Also known as the “City of Caves,” Lonavala is a town in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The city is about 96 km from Mumbai and 64 km from Pune. Lonavala is a city with a pleasant atmosphere throughout the year and is blessed with lush green valleys. The town is also considered a hill station because it offers an eye-soothing view of the hills of the Sahyadri ranges, especially during the monsoon season. Lonavala has a very authentic view during the monsoon season; the city is believed to show its true beauty during the monsoon season.
The place is well acquainted with go-around places such as amusement parks, caves, temples, adventurous activities, camping sites, and whatnot. For tourists, the cabs in Lonavala are the best and most efficient mode of transportation. Cabs in Lonavala can take people around the city without them facing any difficulties.
Let us briefly explore some of the best activities to try out in Lonavala.
Rappelling and valley Crossing at Duke’s nose
Rappelling and valley crossing refer to an adventurous activity where a person has to go down the slope of a hill in a sliding manner while they are hung with a rope from one corner to another. In Lonavala, Duke’s Nose is the best place for rappelling, valley-crossing, trekking, and rock climbing.
The Duke’s Nose is located 7 kms from Lonavala. The valley crossing and rappelling activity is best for people who love adventurous activities and take delight in them. The Duke’s Nose will let you rejuvenate your mind and soul with the expansive view of the Sahyadri ranges. Also, people prefer rock climbing and trekking through the dense forest. This usually counts in all-day activities, so you surely cannot miss this one if you are in Lonavala for a little longer trip, say a week or so. The beauty of the dense forest and its magnificence are things worth experiencing.
Camping at Pawna lake
Camping at Pawna Lake in Lonavala is considered a nature lover’s paradise. Other locations also have camping setups to allow people to have fun and relax. Still, something about Pawna Lake makes it different from the others. The first is its scenic location gives you a wholesome experience of real-time camping. Plus, the site offers several activities that tourists can do at the same spot without the hassle of just going from one place to another in the city.
So Pawna Lake has it all. One can go boating, fishing, or even bird watching here. The chirping of the birds and the tranquil atmosphere makes this place even better than the others. Also, this place is heaven at night. The breathtaking view of the stars at night makes this location even more soothing. Pawna Lake is not to be missed if you are in or around Lonavala. Just get a cab in Lonavala, and you’re there!
Dinosaur park
Spread over 6.5 acres of land; the Dinosaur Park is a must-visit in Lonavala. To be precise, the park is located near Pawna Dam, a little ahead of Lonavala. This is where you could spend a whole day picnicking with your family or friends. This place becomes unique because of the realness of the animatic dinosaurs they have there. Not only this, but the park also has various games and events that revolve around dinosaurs.
These days, people also prefer aesthetically pleasing places for their instagram posts. Hence, the park also has instagram friendly dinosaur-themed selfie points. And yes, that’s not it; the site also has a miniature garden, an outdoor wax museum, and many different factory tours, such as a chocolate factory, a cheese factory, and a winery. The most astonishing part about the dinosaur park is that the entry charges are only Rs. 250 per head.
Hot air balloon ride
One can easily take a cab in Lonavala to one of the many hot-air balloon spots in the city. One of the best “floating among the valleys” feelings can be experienced with SkyWaltz. They offer the best hot-air balloon rides in Mumbai, Pune, Lonavala, and Maharashtra. The whole flight experience is approximately an hour giving you a lifetime of experience flying over the beautiful and dense forests of Lonavala. Again, this can be one of the best time-spending activities you can do with your friends or family. This one is worth it.
Shopping
Since the tourists who come to Lonavala are here for relaxation and fun, how can they miss shopping? Tourism can only be complete with a great shopping experience. If we talk about the specialties of Lonavala, it is most famous for edible items like wafers, jellies, fruit jams, candies, and the most important of all is chikkis (a mix of nuts and jaggery).
The most famous chikki shops in Lonavala are the Maganlal store. Besides food, Lonavala’s exquisite market is renowned for Kolhapuri chappals/slippers. This town is the best place to isolate oneself from the hectic schedule and get away occasionally to spend quality time with family and friends. People usually hire cabs in Lonavala all day and then experience this beautiful town’s activities/places.
Hence, Lonavala, also home to Shivaji, is a perfect one-stop destination for people who want to relax and spend time with family and friends.