Lonar itinerary

Plan 01

1 day in Lonar

1. 01

   Day 1: Crater, temples and a slow afternoon

   Reach the crater early, when it is cooler and the light is soft, and begin at a rim viewpoint to take in the whole bowl. If mobility allows, walk the stepped path down to Gomukh and the shrines near the water, and sit at Kamalja Devi in the shade. Climb back before the heat builds and have lunch in town. In the afternoon, visit the Daitya Sudan temple in the town centre, then return to a rim viewpoint late in the day for the light on the lake.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Daitya Sudan Temple	45-60 minutes	Easy	Morning or late afternoon, when the light on the stone is warm

   Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.

Plan 02

2 days in Lonar

1. 01

   Day 1: Daitya Sudan and the rim

   Arrive by midday and settle in near the lake. Visit the Daitya Sudan temple when the stone is warm and the town is quiet, then walk the rim viewpoints in the late afternoon. Birdwatchers can scan the shoreline from the rim for waterbirds in winter.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Daitya Sudan Temple	45-60 minutes	Easy	Morning or late afternoon, when the light on the stone is warm

   Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.

2. 02

   Day 2: Descent to the water, then Mehkar

   Go down to the lake at first light with a local guide, visiting Gomukh, the ruined Mahadev shrines and Kamalja Devi. Climb out before it heats up. After lunch, drive to Mehkar for the Sharangdhar Balaji temple, or simply rest before your onward journey.

Plan 03

3 days in Lonar

1. 01

   Day 1: Arrive and see the town temple

   Travel in from Jalna or Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, allowing most of the day for the road. Visit the Daitya Sudan temple before dusk and have an early dinner.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Daitya Sudan Temple	45-60 minutes	Easy	Morning or late afternoon, when the light on the stone is warm

   Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.

2. 02

   Day 2: The crater floor

   Spend the cool morning on the descent: Gomukh, the roofless Mahadev temples and Kamalja Devi, taking your time and carrying water. Rest in the afternoon, then walk a rim viewpoint at sunset.

3. 03

   Day 3: Mehkar and onward

   Visit the Sharangdhar Balaji temple at Mehkar on the way out, then continue to your next stop. Check road conditions and timings before you travel.

Read before you go

Guides for the stops on these routes

Pacing

Pacing a Lonar trip for parents and children

• The descent to the lake is steep, with uneven steps and little shade; if knees or balance are a concern, enjoy the rim viewpoints and the Daitya Sudan temple instead.
• Go early and finish the walk before late morning; the crater floor traps heat.
• Allow for a long road journey in: the nearest airport and railheads are around 85-140 km away. Arrange a taxi in advance for elderly parents.
• Carry your own water, a hat and any medication, as facilities are minimal near the lake.
• Wear shoes with good grip, since steps and rocks can be slippery after rain and in the monsoon months.
• Hire a local guide for the descent; they help with the steps, the legends and the route.

Lonar with elderly parents: the full guide →