Best of Maharashtra Tour

01 Day: Arrival in Mumbai

Welcome to Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai. Our representative will assist and escort you by an air-conditioned car to your pre-booked hotel. During the check in, all queries regarding the tour plan and services will be explained. If you arrive on an early flight, after relaxation you may opt to explore nearby markets and restaurants. Overnight stay at the hotel.

02 Day: Mumbai

This morning after breakfast, proceed for a sightseeing tour of Mumbai. Begin with a visit to the Gateway of India, followed by a boat ride to the Elephanta Caves, ancient rock-cut caves dedicated to Lord Shiva. Later, return by boat to the Gateway of India. Continue the city tour with a visit to the Prince of Wales Museum, a heritage museum showcasing a rich collection of ancient artefacts. Drive past the Parliament House (view from outside), Nariman Point, the city’s commercial hub, and Marine Drive, one of Mumbai’s most beautiful seaside boulevards. Also visit the Dhobi Ghat, the famous open-air laundry, and Mani Bhavan, also known as Gandhi Bhavan. Later, return to the hotel. If time permits, you may visit the Bandra and Juhu areas, known for the residences of famous Bollywood celebrities such as Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan (view from outside). In the evening, visit the ISKCON Temple, dedicated to Lord Krishna and admired for its beautiful architecture, murals and sculptures. After the visit, return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Note: Elephanta Caves and Prince of Wales museum are closed on every Monday.

03 Day: Mumbai – Lonavala (85 kms: 3 hrs)

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and drive to Lonavala. On arrival, check in at the hotel. After some time to rest and relax, proceed to explore the beautiful surroundings of Lonavala and nearby Khandala (about 10 km away). Visit various scenic viewpoints including Lonavala Lake, which looks especially picturesque during the monsoon season and was built in 1876. Continue to Khandala Ghat and visit Amrutanjan Point, a famous viewpoint offering a bird’s-eye view of the surrounding mountains and valleys, followed by a visit to Duke’s Nose. In the evening, explore the local market where you can enjoy local food and shop for the famous “Chikki.” Afterwards, return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

04 Day: Lonavala

After breakfast, proceed to explore the ancient rock-cut Buddhist caves of Karla Caves and Bhaja Caves, known for their intricate carvings and historical significance. Also visit Bhushi Dam, one of the most popular attractions in Lonavala, especially during the monsoon season when the surroundings become lively and scenic. Later, you can opt to visit Tikona Fort, famous for its massive entrance and a popular trekking spot for adventure enthusiasts. The fort complex includes a lake, Satavahana caves and the Trimbakeshwar Mahadev Temple. After the visit, return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

05 Day: Lonavala – Matheran (50 kms: 2 hrs)

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and drive to Matheran. On arrival, proceed to the hotel on foot or by horse ride, as vehicles are not allowed inside Matheran. Later, proceed for a sightseeing tour visiting the famous Echo Point, Charlotte Lake, Alexander Point, King George Point, Monkey Point, Honeymoon Hill, Lords Point and One Tree Hill. In the evening, visit Sunset Point (Porcupine Point), well known for its stunning views of the setting sun and the dense forest valley below. You can visit to Mall Road to enjoy the local food at various restaurants. Overnight stay at the hotel.

06 Day: Matheran – Nashik (100 kms: 3 hrs)

Today after breakfast, check out of the hotel and drive to Nashik. On arrival, check in at the hotel. After some time to refresh, proceed to explore the holy city visiting the beautifully carved Sunder Narayan Temple, known for its intricate architecture and domed porticoes. Continue to the Kapaleeswara Temple and Naro Shankar (Rameshwar) Temple, admired for its elegant white marble structure. Also visit the Balaji Temple, located at the confluence of the Godavari and the mythical Saraswati River, housing copper idols of Lord Hanuman. Further visit the Kala Ram Temple, one of the city's most sacred shrines with black stone idols of Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshman. Conclude the tour with a visit to Ram Kund, a holy bathing ghat believed to have been used by Lord Rama and Sita during their exile, where the sacred waters are said to grant moksha (liberation of the soul). Afterwards, return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

07 Day: Nashik – Trimbakeshwar – Shirdi (110 kms: 2 -3 hrs)

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and drive to Shirdi. En route, stop at Trimbakeshwar (about 30 km from Nashik), famous for the Trimbakeshwar Temple and as the origin of the Godavari River. The temple treasures one of the 12 Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva and is believed to be among the most sacred. Continue the drive to one the holiest towns of Maharashtra, Shirdi. On arrival, check in at the hotel. After some time to relax, visit one of the most sacred temples in Maharashtra, the Shri Sai Baba Temple. Spend the rest of the day in the peaceful and spiritual surroundings of Shirdi. Overnight stay at the hotel.

