12 Days Best of Maharashtra Tour

Private Heritage, Cave Temples & Hill Stations

Mumbai, Matheran, Nashik, Shirdi, Ajanta & Ellora Caves and Pune on a Private 12-Day Maharashtra Circuit

Day-by-Day Itinerary – 12 Days Best of Maharashtra Tour

• Day 1: Arrival in Mumbai – On arrival in Mumbai, meet our representative and transfer to your hotel. The day is kept light so you can settle into the coastal pace of India’s busiest city. In the evening, take a relaxed walk along Marine Drive, where locals gather as the sun sets over the Arabian Sea. Colaba’s colonial streets, old cafés and street food stalls offer a soft introduction to the city’s layers of British-era architecture, commerce and everyday life. Overnight in Mumbai.
• Day 2: Mumbai Heritage Tour & Elephanta Caves Excursion – After an early breakfast, take the ferry from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island (approx. 1 hour each way) and explore the Elephanta Caves, known for their 1,500-year-old rock-cut Shiva sculptures. Ferries run best from November to March, when seas are calmer. Return to Mumbai by afternoon and continue to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, a UNESCO-listed Victorian Gothic railway station, and the Haji Ali Dargah, set dramatically in the Arabian Sea. Enjoy dinner at a seaside restaurant or local seafood eatery. Overnight in Mumbai.
• Day 3: Mumbai to Lonavala & Khandala (approx. 85 km / 2.5–3.5 hrs) – After breakfast, drive into the Western Ghats, where the city gives way to tunnels, green valleys and misty hills. Lonavala and Khandala are classic hill escapes known for viewpoints, waterfalls after the rains and forts such as Lohagad. Stop at roadside dhabas for local snacks such as vada pav and chikki. The drive is as rewarding as the destination, especially during and just after the monsoon. Overnight in Lonavala.
• Day 4: Lonavala to Matheran (approx. 60 km / 2–3 hrs plus transfer) – After breakfast, drive towards Matheran, one of Asia’s few vehicle-free hill stations. No private vehicles are allowed beyond the entry gate, so you continue by toy train, shared taxi or a short walk. Spend the rest of the day on forest trails and at viewpoints such as Panorama Point and Echo Point. The experience is slow and refreshing, with cool air and dense greenery. Overnight in Matheran.
• Day 5: Matheran to Nashik (approx. 170 km / 4.5–5.5 hrs) – After breakfast, descend from the hills and drive to Nashik, where spirituality and vineyards sit side by side. Visit the sacred Trimbakeshwar Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, which is best seen early in the day to avoid queues. Later, explore the surrounding vineyards, where guided tours explain the wine-making process in a calm rural setting. Overnight in Nashik.
• Day 6: Nashik to Shirdi (approx. 90 km / 2–2.5 hrs) – After breakfast, take a short drive to Shirdi, one of India’s most important pilgrimage towns, dedicated to Sai Baba. The temple complex follows a structured flow, so darshan is best planned early in the day. Expect steady crowds and a devotional atmosphere throughout. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Shirdi.
• Day 7: Shirdi to Aurangabad (approx. 110 km / 2.5–3 hrs) – After breakfast, continue to Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar), a Deccan city shaped by Mughal and Sultanate influences. Visit Bibi Ka Maqbara, the “Taj of the Deccan”, which looks especially beautiful in late afternoon light. Later, see Panchakki, a 17th-century water mill powered by underground channels and linked to Sufi heritage. Overnight in Aurangabad.
• Day 8: Ellora Caves Excursion (approx. 30 km / 45–60 min each way) – After breakfast, drive to the UNESCO-listed Ellora Caves, a vast complex of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain rock-cut temples. The highlight is the Kailasa Temple, carved from a single rock and one of India’s greatest architectural achievements. Expect several hours of walking, so comfortable footwear and water are essential. Return to Aurangabad by evening. Overnight in Aurangabad.
• Day 9: Ajanta Caves Excursion (approx. 105 km / 2.5–3 hrs each way) – After an early breakfast, drive to the Ajanta Caves, set in a horseshoe-shaped gorge above a river. These 2,000-year-old Buddhist caves are famous for murals depicting the life of the Buddha and the society of the ancient trade era. Lighting inside is kept low to protect the paintings, which makes the visit quiet and reflective. Return to Aurangabad by evening. Overnight in Aurangabad.
• Day 10: Aurangabad to Pune (approx. 235 km / 5–6 hrs) – After breakfast, drive to Pune, a city that blends Maratha history with modern urban culture. Visit Shaniwar Wada, once the seat of the Peshwas, then enjoy a relaxed evening in Koregaon Park or a traditional Maharashtrian meal. Overnight in Pune.
• Day 11: Pune City Exploration – After breakfast, explore Aga Khan Palace, Pataleshwar Cave Temple and local markets known for snacks, textiles and everyday Maharashtrian life. Pune balances history, education hubs and café culture, making it ideal for a slower day before returning to Mumbai. Overnight in Pune.
• Day 12: Pune to Mumbai – Departure (approx. 150 km / 3–4 hrs) – After breakfast, drive back to Mumbai via the expressway. If time allows, make a final stop at Marine Drive or a city café before your airport transfer. We recommend a departure flight after mid-afternoon to allow for traffic. Your journey ends after a diverse Maharashtra circuit of coastline, hills, temples and ancient cave architecture.

