Tag Archives: Lonavala

Kune Waterfalls

The Kune Waterfalls is located centrally within the Lonavala – Khandala valley. This is a three-tiered waterfall with a total height of 200 metres (660 feet) with the highest drop being 100 metres (330 feet).The entire waterfall is a magnificent work of art, by mother nature and is encircled with lush greenery.

Kune Waterfalls at its scenic best during monsoons
Kune Waterfalls at its scenic best during monsoons

Kune Falls is one of the main attractions in Khandala, and attracts attracts tourists in large numbers during the rainy season when the waterfall is in its peak  and flows down with a huge gush.

Kune Waterfalls at the base
Kune Waterfalls at the base

The exceptionally heavy rains at the hill station adds to the beauty of the place. In fact, the Kune Falls lasts for quite a few weeks even after the monsoon season is over. The serenity and the stunning beauty of the place is indescribable and must be experienced in person to fully understand the blessing that nature has bestowed on the valley in
absolute abundance.

Kune Waterfalls
Kune Waterfalls

During the monsoon, the adjoining areas turns into calm green landscape and the falls also turns into a milky white stream. The exceptional heavy rainfall in this area adds beauty and an extra charm to this place.

Youngsters enjoy themselves at the falls
Youngsters enjoy themselves at the falls

The waterfall is centrally located in the Khandala- Lonavla valley and is a beautiful spot. Visitors from Mumbai can see the waterfall from a distance as they approach Khandala. Being a seasonal one, the falls will dwindle after about a month from the last rains.Near the falls, there is a well known Church, which acts as both a landmark for the falls plus a tourist attraction in itself.

Exotic flowers and plants near the falls
Exotic flowers and plants near the falls

Because of the rains, there is a lot of water at Kune this time of the year. Visitors can just stand there for a while and absorb the greenery all around. If you love nature, this is the place for you and take as many pictures as you like. If you love trekking, then you might even do a small trek to the base of the waterfall as it would be an interesting hike.

A visitors gets his best Kodak moment.
A visitors gets his best Kodak moment.

Else relax once you have reached the falls, or better still, take a bath in the cold waters of the stream.

enjoy

For Booking for Kune Waterfalls Please Click Here

Timing: Sunrise to Sunset.
Duration: 1 day visit.
Height of the waterfall: 650 feet (200 meters).
Best time to visit: June to September.
Entry fee: N.A.
Open days: All days of the week.
Visit duration: 2- 3 hours.
Distance from Mumbai: 80 km (2 hours).
Distance from Pune: 70 km (1 hour 30 minutes).
Photography: Allowed.

For Booking for Kune Waterfalls Please Click Here

Trekkers-at-a-waterfall

How to Reach Kune Falls

By Road:

Travelers from Mumbai can take the famous Mumbai-Pune expressway to reach Lonavala bypass. Local transport is available to travel to Khandala and from thereon to Kune.

Lonavala Exit Ramp

The Kune Missionary Church is the landmark to look for. It is a tourist attraction in itself, so visitors can spend some time in the church before proceeding to Kune.

From the church, it takes just a short walk to reach Kune falls. Travelers from Pune can get down at Khandala and follow the same route. Kune Falls is on the old Mumbai-Pune Highway and not the new Mumbai – Pune Expressway.

By Rail:

The nearest Railway Station is Lonavala. If your coming from Mumbai or Pune, it’s better for tourists  to alight at Lonavala Railway Station.

Lonavala Railway Station
Lonavala Railway Station

From here they can take local transport(share rickshaws or bus) and reach the falls that is about 10 km away.

Rappelling at Kune Waterfalls
Rappelling at Kune Waterfalls

Activities

At Kune there are a lot of opportunities for adventure sports activities that are organized by adventure sport clubs.

  • Trekking.
  • Rappelling.
  • Swimming in the pond below the falls.
  • Family Picnics.
  • Rock Climbing.
  • Treks to Korigad, Rajmachi fort nearby.
  • Camp by the Pavna Lake, Tungarli Lake and Lonavala Lake.
  • Nature Walks.
  • Photography.

Booking for adventure activities Please Click Here

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Places to see near the Waterfalls

- The Kune Church is located within the close proximity of Kune waterfalls and serves as a landmark to reach the waterfalls.

- The Duke’s Nose Peak.

- Karla Hills:(Ideal spot for the mountaineers).

- Karla Caves:(2000 year old Buddhists caves near Khandala).

- Bedsa Caves: At Kamshet near Khandala are large caves that are popular and visited by a lot of tourists.

- Bhaja Caves: Located in Lonavala inside the caves here there are figures of deities and mythological figures.

- Lohagad Fort: Built by Chhatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj.

- Visapur Fort : Opposite to Lohagad Fort.

- Rajmachi Fort: The fort is located between Khandala and Lonavala and can be accessed from Tungarli Lake.

- Tikona Fort: This fort stands near Lonavala and there are a few Buddhist cave and some tanks that were used to store water.

- Tung Fort:  This was actually a watch post or a lookout tower. Lohagad , Visapur and Tikona forts could be seen from this fort.

