Placed on the feet of the Sahyadri hills, Khandala offers a pleasant climate for people who are looking to break the shackles of leading a busy life in the city. Blessed with incredible natural beauty, lush-green atmosphere, scenic lakes and stunning waterfalls, Khandala is a must-visit destination for anyone who wishes to be lost in the beauty of nature.
The monsoon season, with its magic and charm, spellbinds travellers, who seem to be bowled over with its imposing ambiance. The entire journey from Nashik to Khandala is covered in approximately 5 hours. The road journey allows you to witness the elegance and beauty of the neighbouring towns. Hence, it is the most preferred route to travel from Nashik to Khandala.
Best Time To Visit Khandala
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The monsoon season is the best time to explore the town of Khandala. The months between October to March offer a pleasant environment for travellers and guests. Overall, Khandala opens its arms to travellers all through the year. Carry warm clothes to protect yourself from the chilly winds of this hill station.
How To Reach Khandala
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Khandala is accessible via all three modes of transport, indirectly.
By Air: The Pune airport is the nearest airport from Khandala. The remaining 48 kilometres can be covered easily via bus or cab.
By Train: Frequent rail services are operating daily between Nashik and Khandala. The train journey lasts for 3 hours.
By Road: Frequent bus services are running to and fro the Khandala city. One can alternatively book a taxi or cab to cover the same route.
Khandala is a tiny town and can be explored via foot or cab easily.
Different Routes To Reach Khandala
Route 1: Nashik - Igatpuri - Thane - Khandala
Route 2: Nashik - Sangamner - Chimbali - Khandala
Route 1 is the shortest and easiest to travel. Hence, it is the most preferred route to reach Khandala from Nashik.
Check The Detailed Route Map Here
Nashik
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The journey starts from the beautiful city of Nashik, and it would take 235 kilometres across 5 hours to reach Khandala by road via Igatpuri and Thane.
Igatpuri
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The first 46 kilometres can be covered in one hour. Igatpuri is a small hill station in the Western Ghats on the Mumbai-Agra National Highway, blessed with picturesque and scenic beauty and a treat for adventure and nature lovers. Most of the highest peaks of the Sahyadri range fall in this region.
The Igatpuri railway station is well connected to major surrounding cities in Maharashtra. Some of the major, not-to-miss attractions in Igatpuri are Bhatsa River Valley, Camel Valley, Kalsubai Peak, Tringalwadi Fort, Vipassana Centre, Ghatandevi Temple, etc.
Thane
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The next stopover comes 100 kilometres away from Igatpuri. It takes approximately 2 hours to reach Thane. Fondly referred as the City of Lakes, this little city in Maharashtra often tends to surprise travellers with some mind-blowing vistas of the Sahyadri ranges towards its north and the Ulhas River Valley towards the south.
A perfect mix of traditional Maharashtra culture with several other ethnic cultures from different parts of the country, Thane offers a beautiful environment to travellers and guests whether it is a festival or the delightful cuisine. Some of the fascinating attractions to explore in Thane are Bassein Fort, Kelwa Beach, Tikuji Ni Wadi, Upvan Lake, etc.
Final Destination – Khandala
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The last 89 kilometres can be covered in 2 hours. Khandala offers a wide variety of stunning attractions that match the taste of several tourists and visitors.
Attractions In And Around Khandala
Blessed with gorgeous landscapes, monumental architecture, misty springs and attractive waterfalls, Khandala offers a beautiful combination of rich cultural heritage and traditions.
Rajmachi Fort
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Placed 9 kilometres from Khandala on the way to Lonavala. The fort is blessed with captivating vistas of the valley and the landscapes.
Visapur Fort
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Nestled amidst a vast plateau, 13 kilometres away from Khandala is an ancient fort placed in the lap of lush-green and massive mountains. This fort is one of the tourist hotspots during the monsoon season.
Lohagad Fort
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An ancient fort perched over the peak of the Malavali hills, the Lohagad Fort is 12 kilometres away from Khandala and is quite popular amongst trekkers and hikers who have booked their day out with Mother Nature.
Bedsa Caves
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Move 19 kilometres away from Khandala, and you would reach the imposing historical caves of Maharashtra, Bedsa Caves that date back to the 60 BC. It is located on a sloppy mountain and is home to an exquisite collection of stunning carvings, rock paintings and 25-feet-tall pillars.
Kune Waterfalls
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Placed in the lap of Mother Nature, the Kune waterfalls ranks amongst the top 15 highest waterfalls in India. This three-tiered cascade falls over 200 metres and is a famous picnic spot due to its lush-green environment. It is a perfect place for diving and swimming in the freshwater, too.
Tiger Leap
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Tiger Leap is a famous tourist attraction just 2 kilometres away from Khandala. Travellers get to witness the magic of this spectacular view of the waterfalls. This ideal echo point is a major hit amongst travellers during the monsoons.
Adventurous Activities In The Region
Duke's Nose and the Karia hills offer the perfect atmosphere to all the rock climbing lovers. Khandala is a beautiful place to exercise and hone your trekking skills.