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A short drive to Lonavala, Matheran and Lohagad fort, Maharashtra.


Gowtham
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Weekend getaway Pune to Lonavala, Matheran and Lohagad

 

Drive Stats:

 

Distance : 200 kms

 

Drive : Swift

 

Fuel : Diesel

 

Mileage : 18 kmpl

 

Drive time : 5 hrs

 

Total trip : 450 kms

 

Pune --> Lonavala --> Matheran

 

Lonavala is a paradise for all the Pune travel lovers. It is quite easy to reach the place via Mumbai-Pune express way. We started off in the afternoon and headed towards Lonavala having planned to reach Matheran by the sunset.

 

The splendid six-lane Mumbai-Pune express way drive got our senses back to life and we reached Lonavala in 3 hours (including breaks).

Dusk crept up the hills as we reached Lonavala and the scent of the cool breeze wafted towards us and revived our souls.

 

We spent good amount of time gazing at the sun going down, after which we had realized that pitching up our tents in the dark at our destination (Matheran) would be impossible as we were still approx. 2 hrs away. And so we started to head towards Matheran.

 

Mumbai Pune express way

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Our approach in to a Tunnel, speed is limited to 80 kmph

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During our drive inside the India's first tunnel system with in the city limits.

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Arguably the best express way in India

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Scenic view of the express way from the Western ghats.

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Look at the size of the bridge :eek:

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Ghat road on the way to Lonavala

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This ghat sticks out green even during the summers

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Breath taking view from the Lion's Point

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Our Drive

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This stray dog took the ascent along with us quite easily

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A unique shaped hill at the Tiger's leap

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Lion's point: Sun set

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And we start our journey towards Matheran

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As we moved close to Matheran, pacing up the road was not so possible as the road condition wasn't so good. Darkness, steep uphill and hairpin bends without any indicators marked made the drive cautious.

 

Soon, we reached to a point beyond which motorized vehicles aren't allowed. It took us quite some time to find an appropriate place to park our car. Since the option of pitching down our tents to spend the night had gone to the woods, we walked down 3 kms ahead in search the hotels with the help of a mobile torch. We usually have different means such as horse riding, rickshaws or just walk along the rail tracks.

 

As we had reached late in the night, we had no option but to walk along the rail tracks (spooky for the first timers). We had finally checked-in to a decent hotel after quite an adventurous walk in the dark night

 

.Matheran tourist map-Source wiki

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Absolute darkness as we walked along the rail tracks

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Darkness prevailed throughout

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We had reached the top next morning to watch the Sunrise

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At the panorama point

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3 idiots who joined me along to reach this wonderful place

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Horse Rides ( They charge us 30 INR for taking the pictures )

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As we slid down the descent

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And we drove down the ghat

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Commercial waste being littered around by people instead of preserving the beauty of nature

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Narrow and steep roads

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We stop by to give a way to the cars taking the ascent

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We started our next leg of journey towards Lohagad fort. It took us around 3 hrs to reach the place (Including breaks).

Lohagad is one of the many hill forts of Maharashtra state in India situated close to the Lonavala hill station which is 52 NW to Pune. Lohagad rises to an elevation of 1,033 m above sea level. The fort is connected to the neighboring Visapur fort by a small range. (source wiki).

 

We came across a rally of sports bikes en-route

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We couldn't find any food joints near Lohagad fort and so we got into near by village and had poha for our lunch.

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Main entrance to the Lohagad fort

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As we reached the fort, we started to climb the half broken crooked fort steps.

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Mosque at Lohagad

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Lower ramparts of the fort

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View of the surrounding villages as we stood tall on the tip of Lohagad fort.

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Extreme top-view of the Lohagad fort.

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He had become a Maratha Warrior for that moment :P

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After a tiresome hike, we exit the gates

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Descending down from the Lohagad

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And we drove back carrying unlimited memories

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