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A grand architectural interior with a central staircase flanked by statues and columns. 1
A stone relief with figures in traditional attire, possibly depicting a historical or mythological scene. 2
A rock formation with carved niches and a fenced area. 3
A series of columns with intricate carvings of figures. 4
A market with colorful flowers and hanging decorations. 5
By 5 Senses Walks

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
Free cancellation available
Price is $260 per adult* *Get a lower price by selecting multiple adult tickets
See tickets

Features

  • Free cancellation available
  • 12h
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
  • Selective hotel pickup

Overview

  • Two thousand years ago Buddhist monks built monasteries along the trade routes through the Western Ghats to shelter the merchants who funded them. These caves above Lonavala are what remains.
    Inside Karla's great prayer hall — the largest rock cut chaitya in India — wooden ceiling ribs installed by the original builders are still in place after two millennia. At Bhaja, a carving shows a woman playing what historians have identified as a tabla, pushing the known history of India's most celebrated drum back by over a thousand years.
    This Karla and Bhaja Caves tour from Mumbai covers both sites with an expert guide who brings the full story of Buddhist trade-route monasticism and ancient Indian music history to life.
    Private car, expert guide, all entry fees and lunch included.
    5 Senses Tours is recognised by the Department of Tourism, a winner of the Outlook Responsible Tourism Award and the Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Award.

Activity location

  • Karla Caves
    • Karli
    • Lonavala, Maharashtra, India

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • Karla Caves
    • Karli
    • Lonavala, Maharashtra, India

Check availability

With pick up drop

  • Earn $7.80
  • Activity duration is 12 hours12h
    12h
  • English

car
Pickup included

Language options: English
Starting time: 7:00AM
Price details
$260.00 x 1 Adult$260.00
Total
Price is $260.00
Until Fri, Aug 28

What's included, what's not

  • Inclusions
    Local guide
  • Inclusions
    GST (Goods and Services Tax)
  • Inclusions
    Hotel & Cruise Terminal pickup and drop-off
  • Inclusions
    Lunch
  • Exclusions
    Drinks

Know before you book

    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
    • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
    • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
    • A moderate amount of walking is involved. 200 steps each in Karla and Bhaja

Activity itinerary

Karla Caves

  • 2h
  • Admission ticket included
730AM- Hotel pick up 945AM– We reach the base of Karla caves. There are a set of 200 steps to be climbed from the parking area. Karla Caves wee built between the 2nd and 5th centuries under the patronage of the Kingdoms of the day. These caves were a key centre for Buddhism in Western India. There are 16 magnificent Buddhist caves with the oldest one dating back to AD 160. The first set of caves were built by Theravadas, an ancient sect of Buddhists while Mahayana group of Buddhists built the later set of caves. The sculptures in the Caves are remarkable. Horse shoe shaped windows bring in the sun light into the cave providing a refreshing environment. The highlight of this visit will be the prayer hall in the main Cave, which is one of the largest rock cut structures in India. The object of worship is a Stupa right at the end of the prayer hall. Cave no 12 is the other unforgettable experience. It has a very interesting characteristic. The ceiling of this Cave has wooden ribs on the ceiling. The wood has survived for 2 millenia!

Bhaja Caves

  • 2h
  • Admission ticket included
After lunch, we visit Bhaja Caves, the other important Buddhist centre in this part of the world. 200 intricately carved steps need to be surmounted before we reach this magnificent specimen of rock cut Buddhist caves. We visit a set of 22 caves located 400 feet above the village of Bhaja, dating back to 2nd century BC and built by Hinayana group of Buddhists. While 10 of these caves were Viharas or residences for the monks, the other 12 are Chaityas or prayer halls. Cave 12 is a splendid specimen of wooden architecture and vaulted horseshoe ceiling. It also has a pillar which shows Buddha in different forms like Bodhi tree, lotus, elephant, wheel and throne. One of the carvings at Bhaja caves show a woman playing a Tabla the classical Hindustani musical instrument. This has pushed back the current understanding of origin of Tabla as an instrument in Ancient India. 730 PM- End of Karla & Bhaja Caves tour and we drop you back to hotel

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    Karla Caves
    • Karli
    • Lonavala, Maharashtra, India

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Karla Caves
    • Karli
    • Lonavala, Maharashtra, India

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