A Full-Day Maharastra Tour Experience

Ganpati Bapa Moriya has blessed Maharashtra with countless gems which lay hidden in the dreamy hill stations, surreal adventure treks, beautiful beaches, wildlife sanctuaries and lively culture. Kickstart your Maharastra trip as you visit the Mayanagri, Mumbai the City of Dreams. It is the financial hub with architectural marvels from colonial times. Mumbai earlier known as Bombay is a melting pot of glamour, hope, and aspirations as many upcoming actors and actresses come to try their luck and earn a name for themselves. The city as it is believed never sleeps. Each experience has its own charm whether it is the marathon race to hop on the daily local cramped trains or a quiet fifteen-minute ride by a ferry from Gateway of India. Pune is the cultural capital of Maharastra and was once the seat of the Peshwas.In Pune alone, there are seventeen forts and Shaniwr Wada is prominent among them. It is a two-thousand-year-old mansion with the finest example of architecture in the city. Built by Peshwa Bajirao I st was the residence of the Peshwas as the Wada covers an area of 625 acres in its grandiose days. The place has attractions like fountains, a fort and an opulent statue of Baji Rao. Aga Khan Palace in Pune was built by Muhammad Shah Aga Khan iii in the year 1892 is an important landmark of Indian history as Mahatma Gandhi and his wife Kasturba Gandhi as well as Sarojini Naidu were held prisoners there. In present times it has a museum with an amazing collection of pictures and personal belongings of Gandhi ji. Ajanta and Ellora caves are regarded as the finest example of ancient rock-cut caves which are located near Aurangabad in Maharashtra. The cave complex is .adorned with beautiful frescos, paintings, and sculptures as well as Jain temples, and Buddhist monasteries. Ajanta caves make up a total of twenty-nine caves which were built between the 2nd century BC and 6th century AD. Whereas the Ellora caves are the vastest in the expanse with a total of thirty-four and date back to the 6th and 11th century AD. These caves are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are popular as a tourist attraction. One of the main highlights of the Ajanta and Ellora Caves is the Kailash Temple which is a lofty monolithic structure. Grishneshwar Temple in Ellora is a pilgrimage site as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva is found here. Mahabaleshwar located on the Western ghats in Satara is a hill station known for its majestic peaks, rivers and strawberries. Panchgani derives its name from the surrounding hills and is a popular hill station near Mahabaleshwar which is known for its various sunset and sunrise spots and scenic views of the valley.It is located at an elevation of 1,334 metres and has a picture-perfect backdrop with hills on one side and plains on the other side. The visitors can enjoy adventure sports like paragliding due to the alluring view of the valley. Lavasa is a beautiful city project which is inspired by the Italian town of Portofino and spread across seven hills and covers an area of twenty-five thousand acres is a blend of infrastructure and beauty. It is the latest hangout for folks looking for a small trip away from hectic schedules. Lakeside Promenade is an attraction dotted with eateries and food options and is also perfect for cycling and walking around. Shirdi located at a distance of 122 km from Nasil in Ahmednagar is the land of worship of Sai Baba. As the devotees believe Sai Baba arrived here in 1858 and spent the next sixty years of his life here and attained salvation in 1918. Rajmachi is situated in the Sahydari mountain range and is a historical fortress with two peaks- Shrivardhan and Manaranjan forts near the hills of Khandala and Lonavala. Exploring Maharastra can be fun with a cruise as you travel in luxury and comfort with Cordelia Cruise. Empress is a magnificent vessel which can play host to around one thousand eight hundred and forty passengers in seven hundred and ninety-six cabins. The onboard stateroom options range from oceanview to suites. Empress is laced with non-stop entertainment experiences which are suitable for all ages. Take a therapeutic tour with the cruise and relieve all stress from work and the hustle and bustle of daily life behind. Feel the open breeze from the sea with beautiful sunrises, and sunsets as every moment have a story to tell. The cruise is curated according to the Indian passengers as well as foreign visitors who want to explore and experience Indian traditions, food and hospitality. Cordelia Cruise liner has the best recreational opportunities where adults can watch a movie on the deck and enjoy a big screen experience or they can also enjoy live performances. With Empress, you can sail the national and international waters as well. Besides Mumbai, you can cruise to Goa, Lakshwadeep, Kochi, Chennai and even Sri Lanka. Goa is a favourite holiday destination with a young vibe and is heaven for party animals. Goa is a Konkan state on the southwestern coast and is a potpourri of sun, sand and spice.Kochi earlier known as Cochin is a metropolitan city and also a commercial capital.The dry land expedition takes you on a tour of Mantachery Palace which is a Kerela-style palace which was in fact built by the Portuguese and was later restored by the Dutch.Fort Kochi is a mesmerizing seaside area which is famous for its Portuguese, Dutch, and British architecture as well as bamboo fishing nets at the Fort Kochi beach.St Francis Church was the resting site of explorer Vasco da Gama.Lakshwadeep is known for its underwater magnificence spread across four thousand two hundred kilometres have lagoons and coral reefs making it a bucket list destination to try snorkelling in the reef.While on land you can try scuba diving, watersports and even a tour of the local village.

