Mumbai’s love affair with Lonavala is as evergreen as its mist-cloaked lush green hills, tranquil lakes, and waterfalls tumbling down the slopes. Perched on the Sahyadri mountains’ peaks, this gorgeous hill station is blessed with chilly, rain-soaked weather that lingers longer than Mumbai monsoons, becoming a refreshing sight for city-sore eyes. Just a two-hour drive away, it’s the ultimate long weekend getaway for Mumbaikars. Discover more than chikki on your next trip with our list of the 10 best things to do in Lonavala.
1. Go take a hike
Mountain magic is the siren call of Lonavala that lures every Mumbaikar. Explore its verdant hills and the surprising waterfalls, caves and forest pools they hide through a guided trek. Outdoorsy by Lonavala conducts offbeat nature hikes on lesser-known trails that offer picturesque, crowd-free views. It is the perfect opportunity to break out of Mumbai’s cement jungle and, like the internet says, touch some grass.
DM @outdoorsylonavala or WhatsApp on 8668397248 for detailed itineraries and schedules
2. Try out an adventure activity
For some thrills on the hills that go beyond stretching your weary feet on a hike, Lonavala offers plenty of adventure activities that get your adrenaline pumping. Whether it’s cutting through its placid, glassy lakes on a kayak or scaling mountains through rock climbing and slacklining, or even stand-up paddling, this place does it all.
Vocal for Local Lonavala regularly curates bespoke adventure trips. DM them @vocalforlocallonavala on Instagram or WhatsApp 9820068611.
3. Stay in a beautiful boutique hotel
Glamping without the camping in the wilderness? Yes, you can at these stunning resorts that have set up home in the heights of Lonavala. Instead of getting down and dirty with nature, you can kick your feet back and soak in the unspoiled scenic beauty. Our top pics are picture-perfect off-grid cabins by Unwynd that look like they’re straight out of Shimla or the UK’s Lake District. For some upscale indulgence, retreat to Masai Lonvala’s luxe glamping tents and villas tucked away inside dense forests with private pools and other amenities.
DM @Unwynd on Instagram; for Masai Lonavala, more info here
4. Shop your fill of chikki, fudge, farsan and snacks
Okay, I did say there’s more to Lonavala than chikki (brittle-like sweet made of jaggery and nuts, but it’s criminal to visit this hilly haven and not try its calling card to the world. I did promise more than chikki, so some of Lonavala’s other bestsellers, like fudge, farsan, too, get a well-deserved shoutout. P.S.: We’re only recommending homegrown local brands, so you’re supporting small stores!
A1 Chikki knocks it out of the park with assorted flavours like Badam Pista, Peanut Butter, Seed & Nut and Cranberry. For the classic groundnut version, Friends Chikki in the Lonavala Market is king. Make a beeline for Cooper’s Fudge, whose iconic chewy Chocolate Walnut fudge will kick calories out of your mind. Munch on diet chivda, bakharwadi and more from the Navratana store and hit up Rupam Chiki for crispy potato wafers. Maganlal & Sons is another legendary shop here that stocks both chikki and fudge AND allows customers to taste test every flavour.
5. Warm your hearts with some hot chocolate, chai and coffee
Unlike its sister hill stations in the south, Lonavala doesn’t boast tea or coffee plantations. But boy, oh boy, does it know how to serve up a steaming cuppa joe, chai or chocolate. Piping hot masala chai and 99 other types of teas are the forte of Jai Shiv Shankar Tea House. Besides chai, they also excel at kesari ukala (saffron, dry fruits and milk) and malted milk drink Horlicks to heal your inner child.
One of Lonavala’s beloved cafes, Caffeine Addict, has people travelling into the town only for this tiny stall-like coffee place’s hot milky brews, lattes, cold coffees and milkshakes. And Alankar Food and General Store, a hole-in-the-wall eatery, will fill you up with luscious molten hot chocolate without burning a hole in your pocket at just INR 100!
6. Eat piping hot rainy day snacks
What is a better way to enjoy hazy drizzles blanketing emerald hills than demolishing garma-garam fried snacks? It would be very un-Indian of us to do anything but. Lonavala is a treasure trove of eateries doling out bhajias, vada pava and misal pav that help you kick the cold outside with a kick of spice. Golden Vada Pav’s spicy thecha chutney with crispy moong dal bhajia and aloo vadas will have you drooling long after the meal is done. It’s located off the Mumbai-Pune highway, so parking spots here are hard to come by sometimes.
If that happens, don’t worry, hit up Maushi’s Vada Pav near Lonavala Lake Dam bridge for homemade vada and cheese corn bhajia dunked in piquant coriander garlic chilli chutney are to-die-for. Follow it up with a pitstop at one of these crowd-favourite Misal Pav spots to try the authentic Maharashtrian street food: Sathe Misal, Dadanchi Tandoori Misal and Manashakti.
7. Enjoy a sundowner at this glasshouse rooftop bar
Marquee Skybar and Dining, the stunning rooftop bar and restaurant that looks like a glasshouse, is a place that encapsulates the poetic beauty of Lonavala in the rains. As water cascades along the floor-to-ceiling glass walls, you can sip on delicious craft cocktails and drink in 360-degree views of the green expanse of hills and valleys around you. A menu full of Pan-Asian and Mediterranean dishes accompanied by live entertainment makes this perfect for date nights.
From 5pm to 1am for drinks and dinner; call 9096154320 for reservations
8. Pamper yourself at a wellness spa in Lonavala
During your mini mountain break, book yourself into Kaivalyadham, a 100-year-old yoga institute and ayurvedic spa. Detox with saatvik vegetarian food, healing massages, and relaxing yoga routines. Sadly, Kaivaldyadham is often booked out months in advance for massage sessions. So in a pinch, the relatively younger 3-year-old Tattva Spa at the Radisson Resort is an excellent choice to knead away stress with deep tissue massages and beauty rituals.
Click for more details on Kaivaladhyam and Tattva Spa
9. Discover Lonavala’s architectural wonders and history
The hills of Lonavala are alive with history. Learn about the heritage of the hills through an immersive tour of the railways that wind through Lonavala, the challenges it has faced as a hilly town, and enjoy guided walks through historic sites like the Buddhist rock-cut Karla Caves, Ekira Devi temple and more.
To sign up DM @lonavalalocal or WhatsApp 8668397248 for tailored trips
10. Take home a piece of Lonavala nature from a plant nursery
Drop by Nisarg Nursery to pick up a souvenir that will remind you of Lonavala’s green glory in Mumbai. This 20-year-old plant haven run by husband-wife duo Hemlata and Shakti Mehta houses collections of bonsai, cacti, succulents, orchids, ornamental plants and plenty of other potted beauties, including fruit and vegetable trees. They also conduct terrarium and kokedam workshops if you’re tempted to test your green thumb while on holiday.
WhatsApp 9820068611 to book workshops or nursery visits