Monsoon drive to Lavasa

There is this magical feel to a drive in the monsoons that just cannot be expressed in words. The lush greenery, waterfalls, fog and the coolness of rains instantly take all your worries away and transport you to a place of tranquillity.

It had been raining heavily since the past few days and we were enjoying the weather to the fullest with hot tea, maggi and bhajjis (pakodas) as and when we could. It had been a lazy Saturday and we were about to slip into bed with thoughts of waking up late on Sunday. And then suddenly, mom walks up to us and says hey, how about we go for a trip tomorrow? Where? This new hill city called Lavasa!

The word which sounded new drove us all into a frenzy, we quickly looked it up on the net, decided the route, charged the camera, packed our bags and quickly dozed off.

The excitement resulted in us waking up way before the alarm. We got ready and off we were to this beautiful escape from the city.

How to get there??

(The above map has been provided from Baner.)

Lavasa is planned hill city spread across 25000 acres and located at a distance of about 60 odd kms from Pune city. It has been designed based on the Italian town of Portofino and features beautiful buildings and scenic bridges.

The shortest of all the routes is the one that goes from Chandani chowk. Once you reach Chandani chowk, take the road that goes to Mulshi Dam. Follow the road till Pirangut. On reaching Pirangut you will be able to see sign boards prompting you to take a left for Lavasa. Take the left here and follow the road. This road takes you to the base of Temghar Dam and onwards to Lavasa. 

On reaching Lavasa, you will see the huge entrance gate to the city. Here you have to pay the entrance fee. The road ahead will take you to Lavasa city.

Getting back to the trip details....

The moment you cross the toll booth on the road to Mulshi dam is when the fun actually begins. The concrete buildings of the city are replaced with lush green vegetation as far as the eye can see. The soothing atmosphere, cool breeze and showers of rain pump you up with excitement.

Here is a snap of one of the beautiful scenes that we came across during our drive. 

As we drove along, admiring the scenic sights with the faint musical notes of the malabar whistling thrush (a bird found in the western ghats) playing in the background we soon reached the base of Temghar Dam. We stopped here to take a few snaps. 

The dam wall looks beautiful with the hills in the background and the dense fog obscuring it from time to time. (If you happen to see water being released from the dam then its an added bonus!)

A view of Temghar Dam

A close-up of the wall of Temghar Dam

As the road climbs up, you reach the dam top. From here you can see the dam reservoir that looks breathtakingly beautiful in the rains. 

The reservoir of the dam as seen from the dam wall

A view of the dam backwaters

A short drive from here and you reach the main entrance gate to Lavasa City. There are several photogenic points on the route from Temghar to the main city gate that are worth stopping for. Also, along the route you will see make-shift shacks set up by the locals who sell hot bhutta (maize / corn) and bhajjis (pakodas). The awesome weather is sure to make you stop at one of these stalls to relish them. 

While driving down to this place, do make sure that you leave early because chances are that you will be trapped in a long traffic jam (especially on weekends) with most Punekars visiting this hotspot.

One of the huge statues located at the main entrance gate to the city

Traffic jam close to the main city gate

The fog in the area becomes so dense sometimes that it becomes difficult to see past a few cars ahead of you! 

The best part of the trip lies beyond the main gates of the city. The road ahead goes winding down to the parking lot of Lavasa City and this is one amazing road to go on in the monsoons. 

The entire stretch has several turns and the best part, at each turn you get to see a mesmerising WATERFALL !! (Scroll to the bottom to see the awesome snaps)

However, stopping at these waterfalls is not allowed and risky considering the slope and traffic.

But it is an incredible experience nonetheless, as you sit back in your seat and take in the spectacular sight of the different waterfalls that flash before you after every 2 to 3 odd minutes !

For me, the experience was even more thrilling as I had to set my camera (a point and shoot) and manage to click these waterfalls as they quickly pass by. A task in itself!

After this short ride, you will find yourself in the parking lot of the city. From here onwards, you have to explore it on foot. 

A scenic view of the hill city, the colour buildings and the lake

Strolling through the city we came across some picturesque bridges where we stopped to click loads of snaps. The walkway by the lake side was bustling with activity with several visitors getting drenched in the rain and clicking pictures. There are several shops and outlets here where one can go on a shopping spree!

You can also find several eateries along this walkway so food is not a problem at all.

The lakeside walking and shopping area

When you are at Lavasa, do make it a point to stop by the lake wall (seen in the pictures below). This place provides some breathtaking views of the city and the surreal surroundings.

A view of the Lavasa lake and the lake wall (in the distance)

The wall of the lake

A view of the city from the lake wall

Visitors enjoying a train ride in the city

Here are a few pics of some of the picturesque waterfalls that we encountered during our trip:

People clicking photos and getting drenched in one of the waterfalls

After having a fun day out with family in this beautiful setting, it was time to head back home. As we left the hill city, the fog had thickened, decreasing the visibility which made driving rather difficult. But, the fog soon disappeared as we left the valley and then it was a smooth ride back to Pune.

Driving through this dense fog on the way back

Traveller Tips !

1. Prior to the trip get a vehicle maintenance check up done as the road is wet and slippery with several turns and climbs.
2. Try to leave early from Pune so that you are not caught up in a traffic jam near the main entrance.
3. Also, if you are not planning to stay overnight in the city then try to leave early as the fog starts to thicken after 4 p.m.
4. Carry a spare change of clothes if you plan to get wet in the several waterfalls seen all along the way. However, please do not stop at the waterfalls on the road from the city entrance gate to the parking lot as it is risky for yourself and other travellers driving down the road.
5. There are several places stay should you choose to stay overnight. However, always book your stay in advance to avoid any last minute hassles.

Thing to do while you are at Lavasa !

1. Click loads of pictures at various scenic locations in the city.
2. Take a leisurely stroll on the lakeside walkway.
3. Shopping
4. Indulge in waters sports (generally closed during the monsoons but open at other times of the year. Please check)
5. Enjoy at the gaming arcade
6. There are several other events and activities. Information about them can be obtained at the city centre.