Mahabaleshwar

Visit Mahabaleshwar with the Mahabaleshwar package located in the Western Ghats of Satara district. It is not only beautiful with scenic landscapes but is home to alluring British architecture. Mahabaleshwar is crowned the “Land of Strawberries “and is endowed with countless rivers, magnificent waterfalls and lofty peaks. After Pune and Mumbai, it is the most sought-after weekend getaway at a distance of 120 kilometres from Pune and 285 kilometres from Mumbai. It is considered a holy pilgrimage by Hindus as the Krishna river originates from here. Once it was the summer capital of the British has green dense forests, waterfalls, hills and valleys. Malcolm Peth, Old Kshetra Mahabaleshwar and the region of Shindola village are the villages that shape Mahabaleshwar. Pratapgad happens to be a hill fort located close to the famous hill station of Mahabaleshwar. There are four lakes that flow within the premises of the fort and many of which overflow during the rains. Near the Mahadarwaza or the main entrance is a watchtower at the extreme end of the motorable path. Around sixty years ago a statue of Shivaji Maharaj was placed here to display his epitome of bravery. Do not forget to visit the Bhawani mandir at the top of the fort and also the library which showcases the history and heritage of the fort. Elephant’s Head Point is a bewitching viewpoint of Mahabaleshwar as it is popular for the mesmerising view of the Sahyadri ranges. If gauged properly from a distance its shape resembles the head and trunk of an elephant. It is also called the Needle’s point making it a famous tourist attraction to be visited during sunrise and sunset. Veena Lake is surrounded by trees from all sides and offers a great boat riding spot. It is two kilometres away from the city and was built by Shri Appasaheb Maharaj in 1842. Mahabaleshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located six kilometres from Mahabaleshwar. The temple was built under the reign of Chanda Rao More during the 16th century. It houses the 1500-year-old self-built Atma Lingam and the Para Lingam. Mapro Garden is a famous strawberry plantation which was established in 1959 by Kishore Vora. The garden also has a chocolate factory a major tourist attraction that serves fresh and delicious ice creams, shakes and even salads. Arthur’s Seat is situated at 1470 metres above sea level and is the most renowned viewpoint which was earlier known as Madhi Mahal. The viewpoint offers alluring views of the Savitri river on left and the forest of Brahma Aranya on the other. The visitors can reach the point by a thirty-minute trek and cover main points like the Tiger Sprint, Hunter Point, Echo Point and Malcolm Point. Lingmala Waterfall is located around six kilometres away from Mahabaleshwar on the Mahabaleshwar and Pune road next to the forest Bungalow of Lingmala. These are a pair of beautiful cascades on the same spot. One of which is six hundred feet high and the smaller one is only thirty minutes away by walk.

