Places to visit during your One Day Pune to Lonavala Trip by Car
Point Covered Duration More Information
Ekvira Temple.
Karla Caves
Bhaja Caves
Tungarli Lake
Lion Point
Bhushi Dam
Rajmachi Poins.
Sunil Wax Museum
1. Rajmachi Point
Giving a brilliant view of both the Rajmachi Fort & the Mumbai Pune expressway is the Rajmachi Point. With lush green mountains and valleys surrounding this point, it makes for an ideal spot to take pictures, eat local delicacies, loosen up and feel the sense of fresh hair touch your face.
Being mostly surrounded by clouds, an early morning visit to this viewpoint would make you feel like you are in a cotton candy land. It’s the perfect sightseeing point in Lonavala to give you a vibe of what the hill station has to offer.
Things To Do: Do enjoy roasted corn cob here
Timings: Open on all days from 5:30 am–7 pm
Entry Fee: No Entrance Fee
Recommended Duration: 20 Minutes
2. Ryewood Park
Named after a British officer, Mr Rye, Ryewood Park is the biggest park of Lonavala, spread over twenty-five acres. Since it is located very close to the Lonavala Market, it attracts both locals and tourists who come here for their walks, have a picnic, or just to spend time amidst nature.
Previously famous for being a botanical garden, it was later converted into a park which today boasts of a variety in flowers, tall trees, a children’s park and open green lawns. What also brings various tourists here is the presence of a Shiva temple within its premise.
A local festival during Shivratri is also hosted here, which is the key attraction of this temple for its locals.
Things To Do: Mediate in the Shiva Temple and feel drawn towards your inner peace & nature.
Timings: Open on all days from 8.00 am–7 pm
Entry Fee: No Entrance Fee
Recommended Duration: 30 Minutes
3. Valvan Dam
Built across the Kundali river is the Valvan Dam which is highly famous for its impressive height of 26 metres and its length of 1,356 metres. This dam generates electricity for the town of Lonavala & Khandala and some nearby villages.
Considering its scenic view, and an alluring garden at its base, the Valvan Dam makes for an exciting tourist spot. One can also get a view of the Valvan Lake from here, which is an artificial reservoir that came into being during the construction of the Valvan dam.
Things To Do: Being surrounded by water bodies, majestic mountains and a mesmerizing landscape, the Valvan Dam is an ideal spot for photography.
Timings: Open all-day
Entry Fee: No Entrance Fee
Recommended Duration: 20 Minutes
4. Bushi Dam
Bushi Dam is one of the most cherished places by tourists and often makes it to their One Day Pune to Lonavala Trip. It was essentially constructed by the Central Railways in the 1860s to provide water to the trains’ steam engines. Over a while, owing to its popularity, it has been converted into a major sightseeing spot.
Carry an extra pair of clothes since tourists can enjoy swimming in its water, which is a must thing to do when in Lonavala. Do not worry as there are changing rooms and can be availed for a nominal charge. With the views of the benevolent mountains of the Sahyadri, spending time here becomes both thrilling and fascinating.
Things To Do: Swimming in the waters of the Indrayani river and indulging in maggie and filter coffee is a must-do.
Timings: Open On All Days from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm.
Entry Fee: No Entrance Fee
Recommended Duration: 40 Minutes
5. Tiger’s Point, Lonavala
Known for offering tourists with a great view is the Tiger’s Point. One can cherish the canvas of the sky drowned with clouds, waterfalls gushing down the hills and the green valley. One can also witness the entire town of Lonavala and its adjoining villages from here.
Many locals and tourists also know it by the name of Tiger’s Leap because if one looks closely, the structure of the viewpoint appears similar to that of a tiger leaping forward across the valley. It is also a popular echo point, and one can find lovers shouting names of their better halves here.
Things To Do: The corn fries at Tiger’s point is a very popular snack that every tourist vouches for.
Timings: Open all-day
Entry Fee: No Entrance Fee
Recommended Duration: 30 Minutes
6. Lion’s Point, Lonavala
The highest peak of Lonavala is Lion’s point which is at an elevation of 650 metres. It is close to Tiger’s point and also strikes a close resemblance. However, Lion’s point is popular for giving a panoramic view of the valley as opposed to its counterpart.
Most visitors also come here to get an aerial view of the Tungarli Lake and Dam which can be seen very clearly from here. A key attraction for various tourists during their day trip to Lonavala is to enjoy a camel ride at Lion’s Point.
Things To Do: Do not forget to shop from an array of earthen decor items here. The designs on these items are inspired by the tribal culture of the locals which makes it interestingly unique.
Timings: Open all-day
Entry Fee: No Entrance Fee
Recommended Duration: 30 Minutes
7. Karla Caves
A comfortable climb of approximately 150 steps would make one reach the Karla caves. These caves are a group of sixteen rock-cut caves which holds religious significance for the Buddhists. Also known as the Karla Cells, these caves came into being between the second and the fifth century. In the yesteryears, it used to act as the residences of various Buddhist monks.
Of the sixteen caves, the eight cave, known as the Great Chaitya, is the most popular and the highlight of the caves. It is 45 metres long and 14 metres tall. It hosts a large prayer hall and also boasts of various intricate sculptures. These caves are also popular for its horse-shoe shaped ceilings, the ruins of Ashokan pillar with its stone facade and an arched gateway in between.
Things To Do: Enjoy the climb to the caves. It can be slightly tiring but the scenic views of the valley will make up for it.
Timings: Open on all days from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Entry Fee: Rs.20/adult. Entry for children below 10 years is free.
Recommended Duration: 1 hour
8. Ekvira temple
The Ekvira temple is dedicated to Goddess Ekvira which is located only a few steps away from the Karla Caves, and the duo is often a part of every tourist’ One Day Pune to Lonavala Trip itinerary.
Goddess Ekvika who is said to be the manifestation of Goddess Renuka is worshipped by the Aagri-Koli (fisherman) community who are nestled in various parts of Maharashtra owing to its coastline.
It is said that the temple was built by the Pandavas during their exile. Goddess Ekvira who was trying to test their ethics appeared before them and asked them to construct the temple overnight, which the Pandavas delivered. Stunned by their devotion, Goddess Ekvira gave them a boon to remain undiscovered during their exile.
Apart from the idol of Goddess Ekvira, there is also an idol of Goddess Jogeśvarī. Both the idols are always adorned with fresh flower garlands and vermillion. This temple is now a protected site under the Archeological Department.
Things to Do: Pray to Goddess Ekvira who is said to have magical powers.
Timings: Open on all days from 5:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Entry Fee: Free
Recommended Duration: 1 hour
9. Sunil’s Celebrity Wax Museum
Also referred by many as the Indian version of the internationally acclaimed Madame Tussauds is Sunil’s Celebrity Wax Museum. Opened in 2005, it was India’s first wax museum that boasted of a hundred sculptures.
This museum covers various personalities, starting from legendary sportsmen like Sachin Tendulkar to the international sitcom character, Mr.Bean and even the current Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
This wax museum will fill your One Day Pune to Lonavala Trip with entertainment, fun and a lot of memories. You will be thrilled to look at the level of creativity & the uniqueness in each of the statues this museum has to offer.
Things to Do: Tourists often come here to take pictures of themselves with real-like wax statues of their most celebrated personalities
Timings: Open on all days from 9 am–9:30 pm
Fee: Rs.200 onwards
Recommended Duration: 30 Minutes
