Lonavala Khandala Tour Package

Lonavala Khandala Tour Package

6 days / 5 nightsStarts Mumbai
From ₹30,490 · See pricing
6 days
5 nights
Mumbai
start point
N/A
best season
16+ yearscrafting India journeys · since 2010
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Overview

Tour overview

This is a Mumbai based trip of 6 days. You take in Mumbai, the twin hill stations of Lonavala and Khandala, and Pune. You start in Mumbai with a city tour. Then you drive up the Bhor Ghat to Lonavala and Khandala. The two hill towns sit only about 5 km apart. Around them you find the 2,000 year old Karla and Bhaja caves. You see free ghat viewpoints like Tiger's Leap and Lion's Point. You visit Bhushi Dam and Lonavala Lake. Then you head to Pune for a half day city tour. This trip suits families, seniors and returning NRI travellers. You get honest tips on the season and the water safety.

What this trip really is

This is a Mumbai based tour of 6 days. You take in Mumbai, the twin hill towns of Lonavala and Khandala, and Pune. Lonavala and Khandala sit only about 5 km apart. They rest on the crest of the Bhor Ghat, in the Sahyadri hills. So you treat the two towns as one place. From your hill base you reach the Karla and Bhaja caves. You reach the ghat viewpoints, the dams and Lonavala Lake. You start and end the trip in Mumbai, with a half day in Pune near the close. This trip suits families, seniors and returning NRI travellers. It needs a little honest planning around the season and the water safety.

Your days in Mumbai and Pune

Your trip opens with two days in Mumbai. On the first day your driver meets you and takes you to your hotel. If time allows, you see the Gateway of India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the Haji Ali Dargah and Girgaum Chowpatty. On the second day you take a full day guided tour of the city. Near the end of the trip you spend a half day in Pune. You can visit the Osho Ashram, Shaniwar Wada, the Aga Khan Palace and Sinhagad. These city days frame your time in the hills.

Getting around the twin hill towns

There is no airport at Lonavala or Khandala. On this tour your driver brings you up from Mumbai. The drive is about 101 km up the Bhor Ghat. You take the Mumbai to Pune Expressway for most of the way. You pay a one way car toll of about 320 rupees. Later you drive about 66 km from Lonavala to Pune. From Pune it is about 170 km back to Mumbai. In the hills a full day cab is the easy way to get around. It covers the caves, the viewpoints and the lake. This helps most when you travel with elders or children. Please reconfirm the toll before you travel.

The Karla and Bhaja caves

The Karla and Bhaja caves are the signature heritage of this trip. Workers carved these Buddhist prayer halls by hand. The oldest work dates to about the 2nd century BCE. Karla is an ASI ticketed monument. Entry is about 25 rupees for Indian, SAARC and BIMSTEC visitors. Foreign nationals pay about 300 rupees. Children up to 15 go free. The caves open about 9 am to 5 pm each day. The Great Chaitya is the largest rock cut prayer hall of its age in India. It still keeps its 2,000 year old wooden roof ribs. To reach the caves you climb a few hundred carved steps. A carried doli waits at the base if you cannot walk it. An active Ekvira Devi temple shares the terrace, and darshan is free. Please reconfirm the fees at the counter.

The viewpoints, the dams and the safety truth

The free ghat viewpoints are the gentle heart of your hill day. On the Lonavala side you have Tiger's Leap and Lion's Point. On the Khandala side you have Rajmachi Point and Amrutanjan Point. You also stop at Bhushi Dam and Lonavala Lake. These are car friendly stops for the whole family. But you must know the water safety truth. On 30 June 2024, five people from one Pune family drowned near Bhushi Dam. Four of them were children. Since then the Pune district administration acts every monsoon. It issues a legally enforced order under Section 163 of the BNSS, 2023. The order restricts tourists at named spots. In the rains, obey the order. Never enter the water.

