Shoestring Budget Itinerary for Lonavala in July 2023

1. Day 1: Karla Caves
   20 minutes (6 miles) from Lonavala

   Start your day with a visit to the Karla Caves, a complex of ancient Indian Buddhist rock-cut caves that date back to the 2nd century BC. The caves contain intricate carvings and sculptures and offer beautiful views of the surrounding hills. After exploring the caves, enjoy a simple lunch of vada pav, a popular Mumbai street food, at one of the nearby stalls. In the afternoon, head to Bushi Dam for a refreshing dip in the cool waters of the dam. In the evening, take a stroll through Lonavala Bazaar and browse the local shops for souvenirs and handicrafts.

2. Day 2: Duke's Nose and Korigad Fort
   1 hour (21 miles) from Lonavala

   Start your day with a trek to Duke's Nose, a cliff that resembles the shape of a nose. The trek offers stunning views of the surrounding Sahyadri mountains and the nearby valleys. After the trek, have a breakfast of kanda bhaji, a popular Maharashtrian snack, at a nearby local eatery. In the afternoon, visit the Korigad Fort, a hill fort that dates back to the 15th century. The fort offers beautiful views of the surrounding hills and is a popular spot for trekking and camping. In the evening, head back to Lonavala and watch the sunset at Ryewood Park.

3. Day 3: Lohagad Fort and Pawna Lake
   1 hour 15 minutes (22 miles) from Lonavala

   Start your day with a trek to Lohagad Fort, a hill fort that dates back to the 18th century. The fort offers beautiful views of the surrounding hills and is a popular spot for trekking and camping. After the trek, have a lunch of thalipeeth, a popular Maharashtrian dish, at a nearby local eatery. In the afternoon, head to Pawna Lake for a relaxing boat ride and enjoy the scenic beauty of the lake surrounded by hills. In the evening, head back to Lonavala and enjoy a cup of hot tea with fresh bhajiyas at Maganlal Chikki Center.

Recommendations

Don't miss out on the Rajmachi Point for panoramic views of the Sahyadri mountains, the Lonavala Lake for boating and fishing or the Bhushi Dam Waterfall for a fun-filled day trip. If you have time for a day trip, visit the ancient hill fort of Tung Fort or the hill station of Matheran.

If you want to maximize your fun, try to participate in a trekking or camping activity, enjoy the local cuisine at small local eateries, and bargain with the shopkeepers to get the best deals on souvenirs and handicrafts.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Karla Caves (2 hours, free)
• Bushi Dam (3 hours, free)
• Lonavala Bazaar (2 hours, varies)
• Duke's Nose (3 hours, free)
• Korigad Fort (2 hours, free)
• Ryewood Park (1 hour, free)
• Lohagad Fort (3 hours, free)
• Pawna Lake (2 hours, boat ride INR 500 per hour)
• Maganlal Chikki Center (1 hour, varies)
• Total Estimated Costs: INR 1,000 (excluding accommodation and transportation)

For more information on hotel and flight bookings, please visit https://booking.tp.st/VhZsadPo.