The Next Weekend You Could Be At Lonavala and Khandala

Lonavala and Khandala are two beautiful hill stations in the Indian state of Maharashtra. They are often referred to as twin hill resorts because they are located very close to each other. Most tourists would visit the two together on a trip. That’s why it is said that Lonavala and Khandala fall in the same circuit. The best thing about these places is that, you can go there on any weekend from Mumbai or other surrounding regions. There’s not much planning to do. Lonavala and Khandala are good weekend destinations almost throughout the year. The distance between these two hill stations is just 5 kilometers.

These twin hill stations are just about three hours away from Mumbai by road, depending on the traffic you will have to push to get out of the city. You could visit from Pune as well. It’s just 66 kilometers from the city. If you want, you can take the train from Mumbai too. You will have to get down at the Lonavala railway station.

There are all types of people visiting Lonavala and Khandala. There are school going kids with their families, school troops with their teachers on their annual outings or field trips, honeymooners, couples spending their anniversaries, friends, office colleagues, neighborhood families, members of communities, and every other you can imagine. Yes, sometimes it can get a bit crowded here. After all, both Lonavala and Khandala are among the most popular weekend getaways from Mumbai and Pune. But you’ll still find a quieter corner if you are seeking some solitude. Just head out from the more touristy areas!

What to See and Do in Lonavala and Khandala

There are various ways to spend your short weekend trip at Lonavala and Khandala. There are caves you could explore (Karla and Bhaja) and see the Buddhist stupas there. There is the Korigad Fort if you like history. And then there are the many viewpoints and waterfalls all around Lonavala and Khandala. The two viewpoints you should always go to is Duke’s Nose and Tiger’s Leap. There are two dams too – Valvan Dam and Bhushi Dam.

You could seriously think of doing some trekking. If you are not up to it, then perhaps some cycling. You’ll get bicycles on rent at both Lonavala and Khandala.