Day 01 : Pune
Meet and assist on arrival at Pune airport/railway station and transfer to the hotel. Later, a half day sightseeing tour of Pune city. Overnight stay at Pune.

Pune
Pune was home to the legendary Shivaji Maharaj. Today, Pune is the centre of traditional Marathi culture, in which education, arts and crafts, and theatre are given place of pride. It has one of India's oldest universities. Pune still retains the old-world charm and is surrounded by hills and beautiful lakes.

Sightseeing of Pune include Shaniwar Wada built in 1736 by Bajirao Peshwa I. This historic seven-storied palace was mysteriously destroyed in a fire, what remains now of this once palatial palace are only the plinths, the fortification walls with five gateways, and nine bastions that enclosed the whole complex, elaborate foundations of the original palace and the nagarkhana with its fine wooden pillars and lattice work. Shinde Chhatri is the memorial of the great Maratha nobleman Mahadji Shinde. You can see the warrior's painted silver likeness, swathed in a flame-colored turban and elaborate shawl. Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum houses a collection of Indian artifacts collected by the late Shree Dinkar Kelkar. The 36 sections of the museum are used to display a wealth of antiques, carved palace doors, pottery, 17th century miniatures, a priceless collection of nut crackers, lamps, musical items, hookah pipes, hair drying combs and other such items from the Mughal and Maratha period. Pataleshwer Cave Temples is an 8th century rock-cut temple. Still in use, this temple, similar to the Caves at Ellora, has been painstakingly hewn from a single rock and includes massive pillars, a Shiva shrine and a Nandi bull. Vishrambaug Wada, this is a three-storied mansion, known for its beautiful entrance and balcony with carved woodwork typical of the Peshwa period. The Wada's eye-catching wooden facade is mesmerizing in its beauty, and has beautiful columns carved in the Suru form. Saras Baug is a beautiful garden that houses the famous Ganesh Temple. Parvati Hill, a climb of 108 wide stone steps rewards you with a beautiful round view of the city.

Day 02 : Pune – Shirdi by road (220 km/4-5 hrs)
Morning proceed to Shirdi. On arrival at Shirdi, check into the hotel. Later visit the Sai Baba temple. Overnight stay at Shirdi.

Shirdi
Shirdi is the abode of one of Maharashtra's most revered saint - Sai Baba of Shirdi. All activities at Shirdi revolve around the vast temple complex dedicated to Sai Baba. On an average, daily 20,000 devotees visit Shirdi village, to have the Darshan of Shri Saibaba. In the festival season, more than 1,00,000 devotees visit the Temple every day. Devotees start queuing up in the early hours of dawn to catch a glimpse and seek the blessings of the life-size statue of Sai Baba. Thursday’s are marked by special pujas. The other place of interest that devotees can visit is the Dwarkamani Mosque where the Baba meditated and slept on alternate nights. Near the mosque, in a corridor is the dhani or eternal flame that burns day and night.

Day 03 : Shirdi – Shani Shinganapur – Aurangabad by road (70km + 90km)
Early morning an option to visit the temple. Later, depart to Aurangabad enroute visit the Shani Shinganapur temple. On arrival at Aurangabad, check into the hotel. Later, a city tour of Aurgangabad. Overnight stay at Aurangabad.

Shinganapur
Shinganapur is located midway between Shirdi and Aurangabad. The presiding deity of Shinganapur is Sri Shaneshwara or Shanidev. One of the unique aspects of Shinganapur is that houses here have no door- frames or locks on them for safety. The people here believe that it is the benediction of the god that no crime ever occurs in this village. The deity here is "Swayambhu" that is, it self-emerged from earth in form of a black imposing stone. A unique aspect of this place is that no temple structure houses the Shanidev. There is only a simple platform on which stands the swayambhu idol, in black stone.

Shani
Shani Dev is one of the nine Navagraha or planets. He is known in Hindu scriptures as the greatest trouble giver as well as the greatest well wisher. It is commonly believed that many miseries in life are caused due to the displeasure of Shanidev. The worship of Lord Hanuman is said to soften the harsh effects of the 'unfavourable' presence of Lord Shani.