Optional add ons: paragliding and lakeside camping

This package does not include paragliding or lakeside camping as tour days. But you can add them as area activities if you wish. Kamshet lies about 16 km from Lonavala. It is India's best known tandem paragliding hub. Flying runs about October to May. It closes for the monsoon from about mid June to September. Two known schools are Nirvana Adventures and Temple Pilots. A short tandem flight is about 2,500 to 3,500 rupees. GST, site transport and video cost extra. Pawna Lake lies about 14 km from Lonavala. It is the favourite lakeside camping spot in the area. An overnight camp is about 999 to 5,000 rupees per person. You book these directly and confirm what is included. Please reconfirm the prices and the season before you go.

The best time to come

The monsoon runs about June to September. It turns the hills green and fills the falls. But it is the busiest and most slippery season. There is landslide risk on the ghat. There is drowning risk at the dams. The clear window of about October to February is dry and pleasant. It is best for the viewpoints and the caves. This is the window we would pick for you. It suits families and seniors. March to May is dry, warm and quiet. It is a good stretch for paragliding at Kamshet.

For seniors, families and NRI travellers

This trip is comfortable with a little planning. You see the viewpoints by car. You skip the long treks and the forts. You come in the clear season. You use the doli at Karla if the steps are too many. Are you an NRI or OCI traveller? Then you fly into Mumbai or Pune with ease. You treat these hills as a green break in your trip. You carry cash for the market and the small cave tickets. You pick up an Indian SIM at the airport. Please remember one point about insurance. Most travel policies exclude aerial sports like paragliding, unless you add the cover.

Tour highlights

Visit Haji Ali Dargah
Visit Siddhi Vinayak Temple
Visit Osho Ashram
Visit Shaniwar Wada

Destinations covered

KhandalaLonavalaNasikPune

Best Time

N/A

Ideal For

N/A

Day by day

Day-by-day itinerary

A carefully paced plan, day by day. Tap any day for the stay, meals and altitude detail.

You land in Mumbai to start your trip. Your driver meets you at the airport or the railway station. Then you transfer to your hotel and rest. If time allows, you take a half day city drive. You see the Gateway of India by the sea. You pass Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the grand old railway station. You stop at the Haji Ali Dargah on its causeway. You end at Girgaum Chowpatty beach in the evening. You stay overnight in Mumbai.

Today you have a full day guided tour of Mumbai. Your guide shows you the old centre of the city. You see the colonial buildings and the busy markets. You learn the story of old Bombay. You move at an easy pace with your guide. You stop for photos and for lunch. You return to your hotel in the evening. You stay overnight in Mumbai.

Today you drive from Mumbai to Lonavala. The road runs about 101 km up the Bhor Ghat. You take the Mumbai to Pune Expressway for most of the way. You pay a one way car toll of about 320 rupees. You check in to your Lonavala hotel. Then you rest and keep the day at leisure. You can walk the chikki market if you wish. You stay overnight in Lonavala.

Today you tour Lonavala and Khandala in full. The two towns sit only about 5 km apart. You start at the Karla and Bhaja caves. Workers carved these Buddhist prayer halls over 2,000 years ago. You then visit the free ghat viewpoints. These are Tiger's Leap, Lion's Point, Rajmachi Point and Amrutanjan Point. You stop at Bhushi Dam and Lonavala Lake. You can see Lohagad Fort and Ryewood Park too. You keep the evening at leisure. You stay overnight in Lonavala.

Today you drive from Lonavala to Pune. The road runs about 66 km. You reach Pune for a half day city tour. You visit the Osho Ashram in Koregaon Park. You see Shaniwar Wada, the old Peshwa fort. You stop at the Aga Khan Palace and its gardens. You can drive up to Sinhagad for the hill views. You stay overnight in Pune.

Today you drive from Pune back to Mumbai. The road runs about 170 km. Your driver takes you to the airport or the station. You catch your flight or train home. Your tour ends here. We hope you carry warm memories of the Sahyadri hills.

Temples on the way

Sacred temples you can visit

On this journey you come close to 1 holy temple of India, from the Jyotirlinga circuit. Below you can see each temple and how far it is from where you stay, so you can plan your darshan with a calm mind and enough time.

