Lonar Lake
Lonar Lake sits inside a 50,000-year-old meteorite impact crater — one of only four hypervelocity impact craters in basaltic rock in the world, and the only one in India. Walking the full 7-km circumference of the crater rim through scrub forest while the bright green, sometimes flamingo-pink hypersaline lake shimmers 130 metres below is one of the most unique geological and ecological experiences in India. The contrast between the barren Deccan landscape outside and the extraordinary biodiversity inside the crater is startling.
The lake colour shifts dramatically through the year — from green to pink-orange depending on algae composition. Visit in November–January for the most vivid colours and large flocks of flamingos.