Lonavala, popularly known as the jewel of the Sahyadri Mountains, is an important hill station of Maharashtra. Lonavala is set amongst the sylvan hills of the Western Ghats and is a popular gateway from Mumbai and Pune. It also serves as a starting point for tourists interested in visiting the famous, ancient Buddhist rock cut caves of Bhaja and Karla, nearby.

Places to see:

Lonavala provides a panoramic view of the lush green surroundings of the Sahyadri ranges. The peaceful environs of the town, which provides a great escape from the hustle and bustle of Mumbai city, attract tourists to this place. Travelers can take a walk along the waterfalls, the grassy abundance and hills in and around Lonavala. The mountainous terrain of Lonavala is ideal for trekking and hiking. Travelers can take a walk along the waterfalls, the grassy abundance and hills in and around Lonavala. The mountainous terrain of Lonavala is ideal for trekking and hiking. There are numerous lakes around Lonavala. Tugauli, Lonavala and Bhushi lakes are worth visiting; so is the Walvan Dam.

How to reach:

• By Air: Lonavala does not have an airport. The nearest airport is in Pune, which is 64 km from Lonavala.
• By Rail: As Lonavala is on the main railway line between Mumbai and Pune, all express trains plying between the two cities stop here. The travel time from Lonavala to Mumbai in express train is 3 hours while it takes 1 hour from Lonavala to Pune. There is also an hourly shuttle service for Pune (2 hours).
• By Road: The road network of the entire state is very convenient. A good network of roads connects almost all the major towns and cities of Maharashtra with Lonavala.