First, one night in Mumbai
Trident, Nariman Point
Trident, Nariman Point, Mumbai: sea-view rooms above Marine Drive, pool terrace, spa, Frangipani and Ness. A premium base for South Mumbai.
Mumbai · Hotel · Premium★★★★★
Premium Accommodation10 NightsPremiumSpiritual
Maharashtra Jyotirlinga Yatra — Premium
About This Journey
Maharashtra Jyotirlinga Yatra — Premium
This is a pilgrim's circuit across Maharashtra in eleven days. It visits Trimbakeshwar near Nashik, Shirdi for Sai Baba, Grishneshwar by Ellora, Aundha Nagnath in Marathwada and Bhimashankar in the Sahyadri hills.
The route is planned for comfort and for time. A guide handles queues, dress rules and timings, so the days stay devotional rather than logistical.
- 01
Trimbakeshwar and Nashik
Darshan at Trimbakeshwar, beneath the Brahmagiri hills near the source of the Godavari, comes with an evening walk at the Ramkund ghats.
- 02
Shirdi for two nights
Two nights at Shirdi let you attend the aarti and return when queues are shorter. Your guide handles the process.
- 03
Grishneshwar with Ellora
Grishneshwar sits at Verul, a few minutes from the Ellora Caves, so the same morning can include darshan and the Kailasa temple.
- 04
Aundha Nagnath and Bhimashankar
Aundha Nagnath is a long road day into Marathwada. Bhimashankar is a forest shrine in the Sahyadri hills, reached from Pune.
Chapter Two — Where You'll Stay
5 Real Stays, In Order
Handpicked along your own route — not a hotel chain repeated city to city.
Next, 2 nights in Nashik
The Source at Sula
The Source at Sula in Nashik: a Tuscan-style vineyard estate above Gangapur Lake. Winery tours, tastings, La Bodega dining, pool and spa.
Nashik · Resort · Premium★★★★
Next, 2 nights in Shirdi
Hotel Sai Jashan
Hotel Sai Jashan, Shirdi: a well-reviewed stay 500 m from the Sai Baba temple. Temple shuttle, Basil Leaves vegetarian dining and calm king rooms.
Shirdi · Hotel · Premium★★★★
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
9 of your 11days — the full itinerary follows below. Scroll to travel the route.
Day 2 · Mumbai → Nashik
Mumbai to Nashik
The road climbs out of the city into the Western Ghats, about four hours with a coffee stop. Nashik sits on the Godavari river, an old pilgrimage town. In the late afternoon, walk the riverside ghats at Ramkund. Dusk here brings bells, lamps and a steady stream of pilgrims.
Day 3 · Nashik
Trimbakeshwar and the Pandavleni Caves
Start early for darshan at Trimbakeshwar, about 30 km from Nashik. The black stone temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, set beneath the Brahmagiri hills near the source of the Godavari. After lunch, climb to the Pandavleni Caves, a group of rock-cut Buddhist caves on a hill above the city. Sanctum rules apply at the temple, so we brief you before you go.
Day 4 · Nashik → Shirdi
Nashik to Shirdi
A drive of about two hours, around 90 km, east to Shirdi. The road crosses open Deccan plains and small farming towns. You reach the hotel by early afternoon. Rest, and then take your first darshan at the Samadhi Mandir, when the queues are shorter in the evening.
Day 5 · Shirdi
Sai Baba Darshan in Shirdi
Shirdi is the home of the saint Sai Baba, who lived here until 1918. Your guide takes you to the Samadhi Mandir for the morning aarti, and through the queue with minimum fuss. Then the Dwarkamai mosque and the Gurusthan, places linked to his life. The rest of the day is quiet. Aarti timings change, so we confirm them locally.
Day 6 · Shirdi → Aurangabad
Shirdi to Aurangabad
About two and a half hours by road, roughly 115 km, north-east to Aurangabad. You arrive by lunch. The afternoon is free, or a short stop at the old city gates. The next days are for the caves and the Jyotirlingas of Marathwada.
Day 7 · Aurangabad
Grishneshwar and Ellora
An early start for darshan at Grishneshwar, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. The temple lies at Verul, a few minutes from the Ellora Caves. Morning is the quietest time. After darshan, a guided tour of the Ellora Caves, with the Kailasa temple as the high point. Dress and sanctum rules apply, so we brief you in advance.
