Lonavala Travel Guide: 5 Must See Places in Lonavala (2024)
Lonavala is a favorite quick getaway for anyone staying in and around Mumbai. Set about 90 kilometers from Mumbai, Lonavala is well connected to cities like Pune and Mumbai. It is a tourist hotspot during the summer season and the rainy season. The temperature ranges from 29 degrees to 19 degrees, a respite from the sweltering heat of 30 degrees to 40 degrees one experiences in Mumbai. The more adventurous people travel to Lonavala even during the rainy season – and say that Lonavala is at its most beautiful during the rainy season. During monsoons, tourists need to very precise about their traveling dates. For several days on end, the roads to Lonavala are closed during the monsoon season because of heavy rains. But if they do succeed in traveling to Lonavala during the monsoon season, they are in for a great experience.
Lonavala Travel Guide: 5 Must See Places in Lonavala
The traveling experience from Mumbai to Lonavala is something city dwellers rarely experience in the city. Lonavala is popular among tourists because it offers the best of both worlds. Enthusiastic trekkers can scale the hills that spot the terrain while casual tourists can take in the lush green scenery and take part in various activities. Here are five places you must visit in Lonavala. You do not need to stress much about reaching these places. In Lonavala, you will find many auto-rickshaws and cab owners who give you a day-long tour of Lonavala, ending at about 5 PM. Depending on who you hire, most of these places are part of the itinerary.
1. Lion’s Point:
Lion’s Point is the most popular place in Lonavala. It is a must-visit for anyone who visits Lonavala. It is very accessible and gives a great view of Lonavala. From Lion’s Point, you get a breath-taking view of the lush greenery, the various waterfalls, the incredible mountains, and the entire city as if its in a bowl. Lion’s Point is practically a picnic spot for Lonavala tourists, as the place is choc-a-bloc with food stalls during the day as well as in the evening. Families frequent Lion’s Point by day.
2. Walwan Dam:
There are several lakes in and around Lonavala. Local tour guides make it a point to take visitors to the mouth or the bank of at least some of the lakes. Where there are lakes and rivers, there must be dams, and the same is correct for Lonavala as well. One of the must-visit places in Lonavala is the Walwan Dam. The Dam is important for Lonavala as it provides water to the Khopoli Hydroelectricity Water Plant. At the foot of Walwan Dam is a pretty garden, so it makes for a great evening spot to spend some time in if you are in Lonavala.
3. Narayani Dham Temple
Lonavala is popular among tourists for its hills and the treks that the place has to offer. But Lonavala is also home to several temples. One of the biggest in terms of area is the Narayani Dham Temple. Devotees from all over throng the temple. The temple is a visual spectacle and offers the tourists an opportunity to experience calm and come closer to their spiritual side. The Narayani Dham temple is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of experiencing a calming, soothing, and spiritually rich experience. The Narayani Dham temple is a picture of opulence and grandeur that once and still exists in India. It is a must-visit for anyone interested in the cultural scene in India.
4. Ryewood Park
City dwellers see parks in the middle of the city – a quiet place to take in the sights and learn about trees and plants, away from the hustle and bustle. Though Lonavala is quaint enough, it has a quainter Ryewood Park, home to several trees and plants, offering respite to the tourists from the sweltering heat that sometimes entraps Lonavala. Ryewood Park is not something that people go to have an enthralling experience, but it is a good resting point for a few hours.
5. Sunil’s Celebrity Wax Museum
Sunil’s Wax Museum is a new attraction and is fast becoming part of the contemporary cultural scene in Lonavala. As the name suggests, the place has wax statues of several celebrities from all over the world. Sunil’s Wax Museum is a great place to take photos and create memories of your Lonavala visit. The Wax Museum is the only place in this list that has an entry fee. It is a bit steep if a family of four plans to visit the museum. Even so, its Sunil’s Celebrity Wax Museum is one of the most talked-about places in Lonavala, so it makes sense to visit it when you are up there.
If you are up for a little bit of trekking, you should visit the Karla Buddha temples. The temples are on a hill, and you need to climb around a hundred steps. That should not be a problem, as there are rest stops in between. You will forget your tiredness when you finally reach the top and take in the exquisite artwork that the temples and caves are. The temples also have one of the largest Buddhist Chaityagrihas (Prayer Halls) in the country.
These are the five places that you can visit in Lonavala without trekking and within a day. This itinerary is great for families and groups who do not want to stress themselves too much. Also, apart from the Karla Buddha, these places are close to the city side of Lonavala, so visiting them involves minimal traveling.
Staying in Lonavala for a couple of days should not be a problem. The place has several hotels that cater to all budgets. Hotels in Lonavala are generally hygienic and well kept. Lonavala has franchise hotels as well as mom-and-pop shops, so tourists have a variety of stay-experiences to choose from as well. The hotels have collaborations with tour guides, so you do not need to hunt around for one. Just leave a message at the reception that you want a tour guide, and most hotels will arrange one for you immediately.
Here’s wishing you a great time in Lonavala!