An easy day trip from your stay

Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga

Jyotirlinga · Shiva · Maharashtra

Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga is an easy day trip from your stay at Lonavala (about 38 km).

UNESCO World Heritage

World Heritage Sites on this journey

This tour takes you close to 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites of India. These are places the world has recognised as our shared treasure. Below you can see each one and how far it is from where you stay, so you can plan your darshan and sightseeing with time to spare.

Right where you stay

Elephanta Caves

Cultural · Inscribed 1987 · Maharashtra

While you stay at Mumbai, you can visit Elephanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus

Cultural · Inscribed 2004 · Maharashtra

While you stay at Mumbai, you can visit Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai

Cultural · Inscribed 2018 · Maharashtra

While you stay at Mumbai, you can visit Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Maratha Military Landscapes of India

Cultural · Inscribed 2025 · Maharashtra

While you stay at Pune, you can visit Maratha Military Landscapes of India, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Want to plan your trip around India’s World Heritage Sites? See all UNESCO World Heritage Sites of India.

Travel tips

The twin hill stations of the Sahyadri, honestly done

Lonavala and Khandala: the caves, the viewpoints, and the truth about the monsoon

This is your honest guide to Lonavala, Khandala, Kamshet and the Karla caves. You will learn when the green season is safe and when it is not. You will see what the caves really cost. You will know how to reach the twin towns from Mumbai or Pune. You will find where the paragliding really flies. You will also learn how to keep your parents comfortable. We have checked everything here. Where a price, a fee or a timing can change, we say so, and we ask you to reconfirm.

TWIN HILLS AT ABOUT 620 MMUMBAI ABOUT 96 KM, PUNE ABOUT 64 KMCAVES OVER 2000 YEARS OLDGREEN JUN TO SEP, CLEAR OCT TO FEB

The shrines

Swipe →
1
Karla and Bhaja caves
near Lonavala, Maharashtra
Rock-cut Buddhist prayer halls, over 2000 years old, with the Ekvira Devi temple on the same hill
2
Tiger's Leap and Lion's Point
Lonavala ridge, Maharashtra
The free clifftop viewpoints towards Aamby Valley, about 12 km from the station
3
Bhushi Dam
near Lonavala, Maharashtra
The stepped monsoon dam, free to enter but restricted and watched in the rains
4
Paragliding at Kamshet
Maval, Maharashtra
India's best known tandem paragliding hub, flying about October to May
5
Pawna Lake camping
near Lonavala, Maharashtra
The region's favourite lakeside tent-and-barbecue night
6
The Lonavala chikki market
Lonavala town, Maharashtra
The jaggery-and-peanut brittle born on the old Bombay to Pune railway
01Plan the shape first

How to plan Lonavala and Khandala, the twin towns you treat as one

Here is the first thing to know. Lonavala and Khandala are only about 5 to 8 km apart. They sit on the crest of the Bhor Ghat. So you treat them as one place. You stay in either town and see both.

02How you actually reach the ghat

Getting there and getting around, by road and by the ghat railway

Lonavala and Khandala are the nearest hills for Mumbai and Pune. There is no airport here. So you fly into one of the two cities. Then you come up by road or by train.

03The signature heritage

Karla and Bhaja caves: the real fees, the steps, and the temple at the door

The Karla and Bhaja caves are the heart of this trip. They are Buddhist prayer halls carved by hand over 2,000 years ago. The fees you see online are often muddled or out of date. So here is the checked picture for you.

04The clifftop views

The viewpoints and waterfalls: where to stand, and the leave-by-dawn rule

When people picture these hills, they picture the ghat viewpoints. The good news is that they are free. The one upgrade that costs you nothing is leaving early.

05The most important page here

Bhushi Dam and the waterfalls: the honest safety truth

Bhushi Dam is the region's monsoon crowd magnet. It is free to enter. In the rains, water sheets over its stepped masonry. It also holds the single most important safety fact of this trip. No green photo is worth ignoring it.

