A Magical One Day Trip to Lonavala or Khandala

view of a lake with lush greenery everywhere 0

When the hustle and bustle of our daily lives become monotonous, we often look for a peaceful respite away from the noise of the city, in a nook embraced by greenery and natural beauty. The Sahyadri range in Maharashtra is home to many such blissful destinations with Lonavala and Khandala being the most popular ones. Both these hill stations are widely known for their pristine beauty mostly contributed by the lush vivid greens of the thick vegetation growing on the surrounding hills.

We have listed a few places to explore while you are on a merry getaway to either of these places.


Bhushi Dam

Built across the Indrayani River in Lonavala, Bhushi Dam is an extremely popular tourist attraction. The beauty of this dam reaches its prime during the monsoon when heavy rains fill up the water body and the water in the dam overflows in the shape of a pretty waterfall descending down the steps of the dam. Even though swimming is restricted, people can walk and sit on the steps as the water flows past them. The masonry dam, therefore, makes for a pleasant trip worth the drops of sweat endured on the small trek to reach the point.

view of a lake surrounded with greenery
a panoramic view of hills and a tree planted on one side

Rajmachi Fort


The historically significant Rajmachi Fort played a strategic role in the first Anglo-Maratha war. The compound comprises two twin fortresses, Shriwardhan and Manaranjan and is hidden away somewhere on the Mumbai-Pune highway. To reach the fort, travellers undertake a short trek of about three and a half hours that takes them through rugged yet beautiful terrains of the Sahyadri range. While on the trail you will come across waterfalls and if you are lucky you might spot some rare local species of fauna thriving in the area. Once you reach the destination, be prepared to be spellbound by the charm of the place.

a panoramic view of a hill station


Amrutanjan Point


During a one day trip to Khandala, you cannot miss this scenic viewpoint. Situated at the absolute beginning of the Khandala Ghats, this viewpoint offers mesmerising views of the town of Khopoli and Duke’s Nose. This place is mostly known for being a fantastic picnic spot. You can pack a picnic basket and bring your friends or family here and have a memorable time while being surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the spot and the soothing weather.

the hallway inside a church


The Karla and Bhaja Caves


These caves date back to the 2nd century BC and are the perfect testimony to Buddhist architecture in India. The caves feature very unique architectural designs for example, a semi-circular ‘sun window’ that acts as a filter for the sunlight reaching for a dagoba or stupa. The stunning design of the caves has often been compared to those at Ajanta and Ellora. However, Karla and Bhaja caves are less popular and hence see less tourist traffic. This spot is a perfect excursion during your trip to Lonavala or Khandala.

All these places and many more make Lonavala and Khandala the perfect weekend getaway. Besides, there are numerous resorts in this area, like Zara’s Resort, where you can relax, rejuvenate and reenergize! At Zara’s, we also offer exciting deals to enhance your getaway plans even more! So come and stay with us and enjoy the best weekend trip to Lonavala and Khandala!