Maharashtra

Explore some  Maharashtra extra ordinary tourism packages

• Family Trip to Maharashtra
• Maharashtra Jungle Trip
• Maharashtra Camping Trip
• Maharashtra Adventure Trip
• Maharashtra Monsoon Trip
• Maharashtra Summer Trip
• Maharashtra Winter Trip
• Maharashtra Weekend Trip
• Maharashtra Budget Trip

You can contact us to prepare a detailed plan for your visit. India Awaits offers customized trip plans with experienced guides in Maharashtra. Our tour guides introduce all the gems of diversity present in the region as per your preferences. 

Best Tourist Places to Visit on a Maharashtra Tour

As we have already mentioned diverse aspects of a trip to Maharashtra, let’s introduce you to the places. No matter your age or liking, the state has something for you all. From beaches and mountains to world-class shopping destinations, Here are the best tourist places to visit on the Maharashtra tour. 

Mumbai : Mumbai is the most lively city in the country and no other Indian city comes close to it. The history, culture, food, and entertainment options here are endless. It also has a very vibrant nightlife that is safe for tourists. The world-famous Hindi film industry popularly known as Bollywood is based out of Mumbai.

Gateway of India is an iconic place to visit in the city. It was constructed to welcome George V in 1924 for his coronation. The gateway is by the beach overlooking the Arabian Sea. Other attractions in Mumbai include the Marine Drive where the sea is on one side of the city's bustling skyscrapers on the other. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus is an old railway station and an architectural marvel.

Mahabaleshwar : Mahabaleshwar is a scenic hill station in the Sahyadri mountain range of western ghats. It has picturesque viewpoints, waterfalls, and enchanting hills to spend a perfect getaway far from a city. The place also has a historical Mahabaleshwar temple dedicated to lord Shiva. The Arthur’s seat is the highest point that offers a panoramic view of the surrounding hills and valleys. Other viewpoints include the Lodwick Point and the Elephant’s Head Point. Tourists can also take a boat ride or spend their evening by the Venna Lake.

Ajanta Caves : Ajanta Caves complex is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the best trip places in Maharashtra. These are Buddhist caves that date back to the 2nd century BCE to the 5th Century CE. The most amazing thing about the caves is that they are rock-cut with find works of Buddhist religious art. The construction of the caves took place in two phases, including monasteries and praying halls. The intricate carvings on walls, the sculptors, and the paintings of Ajanta caves are the finest examples of Ancient Indian art.

Ellora Caves : Ellora Caves are around 100km away from Ajanta Caves situated in the same district (Aurangabad). The caves are groups of around 100 rock-cut caves that include monasteries and temples. Out of these, 34 are open to the public. The Ellora caves were declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. Unlike the Ajanta caves, these caves have a mix of construction from Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain religions. Other than the impressive monolithic architecture, the caves represent the religious harmony in ancient India.

Lonavala : Another beautiful hill station that lies between Mumbai and Pune City of Maharastra. Lonavala has lush green valleys of the Sahyadri mountains with waterfalls and lakes in between. The Tungarli Lake is a beautiful destination that sees tourists from Mumbai and Pune during the weekends. The popular hill station Khandala is also only 2-3 kilometers away from Lonavala. Some other nearby attractions include the Karla Caves, Bhaja Caves, and the historic Rajmachi Fort.

Shirdi : Shirdi is a cultural city with a holy place for pilgrims across India. It is popular as the former home of the spiritual saint Sai Baba. The shrine and the Sai temple attract thousands of believers every year from India and abroad. Dwarkamai mosque was the home of the Baba. To learn about the teachings and life of the Sai Baba, one can visit the Dixit Wada Museum. The local market of Shirdi is a fine place to shop for effigies and local handicrafts.

Panchgani : Another beauty of a town hidden in the Sahyadri mountain range. Panchgani is a hill station near Mahabaleshwar for a relaxing getaway. The highest viewpoint of Panchgani is the Table Land which is a plateau. It gets magical during the monsoon season with greenery and a small lake on the land. From the Sydney Point, tourists get scenic views of Krishna Valley and Dhom Dam’s water. While in Panchgani, you can also take a tour of Mapro Garden in the Gureghar village. It is run by a private company that produces strawberries on a very large scale in the region.

