Maharashtra Heritage Circuit
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Set off in Mumbai and wrap up there after 10 days exploring Maharashtra’s classics and hidden corners. You’ll cruise to Elephanta Caves, take in Marine Drive and the Gateway of India, then head to Nashik for riverside temples and the revered Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga. Call in at Shirdi to pay respects to Sai Baba before basing in Aurangabad for the mini Taj, the formidable Daulatabad Fort and the UNESCO masterpieces of Ajanta and Ellora. Swap cities for cool Lonavala and Khandala – cave shrines, sweeping forts and valley views – then return to Mumbai for a spot of shopping and seaside sunsets.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more.
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Tour Overview
Duration
10 daysHotel Rating
3, 4 or 5 star hotelsStarts
MumbaiEnds
MumbaiMinimum Age
No minimum ageMaximum Age
Tours have upper age limits for several reasons, such as but not limited to: tour pace, activity level, and accommodation standards. If you fall outside of this age limit, we do have lots of other tours in India that are suitable for all ages!
Arrival Transfer
YesDeparture Transfer
YesTour Guide
Yes - for included sightseeing.Country
IndiaPassengers
$4,460.00
$2,441.00
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Tour Style
Group Size
Min 1 / Max Private Tour
Trip Type
Private Tours
Range
On this tour, you won't be joined by other travellers, and will just be travelling with your booking party. Some transportation & sightseeing may be shared, check the Inclusions for more information.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
Demands a higher level of physical effort, including extended walking, hiking, or more challenging terrain. You must be able to walk around 5-kilometres without stopping and on overland trips, you must be able to manage steps up into overland trucks.
Tour Guide
Yes - for included sightseeing.Group Size
Min 1 / Max Private TourRange
On this tour, you won't be joined by other travellers, and will just be travelling with your booking party. Some transportation & sightseeing may be shared, check the Inclusions for more information.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
Demands a higher level of physical effort, including extended walking, hiking, or more challenging terrain. You must be able to walk around 5-kilometres without stopping and on overland trips, you must be able to manage steps up into overland trucks.
Trip Type
Private ToursPlaces You'll See
Mumbai
Nashik
Nashik Division
Shirdi
Aurangabad
Ajanta
Daulatabad
Lonavala
Shingnapur
Khandala
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Included
Not Included
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Itinerary
Day 1 - Mumbai
Arrive in Mumbai, where we meet you at the airport, assist with formalities and transfer you to your hotel. Check-in is from 12:00 – early check-in is subject to room availability. The rest of the day is free for personal time – you can relax, take a short walk to get a first look at the city, or explore nearby markets and restaurants.
Day 2 - Exploring Mumbai
After breakfast at the hotel, we set out on a city tour, beginning with a drive along Marine Drive – one of the city’s most elegant seafront boulevards. From the Gateway of India, we board a motorboat to the Elephanta Caves (closed on Mondays), then climb around 100 steps to reach the hilltop cave complex.
In the afternoon, we cruise back to the Gateway of India and continue the tour, viewing the Maharashtra State Assembly from outside and seeing Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus – formerly Victoria Terminus and a UNESCO World Heritage Site – from outside. We stop at Dhobi Ghat to watch the city’s famous open‑air laundry in action, visit the Prince of Wales Museum – closed on Mondays – and call at Mani Bhavan, where Gandhi laid the groundwork for several independence movements.
Day 3 - Mumbai to Nashik & Trimbak
After breakfast we drive 170 kilometres – around 4 hours – to Nashik and check in to the hotel. Later we take an excursion to Tryambakeshwar in the town of Trimbak, 28 km from Nashik. This ancient Shiva temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas.
Returning to the city, we explore Panchavati on the Godavari River, including Ram Kund, Shri Kalaram Sansthan Mandir and the Sita Gufaa caves. We also visit Sundarnarayan Temple and Tapovan near the Nasardi River. At ISKCON – a modern temple dedicated to Lord Krishna – we see colourful statues of Hindu deities, and at Muktidham we view white‑marble shrines with painted scenes from the Bhagavad Gita. We continue to the Pandavleni Caves to see rock‑cut chambers with Buddha carvings, rare inscriptions and ancient cisterns. We pass vineyards to the west of the city.