Mumbai

The next destination on the itinerary of the Mahabaleshwar Package is the City of Dreams -Mumbai.Mumbai formerly known as Bombay is located on the west coast of India. It is a commercial capital besides also being a prominent port city of the country. The land of Bollywood stars is known for many places to visit the first and foremost being Marine Drive. Marine Drive is an iconic landmark which signifies the glitz, glamour and glitter of the city. The drive is an arc-shaped boulevard which is 3.6 kilometres long beside the South Mumbai coast that starts at the southern end of Nariman Point to Girgaum Chowpatty or the famous Chowpatty beach. The curve of the coastline is covered with palm trees making a spectacular view at night. Elephanta Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a great example of rock-cut architecture and art dating back to the times of medieval India. It happens to be an island situated at a distance of eleven kilometres from Mumbai. Tourists can reach the caves by a ferry ride from Gateway of India. There are two groups of caves -Hindu caves and Buddhist caves Juhu Beach is the most famous beach in Mumbai which is located close to Andheri and is renowned for its variety of street food with rich Mumbai flavours from sweet to sour. You can visit the ISKCON temple which is only a few metres away from the beach. Gateway of India was built in 1924 and has become a popular tourist spot to visit as it is located at the Apollo Bunder Waterfront which overlooks the Arabian Sea. The monument is made of yellow basalt and concrete and is adorned with Hindu and Muslim motifs. Hanging Gardens opposite Kamla Nehru park has manicured bushes which are shaped like various animals and are an ideal place for a stroll, jogging and yoga. The flower clock in the garden is a major attraction for visitors. Shopaholics can have fun at the Colaba Causeway. It is one of the most electrifying places to visit in Mumbai and has endless shops  roadside vendors, and glamorous boutiques to choose from. The Colaba Causeway acts as a link between Colaba and the Old Woman’s Island. Visit and enjoy rides at Essel World which is located on the edge of the northern suburbs of Gorai. Essel World is a favourite water and adventure park and covers an area of sixty-four acres with eleven adventurous rides, one horror ride named Monster in the Mist is a mere five-minute ride to spook you. Water Kingdom is the counterpart of Essel World with waterslides, a wave pool, fountains and a lagoon. The National Museum of Indian Cinema is a unique museum which features the history of Indian Cinema through memorabilia,  cameras, equipment and recordings and is divided into two buildings. New Museum building and the Gulshan Mahal on Peddar road. There are handmade posters of iconic films from the silent era of movies to the influence of WW on cinema and more.

Matheran

Matheran located near Mumbai is a hill station known for its well-preserved colonial architectural wonders and mild climate. The best part about visiting Matheran is no vehicles are allowed to enter as visitors have to take a ride on a narrow gauge toy train dating back to 1907 called the Neral- Matheran. There are many Parsi bungalows in the area and the roads are made of red laterite. The places of interest include two lakes, two parks four places of worship and a race course. The hill station has two forts namely Prabalgad and Pebkilla. Also grab your Matheran Tour Package now and get exciting feals. The Vikatagad fort is a trekking destination connected to the hill hosting Matheran. Louisa Point is the well-known viewpoint in Mathern which offers two different views from the top. One encompasses the mountains touching the sky and the other has a mesmerising view of the valley below with the Charlotte lake appearing like a diamond necklace. A visit on a clear day you can enjoy sighting the ruins of Prabal and Vishalgad fort. The best time to visit Louisa point is at sunset as it is easily accessible by foot from the main market located at a distance of one and a half kilometres away. Charlotte lake or Sharlott lake is a retreat for those who are looking for peaceful and relaxing times. It is a perfect spot for camping, picnics as well as bird watching. Pisharnath Mahadev temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is a unique temple with a tilted Linga and is besmirched in vermillion. Charlotte Lake at sunrise and sunset is a beauty with a scenic view of Louisa Point and Echo Point. The origin of the lake is a dam which overflows in the rains and gives rise to a little cascading waterfall. Monkey point is where you can spot different species of langurs and monkeys as it overlooks the scenery of beautiful mountains and gorges. As you face Hart cliff you can experience echoing if you shout your name towards the mountains. Shivaji’s Ladder is a pathway from the One tree hill viewpoint encompassed with green forests making it a fun place for trekking. Panorama Point presents a 360-degree view of the Western ghats and the plains laced with villages. A great spot for adventure seekers and selfie clickers. One tree hill point showcases an unobstructed view of deep valleys and forests that encompass the quaint hill station of Mathern. Neral Mathern Toy Train is a heritage railway which connects Neral to Matheran via a twenty-one-kilometre-long railway line. Prabal Fort also called Kalavantin Durg is located between Mathern and Panvel and is a perfect spot for trekkers at an astounding height of 2,300 feet in the Western ghats. The trek begins from the base village of Shedung and takes around three hours to complete as you ascend the rock-cut stairs on a steep slope. Once you reach the top all tiredness evaporates as you get ready to reach for the skies. Surrounded by natural landscapes of the Western Ghats and also a popular trekking destination is the Vikatgad Peb Fort which is named after Goddess Pebi Devi.

