First, 3 nights in Mumbai
The Oberoi, Mumbai
The Oberoi, Mumbai on Nariman Point: 237 rooms and suites above Marine Drive, sea views, Ziya and Vetro dining, pool, spa and butler service.
Mumbai · Hotel · Luxury★★★★★
Luxury Accommodation8 NightsFamily-FriendlyLuxury
Maharashtra Family Holiday — Luxury
About This Journey
Maharashtra Family Holiday — Luxury
This is the classic route shaped for families. Mumbai's harbour ferry, the cave temples of Ajanta and Ellora, and the forts and palaces of Pune give children something to climb, cross and explore.
Days are paced with breaks, and drives are broken up. A private vehicle means you never wait on a timetable.
- 01
A ferry across the harbour
The boat to Elephanta Island takes about an hour. Children enjoy the crossing and the climb to the caves.
- 02
Climbing the caves
Ellora and Ajanta involve steps and open courtyards. Daulatabad Fort adds a dark winding passage and a hill-top view.
- 03
Peshwa Pune
Shaniwar Wada and the Aga Khan Palace give open space to walk and a story to tell.
- 04
Family-sized rooms
We choose hotels with larger rooms and can arrange connecting rooms on request.
Chapter Two — Where You'll Stay
3 Real Stays, In Order
Handpicked along your own route — not a hotel chain repeated city to city.
Next, 3 nights in Aurangabad
Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Rama International
Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Rama International in Aurangabad: 228 rooms in landscaped gardens, pool, Madhuban dining. Base for Ajanta and Ellora.
Aurangabad · Resort · Premium★★★★★
Finally, 2 nights in Pune
Novotel Pune Nagar Road
Novotel Pune Nagar Road, Pune: 311 rooms in Viman Nagar, pool, fitness centre and four dining venues. A smart premium base near the airport.
Pune · Hotel · Premium★★★★★
Chapter Three — Day by Day
Real Maharashtra Attractions in This Itinerary
7 of your 9days — the full itinerary follows below. Scroll to travel the route.
Day 2 · 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.
Day 3 · 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.
Day 4 · 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.
Day 5 · 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.
Day 6 · 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.
Day 7 · 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.
Day 8 · 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.
Chapter Four — The Full Itinerary
9 Days, In Full
Every day, start to finish — including the transfers the day-by-day chapter above skipped.
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.
Guest Stories
What Our Travelers Say
Real words from real journeys — rated 5.0 across 310 Google reviews.
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An absolutely flawless experience. We felt like royalty from the moment we landed in Delhi until our departure.
Sarah & James
United Kingdom
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Truly exceptional — Brijesh, our tour planner, was incredibly attentive, professional, and meticulous in organizing a flawless itinerary.
Milly Witcomb
United Kingdom
Mentions guide Brijesh
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“
Nothing short of magical. Brijesh crafted a seamless itinerary that balanced sightseeing, culture, and relaxation, making our journey truly special.
Shakira Tabizi
United States
Mentions guide Brijesh
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Everything went beyond our expectations. Our driver Rajesh kept us comfortable in every city, and Vicky was endlessly knowledgeable.
Melissa
Australia
Mentions guide Rajesh & Vicky
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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.
Rossen Milanov
United States
Mentions guide Manish
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Brijesh is a super good man! A comfortable journey through six cities, exactly to our desires and limits.
Michelle de Matheu
United States
Mentions guide Brijesh & Manish
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“
Excellent hotels and tour guides. Our driver Manish was superb in every way — reliable, and full of local knowledge.
James Boochame
Australia
Mentions guide Manish
Chapter Five — Terms & Conditions
Straightforward, In Writing
Cancellation windows, refund timing, and rescheduling terms for this journey follow our one sitewide policy — nothing package-specific to dig through.
Read the Return & Refund PolicyFrequently Asked
Before You Book
Is it suitable for young children?
Yes, with planning. Both cave sites have steps and uneven ground, and we pace the days around naps and meals.
Can children's meals be arranged?
Yes. Tell us about tastes and allergies and we will plan ahead with each hotel.
Is a private vehicle included?
Yes. Every transfer and day of sightseeing is in a private air-conditioned vehicle, with an English-speaking driver-cum-guide.
Chapter Six — Similar Journeys
More of Maharashtra, Privately
Before you go
Planning Maharashtra
Travel Tips
Private Tour or Group Tour in India? An Honest Comparison
First-Time IndiaPlanning GuideTravel Tips
Travel Tips
Getting Around India: Trains, Flights or a Private Car?
First-Time IndiaPlanning GuideTravel Tips
Travel Tips
Eating Well in India Without Getting Ill: A Practical Guide
First-Time IndiaFood & CulturePlanning Guide
Why Choose Us
The Same Trust, Sized to This Trip
01
Planning, Built Around You
This route was shaped around Maharashtra's real places, not lifted from a fixed template.
13 years — Brijesh Sharma, Bespoke Itinerary Specialist
02
Handpicked Hotels
Every stay on this trip was chosen in person, not off a ratings page.
3 real stays, 5★
03
A Private Fleet, Always Yours
One driver, air-conditioned, for the whole route — no shared shuttle.
Premium sedans & SUVs · One driver, the whole trip
Kashmir to Kanyakumari
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