06The sky over Kamshet

Paragliding at Kamshet: the real prices, the season, and the safety check

Kamshet is a small bazaar town about 16 km from Lonavala. Since the 1990s it has grown into India's best known paragliding hub. The booking sites hide the real cost. So here is the operator-direct picture for you.

07The lake and the big park

Pawna Lake camping and Della Adventure Park

Do you want an overnight with a different flavour? The region has a favourite lakeside camp. It also has one of India's largest adventure parks. Both are easy to fold into a longer trip. Just confirm what a package actually includes before you pay.

08When to come

The best time, and the honest trade-off no one tells you

The best time here is a real trade-off. There is no single right answer. For you, the truth is worth more than a pretty photo.

09What to eat and carry home

Chikki, the road snacks, and bargaining without friction

You carry home two things from these hills. One is the taste of the famous chikki. The other is the small art of agreeing a price first. The only common friction here is overcharging, not crime.

10If your parents are coming

Keeping seniors and children comfortable in these hills

These hills are easy on elders if you plan them right. You have two things to manage. One is the slippery monsoon rock. The other is the steps at Karla. Both are simple to work around.

11Doing this from abroad

For NRI and OCI travellers: the green side trip from Mumbai or Pune

Are you a returning NRI or OCI traveller? Then this is one of the easiest green escapes in India. It is a short hop from the Mumbai or Pune gateway. It is not a headline place you build a whole holiday around.

12Money and ground realities

A realistic budget, cabs, and beating the weekend crush

None of this is expensive by hill-station standards. But a few honest numbers will help you plan. A weekend warning will help you too.

The story in the rock

Why a 2,000-year-old cave still stands above the expressway

The daylight still falls the length of the hall, onto the stupa, as it has for two thousand years.

The Karla Caves above Lonavala hold the largest rock-cut chaitya in India. A chaitya is a Buddhist prayer hall. Workers carved it by hand into the basalt of the Western Ghats. They did this from around the 2nd to 1st century BCE. Its great horseshoe window once threw light onto a stupa at the far end. A row of carved elephants and donor figures still lines the entrance. The caves sat on an ancient trade route through the ghats. Merchants and guilds funded them. Their names are inscribed in the stone. Today the Ekvira Devi temple shares the same hill. So the climb still mixes pilgrims and travellers, as it has for centuries. There is no single tidy legend to quote here. Any page that gives you one is inventing it. What is real is more striking. A hall this old, this precise and this beautiful still stands here. It is a short drive from one of the busiest expressways in India. It waits for anyone willing to climb the steps.

What's included

What's included

Included

  • ✓• Welcome on arrival at Mumbai
  • ✓• Accommodations at hotels for 5 nights (twin-sharing)
  • ✓• Breakfast and dinner at hotel each day
  • ✓• Car transport by experienced tour driver
  • ✓• Driver fees, parking fees and toll taxes
  • ✓• Applicable taxes

Not included

  • ✕• Train or air fare
  • ✕• Personal expenses (including laundry, camera fee, guide fee and tips)
  • ✕• Expenses that are not included in the package