Ratnagiri

The port town of Ratnagiri in western India overlooks the Arabian Sea and Ratnadurg Fort. It is known for the Bhagwati temple and a lighthouse. Ratnagiri is the birthplace of the famous freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak. Ratnagiri is known for its Alphonso mangoes, pristine beaches and Konkani food. It is well endowed with beautiful rivers, hot water springs dense forests and waterfalls. A dream come true destination for travellers with a magnificent view of the Sahyadri range. Jaigad Fort in Ratnagiri also called the Fort of Victory is located near the Jaigad village and covers an area of thirteen acres. The fort stands tall at 250 feet above sea level and was constructed quite close to the seashore. The fort is surrounded by a moat

Stretching from the northern and eastern sides. The palace of Kanhoji Angre lies amidst the ruins of the fort along the temples of Lord Ganesha and Hanuman. Swayambhu Ganpati Temple is a four-hundred-year-old Ganesh temple. The temple is made of white sand of pule and is regarded as a self-created monolith of Lord Ganesh which came into being 1600 years ago. Jaigad Lighthouse is located on one of the parapet on the western edge of the Jaigad fort. The lighthouse offers panoramic views of the area as it is perched on top of a hill. Ganapatipule Beach is a rocky beach with white silver sand and is famous for the lagoon which it houses. Thrill seekers can try balancing a kayak. Mango and Cashew trees can be seen along the beach resulting in scenic views. Thibaw Point is located on the periphery of the hill the Thibaw point which provides an alluring view of the sunset at the Arabian sea which is a point of attraction for many picnic goers. Pandre beach is a stretch of white sand and is often referred to as White beach. The beach has palm groves in the background and crystal clear waters to take a swim. Malgund is the village of the famous Marathi poet Kavi Keshavsoot where his village house has been transformed into a students’ hostel and is even open for visits. It also houses a memorial dedicated to the poet which was built by the Marathi Sahithya Parishad. Ratanadurg fort is encircled by the Arabian Sea from three sides is a horseshoe-shaped structure which is one thousand feet wide and thirteen hundred metres long covering an area of 120 acres was under the tight reign of the Marathas but was later occupied by the Mughalas. Velneshwar is located at a distance of thirty-five kilometres from Ganapatipule a village which is known for its rock-free beach. It is also known for its temple which is in reverence to Lord Shiva gets thronged by devotees near Mahashivratri. Bhatye Beach is the biggest town in Konkan and the immediate suburbs of Ratnagiri with beautiful white sand and water with a tinge of blue making it an ideal spot for water sports activities.

