Have you heard of a traveller's block? It’s very similar to that of a writer’s, but in this case, you are unable to materialise any of your travel plans. Little did I know that the key to overcome my block wasn’t visiting an exotic international destination, but an off-beat natural wonder, nestled quietly in my own country, my own state.
While planning a weekend getaway with my friends, I stumbled upon the mysterious, gorgeous emerald green Lonar Crater Lake. The internet did not have much information about it, so we decided to unravel the secrets of this 52,000-year-old lake ourselves.
What to see and do
The crater lake is a massive jade-green water body that is surrounded by lush green forests. It is untouched by tourist population yet and boasts of rich biodiversity. Keep an eye out for animals like rabbits, Chinkara deer, monkeys, many migratory birds, and even peacocks!
The best way to experience the lake's beauty is taking a hike around the lake. So take a sweet break from your life in the concrete jungle and devour the endless beauty of nature at Lonar Crater Lake.
The Itinerary
Mumbai to Jalna
9.00 pm: We took the Devagiri Express (17057) from CST station and reached Jalna by 5.00 am the next morning.
Jalna to Lonar Crater Lake
5.00 am: The Jalna bus stand is an auto-ride away from the railway station, from where we took an ST bus for Washim, which dropped us at the Lonar bus stand. Alternatively, we were told that one could also take an ST bus to Sultanpur and get an auto/cab for Lonar Lake from there.
Lonar Lake is 80 km away from Jalna (approx. 2.5 hours) and the bus halted en-route at a small eatery called Amruta, where we devoured some authentic Maharashtrian style poha and tea for breakfast.
8.30 am: We reached the MTDC resort situated bang on the edge of the crater.
3.00 pm: After some down-time and gorging on delicious food , we set out to circumnavigate the lake.
5.00 pm: We finally left to explore the fascinating Lonar Crater Lake with the help of a guide recommended by our resort. We walked around the lake, marvelling at its emerald green waters. We were then make to climb a fleet of rock-cut steps to reach the top of a dhar where we saw a gurgling waterfall. This was a great spot to end the trek and enjoy gorgeous sunset views over the lake.
Buldhana - Jalna - Mumbai
11.00 am: After breakfast at the resort, we went back to the lake, this time on our own.
Prerequisites: Wear sturdy shoes and not sandals as there’s a lot of walking and hiking to do. Carry water bottles and snacks along, there are no shops.
4.00 pm: We inquired at the bus stop and got a direct bus for Jalna bust station. (Rs 160) One can also travel to Jalna by share cabs from Buldhana.
7.00 pm: Reached Jalna Railway Station.
8.15 pm: Boarded the Nandigram Express (11402) for Mumbai CST. (Rs 260)
Getting Around:
Lonar is a small town and every place is walk-able in distance. Autos are available to commute within the town.
How To Reach:
By Rail: The nearest big railway station is Jalna at a distance of 90 km, followed by Aurangabad.
By Air: Lonar does not have its own airport. The nearest airport is located at Aurangabad around 150 km away (3 hours).
You can take a cab or a bus to Lonar from Aurangabad.
By Road: Aurangabad/Jalna to Lonar (distance 150 km and 90 km) can be traveled by state bus or hired vehicle. From Aurangabad, there are several buses which ply regularly to Lonar or Buldhana district.
It’s possible to make a day trip to Lonar by staying in Aurangabad as well.
Timings: The lake is open everyday from sunrise to sunset.
Best Time to visit:
August – February is the ideal time to visit Lonar Crater Lake. From monsoon to winter, the climate is very pleasant and favourable for hiking. In addition, the surroundings are verdant green and you can enjoy spotting waterfalls at every other turn! Summer months are extremely hot in this region so it is not advisable to visit then.
Where To Stay:
1. MTDC resort
Cost
Rs 2,150 per room, per night.
2. You can also stay at Krishna Lodge, located opposite the Lonar bus stand.
Food
While you’ll find some vada-pav and missal pav stalls en-route, you are pretty much stuck with the food at the resort when at Lonar.
Expenditure
Train ticket: Rs 520 onward
Hotel tariff: Rs 2150
Trek guide: Rs 800
If you're looking for an off-beat getaway into the wilderness, don't look further. Lonar Crater Lake will make for the perfect travel break.
Looking for more off-beat destinations to visit around the country? Check out Kitkat Travel Breaks on Tripoto here.
The readers are hereby informed that the views, thoughts, images and opinions expressed in the article belong solely to the author, and Nestlé India Limited assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions.
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