- Lonavala Hill:  This hill is called the ‘Jewel of the Sahyadiri Hills’ and is 5 kms. from Khandala. From the hill, visitors will get a panoramic view of the Sahyadiri range.

- There are a number of lakes like the Bushi Lake, Lonavala Lake and Tulauli Lake which can be visited or an overnight camp can be organized by these lakes.

Booking for adventure activities Please Click Here

Where to Stay and Eat

Ideally visitors from Mumbai and Pune can  go on a day’s  trip to see the Kune waterfalls and all the tourist places in and around Lonavala and Khandala.

A cosy guest house at the hill station
A cosy guest house at the hill station

But if they are planning to stay overnight then there are many hotels near Kune Waterfalls and also in Lonavala and Khandala. Visitors can choose from luxurious suites to well-appointed cottages for a comfortable stay within their budget. Tourists can also use many other low-budget staying options available in plenty near Kune Waterfalls.

A family enjoys a meal at a restaurant in Lonavala
A family enjoys a meal at a restaurant in Lonavala

There are make-shift food stalls near the falls, but it is advisable to carry your own snacks and water as at times due to heavy rains the food stalls may or may not be open. For a wholesome meal visitors can enjoy them at numerous hotels and restaurants at Lonavala and Khandala.

Booking for a stay at Lonavala or Khandala Please Click Here

Camping

There is no official arrangement or infrastructure for camping at the falls.

A Campsite during winters
A Campsite during winters

But adventure enthusiast seeking adventure can try their luck and seek permission from the local authorities and enjoy a camp near the falls.

A humble request to all tourists

While visiting Kune Waterfalls please do not litter and help keep the nature and surroundings clean by carrying back your thrash and disposing it in a decent manner.

Kune Waterfalls 5

Kindly support nature as these small actions by each one of us will help preserve our beautiful waterfalls.

Bhushi Dam

The Bhushi dam is a popular picnic spot for Mumbaikar’s and Punekar’s. This is not a natural waterfall but gets created during monsoons when the water from the dam (Indrayani River) overflows on the series of steps on the side of the dam.

bhushi41

It is relatively safe place to enjoy a waterfall experience hence it is a great place for families and kids. Every year during monsoons one can expect a large number of crowds from neighboring cities during weekends or on holidays.

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After spending time at the Bhushi dam, visitors can visit small natural waterfalls near the dam which are also popular with tourist during monsoon.

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There is no arrangement for changing clothes at dam so you need to hire change room at INR 20/- person on roadside hotels. They also offer car parking at a nominal cost.

Bushi-Dam-Lonavala-Khandala-Hillstation-In-Rain-6

Timing: Sunrise to Sunset. (During weekends due to excessive crowd, entry to the dam is closed by 3:00 p.m.).
Duration: 1 day visit from Mumbai and Pune.
Height of the waterfall: N.A.
Best time to visit: June to October.
Entry fee: No entry fee
Open days: All days of the week.
Visit duration: 2-3 hours.
Photography: Permitted.
Distance from Mumbai: 90 km (1 hour 40 minutes).
Distance from Pune: 75 km (1 hour 30 minutes).

For Bookings for Bhushi Dam PLEASE CLICK HERE

bushi-dam-during-monsoons

How to reach:

From Mumbai and Pune there are several trains that halt at Lonavala Railway Station. There are also several State Transport and private buses that halt at Lonavala.

Lonavla-Railway-Station

From Lonavala Railway station, Bhushi dam is at a distance of 6 km. Tourists can hire local transport available to reach the dam.

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Tourist coming by road can reach Lonavala via old Mumbai- Pune highway or exit the Expressway at Lonavala and drive further 8 km to reach the dam.

For Bookings for Bhushi Dam PLEASE CLICK HERE

Things to do:

Spend a good amount of time sitting on the steps of the dam getting wet while the water flows down with great force. Enjoy a hot cuppa tea or coffee along with local delicacies like vada pav, kanda bhaji, and poha.

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Good place for nature lovers and families to spend time and enjoy some memorable moments.

2.-Bhusi-Dam

Best place to have fun with friends specially playing in flowing water and clicking photographs.

Beware:

Do not swim in the dam as there have been several incidents of drowning.

monsoon-rains-at-bhushi-dam-scott-lenhart

During weekends and public holidays there is a large crowd, so planning your visit on a week day is ideal in case you want to avoid the excessive crowds.

Attractions near Bhushi Dam:

A visit to Bhushi dam in Lonavala can be clubbed with other attractions of Lonavala and Khandala i.e. (Tiger Point, Kune waterfalls, Pavana Lake) etc.

For Bookings for Bhushi Dam PLEASE CLICK HERE

Where to eat:

There are many Butta (Maize) and Vada pav stalls on the road that leads to the dam. Tourist can enjoy these snack items along with piping hot tea.

one-day-trip-lonavala

There are also many restaurants and hotels in the near vicinity of the dam where tourist can enjoy a proper meal of their choice.

A humble request to all tourists:

While visiting Bushi Dam please do not litter and help keep the nature and surroundings clean by carrying back your thrash and disposing it in a decent manner.

Lonavala_Bhushi-Dam_3

Kindly support nature as these small actions by each one of us will help preserve our beautiful waterfalls.