Aurangabad : The Aurangabad city of Maharashtra has historical and geographical treasures for tourists. The city was once the capital of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The Mughals constructed 52 gates around the city during that time. Out of those 13 have survived. Aurangabad also has Buddhist caves - Stupa and Chaitya. The construction of these caves dates back to the 1st century and showcases the Indian rock-cut architecture through various sculptors. The Bibi-Ka-Maqbara is another tourist attraction which is the tomb of Aurangzeb’s wife Dilras Banu Begum. It was constructed by their son Azam Shah.

Nashik : Nashik holds great significance in Indian mythology as a place called Panchvati. Lord Rama spent his years in exile here. The Nasik Caves of the Trirashmi Leni are popular Buddhist caves with ancient Indian rock-cut architecture. The nearby attractions in Nashik include the Trimbakeshwar and Saptashrungi temple. Nashik is also called ‘the wine capital of India’ due to the presence of various vineyards in the region. You can take tours of these vineyards and wineries here, Sula Vineyards being the prominent one. 

Ganpatipule : Ganpatipule is a coastal town with small hills and serene beaches. The Ganpatipule temple in the town makes it a place of pilgrimage for nearby areas. But it is also a sought-after tourist destination for a soothing getaway. The sandy beaches such as Ganpatipule Beach, Aare Ware Beach, and Malgund Beach are great places for walks and leisure. There are many hotels and resorts in the area to spend some time away from the hustle of cities. The historic Jaigad Fort is only 20 km away from Ganpatipule. 

Pune : Pune is another vibrant city of Maharashtra with modernity like Mumbai and peace like Lonavala. It is the second-largest city in the state and possesses a mix of history, culture, and nature. There are numerous forts and palaces in the city constructed during the reign of the Maratha Empire. Shanivar Wada is a historic fort with Maratha Architecture that constitutes intricate carvings. Some other prominent places in Pune are - Aga Khan Palace, Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum, Laal Mahal, Pataleshwar Cave Temple, and the Pune-Okayama Garden. Around 50 km to the northwest and 50 km to the southwest are the Lohagad and Sinhagad forts respectively. 

Ratnagiri : Ratnagiri is a coastal city popular for the sweet Alphonso mangoes. The city has many historic places such as forts and temples along with breezy beaches. The Ratnadurg Fort stands at a hilltop overlooking the Arabian Sea. The Bhagwati temple inside the fort also makes it a tourist attraction for pilgrims. Other important places include Mandavi Beach, Bhatye Beach, and the Thiba Palace which was the home of an exiled Burmese king. Ganpatipule, a coastal town we discussed about is also only 25 km from Ratnagiri. 

Tadoba National Park : Tadoba National Park or Tadoba Andhari Reserve is the largest national park in Maharashtra. This is an ideal destination to enjoy a wildlife safari and spot a diverse range of birds and animals. The Tadoba Lake amidst the wilderness is home to around 200 bird species. Some notable attractions are the mottled wood owl, white-eyed buzzard, Indian pitta, lapwings, paradise flycatcher, Indian roller, and Indian nightjar. In animals, one can spot Indian leopards, civets, jungle cats, sloth bears, honey badgers, nilgai, etc.

Igatpuri : Another serene hill station in Maharashtra. The town’s beauty is visible as soon as you reach the local railway station. Igatpuri is a special place for trekkers and hikers from Mumbai and other cities of Maharashtra. You can reach the highest peaks of the Sahyadri mountain range from the trekking points. Igatpuri is also popular for its vipassana meditation center. The Bhatsa river valley is a heavenly place that gets a place in many Hindi and Marathi film shootings. Other special places in and near Igatpuri are Myanmar Gate Pagoda, Tringalwadi Fort, and Arthur Lake. 

Matheran : Matheran is a small but delightful hill station that is around 85 km from Mumbai. It is a vehicle-free town where you can only walk on foot or through an e-ricksha. You can walk to viewpoints such as Echo Point, Louisa Point, and One Tree Hill Point for mind-blowing views. These views include nearby villages, hills, valleys, sunsets, and waterfalls. The Charlotte Lake in Matheran comes alive during monsoon as a water reservoir. It is a very eco-friendly town, so you must be ready to make many adjustments while staying here.

Kolhapur : Kolhapur is a colorful city with a blend of rich history, temples, old town serenity, hills, and great cuisine. It is situated in the southern-west part of Maharashtra in the Western Ghats. In pre-independent India, this was a separate state with its king. You can take a glance at its history by visiting the Kolhapur Palace. The Mahalakshmi temple and the Jyotiba temple are also prominent pilgrimage places. One of the best places in the city is Rankala Lake. You can enjoy evening walks here and go on a boat ride during the day.