagad Fort), and its breathtaking monsoon beauty make it an absolute essential. It’s a place where history meets nature, and where friends reconnect amidst the rolling Sahyadri mist.
We left Lonavala with full hearts, rejuvenated spirits, and enough chikki to last us for weeks. It was an epic escape that proved you don’t need to cross the country to find profound beauty and unforgettable memories.
What’s your favorite roadside snack on a hill station trip? Tell me below!
Stay wet, Amanpreet Singh clogtheblog.com
