Khandala is a popular hill station in Maharashtra, perched on the foothills of Sahyadri in the Western Ghats. Khandala provides for a perfect weekend respite for the Mumbai population, with its scenic valleys, grassy hills, serene lakes and misty waterfalls.
It is one of the twin hill stations - Lonavala and Khandala. The place immortalized by the popular Bollywood song, "Aati Kya Khandala", is a must-visit destination for everyone looking for beautiful nature, pleasant weather and the feeling of mist in the air. The natural beauty of Khandala blooms to its zenith and reveals a magical charm during the monsoons. Its meandering waterfalls and glittering lakes attributes to the majestic look an imposing ambience.
The Mumbai-Pune expressway passes through Khandala. Due to this easy accessibility, it is a popular hiking spot from nearby cities. The Duke's Nose peak and Karla Hills are the two popular spots for rock climbing. Located near two more popular tourist hotspots, viz. Lonavala (3 km away) and Karjat (7 km), Khandala is one of the perfect hill retreats for both trekkers and young couples.
1Rajmachi Fort Rajmachi is a small village situated in the
Sahyadri mountain range of the Konkan region of Maharashtra. Rajmachi is famous for
the historical fortress which has two fortified peaks - Shrivardhan and Manaranjan forts,
located near two famous hills of Lonavala and Khandala.
At the base of the fort is the village Udhewadi which is another name for Rajmachi. Rajmachi has seen many change of hands from Shivaji Maharaj, Emperor Aurangzeb, Shahu Maharaj and eventually the British reign. The fort of Rajmachi is famous among trekkers and adventure enthusiasts. If you want to experience a full-fledged trek, you can start from the Kondhane caves side which will take 3-4 hours of climbing, but otherwise you can drive right upto Udhewadi village (from the Lonavala side) and then trek for hardly 20-30 minutes to the top of the fort.
The simple and clearly marked trail on both the paths make Rajmachi a very popular beginner's trek.
2Visapur Fort The Visapur Fort is a popular hill fort near Visapur village located close to Lonavala. Also called Visapoor Fort, it is a popular weekend getaway from Pune and Mumbai. The majestic fort is a very popular destination for a trek. The climb to the Visapur Fort is rocky but welcoming. Starting at Bhaje village, it is about 2.5 to 3 hours long each way and ends at the height of 3556 feet.
The fort stands at the height of 1084 meters above sea level offering panoramic view hills covered in a thick blanket of green. Monsoons are definitely the best time to visit Visapur Fort - the greenery, brimming waterfalls, and the beautiful fog. This massive fort was built as a twin of the famous Lohagad fort, but at a higher elevation and covering a larger surface area.
3 Bedsa caves Located slightly far from Kamshet, Bhedsa Caves is a group of rock-cut Buddhist monuments dating back to 60 BC. Also known as Bedse Caves, it is one of the oldest caves of Maharashtra tracing back to the Satvahana period.
Known for their beautiful, exquisite carvings, the caves contain four 25 feet high pillars. The main cave called the 'Chaitya' has a prayer hall that enshrines a magnificent stupa. The other cave is the vihara or the monastery. It is best to visit Bedsa Caves early morning as both caves face eastward.
4Lohagad Fort Situated at the height of 3400 feet, Lohagad Fort is a
UNESCO world heritage site and formidable fort about 52 kilometres away from Pune. Perched atop an
impressive hill near Malavali, this destination is the perfect amalgam of ancient architecture and
natural beauty. Lohagad Fort was built in the 18th century and is an ideal destination for trekking and
nature lovers, especially from Pune and Mumbai. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj used to keep his treasury in
this fort.
The trek to the fort is an easy one and perfect for the first-timers, making it a favourite haunt of
hiking enthusiasts. In addition to its thrilling trek route, Lohagad Fort in itself is a massive structure
that was once under the control of the mighty Maratha Empire and is connected to its twin Visapur Fort
as well. Until a few years back, the base of the fort was quite far from the last point connected via
road, but now a proper road has been built to the base of the fort, due to which a lot of people visit
Lohagad during monsoon weekends, making it quite crowded. Whether you visit this destination for its
lush green beauty, adventurous trekking route, panoramic views or illustrious history, Lohagad Fort is
certainly worthy of a visit.
5 Tiger's Leap Tiger's Leap viewpoint is located around 8 km away from Lonavala and is a major tourist attraction of this place. It is a clifftop with a sheer drop of over 650 m, offering a comprehensive view of the hills and the Western Ghats. It is famous for the stunning sunrise and sunset view, especially on a clear day.
Tiger's Leap is an unusual name given to this place due to the resemblance of the shape with that of a tiger leaping into the valley. This point, which provides an interesting view of the valley below, is just a short distance away from INS Shivaji. The exhilarating views should, however, be enjoyed from a safe spot rather than from the top of the cliff which is precarious. The echo point on Tiger's Leap is another major attraction.
6Duke's Nose Duke’s Nose is a popular viewpoint located about 7
kilometres from Lonavala. It is hugely famous for hiking and its picturesque location. Tourists often
visit the landmark to get a panoramic view of the beautiful Sahyadri Ranges, the splendid valleys and
the dense forests that cover the Sahyadris. The landmark often serves as an ideal picnic spot for tourists
exploring Lonavala.
The name Duke's Nose was derived from the Duke of Wellington, whose nose resembled the shape of the cliff.
Locals call it Naagphani or the Cobra's Hood going by the shape of the cliff. A panoramic view of Duke's
Nose is visible from the Sunset Point in Khandala. People travelling from Mumbai to Pune or vice versa
often take a pit stop here to get a mesmerizing view of the valley.
7 Kune Waterfalls Kune Falls are the 14th highest waterfalls in India
located in Lonavala. It is a three-tiered waterfall set amidst the backdrop of Sahayadri mountains.
Divided into two sections, visiting Kune Falls makes up for an enchanting visual experience.
A popular picnic spot, the area is surrounded by lush greenery. One can also enjoy swimming and
bathing in the water. Unfortunately, the road to the Kune Falls is under private and hence
visitor entry is restricted.
8 Reversing Station Reversing Station located in Rajmachi near Khandala
was once used by the railway department. Now a secluded area, it is a great place to enjoy the scenery.
It's interesting to see the railway track below and the trains changing lines.
Reversing station is a popular sunset point which is best visited during the monsoon.
9 Shooting Point Shooting Point is a viewpoint in Lonavala, frequented by
tourists wishing to catch an aerial view of the Rajmachi Fort and the valley below. Located in the town of
Khandala (Bazaar Peth), the site is also home to St. Mary's Villa. It is an ideal place for families as well
as couples.
10 Shopping in Khandala While in Khandala, hoard treasure like Chikki, as
well as the jams and snacks that the area is known for. The best places for shopping in Khandala are Cooper's
Fudge and Chikkis, Maganlal and Sons, Aher Bag and Abbas Khan Garments.