Khandala

Khandala
Location: 101 km southeast of Mumbai, Maharashtra
Attractions: Tugauli Lake, Bhushi Lake, Duke's Nose
Altitude: 625 metres
Best Time to Visit: October to May
How to Reach: One can easily reach Khandala by hiring private cabs or by taking tourist buses from Mumbai.


Khandala is an impressive hill station, cuddled up in the Sahyadri Range of Maharashtra. Endowed with nature's splendor, Khandala makes a quick excursion at a distance of 101 kms from the bustling city of Mumbai. This beautiful place immersed in pastoral beauty, had been known since years, but a Hindi movie song "Aati Kya Khandala" (Will you come to Khandala?) popularized this fabulous hill resort even more than before. It would not be an overstatement to say that nature has blessed this hill-station with green foliage, cascading waterfalls and immense gorgeousness.

In the ancient times, Khandala had been the part of the territory of Chattrapati Shivaji - the great Maratha leader. Afterwards it was swayed by the Peshwa and eventually went in the hands of the British. Undoubtedly, Khandala has all the bewitching charm, making it a favored haven for travel and tourism in India. Set amidst pictorial green surroundings, Khandala is a wonderful place to chill out and let everything go. The large number of meandering trails here calls on everyone to get engaged in trekking. And perhaps this is the best way to view the sprawling hill station in its grandeur.

Tourist Attractions
Khandala has enough places that can engage anyone in their sheer appeal. Tugauli Lake, Lonavala Lake and Bhushi Lake are few lakes that not only add to the picturesque beauty of Khandala, but also give you pleasure of boating. Near to Khandala are Karla and Bhaja Caves, which are the Buddhist rock-cut temples, dating back to the 2nd century. Other popular destination for the tourists is Duke's Nose, a peak nearby that offers a breathtaking view of Khandala and Bhor Ghat. Amruntanjan point is an additional attraction that never fails to impress its visitors.

Accommodation
Since Khandala is amongst the most sought-after hill station, it receives plenty of tourists round the year. Ranging from guest houses, budget hotels to luxury hotels, you can find every type of accommodation in and around Khandala. One can choose the best option as per their budget and requirement. La Revival and Hotel Vallerina are some of the 3 star hotels in Khandala where as Hotel Girija and Zara's Resort are among the popular hotels in Khandala. Most of the hotels provide sightseeing facility and private cabs to the tourists on request.

Adventure-Sports
If you happen to be an adventure-lover, Khandala would provide you ample opportunities of adventures, such as trekking, hiking and rock-climbing. Karala Hills, on top of Duke's Nose, are popular destinations for rock-climbing. What is more, you can also take the gears and equipments, available here on hire. It is for sure that the enchanting environs would become an unforgettable part of your memories. In concise terms, Khandala is an enchanting retreat that can mesmerize anyone, while its tranquility touches the soul.