Maharashtra
Mumbai's Victorian Gothic skyline paired with the rock-cut cave temples of Ajanta and Ellora.
Plan My Maharashtra TripWhere To Go
Maharashtra
Maharashtra runs from Mumbai's harbor inland to old cave temples. Mumbai is India's financial capital today. Colonial-era buildings still line its streets. Many are Victorian Gothic in style. UNESCO added them to its heritage list. Art Deco towers stand nearby too. Inland, the Ajanta and Ellora caves cut into hillsides. Monks carved them long ago. Both sites hold UNESCO World Heritage status. A private guide links city and cave, at an easy pace.
What To See
What A Private Guide Actually Shows You
Maharashtra's real highlights are what a private guide builds each day around.
Murud-Janjira Fort
Murud-Janjira in Maharashtra is a mighty island fort in the Arabian Sea, reached by boat from Rajapuri on the Konkan coast.
Alibag Beach Day
A relaxed private beach day at Alibag in Maharashtra, with sunset, coastal walks and local seafood.
Ajanta Caves
The Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra are UNESCO-listed Buddhist rock-cut caves with ancient wall paintings. Set in a horseshoe gorge near Aurangabad.
Ellora Caves
The Ellora Caves in Maharashtra are a UNESCO-listed complex of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain rock-cut temples, home to the Kailasa temple.
Daulatabad Fort
Daulatabad Fort in Maharashtra is a hilltop medieval fortress near Aurangabad, with the towering Chand Minar and dark defensive passages.
Bibi Ka Maqbara
Bibi Ka Maqbara in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, is a Mughal-era mausoleum often called the Dakkhani Taj. Domed, symmetrical and serene.
Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga
Grishneshwar, beside the Ellora Caves in Maharashtra, is a Jyotirlinga of Shiva. The red-stone temple is small, busy and old.
Aundha Nagnath Jyotirlinga
Aundha Nagnath, in Hingoli district, Maharashtra, is a Shiva Jyotirlinga in a stone temple of the Yadava era. A long road day from Aurangabad.
Parli Vaijnath Jyotirlinga
Parli Vaijnath, in Beed district, Maharashtra, is a Shiva Jyotirlinga on a hill above the town. A remote Marathwada pilgrimage, planned by request.
Ellora Early-Morning Visit
A private early-morning visit to the Ellora Caves in Maharashtra, with a specialist guide, soft light and few crowds.
New Palace, Kolhapur
The New Palace in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, is a royal Indo-Saracenic palace with a clock tower. Now part museum, part royal residence.
Kolhapuri Chappal Market Trail
A guided walk through Kolhapur's chappal markets in Maharashtra, with a look at hand-made leather craft and a local lunch.
Gateway of India
The Gateway of India in Mumbai, Maharashtra, is the harbour-front basalt arch of Colaba. The city's best-known landmark, framed by the sea.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in Mumbai, Maharashtra, is a UNESCO-listed Victorian Gothic railway station. A working landmark of domes and arches.
Marine Drive
Marine Drive in Mumbai, Maharashtra, is a sweeping sea-front promenade along the Arabian Sea. Best at sunset, when the lights come on.
Elephanta Caves
The Elephanta Caves in Maharashtra are a UNESCO-listed island complex of rock-cut Shiva temples. A ferry ride from Mumbai's harbour.
Dhobi Ghat
Dhobi Ghat in Mumbai, Maharashtra, is a vast open-air laundry of stone washing pens. A working city sight best seen from above.
Kanheri Caves
The Kanheri Caves in Mumbai, Maharashtra, are Buddhist rock-cut caves inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park. A quiet forest escape.
Mumbai Fort Heritage Walk
A guided morning walk through Mumbai's Fort district in Maharashtra, with Victorian landmarks, old cafes and tea stalls.
Mumbai Street Food Night
An evening of Mumbai's chaat and street snacks in Maharashtra, led by a local guide who knows the best stalls.
Elephanta Island Ferry Day
A harbour ferry from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island in Maharashtra, with a guided visit to the rock-cut Shiva caves.
Pandavleni Caves
The Pandavleni Caves in Nashik, Maharashtra, are ancient Buddhist rock-cut caves on a hilltop. Carved pillars and city views.
Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga
Trimbakeshwar, near Nashik in Maharashtra, is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva, set beneath the Brahmagiri hills near the Godavari's source.
Sula Vineyards Wine Tasting
A guided tasting at a Nashik vineyard in Maharashtra, with a short tour of the winery and pairings.
Aga Khan Palace
The Aga Khan Palace in Pune, Maharashtra, is a graceful palace-turned-memorial linked to Gandhi's internment. Quiet gardens and arches.
Shaniwar Wada
Shaniwar Wada in Pune, Maharashtra, is the ruined seat of the Peshwas. Massive gates, stone walls and a story of ambition.
Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga
Bhimashankar, in the Sahyadri hills of Maharashtra, is a Jyotirlinga of Shiva set in forest near the source of the Bhima river.
Pune Old City and Ganpati Walk
A guided walk through Pune's old city in Maharashtra, with Peshwa-era lanes, Ganpati temples and sweet shops.
Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir
The Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir in Shirdi, Maharashtra, is the shrine of the saint Sai Baba, who lived in the town until 1918. Darshan is free and queues move.
Lonavala Monsoon Ghats and Waterfalls
A guided monsoon day among Lonavala's misty ghats and waterfalls in Maharashtra, with gentle walks and viewpoints.
How To Travel
Journeys Through Maharashtra
Every journey here comes with a private guide and driver for each day on the road — full pricing lives on each journey's own page.
Maharashtra Grand Journey — Luxury
Arrive in Mumbai — Colonial Mumbai: Fort, Gateway and CST
Maharashtra Jyotirlinga Yatra — Luxury
Arrive in Mumbai — Mumbai to Nashik
Maharashtra Jyotirlinga Yatra — Premium
Arrive in Mumbai — Mumbai to Nashik
Classic Maharashtra — Luxury
Arrive in Mumbai — Colonial Mumbai: Fort, Gateway and CST
Classic Maharashtra — Premium
Arrive in Mumbai — Colonial Mumbai: Fort, Gateway and CST
Maharashtra Family Holiday — Luxury
Arrive in Mumbai — Colonial Mumbai: Fort, Gateway and CST
Maharashtra Family Holiday — Premium
Arrive in Mumbai — Colonial Mumbai: Fort, Gateway and CST
Ajanta & Ellora Express — Luxury
Arrive in Mumbai — Mumbai to Aurangabad
Ajanta & Ellora Express — Premium
Arrive in Mumbai — Mumbai to Aurangabad
Maharashtra Honeymoon — Luxury
Arrive in Mumbai — Mumbai to Lonavala
Bollywood & Mumbai — Luxury
Arrive in Mumbai — Bollywood Mumbai
Bollywood & Mumbai — Premium
Arrive in Mumbai — Bollywood Mumbai
Where To Stay
Real Stays, Chosen City By City
A private itinerary through Maharashtra is anchored by real, handpicked stays — heritage palaces and boutique properties chosen city by city, not a single hotel chain repeated everywhere.
Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Rama International
Welcomhotel Rama International is the calm base for Aurangabad. The city is now called Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. This ITC Hotels property sits in 45,134 square metres of landscaped gardens. Its design recalls the grandeur of Ajanta and Ellora. Both UNESCO sites are a short drive away. Bibi-ka-Maqbara is closer still. There are 228 rooms and suites. Dine at Madhuban or in the open-air Sholla. Unwind at Madhushala, the bar. There is a pool, a fitness centre and a health club. Your private guide can plan the caves, the Daulatabad fort and Grishneshwar around the hotel's gardens. It is the right base for the Ajanta and Ellora circuit.
Fariyas Resort Lonavala
Fariyas Resort Lonavala sits on Frichley Hills in the Western Ghats. Lonavala is the hill break for Mumbai and Pune. The resort wraps rooms around lawns, a waterpark and a temperature-controlled indoor pool. Every room has a balcony. The kitchen is vegetarian. Eat at Cafe Frichley for all-day dining. Book Asian Fusion for dinner. There is a spa and a fitness room. Your private guide can add Karla and Bhaja caves, Rajmachi and Tiger's Point. It is the easy, family-friendly stop on a Mumbai to Pune route.
ITC Maratha, a Luxury Collection Hotel
ITC Maratha is a landmark near Mumbai's international airport. Its great dome nods to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. The design draws on the Maratha dynasty and on Indo-Saracenic style. Stone carvings were cut on site by master craftsmen. There are 380 rooms and suites. Eight restaurants and bars sit inside. Dine at Peshawri, Dum Pukht or Avartana. Take afternoon tea at Catherine's. Unwind at Kaya Kalp, the spa, or by the lion-fountain pool. Your private guide can time arrivals and departures around the airport. This is the right base for a first or last night in Mumbai.
The Oberoi, Mumbai
The Oberoi, Mumbai stands on Nariman Point, at the end of Marine Drive. The sea is on one side. The city's business district is on the other. Rooms rise above the bay. Many frame the Arabian Sea and the Queen's Necklace. Suites add a butler. Dine at Ziya for modern Indian, Vetro for Italian or Fenix for an all-day table. Take a drink at the Eau Bar or the Champagne Lounge. There is an outdoor pool, a spa and a fitness centre. Your private guide can time a Colaba walk, a Gateway ferry or Elephanta Island around the hotel's calm. This is the right base for a first night in Mumbai.
Trident, Bandra Kurla
Trident, Bandra Kurla is the modern address in Mumbai. It sits in Bandra Kurla Complex. The airports are close. The NMACC and the Jio World Convention Centre are steps away. The hotel has 412 rooms and 24 suites. Some look onto the pool. Eat at Botticino or Maya. Take a drink at O22. Visit the Trident Patisserie for a quick coffee. The spa and the 24-hour fitness centre are for guests. Your private guide can build a day around Bandra's cafes, Worli and Colaba. This is a smart base for a first or a last night in Mumbai.
Trident, Nariman Point
Trident, Nariman Point sits near the tip of Mumbai's sea-facing peninsula. It rises high over Marine Drive. Rooms look across the Arabian Sea. At night the Queen's Necklace lights the shoreline. The pool terrace is a rare green pause in South Mumbai. Eat at Frangipani, India Jones or The Verandah. Take sunset drinks at Ness. The spa and the fitness centre are for resident guests only. The financial district and the galleries are minutes away. Your private guide can plan Colaba, Kala Ghoda and the Gateway from this address. It is a sound, sea-view base for a first night in Mumbai.
The Source at Sula
The Source at Sula is a vineyard stay in Nashik. Sula Vineyards founded the winery in 1999. The estate is Tuscan in spirit. It looks over rolling vines, Gangapur Lake and the hills. Rooms are warm and wood-beamed. Many open onto garden or vineyard terraces. Take a winery tour and a tasting. Cycle between the rows. Dine at La Bodega. Take a drink at The Rose Bar. Spa treatments and a pool are on site. Your private guide can time Nashik's temples and Trimbakeshwar around a night here. It is the right stop for a wine-country pause in Maharashtra.
Novotel Pune Nagar Road
Novotel Pune Nagar Road is a polished modern base in Pune. It sits at Weikfield IT City Infopark in Viman Nagar. The airport is close. So are the city's cafes and old quarter. There are 311 rooms and suites. Many look over the pool or the city. Eat at The Square or Fuzion. Take a late drink at Bar Code. Dine poolside at Soak. There is a pool and a fitness centre. Your private guide can plan Shaniwar Wada, the Aga Khan Palace and a day to Lonavala. This is a sound base for a night or two in Pune.
Hotel Sai Jashan
Hotel Sai Jashan is a calm, well-run base in Shirdi. It sits on Shiv Road, about 500 metres from the Sai Baba Samadhi Temple. A complimentary shuttle runs to the temple. Rooms are warm and bright, with king beds and wooden headboards. The suite adds a separate living area. Eat at Basil Leaves, the in-house pure vegetarian restaurant. It serves North and South Indian, Gujarati, Jain and Continental plates, plus fasting meals. Your private guide can time darshan and the evening aarti around your return. This is a dependable, well-reviewed choice for a night or two in Shirdi.
From the Journal
Maharashtra travel guides
Private Tour or Group Tour in India? An Honest Comparison
Getting Around India: Trains, Flights or a Private Car?
Eating Well in India Without Getting Ill: A Practical Guide
Continue Your Journey
Goa
Goa pairs sunlit beaches with Portuguese-era churches and villas, so a private guide can carry you from a quiet cove to a UNESCO basilica in the same afternoon.
Gujarat
Private luxury tours through Gujarat's white salt desert, UNESCO heritage city, and centuries-old craft villages.
Karnataka
Royal palaces, coffee hills, and a lost imperial city. We explore Karnataka with a private guide.
Madhya Pradesh
Temple carvings and tiger reserves, linked by a private driver through India's central highlands.
Kashmir to Kanyakumari
Get In Touch
Start Planning Your Maharashtra Journey
Tell us a little about who's coming and when — a private itinerary comes back built around your answer.