Aurangabad
Aurangabad is the gateway to visit the famous ancient caves of Ajanta and Ellora. Bibi ka Maqbara built by Azam Shah in 1678 is a son's loving tribute to his mother, Begum Rabia Durrani, the Queen of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Standing spectacularly on the lawns of the landscaped garden with ponds, fountains and water channels, the white marbled monument rises majestically in an intentional bid to copy and rival the world famous Taj Mahal of Agra. The central tomb, distinguished by elaborate surface ornamentation and intricately perforated marble screens, is framed by four towering minarets.

Day 04 : Aurangabad – Daulatabad – Grishneshwar – Ellora – Aurangabad by road
A full day excursion visiting Daulatabad Fort, Grishneshwar Temple, Ellora Caves and return to the hotel. Evening free for leisure activities. Overnight stay at Aurangabad.

Devagiri Daulatabad Fort
Devagiri Daulatabad Fort is a famous formidable hill fort. The fort is situated on an isolated cone-shaped hill rising abruptly from the plains to the height of about 190 metres. The fortification constitutes of three concentric lines of defensive walls with large number of bastions. The Chand Minar, the Chini Mahal and the Baradari are important structures within the fort.

Grishneshwar Temple
Grishneshwar Temple also known as Ghushmeshwar is located near Aurangabad and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the 12 jyothirlingas.

Ellora Caves
Ellora Caves are located 26 km north of Aurangabad. There are 34 cave temples in all - 12 Mahayana Buddhist caves (550-750 AD), 17 Hindu caves (600-875 AD) and five caves of the Jain faith (800-1000 AD). The most imposing excavation is that of the magnificent Kailasa Temple, which is a monolithic structure. Ellora has been designated as a World Heritage Site.

Day 05 : Aurangabad – Ajanta – Aurangabad by road (110 km x 2)
Morning, a full day excursion to Ajanta Caves. Overnight stay at Aurangabad.

Ajanta Caves
Ajanta Caves are located about 110 kms from Aurangabad, in a mammoth horseshoe-shaped cliff. There are 30 caves overlooking the gorge, each forming a room on the hill and some has inner rooms. All these have been carved out of solid rock with nothing but a hammer and chisel. Here, for the Buddhist monks, the artisans excavated Chaityas (chapels) for prayer and Viharas (monasteries), where they lived and taught. Many of the caves have the most exquisite detailed carvings on the walls, pillars and entrances as well as magnificent wall paintings.

It is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India and has been designated as a World Heritage Site.

The 30 caves of Ajanta were created over a span of some 600 years and are a source of all kinds of information... hair styles, ornaments, textiles, musical instruments, details of architecture, customs etc.

Note: The Ajanta Caves are closed to public on all Monday and Ellora caves on Tuesday.

Day 06 : Aurangabad – Nasik – Trimbakeshwar – Nasik by road (225 km+32km x 2)
Morning depart to Nashik. On arrival at Nasik, check into the hotel. After freshening up, proceed to visit the Trimbakeshwar Temple, at a distance of 32 km. Later return to Nasik hotel. Overnight stay at Nasik.

Nasik
Nasik has a long tryst with India's sacred past. Proximity with many holy temples like Saptashringi Devi temple at Vani, Trimbakeshwar, Bhimashankar and Shirdi, has made Nasik a confluence for the spiritually enlightened. Today, Nasik is a bustling township with a blend of the ancient and the modern. Nasik is one of the four sites of the Kumbha Mela.

Kumbha Mela
Kumbha Mela is the largest religious gathering in the world. The basic point of the Kumbh Mela is for pilgrims to take a holy dip in the river, which is considered to wash away all the past sins. According to mythology, thousands of years ago, the gods and demons made a pact to work together in obtaining amrit (the nectar of immortality) from the depths of the ocean, and to share this equally. However, when the pot (Kumbha) containing the amrita appeared, the gods and demons fought in the sky for the possession of this pot of nectar (amrit). It is said that during the battle, drops of the nectar (amrit) fell at four places: Prayag (Allahabad), Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik. Thus, Kumbha mela is observed at these four locations. Saptashringi Devi Temple is located 55 kms from Nashik at Vani.

