Location: Lonavala

Lonavala
Lonavla officially Lonavala is a town and a hill station Municipal Council in Pune district in the Indian State of Maharashtra. It is about 64 kilometers (40 mi) from the city of Pune and 96 kilometers (60 mi) from the city of Mumbai. It is known for its production of the hard candychikki[2] and is also a major stop on the railway line connecting Mumbai and Pune. From the Mumbai suburbs, local trains are available from Karjat. Both the Mumbai-Pune Expressway as well as the Mumbai-Chennai highway pass through Lonavala.
Climate
Rainfall is significant most months of the year, and the short dry season has little effect. This climate is considered to be Am according to the Koppen-Geiger climate classification. The average annual temperature in Lonavala is 24.1 °C. The rainfall here averages 4073 mm.
History
Present day Lonavala was a part of the Yadava dynasty. Later, the Mughals realized the strategic importance of the region and kept the region for an extended time. The forts in the region and the “Mavla” warriors played an important role in the history of the Maratha and Peshwa empires. In 1871, the Lonavla and Khandala hill stations were discovered by Lord Elphinstone, who was the Governor of Bombay Presidency at the time.
Transportation
As Lonavala is a small town, buses are not as popular as a mode of transport in Lonavala. Most people prefer cabs or auto rickshaws. Auto rickshaws are available from most of the tourist areas. … You can also avail online can booking services such as Ola Cabs and Uber from Mumbai or Pune, to reach Lonavala.
Place of interest
• Rajmachi Point
Rajmachi Point has located about 6.5 km from Lonavla. This point commands a view of Shivaji’s famous fort, Rajmachi (Royal terrakouioce) and the surrounding valley. Regular State Transport buses ply between Rajmachi Point and Lonavla from the State Transport Bus Stand. The famous Vaghjai Dari is also located here.
• Ryewood Park & Shivaji Udyan
This is an extensive garden situated in Lonavla. The garden covers a lot of ground and it is full of tall trees. There is an old Shiva temple in the park. The garden has plenty of places for children to play.
• Valvan Dam
Valvan Dam has a garden at its foot and is a popular evening spot 2 km from the town. The dam supplies water to the Khopoli power station at the foothills of the Sahyadris for generating electricity. The Kundali River feeds into the dam’s reservoir.
• Lonavla Lake
Lonavla Lake is surrounded by natural scenery, about 1.6 km from the town. The lake dries up during the winter months.
• Duke’s Nose
Duke’s Nose stands 12 km from Lonavla, clearly visible from the highway while driving towards Mumbai. This landmark in Khandala is popular with hikers. Also known locally as Naagphani (Cobra’s Hood), the cliff owes its name to the Duke of Wellington, whose ample nose it resembles.
• Tiger’s Leap
Tiger’s Leap also known as Tiger’s Point is a cliff-top with a sheer drop of over 650 m, giving an extensive view. Buses are available up to INS Shivaji and the remaining distance of about 1.6 km has to be covered on foot.
Just around tiger’s leap, there is a small waterfall active only during the monsoon. It serves the purpose of relaxing in the water better than the Bushy dam, as the force of the fall is higher. Also, after the brief steep descent, the fall becomes a stream with a fair amount of force to go all the way down to the base of the Tiger’s Leap. Adventurers can trek down the stream whilst intermittently stepping back on land where the water current is too strong and the fall is steep.
• Karla Caves
Karla caves, located near Lonavla, is a complex of cave shrines built by Buddhist monks around 3rd to 2nd century B.C. A famous temple of Goddess Ekvira Devi is also present here.

• Lohagad Fort
A robust climb of about 11.2 km from Malavali Railway Station takes you to the ‘Iron Fort’, once a formidable battle-station of Shivaji. The fort commands a view of the surrounding hills and hamlets.

• Bhushi Dam
A waterfall near the dam is a popular spot between Lonavla and I.N.S. Shivaji. Buses running on the I.N.S. Shivaji Road stop here.
• Lion Point
Scenic point midway between Bhushi Dam and Aamby Valley.
• Tungarli Lake and Dam
This lake and Dam come to life during the Monsoon season, where youth climb the mountain top to the Dam. This dam was built during the British era and features a serene surrounding.
• Shooting Point
Another scenic point in the town of Khandala (Bazaar peth), which provides a magnificent view of the Rajmachi Fort and the valley. Also the home for the St. Mary’s villa.