5 EASY TRIPS

The Heritage Machan is NATURE so atmospheric, you‘ll BREAK never want to come down to earth

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1. The machans are set above the forest canopy LANET 2. Chicken olivette at Y P Fusion (see What to Eat) L DIA 3. Intricate carvings IN at Karla © LONE 4. Naturalist Trey takes you on trails MAGAZINE through the property The2 Machan, Jambulne, Maharashtra TO CLIMB INTO A TREE Set on 25 acres of forest close If you visit in the monsoon, the so far as to offer more plucky climb starts from Lohadwadi and the Laxmi Kothi in 2nd century BC, the Karla Cave If you’re dreaming of an escape to the tiny village of Jambulne, cosiness of your machan will be visitors a tutorial on handling the GREAT FROM Village, Taluka Maval, Dist ; which Shivaji allegedly hid houses a representation of the to the Amazon, hold that this sustainability-conscious heightened by the lulling sound creepy-crawlies (5.30pm; starts moderate !tness essential; free). his treasures. Or trek up to Buddha and a corridor made up thought – it’s closer than you resort offers nature-lovers of raindrops as they trickle down from the reception; free). You Occupied at different periods Koraigad Fort from Shahpur of 37 carved pillars. Just outside think. Close enough to not a choice of three canopy the canvas roof. You will be may even stumble upon the GREAT FOR of time by the Chalukyas, Village, a 4km drive from the the main cave is the Ekvira require an airline ticket, close machans and one heritage very tempted to stay in, the resort’s barking deer. The Lunar A taste of rustic luxury Bahamanis, Mughals and the Machan. You will "nd nothing temple beloved to "sherfolk enough to drive down to from machan, set on iron stilts so as view itself compelling enough to Trail is a must-do if your stay Marathas, among others, but the fort ruins and a temple (9am – 5pm; ` 5 entry). Nearby, Mumbai. The journey past to have the least possible impact keep you still for hours on end. coincides with a full-moon night GO NOW the fort was captured by riddled with monkeys up there, the Bhaja Caves complex over winding roads on the surroundings. Perched But do venture out – even if just and the weather’s favourable. To a get a glimpse of the area’s Chhatrapati Shivaji in 1648 and but you’re going for the view consists of 18 caves and 14 that seem to cut through misty above the forest canopy, each around the property itself – on You will be taken, armed with monsoon wildlife. again in 1670 before the British and the ancient, otherworldly stupas (8am – 6pm; ` 5 entry). clouds will put you in the perfect of the spacious ‘treehouses’ is the Afternoon Nature Trail. The torches, through the forest to took over in the early ambience (moderate !tness It’s totally worth the 20-minute mood to discover your forest dotted with antique knick-knacks Machan’s naturalists Mandar explore its nocturnal wildlife your steps to exploring the 19th century. essential; free). And if you’re climb to get to these mystical getaway – The Machan, tucked collected from different corners and Trey will enthusiastically (free). And of course, you can rest of the area. The climb up Check out the a culture junkie, take a half-hour caves, made even more into the forests of the Western of the globe. Peace and solitude introduce you to the !ora and always borrow a bicycle to ride to Lohagarh Fort is made narrow forti"ed drive to the rock-cut Karla and magical in the rain. Ghats, one of the world’s top come with the booking; your fauna of the region, including the around the property (free). atmospheric by the waterfalls, spur on the west Bhaja Caves to get a glimpse of 10 bio-diversity hotspots and only neighbour might be a giant reptiles and birds that call the If you can drag yourself out of rain and thick mist shrouding the of the fort, the early Buddhist temple art. WORDS FRIYAN DRIVER a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Malabar squirrel. property their home, and go your cocooning biosphere, turn steps to the top (the 40-minute bauli (step-well) Dating back to the PHOTOGRAPHS JEREMIAH CHRISTANAND RAO