Panchgani

Located in the southeast of Mumbai in the state of Maharastra is the hill station of Panchgani. Panchgani is known for Table Land which is a volcanic plateau. Parsi point and Sydney point offer views of Dhom Dam Lake and Kamalgad fort which was used as a prison by the British in the 19th century. Rajpuri Caves are encompassed by sacred ponds and have temples dedicated to the Hindu God Lord Kartikeya. The hill station is situated at an altitude of 4242 ft and is famous for its natural beauty that attracts tourists from different parts of the world. Kaas Plateau is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is known for its natural bounty of lakes, flowers and butterflies. The plateau is a biodiversity point situated located at an altitude of 1200 metres. During the monsoons, Kaas transforms into a valley of flowers. To protect the unblemished location the number of visitors is contained a three thousand per day. Table Land is a plateau which is the highest point of Panchgani with a height of 4500 feet above sea level making it the second longest mountain plateau in Asia. It has an alluring view of deep valleys and magnificent hills. The best time to visit the plateau is during sunrise and sunset. Table Land is known for activities like trekking, horse riding, mini trains and merry-go-rounds. The rock at the bottom of the plateau is decked with foliage of bluebonnet grass. Kate’s Point is a popular viewpoint which is located fifteen kilometres outside Panchgani en route to Mahabaleshwar. The rock overseeing the Krishna Valley is flocked by tourists. It gives a great view of the valley and the waters of Dhom Dam and Balakwadi. Kate’s Point was christened after the British Governor Sir Malcolm’s daughter. This picturesque spot is often featured on the cover page of many travel magazines and brochures. Sydney point is a quaint spot at the top of the highland right at the start of Panchgani as you enter from Wai’s side. It offers a beautiful view of the Krishna valley, Kamalgad fort and the city of Wai. The hillock is named after Sir Sidney Beckwarth who was a member of the council in 1830. Looking for some inspiration it is the best place to get creative as you get a chance to ponder over in tranquil surroundings. Devrai Art Village is an art village located near Panchgani. A non-profit initiative which connects you with nature and celebrates creativity. A group of highly talented and skilled Adivasi craftsmen and artists from areas of Gadchiroli and Chattisgarh find safe refuge from Naxalites and earn their livelihood. Rajpuri Caves as the tales go by says that Pandavas found shelter during their exile here. As the caves are surrounded by many kunds or holy ponds which as it is believed get water from the holy Ganges and cure all kinds of illnesses. Parsi Point is located on the way to Mahabaleshwar and is surrounded by lush green mountains and magnificent views of the Dhom Dam.

Lonavala

Lonavala Tour Packages is your visa to visit this hill station which is surrounded by green valleys in western India near Mumbai. Lonavala is famous for its Karla and Bhaja Caves which are Buddhist shrines carved out of rocks with lofty pillars and minute sculptures. On  the west side lies the infamous Bhushi Dam where water flows over a set of steps during monsoons. It is many times referred to as the Jewel of the Sahyadri and City of Caves. Tiger’s Leap is a prime tourist location which is located at a height of 650 metres above sea level is a vantage point and the shape resembles a tiger taking a leap into the valley. The viewpoint is located eight kilometres from Lonavala showcasing a stunning view of sunrise and sunset, especially on clear days. The echo point is another major point of interest at the attraction. Rajmachi Fort is situated between Lonavala and Khandala and is a prominent landmark which overlooks mind-boggling sceneries of the area. On the base of the fort is the village of Udhwedi which is the other name for the village of Rajmachi. It has seen a change of power from Shivaji Maharaj to Aurangzeb and finally, the reigns went to the British. The fort is famous among trekkers and begins from Kondhane caves and takes around three to four hours to climb. For non-adventurous visitors, they can take a drive to Udhwedi village from Lonavala followed by a trek of twenty to thirty minutes. Aamby Valley is a township which is twenty-four kilometres from Lonavala in the district of Pune. The township is often visited for picnics as a weekend getaway. It has three massive artificial lakes with green forests and adventure sports to enjoy. If you want peace of mind you can also extend your stay by reserving a hotel or villa according to your requirement. Imagica Adlabs is an entertainment park which is located on the Mumbai and Pune Expressway near Khopoli and has three entertainment zones-Water park, Snow Park, and Theme park. It is the brainchild of Adlabs Entertainment which is owned by Manmohan Shetty. The rides at the water park include LoopyWhoopy is a vertical drop which slides down into a tunnel. Zip Zap Zoom is a ride by aqua tubes. Splash is an open water slide and Boomeranggo is where you feel weightlessness. Lonavala Lake is situated on the outskirts of Lonavala and gets sourced by the Inrayani River and is a popular picnic spot during monsoon with activities like angling, bird watching and swimming. Karla Caves are Buddhist rock-cut caves that house the biggest Chaityas or prayer halls with a stupa in India. They are mainly known for the Ekvira Temple located inside. Bhaja Caves are a collection of twenty-two rock-cut Buddhist caves near Pune and house a group of fourteen majestic stupas. Bushi Dam is the masonry dam on the Indrayani river and one of the famous places to visit in Lonavala. Sunil’s Celebrity wax museum is a popular tourist spot to visit and see wax sculptures of celebrities like Kapil Dev, Michael Jackson and AR Rahman is developed quite similar to the Madame Tussauds wax museum.