What travellers say

What travellers say

4.7
Way to India · rated 4.7★ on Google across 46 reviews
Y
Yashvind Kumar Poteeram★★★★★
“A big thanks to Way To India for organising such a truly memorable and spiritually fulfilling experience during our 12 Jyotirlinga Darshan pilgrimage from 1st May to 18th May. They organized the entire journey exceptionally well, ensuring that every aspect of the trip was smooth, comfortable, and hassle-free. From transportation and hotel arrangements to darshan planning and coordination, everything was managed professionally. Despite the extensive travel across multiple destinations, the itinerary was well-structured, allowing us to complete all the Jyotirlinga darshans comfortably. Thanks to staff of Way To India, especially, Ms Neha, who was supportive, responsive, and attentive throughout the journey, always ready to assist whenever needed. Her dedication and careful planning made this sacred pilgrimage stress-free and enjoyable. I sincerely appreciate their excellent service, commitment, and hospitality. Highly recommend Way To India to anyone planning a spiritual tour, especially for the 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra. Thank you for making this divine journey so special and memorable.”
2 months ago · Google
A
Aruna Persand★★★★★
“We have successfully completed the 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra, with Waytoindia and it was a truly blessed and unforgettable journey. Every aspect of the tour was well planned and professionally organized, from transportation and accommodations to temple visits and sightseeing. Visiting all twelve sacred Jyotirlingas was a deeply spiritual experience. The itinerary was designed efficiently, allowing us to have darshan at each shrine comfortably while enjoying the cultural and religious significance of every destination. We sincerely appreciate the excellent support and coordination throughout the trip. The team was always available to assist, ensuring a smooth and stress-free pilgrimage. Thank you Waytoindia for making our dream of completing the 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra a reality. We highly recommend this tour to anyone seeking a well-organized and spiritually enriching pilgrimage experience. Har Har Mahadev! 🙏🕉️”
2 months ago · Google
Y
Yash Bhargava★★★★★
“We recently entrusted our honeymoon planning to 'Way to India', and it turned out to be one of the best decisions we made. From itinerary finalization to on-ground execution, everything was handled with remarkable professionalism, warmth, and attention to detail. Every aspect of our trip — flights, hotels, transfers, experiences, and even the small thoughtful touches — was perfectly curated. The itinerary was balanced, well-planned, and tailored exactly to what we wanted. We never had to worry about a single thing; all arrangements were seamless and absolutely hassle-free. What truly stood out was their responsiveness and genuine care. They were always available, always patient, and consistently went the extra mile to ensure our journey was special. Special thanks to Neha Ma'am for planning everything. We are incredibly grateful and wholeheartedly recommend their services to anyone looking for a stress-free, personalised, and delightful travel experience. Thank you for making our honeymoon truly magical!”
5 months ago · Google

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

This is a Mumbai based trip of 6 days. You spend two days in Mumbai at the start. You then drive up to Lonavala and Khandala for the hills. You finish with a half day in Pune. Your driver brings you back to Mumbai on the last day.

They are twin hill towns only about 5 km apart, on the same ghat. So you base in one and see both. Lonavala is the bigger town. It has the widest choice of stays and the famous chikki market. Most travellers rest there and treat Khandala as a short drive.

Your driver takes you up by road on Day 3. The drive is about 101 km up the Bhor Ghat. You use the Mumbai to Pune Expressway for most of it. You pay a one way car toll of about 320 rupees. Please reconfirm the toll before you travel.

Entry to Karla is about 25 rupees for Indian, SAARC and BIMSTEC visitors. Foreign nationals pay about 300 rupees. Children up to 15 go free. The caves open about 9 am to 5 pm. The climb is a few hundred carved steps. A carried doli waits at the base if you cannot walk it. Please reconfirm the fees at the counter.

The monsoon runs about June to September. It is the greenest time and the season of the photos. But it is also the busiest and most slippery. There is landslide risk on the ghat and drowning risk at the dams. The clear window of about October to February is dry and pleasant. For most families and seniors, it is the calmer choice.

Please do not enter the water in the rains. The rocks are slippery and the water surges fast. On 30 June 2024, five people from one Pune family drowned near Bhushi Dam. Four of them were children. Since then a legally enforced order runs each monsoon. So look from a safe distance and keep your children close.

Yes, you can add them as optional area activities. This package does not include them as tour days. Kamshet offers tandem paragliding about October to May. It closes for the monsoon from about mid June to September. Pawna Lake offers lakeside camping near Lonavala. You book these directly and confirm what is included. Please reconfirm the prices and the season before you go.

Yes, with the right plan. You see the viewpoints by car. You skip the long treks and the forts. You come in the clear October to February window, when the paths are dry. At Karla there is no ropeway, only steps. But a carried doli waits at the base for a fair fee. And the Ekvira Devi darshan is free.

You fly into Mumbai to start and finish the tour. Carry some cash for the market, the doli and the small cave tickets. A card is not always taken at these spots. Pick up an Indian SIM at the airport when you arrive. Do you plan to add paragliding? Then check your travel insurance. Most policies exclude aerial sports, unless you add the cover.

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