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FACT SHEET GETTING THERE Closest metro: Mumbai (103km) is a two-and-a-half- hour drive away. Closest city: Pune (81km) Closest airport: Pune’s Lohegaon Airport (84km). Air India, Go Air, IndiGo, Spicejet, JetKonnect and Jet Airways !y to Pune’s Lohegaon Airport from major Indian cities (return fares from ` 5,500). Closest railhead: Lonavala Railway Station (LNL; 17km). LANET Take the 12127 Intercity Y P Express (leaves CSTM 6.45am, L DIA arrives LNL 8.50am; ` 218 AC IN chair car) and return by the Lohagarh Fort © LONE 11008 Deccan Express is beautifully (leaves LNL 4.35pm, arrives green in the rain MAGAZINE CSTM 7.40pm; ` 188 AC chair car). Expressway has clean loos (00-91-9619145311; Kalamboli GETTING AROUND Sector 1E, Navi Mumbai; Hire a car to take you around, 6am – 11pm). especially in the monsoon, as autos and taxis can only SAFETY be found in the main town The Machan is not of Lonavala. We used and recommended for toddlers liked the services of ANFA and elderly people. Travels (00-91-9821352189 [Mr Laeeq]; car hire from MEDICAL AID about ` 2,600 a day). The Machan has a basic !rst-aid kid and its own stock of anti-venom. The WHERE TO STAY nearest hospital is Parmar The Machan: The Hospital and Research heritage machan is ideal Centre in Lonavala (00-91-2114- for a family break; it can 273007; No 204, G Ward, accomodate six guests, plus behind Neelkamal theatre, two at an extra charge. The MG Rd, Lonavala). three canopy machans can each accommodate two, plus one CHILD-FRIENDLINESS at an extra charge (00-91-22- The resort is great for children, 30635133; themachan.com, nearby Lonavala for more evenings, sturdy shoes for the with nature trails, froggies and [email protected]; options. The multi-cuisine nature trail, books, binocs if you board games to keep them busy. Jambulne, 8km short of restaurant Fusion at the Fariyas are an avid bird watcher, extra However, it is not recommended Amby Valley, Lonavala; Resort has an excellent murg ki clothes if you’re going to get wet for very young children due to heritage machan: ` 25,000 khurchan (00-91-2114-273852; in the rains the machans’ height and kids’ Mon – Thur, ` 30,000 Fri – Sun, fariyas.com; Post Box No 8, tendency to slip through gaps. canopy machan: ` 10,000 Frichley Hills, Tungarli, Lonavala; SHOPPING Mon – Thur, ` 12,000 Fri – Sun lunch 12.30pm – 3.30pm, The tiny Cooper’s is well GOOD TO KNOW with breakfast and dinner, dinner 7.30pm – 11pm; murg known for its chocolate  The Machan is a bit dif!cult to extra person: ` 3,000). ki khurchan ` 575) or go to fudge. Get there early before !nd as there are no sign boards Pragati Foods for really good they sell out (00-91-9822851145; on the way; print the directions WHAT TO EAT cold coffee with ice cream opp Lonavala Railway Station; off the website to take with you. Breakfast and dinner are (00-91-2114-271603; Lunav 10.30am – 1pm, 3pm – 6pm or  Don’t eat in your machan as it included in the tariff, Retreat, Shop No 1, MG Rd, until stocks last; ` 800 per kg). attracts insects. lunch is provided at an extra Lonavala; cold coffee ` 60).  Check if the forest machans charge (` 500 veg, ` 575 non- CLEAN LOO GUIDE are ready when you call. veg; prior notice required). WHAT TO PACK The McDonalds at  Check your shoes before There’s also an a la carte snacks Rain gear, a light jacket, Kalamboli just before you you put them on; a bug or

menu, or you could head into as it gets chilly in the get onto the Mumbai-Pune a frog could have crawled in. RADHA RAMCHANDRAN MAP:

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