Day 4 - Nashik to Aurangabad
After breakfast, we drive from Nashik to Aurangabad via Shirdi (approx. 170 km – 4 hours). In Shirdi, we visit the Sai Baba Temple complex, including Samadhi Mandir – home to an ornate marble statue of Sai Baba alongside his tomb – as well as Dwarkamai, the mosque where he once lived, and the tree-lined Lendi Garden. We then continue to Aurangabad and check in to the hotel.
Later, we explore Aurangabad with visits to Bibi ka Maqbara, built by Azam Shah in 1678 – a tribute to his mother, often called the Mini Taj of the Deccan for its resemblance to the Taj Mahal and its setting amid lawns, ponds, fountains and water channels – and the Aurangabad Caves, a group of 12 Buddhist caves about 5 km away dating back to 3 A.D., noted for Tantric influences in their iconography and architectural design. We also visit a small archaeological museum.
Day 5 - Ajanta Caves Day Trip
After breakfast at the hotel, we drive from Aurangabad to the Ajanta Caves – about 105 km and approximately two hours each way – for a full day visit (closed on Mondays). Discovered by British officers in 1819 while tiger hunting, Ajanta predates Ellora and was recorded by the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang, who travelled in India between AD 629 and 645. The site features around 30 rock cut Buddhist caves dating from about 200 BC to AD 650, with striking sculptures and paintings depicting the life of the Buddha and his previous births. Five caves are chaityas – places of worship – and twenty five are viharas – monasteries – reflecting both Hinayana and Mahayana traditions. We return to Aurangabad in the evening for an overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 6 - Ellora Caves Day Trip
We visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ellora (closed on Tuesdays), home to 34 rock cut monasteries and temples dating from around 600 to 1000 AD, representing Buddhist, Hindu and Jain traditions. Expect remarkable stonework, including scenes linked to Lord Shiva. We then visit Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga – one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines mentioned in the Shiva Purana and an important Shaivite pilgrimage site – before continuing to the formidable Daulatabad Fort, a major medieval Deccan stronghold known for its layered defences with double and even triple walls. We return to Aurangabad for the night.
Day 7 - Aurangabad to Lonavala
After breakfast at the hotel, we drive from Aurangabad to Lonavala – about 290 km, taking roughly 6 hours – with a stop at Shani Shingnapur, known for homes without doors – only door frames – and for the officially reported absence of theft. On arrival in Lonavala we check in to the hotel. The rest of the day is free – you can relax at the hotel.
Day 8 - Exploring Lonavala & Khandala
Lonavala and nearby Khandala are verdant hill stations in western India. We visit the Karla and Bhaja Caves – ancient Buddhist rock cut shrines dating to around 160 BC – featuring an Ashoka stambh at the entrance. Inside are monastic cells, a prayer hall and a large stupa, along with the temple of Ek Veera, goddess of the Koli community, traditionally regarded as Mumbai’s original residents.
We continue to Lohagad – the Iron Fort – which rises to 1,033 m (3,389 ft) and is linked by a short range to neighbouring Visapur Fort. The fort was held mainly by the Marathas, with a brief period under the Mughals. We also visit Bhushi Dam, where water spills over the steps during the rainy season. Spend a second night at the hotel in Lonavala.
Day 9 - Return to Mumbai
Lonavala – Mumbai (85 km – approximately 2 hours). After breakfast, we drive to Mumbai and check in at the hotel. The rest of the day is free for shopping – Mumbai is a paradise for bargains on antiques, curios, carpets, handicrafts, textiles and jewellery. You can explore city markets such as Cross Road, West End and Fashion Street in the main city, and Linking Road in Bandra in the western suburbs. You can also visit malls in the western suburbs, including Inorbit Mall and Infinity Mall, as well as shops in Juhu and other areas. Alternatively, you can head to Dadar, Fort, Colaba Causeway, Cottage Industries and Handloom Emporiums.
Day 10 - Mumbai
After breakfast at the hotel, we arrange your transfer to Mumbai airport in line with your flight schedule, where you board your flight to your onward destination.
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Tour Reviews
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Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
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Hotels
The hotels listed below are examples which we frequently use on this tour. Alternative hotels of a similar standard may be used instead.
Accommodation Standard
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Prices & Dates
The prices you see below are a guide, with final prices per person being determined by the number of travellers in your booking party, desired hotel standard and the rooming arrangements required. To see an accurate price, please click "Book Dates" and enter the details for your booking party.
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