Day 8 · Aurangabad
Aundha Nagnath, a Marathwada Pilgrimage
A long road day east across the Marathwada plateau, roughly four to five hours each way. The destination is Aundha Nagnath, a stone temple in the Hemadpanthi style. It is claimed as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. The landscape is open farmland and small towns. We plan a lunch halt, and a driver and guide stay with you throughout. Facilities are basic, so we prepare you for that.
Day 9 · 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 10 · Pune
Bhimashankar
A full day in the Sahyadri hills. The drive to Bhimashankar takes about three to four hours each way. The temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, sits in forest near the source of the Bhima river. We choose a quiet weekday and an early start. Pilgrims crowd the temple on Mondays and festival days. Entry rules change, so we confirm them locally.
Chapter Four — The Full Itinerary
11 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 → Nashik
Mumbai to Nashik
The road climbs out of the city into the Western Ghats, about four hours with a coffee stop. Nashik sits on the Godavari river, an old pilgrimage town. In the late afternoon, walk the riverside ghats at Ramkund. Dusk here brings bells, lamps and a steady stream of pilgrims.
Nashik
Trimbakeshwar and the Pandavleni Caves
Start early for darshan at Trimbakeshwar, about 30 km from Nashik. The black stone temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, set beneath the Brahmagiri hills near the source of the Godavari. After lunch, climb to the Pandavleni Caves, a group of rock-cut Buddhist caves on a hill above the city. Sanctum rules apply at the temple, so we brief you before you go.
Nashik → Shirdi
Nashik to Shirdi
A drive of about two hours, around 90 km, east to Shirdi. The road crosses open Deccan plains and small farming towns. You reach the hotel by early afternoon. Rest, and then take your first darshan at the Samadhi Mandir, when the queues are shorter in the evening.
Shirdi
Sai Baba Darshan in Shirdi
Shirdi is the home of the saint Sai Baba, who lived here until 1918. Your guide takes you to the Samadhi Mandir for the morning aarti, and through the queue with minimum fuss. Then the Dwarkamai mosque and the Gurusthan, places linked to his life. The rest of the day is quiet. Aarti timings change, so we confirm them locally.
Shirdi → Aurangabad
Shirdi to Aurangabad
About two and a half hours by road, roughly 115 km, north-east to Aurangabad. You arrive by lunch. The afternoon is free, or a short stop at the old city gates. The next days are for the caves and the Jyotirlingas of Marathwada.
Aurangabad
Grishneshwar and Ellora
An early start for darshan at Grishneshwar, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. The temple lies at Verul, a few minutes from the Ellora Caves. Morning is the quietest time. After darshan, a guided tour of the Ellora Caves, with the Kailasa temple as the high point. Dress and sanctum rules apply, so we brief you in advance.
08
Aurangabad
Aundha Nagnath, a Marathwada Pilgrimage
A long road day east across the Marathwada plateau, roughly four to five hours each way. The destination is Aundha Nagnath, a stone temple in the Hemadpanthi style. It is claimed as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. The landscape is open farmland and small towns. We plan a lunch halt, and a driver and guide stay with you throughout. Facilities are basic, so we prepare you for that.
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
Bhimashankar
A full day in the Sahyadri hills. The drive to Bhimashankar takes about three to four hours each way. The temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, sits in forest near the source of the Bhima river. We choose a quiet weekday and an early start. Pilgrims crowd the temple on Mondays and festival days. Entry rules change, so we confirm them locally.
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.
Verified
Guest
Guest
“
An absolutely flawless experience. We felt like royalty from the moment we landed in Delhi until our departure.
Sarah & James
United Kingdom
Verified
Guest
Guest
“
Truly exceptional — Brijesh, our tour planner, was incredibly attentive, professional, and meticulous in organizing a flawless itinerary.
Milly Witcomb
United Kingdom
Mentions guide Brijesh
Verified
Guest
Guest
“
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
Verified
Guest
Guest
“
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
Verified
Guest
Guest
“
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
Verified
Guest
Guest
“
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
Verified
Guest
Guest
“
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
Are all twelve Jyotirlingas covered?
Maharashtra holds five of the traditional twelve. This route visits four. Parli Vaijnath is remote, and can be added by request with an extra night.
Are there dress or entry rules?
Yes. Temples have rules on dress, phones and bags. Your guide briefs you before each visit, and rules change, so we confirm them locally.
Are meals included?
Daily breakfast is included. Lunches and dinners are not, unless specified, so you can eat where you choose. Special meals can be added on request.
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.
5 real stays, 4–5★
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
Get In Touch
Start Planning Your Maharashtra Jyotirlinga Yatra — Premium Journey
Tell us your travel dates and group size — we'll confirm availability and refine this itinerary around you.