my next stop

Maharashtra

Lonavala

Mumbai-Pune's monsoon getaway of waterfalls and forts

MountainsWaterfalls

Best time to visit Lonavala

peak shoulder off-season avoid

  • Go: July to August
  • Shoulder: June and September to February, quieter, and the weather is less of a sure thing
  • Skip: March to May

Planning a specific month? JulyAugust

Lonavala season by season

Winter December to February Shoulder

Cool and clear, good for fort walks and lake views, though waterfalls have dried up.

Summer March to May Do not go

Hot, dusty and brown - the valleys lose all their monsoon drama, best skipped.

Monsoon June to September Prime time

This is what Lonavala is built for - waterfalls thunder and valleys turn electric green.

Autumn October to November Shoulder

Tail-end greenery lingers into October, cooling off nicely by November.

What Lonavala is actually like

Weekend crowd from Mumbai and Pune - a couple of hostels make it easy to link up for treks

Things to do in Lonavala

The local places worth your time in and around Lonavala, with how far each sits from the centre. Tap a name to open it in Google Maps.

  • Karla Caves

    Heritage · 11 km out

    Best preserved Buddhist chaitya hall in India, 1st century BC, Ekvira temple beside it; 350 steps, small ticket

  • Bhaja Caves

    Heritage · 12 km out

    Quieter rock cut monastery of 22 caves and a row of stupas, waterfall behind in monsoon; 20 minutes up from Malavli

  • Lohagad Fort

    Fort · 16 km out

    Chunky Maratha fort with the Vinchu Kata spur; train to Malavli then an hour on foot, the last stretch is stone steps

  • Rajmachi Fort

    Trek · 15 km out

    Twin forts above Udhewadi, 15 km on foot from Lonavala through the ghats; fireflies in late May, leeches in July

  • Bhushi Dam

    Reservoir · 6 km out

    Stepped spillway that everyone sits in through monsoon; chaotic at weekends and closed when the water runs high

  • Tiger's Leap

    Viewpoint · 9 km out

    Cliff edge high above the Kurvande valley, named for the shape of the drop; go at sunrise before the tour cars

  • Duke's Nose

    Viewpoint · 12 km out

    Nagphani outcrop above Khandala with a rappelling face on the far side; 30 minutes up from Kurvande village

  • Pawna Lake

    Lake · 22 km out

    Reservoir where tent camps line the shore under Tikona fort; book ahead in winter, nothing runs in heavy monsoon

Getting to Lonavala

1.5-2h train or drive from Mumbai/Pune via the expressway

Practical ways in: flighttrainroad

Trip facts

How long to stay
2 days
Budget
Mid-range
How busy
Busy at its peak
Solo travel
Fine solo
Altitude
625 m
State
Maharashtra
Coordinates
18.7546, 73.4062

Common questions

When is the best time to visit Lonavala?

July to August is peak season in Lonavala. June and September to February is shoulder season: thinner crowds, a bit more risk in the weather. Avoid March to May. This is what Lonavala is built for - waterfalls thunder and valleys turn electric green.

How many days do you need in Lonavala?

2 days is the usual stay. Weekend crowd from Mumbai and Pune - a couple of hostels make it easy to link up for treks.

How do you get to Lonavala?

1.5-2h train or drive from Mumbai/Pune via the expressway. Practical ways in: flight, train and road.

Is Lonavala expensive, and does it get crowded?

Mid-range by Indian travel standards, and it runs busy at the busiest time of year. Fine solo.

What are the best things to do in Lonavala?

Karla Caves, Bhaja Caves, Lohagad Fort, Rajmachi Fort, Bhushi Dam and Tiger's Leap, and more. Best preserved Buddhist chaitya hall in India, 1st century BC, Ekvira temple beside it; 350 steps, small ticket.

Nearby, and where to go next

More places to visit in Maharashtra

All 50 destinations in Maharashtra