Lonavala or Igatpuri, which hill station should be your choice for the next weekend, and why? With gushing waterfalls and cliffs that touch the sky, both these hill stations will take your breath away, especially during the monsoon season.
Why Lonavala?
Lonavala is a home away from home. Apart from its proximity to Mumbai and Pune, it offers a sense of peace amid the lush greenery and scenic driveways. Your trip to Lonavala is an assured button to reset your mind from the worked-up stressful life. Visiting the tiger point in Lonavala is a must. After crossing the risky but safe road to Tiger Point, indulge in the perfect combination of hot maggie with a hot cup of tea and pakoras. Don’t forget to watch little monkeys fighting over packets of food while a dog sits down to accompany you. Now that you enjoyed a bit of the mountain, head over to the Bushy Dam, and enjoy the subtle waves of the Indrayani Ocean.
If you’re one to enjoy ancient craftsmanship and architectural properties, the next few places will get you excited. The Karla Caves located near Lonavala are an ancient Buddhist cave shrine. With rock-cut caves and one of the largest Chaityas, this place should be on your checklist. The Lohagad fort is one of the many Chhatrapati Shivaji forts, which is rich in its Maharashtrian architecture. The Bhairavnath Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva, is another must-visit architectural design near Lonavala.
Why Igatpuri?
Amidst the rich greenery of the Western Ghats lies Igatpuri. Apart from being an extremely calming location amid the waterfalls and forests, Igatpuri is the spot for adventure lovers. With an abundance of trek and hiking paths for adventurers, Igatpuri is also the hot-spot for spiritual individuals and those who need to find their peace. Located in Igatpuri, the Vipassana International Academy is one of the largest meditations centres around the world. With residential courses, food services, accommodation, and transportation facilities, Vipassana attracts tourists worldwide. It allows you to heal yourself while lying down in nature’s lap.
The turban looking top at the Tringalwadi Fort is a famous spot for trekking enthusiasts. The 1.5-hour journey to the top turns satisfactory when you enjoy the beautiful views of the Kulang Mountains and Kalsubai. Kalsubai, the highest peak in Maharashtra, is a challenging but fun-filled trek for all nature lovers. With views of various mountain ranges amid the clouds and trees, you will go back home with a sense of accomplishment.
Conclusion
To conclude, both these places are a must-visit in one’s lifetime. However, if you’re looking for a fun-filled trip with your friends wherein you can relax and enjoy, Lonavala is the one for you. Although, if you’re looking for adventure, peace, and purpose in life, the mountain ranges of Igatpuri along with the Vipassana Academy should be your go-to. We think that a solo trip to Igatpuri could be the one wherein you could find your spiritual self, wherein your group trip to Lonavala will have you leave with fun times and memories.
