As said in the earlier post, we went to Lonavala last sunday.I felt my last post is appropiate and correct in terms of money and incorrect in terms of options because I have not at all taken any of the options.There came a third option and goes as follows......
While we are spending our saturaday leisurely I got a request from our neighbours to decide a travel destination for them.I offered them the plan and they inturn invited us to Lonavala along with them in their car.Wow!! all together the travel became a picnic and we carried food stuff from our homes.
We Started lately around 10 am on Sunday morning.As we reached the Express Highway it started raining.The drive through the express highways is one of the most beautiful and everlasting experience.You can find distant silver like cascades falling from the every alternate mountain.The green paddy fields,the wide stretches of grass lands,the dark tunnel passages..... all of them add to your account of a happy Sunday holiday. As we moved further the intensity of the rain increased to a greater extent and we retarded to a very minor extent as our neighbour is an operational manager in General Motor(Chevrolet Spark car making industry,Sounds great right!).We finally reached Lonavala in less than an hour.From there we took the road towards Amby Valley,its a ghat road and offers a thrilling drive.The rain continued to follow us through out the Journey.Without much more writing I will breif out some interesting facts.
View points/Places to see : Amby Valley, Filmy view point,Bushi dham, Tata dam, Natural shivaling spot,Khandala and view of Express highway from there, Lohagad Fort a very simple trek and has wonderful scenic beauty.
Must do things when you reach Lonavala :Lonavala is a Centre for different kinds of chikki's.Dont forget to take the all variety chikki pack.
Having a cup of tea and a plate of hot Pakoda near those famous view point gives you an unknown pleasure and happiness .
Time to Visit :From the Month when monsoon just starts(July 1st week) till January.Please say no to summers as you will be very much disappointed.
Ways to Take :Express highway or old highway(NH-4).Actually we took the onwards journey through Express highway and the backward journey through old highway.Both the ways are equally scenic and worth giving a try.
Place to Stay :There are many hotels and resorts to stay in Lonavala and near Kandhala.I cannot name a few since i haven't stayed overnight during my three times travel to Lonavala.But I can suggest one thing that people prefer to stay at Karla which is near to Lonavala,since the hotel room prices are much lower than Lonavala and Kandhala.
Commercialization: More than Moderate.
Tips : Never go to Lonavala in Summers.
Its is not like a regular hillstation.
You can reach there by local or train and the site-seeng can be done on the local taxi's for an amount ranging from 400 to 700 rs depending on the vehicle.
An Enthusiastic Traveler
