Wildberry Woodhouse

A popular weekend getaway from Mumbai and Pune, Lonavala offers a quiet and scenic break from the frenetic pace of city life. Located just 82km from Mumbai and 68km from Pune, it is enveloped within the Western Ghats, surrounded by vast expanses of lush greenery. City dwellers come here to rest their tired eyes and simply get away from it all. With no happening restaurant scene or hip social activity, this is the place to enjoy a languid pace of life. Monsoon season is the best time to visit for it is the time of the year when the hills come alive with numerous waterfalls. Visitors flock here to hike or trek in the verdant mountains or get drenched under the many waterfalls that suddenly sprout up amid the hills. Sit back, relax, read a book and do nothing at this enchanting place.

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Things to do

Your Guest Relations Manager and the team will have a wealth of information about Lonavala and can recommend everything, from local food spots to mountain treks. They’re a great resource for adventure activities, cultural hotspots and hiking areas in and around Lonavala. A car and driver can be hired for the day (on extra charge) or shorter periods, as required. Here are a few things to do in the area that you may enjoy:

• Lonavala has a strong historical background (it was part of the ancient Yadava Dynasty, before being annexed by the Mughals, and later ‘discovered’ by Sir Elphinstone, the Governor of Bombay), which means that there are plenty of caves to explore. These caves - Karla, Bhaja and Bedsa - were all built around the 2nd century BC and feature Buddhist inscriptions and sculptures.  
• Just 15km from the main town, Lohagad Fort offers awe-inspiring 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains. A 350-steps climb brings you to the top of the fort, which is about 1,050-metres high. It is connected to the neighbouring Visapur Fort by a small range, and the Bhaja Caves are a short detour away. 
• While making your way up the hills in the monsoons, you’ll come across various spots with gushing waterfalls (Kune Falls and Kataldhar Falls are popular ones) and green paths that you can explore on a walk or hike. Many lead up to the forts, the nearby Pawna Lake, or simply through the lush foliage surrounding the town.
• If you’re interested in adventure activities, spend a day at the Della Adventure theme park or Imagica. A great day out for the family, Della offers 50 activities, including the Swoop Swing, Flying Fox, Sky Cycling, Paintball, ATV rides, and rappelling. The park has six dining destinations serving a variety of cuisines such as Parsi, Punjabi, Mughlai and local Malvani. While not within Lonavala, Imagica is just a 40-minute drive (27km) away at Khopoli and is a 130-acre theme park with attractions for both kids and adults as well as on-site restaurants, a water park and a snow park. 
• For local street food, try Buva’s misal restaurant, located just off Fariyas Hotel. They serve a variety of misal (mixed pulses with chutneys, onions and tomatoes, eaten with local bread called pav), as well as bhajiyas (vegetable fritters). Golden Vada Pav, in the market area, is a hot favourite for vada pav (fried potato dumpling nestled between local bread smeared with their signature spicy chutney). If you like Punjabi, dhaba-style (street) food, check out Sunny Da Dhaba on the old Mumbai-Pune highway. With dishes such as butter chicken, black dal and pillowy soft naans, you’re bound to leave with a food coma.
• Want to play it safe? Check out German Bakery on the main road, which serves a mix of European, Asian, and Indian food. From pasta and pizzas to dim sum and noodles, you’ll get it all here. Also try out the Italian, family-style restaurant, The Oven, which is set on a mushroom farm and serves wood-fired pizzas, lasagne, and pastas. 
• Those interested in wellness can take a yoga class or enrol in a workshop at Kaivalyadhama. They offer workshops on Pranayama, Patanjali Yoga Sutras and Yoga Therapy and Counselling for beginners and advanced students.