Please Note: Distances and driving times are approximate and may vary with traffic, weather (especially during the monsoon in the Western Ghats), festival crowds, road diversions and local entry rules. Sightseeing order and duration may be adjusted for seasonal conditions and opening hours. Ajanta and Elephanta Caves are closed on Mondays and Ellora Caves on Tuesdays, so we avoid arrival dates that clash with these closures. Ajanta, Ellora and Elephanta involve moderate walking and steps.

Inclusions – 12 Days Best of Maharashtra Tour

• 11 nights’ accommodation in carefully selected hotels and heritage-style stays across the cities, hills and temple towns
• Daily breakfast, plus any other meals mentioned in your final itinerary
• Private air-conditioned vehicle with chauffeur for all sightseeing and transfers
• Airport and hotel transfers on arrival and departure
• Guided visits at major attractions, including Ajanta and Ellora Caves
• All applicable taxes, tolls, parking fees and driver expenses

Not Included

• International flights and Indian visa fees
• Monument entrance fees and the Elephanta ferry ticket, unless confirmed in your final quote
• Matheran toy train, shared taxi or horse-ride charges and vineyard tasting fees, unless confirmed in your final quote
• Meals other than breakfast, drinks and personal expenses
• Camera or video fees at monuments, and tips for guides and drivers
• Travel insurance, which we strongly recommend

Tour Customisation – Best of Maharashtra Tour

• Upgrade or extend your stays in Lonavala, Khandala or Matheran for a deeper hill station experience
• Add Daulatabad Fort, on the way to Ellora, for medieval history
• Extend the journey to the Konkan coast for beaches and seafood
• Include curated heritage walks, local food trails or cultural workshops in Pune
• Add Goa at the end with our Mumbai, Ajanta Ellora & Goa tour, or choose a shorter 6-day Mumbai Ajanta Ellora tour
• Browse all our Mumbai, Ajanta & Ellora tours to compare routes

Best Time to Travel in Maharashtra

• October to March: The most comfortable season for sightseeing, walking and long drives, and the best time for the Ajanta and Ellora Caves.
• September and October: The Western Ghats are at their greenest just after the rains, which suits Lonavala and Matheran.
• June to September: The monsoon brings waterfalls and lush hills, but heavy rain can slow travel, Elephanta ferries are often suspended and the Matheran toy train may not run.
• April and May: Summers are hot in Aurangabad and Nashik, so we plan early-morning sightseeing.

For a wider view of India’s seasons, see our guide to the best time to visit India.

FAQs – Best of Maharashtra Tour

• Q: Is Shirdi included in this itinerary?
  A: Yes. The journey includes darshan at the Sai Baba Temple, usually planned as a structured half-day stop.
• Q: Are Ajanta and Ellora both covered?
  A: Yes. Both UNESCO World Heritage Sites have a dedicated day trip from Aurangabad, which gives enough time to explore them properly.
• Q: Which days are the caves closed?
  A: Ajanta and Elephanta Caves are closed on Mondays, and Ellora Caves are closed on Tuesdays. We plan your day order around these closures when we tailor your dates.
• Q: How does Matheran work, with no cars allowed?
  A: Your vehicle stops at the entry gate, and you continue by toy train, shared taxi or on foot. Luggage is carried for you. The town itself is best explored on foot.
• Q: How much driving is involved?
  A: Most days are 2 to 3 hours on the road. Matheran to Nashik and Aurangabad to Pune are the longest, at about 5 to 6 hours with stops. We can break these journeys with sightseeing.
• Q: Can the hill station stays be modified?
  A: Yes. Stays in Lonavala, Khandala or Matheran can be extended or upgraded to suit your pace and comfort.
• Q: Can I add Goa or other parts of India?
  A: Yes. The tour combines easily with Goa, Rajasthan and the Golden Triangle. Our India travel guide is a good starting point if you are still planning.

Why Choose Premium India Tour – Best of Maharashtra

• Jaipur-based travel specialists with local expertise since 2010
• A route planned around real travel flow, with little backtracking from the coast to the hills, the caves and Pune
• Private, tailor-made itineraries designed around your dates, pace and interests
• Experienced local guides who bring Maharashtra’s cave art, forts and pilgrimage heritage to life
• Private transport and personalised service throughout the journey