Trimbakeshwar Temple
Trimbakeshwar Temple located 35 kms from Nasik, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the 12 jyothirlingas. It is located at the source of the river Godavari in the Brahmagiri Hills. Kusavarta, a place where river Godavari takes course, is considered the symbolic origin of the river Godavari, and revered by Hindus as a sacred bathing place. The extraordinary feature of the Jyotirlinga located here is that it has three faces embodying Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Rudra (Shiva). All other Jyotirlingas have Shiva as the main deity.

Day 07 : Nasik – Bhimashankar – Pune by road (175 km+115 km)
Morning proceed to Pune, enroute visit the Bhimashankar Temple. On arrival at Pune, check into the hotel. Rest of the day free for leisure activities. Overnight stay at Pune.

Bhimashankar Temple
Bhimashankar Temple is located 115 kms from Pune, on the Nasik - Pune highway. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the 12 jyothirlingas. Bhimashankar is also the source of the river Bhima, which flows south east and merges with the Krishna River near Rajamundary.

Day 08 : Pune – Kolhapur by road (238 km/ 5 Hrs)
Morning proceed to Kolhapur. On arrival at Kolhapur, check into the hotel. Later, a city tour of Kolhapur, visiting the Palaces and the Mahalaxmi temple. Overnight stay at Kolhapur.

Kolhapur
Kolhapur has been mentioned as Karveer in the Hindu mythology. There are entries in the old religious texts showing that once upon a time this city was a center of religion, religious power and trade. It has been also referred to as Dakshin Kashi.

The New Palace or Chhatrapati Sahu Museum
The New Palace or Chhatrapati Sahu Museum built in 1877-1884, is an excellent specimen of architecture built in black, polished stone, in the Indo-Saracenic style. The Museum houses an array of the former Maharaja's possessions. It has extensive premises with a beautiful garden, a fountain and a wrestling ground. The whole building is eight-angled and has a tall tower with a clock that was fixed in the year 1877. The 'Darbar' hall is a huge hall which has beautiful paintings representing certain events from the life of the Maharaja. On every glass are painted the events of Shivaji's life. The Old Palace or the Bhavani Mandap behind the temple of Mahalakshmi is a magnificent structure with impressive marquee and filigree work in stone. Part of it was burnt, when in 1813 the Muslim King Sadat Khan invaded Kolhapur. There is a temple of Kulswamini Tulja Bhavani. Shalini Palace, built in 1932-34, now converted into a hotel, stands on the bank of the picturesque Rankala Lake and is surrounded by towering palm trees and lovely gardens. The palace is built from intricately carved black stone and Italian marble. Rich decorative wooden doorways fitted with etched Belgium glass bearing the crest of the Maharaja of Kolhapur add to the regal grandeur. The majestic black stone arches forming the verandah and the porch are breathtakingly beautiful.

Shri Mahalakshmi Temple of Karveer or Ambabai
Shri Mahalakshmi Temple of Karveer or Ambabai (the area where the present town of Kolhapur is located) is one of the six sites of the Shakti, where one can get both, fulfillment of desires as well as salvation. The temple takes its name from Mahalakshmi, the consort of Vishnu, and it is believed that the divine couple resides in the area. The idol of the goddess is made of gemstone. A stone lion stands behind the statue. The goddess has four limbs. The head has a crown and the Sheshnag (the mythical serpent of Shri Vishnu) looms over the head. A festival image of the deity is taken out in procession around the temple courtyard each Friday and on full moon days.

Day 09 : Kolhapur – Pandharpur by road
Morning proceed to Pandharpur to visit the Vittala Temple. On arrival at Pandharpur, check into the hotel. Later visit the Vittala Temple. Overnight stay at Pandharpur.

Panduranga Vittala Temple of Pandharpur
Panduranga Vittala Temple of Pandharpur also known as Shri Vitthal Rukmini Temple, situated on the banks of the river Bhima is one of the most prominent pilgrimage sites in Maharashtra. "Vithoba," and "Pandharinath" are the other popular names of the deity. Vithoba is revered as the form of Lord Vishnu or Krishna. The deity has a dark colour and stands 3.5 feet tall having both his hands on his waist. The idol is decorated with various ornaments around the neck. The deity also carries several holy marks on his body. The Rakhumai Temple is also a highly revered shrine here; the presiding deity is Rukmini, an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi.