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Maharashtra · 9 Days
Maharashtra — Classic Journey
Mumbai, the caves and Pune — Maharashtra's classic route in nine days.
Day by Day
9 Days, In Full
The state's headline sights in one route. Three nights in Mumbai, three at Aurangabad for the caves, and two in Pune for the Peshwa-era city. Aurangabad to Pune is a half-day drive across the Deccan.
Mumbai
Arrive in Mumbai
Your driver meets you at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Mumbai is India's financial capital, and it never really stops. Check in and rest. In the late afternoon, walk the sweep of Marine Drive as the light turns gold. The curve of the bay at dusk is called the Queen's Necklace. Dinner is a first taste of the city's cooking.
Mumbai
Colonial Mumbai: Fort, Gateway and CST
A day in the old Fort district with a private guide. The area is a stretch of Victorian Gothic and Art Deco, built when Mumbai was Bombay. You see the Gateway of India, finished in 1924, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, a UNESCO World Heritage railway station. A walk through the Fort's lanes follows. We end with chai and sea air on the waterfront. Timings for interiors vary, so we confirm them on the day.
Mumbai
Elephanta Caves by Ferry
A ferry from the Gateway of India takes about an hour across the harbour. On Elephanta Island, steps climb to a group of rock-cut cave temples to Shiva. The Maheshmurti, a huge three-faced figure, is the centrepiece. The caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are generally closed on Mondays, and ferry times depend on the weather, so we confirm both. Back in the city, the evening is yours.
Mumbai → Aurangabad
Mumbai to Aurangabad
A short flight takes about an hour from Mumbai to Aurangabad, now also called Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. By road the journey is about six hours. You arrive in time for a late lunch. In the afternoon, rest, or take a short drive through the old city. The next two days belong to the caves.
Aurangabad
Ellora Caves and Daulatabad Fort
Ellora lies about 30 km from the city. Thirty-four caves, Buddhist, Hindu and Jain, are cut along one basalt hillside. Cave 16, the Kailasa temple, is carved top-down from a single rock. A local guide takes you through the best of it. On the way back, stop at Daulatabad Fort, a hill fortress with a winding, dark passage and sweeping views. Ellora is generally closed on Tuesdays, so we order the days to suit.
Aurangabad
The Ajanta Caves
Ajanta is about 100 km from Aurangabad, roughly two hours each way. Its Buddhist caves curve around a quiet river gorge. They hold some of India's oldest surviving painted murals. Your guide explains the Jataka scenes and the carved halls. Lighting inside the caves is dim, and the paintings are fragile, so photography is limited. Ajanta is generally closed on Mondays, so we confirm the day.
Aurangabad → Pune
Aurangabad to Pune
A road day of about four and a half hours across the Deccan, with a lunch stop. The flat plateau gives way to the Sahyadri hills near Pune. Pune is the old seat of the Peshwas. It is greener and calmer than Mumbai. Check in and rest, and take a quiet walk in the evening.
Pune
Peshwa Pune: Shaniwar Wada and the Aga Khan Palace
A day of Pune's history with a local guide. Shaniwar Wada was the seat of the Peshwas. Its great gate and the stone remains of the fort remain. In the afternoon, the Aga Khan Palace, where Mahatma Gandhi was held in the 1940s, is now a quiet memorial and museum. We close with a stroll through the old Peth quarter.
Pune
Depart from Pune
A slow last morning. Your driver takes you to Pune airport in good time for your flight.
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Priced Packages On This Route
This route is already built into these packages — real inclusions and pricing on each one's own page.
luxury · 8 Nights
Classic Maharashtra — Luxury
per person, twin sharing — enquire for current pricing
premium · 8 Nights
Classic Maharashtra — Premium
per person, twin sharing — enquire for current pricing
luxury · 8 Nights
Maharashtra Family Holiday — Luxury
per person, twin sharing — enquire for current pricing
premium · 8 Nights
Maharashtra Family Holiday — Premium
per person, twin sharing — enquire for current pricing
Before you go
Planning Maharashtra
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What Our Travelers Say
Real words from real journeys — rated 5.0 across 310 Google reviews.
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Nothing short of magical. Brijesh crafted a seamless itinerary that balanced sightseeing, culture, and relaxation, making our journey truly special.
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Everything went beyond our expectations. Our driver Rajesh kept us comfortable in every city, and Vicky was endlessly knowledgeable.
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From the moment we landed until we left, our driver Manish made us feel so taken care of — he made the trip even more memorable.
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Brijesh is a super good man! A comfortable journey through six cities, exactly to our desires and limits.
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Kashmir to Kanyakumari
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