Weekend getaway from Mumbai · #1 of 10
Lonavala & Khandala
Twin hill stations off the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, famous for chikki shops, monsoon waterfalls at Bhushi Dam and Tiger Point, and the 2,000-year-old Karla and Bhaja caves.
Need a quick escape? Lonavala and twin Khandala are Mumbai's go-to mountain getaways. We are talking misty monsoon waterfalls, ancient cliffside cave hikes, and sweet bags of chikki for the road trip back.
Getting there
This fast route shaves off a good chunk of travel time, with a small Rs 85 toll. Trust me, hit the road before 7 AM on Saturdays to bypass the massive weekend traffic out of the city.
Skip the driving! Most Mumbai-Pune express trains stop right here, making car-free day trips a breeze. Grab local rickshaws at the station to zip around the major lookouts.
Day 1 - Waterfalls, viewpoints and chikki
Chasing waterfalls and misty valleys- 17:00 AMDrive
Drive out via the Khandala exit
Start early on the expressway; the climb into Khandala is gorgeous, with the famous Amrutanjan Point overlook waiting near the top of the pass.
📍 Khandala, Maharashtra
Tip · Top up your tank and grab munchies before hitting the highway - pit stops are pretty sparse once you are on it.
- 210:00 AMSight
Bhushi Dam
Lonavala's signature rainy-day hangout. From June to September, water flows right over the stone steps, turning it into a giant cascade. Off-season, it is a peaceful lake walk.
📍 Bhushi Dam, Lonavala
Tip · No swimming allowed here, so just chill on the steps and make sure your phone is zipped safely in a waterproof pouch!
- 312:30 PMFood
Bhajiya, vada pav and chai lunch
Lunch like a local. Snack on hot, crispy onion bhajiyas, spicy vada pav, fire-roasted corn, and steaming masala chai from the lively stalls around the bazaar.
📍 Lonavala Bazaar, Lonavala
Tip · The street stalls blow any fancy hotel food out of the water. Just make sure to carry loose cash and small change!
- 42:00 PMSight
Lion's Point
Perched halfway between Bhushi Dam and Amby Valley, this spot serves up epic, sweeping views of lush green ravines and seasonal waterfalls crashing down the cliffs.
📍 Lion's Point, Lonavala
Tip · During heavy monsoon, the fog can completely block the view. Aim for an early morning visit for the clearest landscapes.
- 53:30 PMSight
Tiger's Leap
Stand on the edge of a massive 650-meter drop for mind-blowing Sahyadri mountain views. There is a hidden waterfall nearby, but keep an eye out for crafty monkeys!
📍 Tiger Point, Lonavala
Tip · Do not feed the local monkeys; keep all food packets completely hidden in your bag.
- 65:30 PMFood
Chikki run at Maganlal Chikki
Lonavala is the ultimate capital of chikki. Hit Maganlal's for endless nut-brittle varieties, then grab some rich chocolate-almond and walnut fudge near the station.
📍 Maganlal Chikki, Lonavala
Tip · Expect to pay around Rs 300 for a 250g box of station fudge. It travels well, so pack some up to enjoy on your drive back!
- 77:30 PMStay
Check in and dinner in town
Kick back at your hotel or villa and enjoy dinner nearby. The town's bazaar street buzzes with local energy and late-night strollers long after sunset.
📍 Lonavala, Maharashtra
Tip · Definitely book your stay well in advance! Weekend room rates shoot up, especially during long holiday weekends.
Day 2 - Caves, forts and lakes
Ancient caves and historic fort hikes- 88:00 AMSight
Karla Caves
Explore rock-cut Buddhist shrines from the 3rd to 2nd century BC, featuring one of India's largest chaitya prayer halls. The hilltop Ekvira Devi temple sits right next door.
📍 Karla Caves, Lonavala
Tip · It is a steep climb up the stairs, so start early to beat both the hot midday sun and the heavy tourist rush.
- 910:30 AMSight
Bhaja Caves
A quieter retreat of 22 rock-cut Buddhist caves near Malavli. Dating back to the 2nd century BC, they feature a cluster of 14 stupas and pair perfectly with Karla.
📍 Bhaja Caves, Malavli
Tip · Much cooler and far less crowded than Karla. Make sure you carry a bottle of water with you!
- 1012:30 PMFood
Lunch near Malavli
Fuel up for your afternoon walk with a delicious, simple veg thali or traditional Maharashtrian lunch at a local joint between Malavli and Lonavala.
📍 Malavli, Maharashtra
- 112:00 PMActivity
Lohagad Fort walk
An easy, scenic fort trek just 15 km from Lonavala. You will pass ancient stone gateways and ramparts with monsoon clouds drifting over Pavana valley. Pair it with Bhaja Caves.
📍 Lohagad Fort, Malavli
Tip · Wear shoes with excellent grip! Those ancient stone steps get incredibly slick when it rains.
- 124:30 PMSight
Lonavala Lake breather
A peaceful final stop on the edge of town. This monsoon lake, fed by the Indrayani river, is bursting with birdlife in the rains and makes a gorgeous sunset spot off-season.
📍 Lonavala Lake, Lonavala
Tip · The lake mostly dries up by late winter, so you can definitely skip this spot if you are visiting in May.
- 136:00 PMDrive
Drive back to Mumbai
Pack your chikki boxes and hit the ghat road before dark. Sunday evening expressway traffic heading back into Mumbai gets super heavy after 7 PM.
📍 Lonavala, Maharashtra
Tip · Try to hit the road by 5 PM on Sunday - it could easily save you an hour of bumper-to-bumper traffic.
Where to eat
This iconic nut brittle comes in dozens of delicious flavors. For the absolute best, head to Maganlal's, or check out legendary spots like Purohit's and A-1 on the bazaar street.
Stroll by the station to find shops serving up melt-in-your-mouth fudge slabs, from classic chocolate-almond to chocolate-walnut, starting around Rs 300 for 250g.
Nothing beats munching on hot onion bhajiyas paired with cutting chai at the misty viewpoints. It is a rainy-day classic, with sweet roasted corn stalls open all season long.
This classic Mumbai street snack somehow tastes even better up here, especially when grabbed fresh from the stalls near the bazaar or along the Bhushi Dam road.
When to go
Monsoon magic at its finest! Bhushi Dam overflows and waterfalls gush at Tiger's Leap, but prepare for big crowds, constant drizzle, and heavy mist.
Enjoy crisp, cool air and lush green landscapes left behind by the rains. It is the absolute perfect time for exploring caves, hiking forts, and walking by the lake.
Expect hot and dry weather. The lakes dry up and waterfalls vanish, but early mornings are still great for exploring Karla-Bhaja caves and hiking Lohagad.
Good to know
- Monsoon weekends get packed at Bhushi Dam and the viewpoints, so plan to hit the major spots before 10 AM to beat the rush.
- Car-free? Just jump on an express train to Lonavala station and hire a local auto-rickshaw for a half-day tour of the top viewpoints.
- Always pack a good rain jacket or poncho from June to September. The weather up on the ghats can change in a heartbeat!
- Keep a close eye on your snacks around the viewpoint monkeys. They are quick and will snatch open food right out of your hands!
