Lavasa: All Things New

Located at a distance of approximately 57 km from Pune is the planned hill city of Lavasa, nestled within the majestic folds of the Sahyadris and on the banks of the unspoiled Warasgaon Lake. The beauty of the surrounds belies the magnitude of the Lavasa story. The first-of-its-kind project in India, this city is an ongoing lifestyle development enterprise, aiming to provide urban comforts in the midst of nature in a sustainable manner. Developed along the concept of New Urbanism, Lavasa will act like a satellite city for Mumbai, which will house permanent citizens as well as promote tourism on a large scale. For now, the amazing vistas of vast, green open spaces and a scenic natural water-front ensures a steady influx of tourists.

Esplanade along Lavasa Lake City

Lavasa consists of three smaller settlements namely Dasve, Mugaon and Dhamanohol. Dasve is the principal town being developed as the urban hub, Mugaon is to be the entertainment centre and Dhamanohol is a work-in-progress which would feature high-end residential properties.

There are various art installations strewn all across the city that are considered symbols of Lavasa’s unique worldview. They pay homage to water – one of the four elements, reinforce the idea of courage and celebrate birth, development as well as progress.

In addition, a unique concept of bespoke Lavasa Holidays has been introduced for tourists. Packages namely Adventure Break, Nature Break, Family Break and Unwind Break have been designed for the benefit of travellers keeping in mind their expectations.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO

The weekend can start with a trip to the Lavasa Experience Zone (LEZ), located within the Lavasa Information Centre. The LEZ is just an arcade with detailed information about the various aspects of the township. The highlight is a city orientation for visitors through audio-visual simulation. There’s also a Children’s Play Area with gaming consoles and other activities. Visitors who wish to take in all of Lavasa in a single sitting can opt for the bus tour.

A whole host of activities such as jet-skiing, kayaking and bumper boat rides are on offer on the Warasgaon Lake, which forms the centrepiece of the township. The X-Thrill Adventure Academy also organises exciting activities for adventurous souls. Besides rock climbing, zip-lining and rapelling, they also host corporate training camps on request. On the other hand, if you simply want to unwind, a trip to the Dasvino Town and Country Club is a must.

Weekends are booked months in advance, while weekdays attract the conference and seminar crowd. There are several restaurants here, including fast-food joints and the little cobblestoned area in front of the eateries, dotted with pretty benches, makes for a pleasant stroll.

WHERE TO STAY

Lavasa has some good options nestled between the lake and the picturesque mountain ranges. The Waterfront Shaw (Tel: 020-66541414, Cell: 09920080133; Tariff: ₹8,000–11,500) is right on the promenade with fully equipped apartments, 15 restaurants, a club and a spa. Fortune Select Dasve (Tel: 6790444; Tariff: ₹7,500–15,600) offers rooms and suites with restaurants, bar, swimming pool and a fitness centre. Another good option by the lake is Mercure Lavasa (Tel: 67929001-01; Tariff: ₹4,000–9,500) with most modern facilities. Ekant – The Retreat (Tel: 67983000, Cell: 09975044764; Tariff: ₹6,500–9,000) is located on a hill. Go there for spectacular views of the valley.

WHERE TO EAT

Eat at the hotel you are staying in or in the restaurants at the promenade. They all have multi-cuisine restaurants with elaborate menus.