08 Day: Shirdi – Shani Shingnapur – Aurangabad (160 kms: 4 hrs)

Today, early morning attend the morning Aarti at the Shri Sai Baba Temple and participate in the sacred rituals and prayers. Afterwards, return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, check out and proceed for an excursion to Shani Shingnapur (about 70 km from Shirdi). After offering prayers and performing rituals dedicated to Lord Shani, explore this unique town known for its tradition where houses are kept without doors or locks, believed to be protected by the blessings of Lord Shani. Later, drive to Aurangabad. On arrival, check in at the hotel for an overnight stay.

09 Day: Aurangabad – Ajanta (Excursion 105 kms: 2 hrs)

After an early breakfast, proceed for an excursion to the famous Ajanta Caves, one of India’s most remarkable historical and architectural marvels. Recognized as an UNESCO World Heritage Site, these caves were rediscovered in the 19th century by a group of British officers during a tiger hunt. Later, if time permits, you may opt to visit Jami Masjid, Bharat Mata Mandir, Elephant Tank and Chini Mahal (Chinese Palace), some of the important monuments within the fort complex. Also visit Khuldabad (“Heavenly Abode”), where several historical figures are buried, including Aurangzeb, the last prominent Mughal emperor. Afterwards, return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Note: The Ajanta Caves are closed to public on Mondays.

10 Day: Aurangabad – Ellora (Excursion 40 kms: 1 hr)

After an early breakfast, proceed for an excursion to Ellora Caves, one of the most visited UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. The site houses 34 monasteries and temples, forming an uninterrupted sequence of monuments dating from 600 to 1000 AD. The caves are dedicated to Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism, and showcase some of the finest stone carvings depicting legends associated with Lord Shiva. After lunch (on your own), proceed for a short sightseeing tour visiting Daulatabad Fort (Devagiri), a 14th-century fortified city located about 16 km northwest of Aurangabad. Also visit the Chand Minar, an impressive example of Islamic architecture built in 1445 by Ala-ud-din Bahmani to commemorate his victory. Continue to Bibi Ka Maqbara, built by Azam Shah in 1678 as a tribute to his mother, Begum Rabia Durrani, the wife of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Note: The Ellora caves are closed to public on Tuesdays.

11 Day: Aurangabad – Pune (235 kms: 6 - 7 hrs)

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and drive to Pune. On arrival, check in at the hotel. After some time to relax, proceed for a sightseeing tour of Pune. Visit the Osho Ashram, one of the city’s most well-known spiritual centers. Also explore some of the historic sites of the city including the Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum, known for its fascinating collection of artefacts from the Mughal and Maratha periods. Continue to the Aga Khan Palace, built in 1892 by Aga Khan III to provide employment to people affected by famine. Also visit the Tribal Museum, which showcases the rich culture of Maharashtra’s tribal communities, and the historic Shaniwar Wada, once the seat of power of the Peshwas of the Maratha Empire. If time permits, visit the Parvati Temples, located on a hilltop and offering panoramic views of the city. Afterwards, return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

12 Day: Pune – Mumbai (150 kms: 4 hrs)

Early morning, check out of the hotel and drive to Mumbai. On arrival, check in at the hotel. The rest of the day is free for shopping and individual activities. Mumbai offers a diverse shopping experience, ranging from modern air-conditioned malls to vibrant street markets, making it a true shopping paradise. Visit popular shopping areas such as Crossroads, West End and Fashion Street in South Mumbai, as well as Linking Road in Bandra, known for its wide variety of shops. You can also explore well-known malls like Inorbit Mall and Infinity Mall, along with shopping options in Juhu and other parts of the city. Optionally, you may visit famous markets such as Dadar, Fort, Colaba Causeway, Cottage Industries and various Handloom Emporiums. Later, return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

13 Day: Mumbai – Hometown (By Air)

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and drive to Mumbai Airport to board your scheduled flight for your hometown or onward journey. With pleasant memories of your trip, the tour concludes on departure.