Home >>States >> Maharashtra Hill Resorts

Lonaval and Khandala are two charming little hill stations on the western slopes of the Sahyadris, 5 kms. apart, that straddle the Mumbai-Pune highway at an altitude of 625 m.

Quite popular as health resort, there are a number of sanatoria dotting the hills in the towns.

Khandala is smaller and calmer of the two, though browsing through Lonavala's bazaar could yield some wonderfull surprises. Both towns offer scenic views of the surrounding hills and in the monsoon, with a myriad waterfalls, it can be enchanting.

Karla about 12 kms. from Lonavala, is the site of the largest Chaitya caves in India, built in 89 B.C. Amongst the best-preserved Buddhist temples in India, they represent the zenith, in terms of design purity, of this style of temple architecture.

Taxis and auto-rickshaws, easily available in Lonavala and Khandala, are the best way of getting to and from Karla.

Temperatures vary from 12°C to 36°C throughout the year with an annual rainfall of 450 cms.

October to May is the best time to visit.

Getting there : Pune 66 kms. away, is the nearest airport. All trains fro Mumbai to Pune and the south stop at Lonavala. Mumbai is 104 kms. away by road, the last 20 kms. of which wind up the ghats through gruellinmg switchbacks.

Special Offers on Hotels & Resort Booking in Maharashtra

Travel Agents & Tour Operators offering Travel Packages to Maharashtra