Lonar Crater Lake Day Tour from Aurangabad: Off-Beat Nature Walk

Nine hours to a meteor crater, two ruined temples, and a lakeside walk through history

A day tour from Aurangabad to Lonar crater lake, a 1.2km-wide depression formed by meteor impact 52,000 years ago, with private transportation, an English-speaking guide and lunch. The lake sits ringed by ruined temples and forest. You walk the shoreline, hear the guide explain the geology and wildlife, and return to your hotel by evening. This tour suits travelers who prefer less-crowded routes and want to move at a steady pace through nature without arranging their own transport.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Lonar Crater Lake and Surroundings

• Pick up from hotel at 7:30AM
• Drive 2.5 hours to crater
• Visit historical temple with architecture
• See temple with unique water resource
• Walk lakeside, learn history and wildlife
• Enjoy Indian lunch
• Drive back to Aurangabad
• Drop off at hotel

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Aurangabad hotel at 7:30am. The drive takes two and a half hours in an air-conditioned vehicle, giving you time to settle in before you reach the crater rim. Your English-speaking guide meets you at the lake and walks you through the site: the 1.2km diameter, the meteor strike that carved it 52,000 years ago, and the birds and animals that live in the forest canopy around it.

Two temples anchor the route. The first is a historical structure with architecture that tells a story tied to Lord Vishnu. The second sits near a water source with its own history woven into the landscape. Both stand among the ruins that ring the lake, and both give the guide material to explain as you move between them. After these stops, you walk the lakeside itself, moving through the trees and taking in the scale of the crater and the quiet of the place.

Lunch is Indian food, eaten before the return journey. You leave the lake in the early afternoon and drive back to Aurangabad, arriving at your hotel by late evening. Bottled water travels with you throughout the day, and all entry tickets, guide fees and the meal are already paid for in your booking.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned transportation with pickup from your Aurangabad hotel.
• an English-speaking guide at the lake.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• all entry tickets to the crater and temples.
• lunch.
• and parking fees.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Child (10 to 15 years): free · Under 10: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Hindi and Marathi

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Akvin Tourism

Is this one for you?This tour works best for travelers who want to move at a steady pace and prefer off-beat sites without the crowds of major attractions. The fixed itinerary and included transport mean you don't arrange logistics yourself. The trade-off is that the day follows a set schedule rather than letting you linger at any one stop.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Hindi and Marathi.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (10 to 15 years): free. Under 10: they can't be included in the booking.

How far is Lonar crater lake from Aurangabad, and how long does the drive take?

The crater lake is reached by a two-and-a-half-hour road journey from Aurangabad. Pickup happens at 7:30am from your hotel, so you arrive at the lake mid-morning.

What makes Lonar crater lake worth visiting?

Lonar crater lake is the world's third largest crater lake, formed by a meteor impact 52,000 years ago. It sits 1.2km across and is surrounded by ruined temples and forest, making it a less-crowded alternative to more famous sites in the region.

What temples will I see on this tour?

Two temples are included in the itinerary. One is a historical structure with architecture linked to Lord Vishnu. The second sits near a water source with its own story. Both stand among the ruins that ring the lake and are explained by your guide as you move through the site.

Is lunch included, and what will I eat?

Yes, lunch is included in the tour price. You'll have a delicious Indian meal before heading back to Aurangabad in the afternoon.