Karnala bird sanctuary is a small forest in Raigad district of Maharashtra.
The fort lies within the bird sanctuary perimeter. Its a thickly forested hilly region. The Karnala fort pinnacle can never be missed from Mumbai-Goa highway due to it's peculiar Thumbs-Up structure. The following image would make it clear:
Route:
Panvel -> Karnala Bird Sanctuary = 12 KM
Pavana/ Pawana Dam is about 45 mins drive from Lonavala. Since we were already based in Lonavala it served as an ideal place to spend time.
The drive as expected is entirely through hilly narrow one lane roads, so just be careful. Nevertheless the scenery is quite picturesque green especially since we were going at end of monsoon.
The main attraction here is the boating in the lake. View from the parking lot:
There's a garden near the boating club. It also houses a cafeteria which was a relief considering the hot sun.
Tiger Valley
Located in Khandala in the beginning as soon as you cross over the ghat; has magnificent views of the valley. Almost anyone travelling to Pune will never have missed it. Although seen several times over, never really had stopped to see it. It's best observed from Old Mumbai-Pune highway since that is at a greater height.
A couple of scenes from the valley:
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