If you are 625 m above sea level and wondering if your already in paradise, you maybe right.64km from pune or 110 from Mumbai ,either way straight up, you reach the Jewel of the Sahyadri.
From Mumbai, Dadar bus station you can reach lonavla in two hours cruising along in one of the many luxurious Volvo buses operated by the State. Dont led the adjective scare you,the trip wont burn a hole through your pocket. The expressway wins my vote for the best road in the country. The roadtrip itself is quite an experience, but you could try the local train from pune too. There’s a thing about trains chugging along hills. The engine, shunted to the rear pushes all the way up, giving enough time (thank the ‘evergreen’ signals) to look around, sample and only guess what lonavala has to offer.
Once your there at the station, you’ll receive a warm welcome from the multilingual (trust me, you’ll need this advantage) porters ready to relieve you of any luggage, be it a handbag or a steel trunk, and escort you outside to the waiting autorickshaws. But take a moment, from the station you can see a prelude of all the grandeur in store for you. The view is an index of sorts. The mighty hills, you would notice, are incongruously shy and cover their faces with clouds most of the time. You can almost hear the waterfalls calling out to you. If nature, ever can come alive, you know where to find it. When you are lost in nature’s charm it rocks you to reality with a weighty downpour. That’s why it isn’t such a good idea to be there between June and September, unless you are one of those rain addicts, in which case this is mecca for you. For the rest of us, normal, boring ,‘dry’ people, June to September can be quite promising.The weather is mild and pleasant, atleast thats what the weathermen say. But I wouldn’t be out in lonavala without my raingear anytime of the year.Its notorious for its soaking surprises.
Do you whiff an omnipresent aroma? It has to be the world renowned lonavla chikky.Jaggery, peanuts, sesame seeds, cashewnuts you name it, youll find a chikky for it.You can even ask for your custom made assorted version. For the unfortunately less informed, this is the harder cousin of the fudge, numerous varieties of which are also available.
If you are an ardent trekker, you would’ve already been here. If you ve not yet, pack up and get there and start at Bhushi dam. About 4km from the station, you ll never be alone in this place.Its filled with enthusiasts drenching themselves, if the rain doesn’t get them first. The lucky few might spot springs, water gurgling out of rocks.Now, thats something you don’t get to see elsewhere. Trek uphill further and across the Sahara Amby valley and you are on your way to Tropho.The steep climb is justified once you get to the top. The Tiger’s Leap, as the name suggests, deceives the eye to spot a tiger leaping into the valley. A big hole here provides safe post to view the valley. The mischievous, are tempted to drop a stone and hear it ricochet. Your next stop ought to be Duke’s Nose(yes, we are referring to Lord Wellington’s sharp nose after which this ‘feature’ has been named). There’s a smaller Dutchess nose nearby. If you are in the notion that you’re really good at rock climbing, you can find out for yourself here. Dont look down! The spectacular view of the Express way can be distracting. From here stop not until you’ve reached Rajmachi park, a beautiful garden at the point where the Ghat drops to Mumbai. Look to the east and feast your eyes with the majestic Shivaji’s two Rajmachi towers. If you are tempted to attempt a hike to reach the fort, think twice. I wouldn’t start without having chopper backup or an Ironman decathlon medal.
If art and sculpture is your cup of tea, don’t miss Karla and Bhaja caves. Its a time machine set to 2nd Century BC Buddhist era. On the way the spiritually inclined could visit the Kaivalyadhyam Yoga centre, an eighty year old hub for yogic healing.
While at Lonavala, you needn’t worry about accommodation or food. The only thing you should remember is to shut the windows, or else you’ll have clouds (yes, clouds not fog) hovering over your bed. A friendly travel tip:If you’re the extra hygienic type who has the time and the talent to wash clothes during a vacation(Yes, there are people who populate this category),Lonavala will be a good place to mend your ways. I’ll bet money, they won’t dry till next summer.
From Mumbai, Dadar bus station you can reach lonavla in two hours cruising along in one of the many luxurious Volvo buses operated by the State. Dont led the adjective scare you,the trip wont burn a hole through your pocket. The expressway wins my vote for the best road in the country. The roadtrip itself is quite an experience, but you could try the local train from pune too. There’s a thing about trains chugging along hills. The engine, shunted to the rear pushes all the way up, giving enough time (thank the ‘evergreen’ signals) to look around, sample and only guess what lonavala has to offer.
Once your there at the station, you’ll receive a warm welcome from the multilingual (trust me, you’ll need this advantage) porters ready to relieve you of any luggage, be it a handbag or a steel trunk, and escort you outside to the waiting autorickshaws. But take a moment, from the station you can see a prelude of all the grandeur in store for you. The view is an index of sorts. The mighty hills, you would notice, are incongruously shy and cover their faces with clouds most of the time. You can almost hear the waterfalls calling out to you. If nature, ever can come alive, you know where to find it. When you are lost in nature’s charm it rocks you to reality with a weighty downpour. That’s why it isn’t such a good idea to be there between June and September, unless you are one of those rain addicts, in which case this is mecca for you. For the rest of us, normal, boring ,‘dry’ people, June to September can be quite promising.The weather is mild and pleasant, atleast thats what the weathermen say. But I wouldn’t be out in lonavala without my raingear anytime of the year.Its notorious for its soaking surprises.
Do you whiff an omnipresent aroma? It has to be the world renowned lonavla chikky.Jaggery, peanuts, sesame seeds, cashewnuts you name it, youll find a chikky for it.You can even ask for your custom made assorted version. For the unfortunately less informed, this is the harder cousin of the fudge, numerous varieties of which are also available.
If you are an ardent trekker, you would’ve already been here. If you ve not yet, pack up and get there and start at Bhushi dam. About 4km from the station, you ll never be alone in this place.Its filled with enthusiasts drenching themselves, if the rain doesn’t get them first. The lucky few might spot springs, water gurgling out of rocks.Now, thats something you don’t get to see elsewhere. Trek uphill further and across the Sahara Amby valley and you are on your way to Tropho.The steep climb is justified once you get to the top. The Tiger’s Leap, as the name suggests, deceives the eye to spot a tiger leaping into the valley. A big hole here provides safe post to view the valley. The mischievous, are tempted to drop a stone and hear it ricochet. Your next stop ought to be Duke’s Nose(yes, we are referring to Lord Wellington’s sharp nose after which this ‘feature’ has been named). There’s a smaller Dutchess nose nearby. If you are in the notion that you’re really good at rock climbing, you can find out for yourself here. Dont look down! The spectacular view of the Express way can be distracting. From here stop not until you’ve reached Rajmachi park, a beautiful garden at the point where the Ghat drops to Mumbai. Look to the east and feast your eyes with the majestic Shivaji’s two Rajmachi towers. If you are tempted to attempt a hike to reach the fort, think twice. I wouldn’t start without having chopper backup or an Ironman decathlon medal.
If art and sculpture is your cup of tea, don’t miss Karla and Bhaja caves. Its a time machine set to 2nd Century BC Buddhist era. On the way the spiritually inclined could visit the Kaivalyadhyam Yoga centre, an eighty year old hub for yogic healing.
While at Lonavala, you needn’t worry about accommodation or food. The only thing you should remember is to shut the windows, or else you’ll have clouds (yes, clouds not fog) hovering over your bed. A friendly travel tip:If you’re the extra hygienic type who has the time and the talent to wash clothes during a vacation(Yes, there are people who populate this category),Lonavala will be a good place to mend your ways. I’ll bet money, they won’t dry till next summer.
