India · Private & Tailored Tour
Deccan Foothills, Faith & Rock-Cut Corridor
Pune · Ranjangaon · Shirdi · Shani Shingnapur · Aurangabad · Ajanta · Ellora · Pune / Aurangabad
Duration
3 Nights / 4 Days
Destinations
Pune, Ranjangaon, Shirdi, Shani Shingnapur, Aurangabad, Ajanta, Ellora, Pune / Aurangabad
Travel Style
Private & Tailored Tour
Covering
1 Country · 8 Cities
Overview
Deccan Foothills, Faith & Rock-Cut Corridor
Connect Maharashtra’s cultural capital, sacred pilgrimage shrines, and UNESCO-listed rock art on this four-day circuit starting from Pune. The journey departs the Sahyadri foothills, pausing first at the revered Ashtavinayak temple of Mahaganapati in Ranjangaon before arriving in the holy township of Shirdi for Darshan at the Samadhi Mandir of Jagadguru Sai Baba.
Advancing northeast across the Godavari plains via the open-air black-stone shrine of Shani Shingnapur, the tour enters Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad). Spend two comprehensive days exploring the ancient rock-cut masterpieces of Maharashtra: first ascending the curving Waghora river gorge to examine the classical Buddhist frescoes of Ajanta, followed by an exploration of the monolithic Kailasa Temple at Ellora, the 12th Jyotirlinga at Grishneshwar, and the impregnable medieval ramparts of Daulatabad Fort before concluding the tour.
Highlights
What You Will Experience
- Ashtavinayak Blessings: Seek early morning blessings at Ranjangaon Mahaganapati Temple.
- Shirdi Sai Pilgrimage: Attend devotional prayers at the Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir, Dwarkamai, and Chavadi.
- Shani Shingnapur Darshan: Visit the self-manifested deity in India’s famed doorless village.
- Ajanta Murals & Chaityas: Discover 30 rock-cut Buddhist sanctuaries featuring narrative Jataka paintings and the colossal 26-foot Reclining Buddha.
- Monolithic Kailasa Wonder: Marvel at Cave 16 in Ellora, carved top-to-bottom from a single basalt cliff.
- Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga: Visit the ornate red-stone sanctum of the 12th holy Jyotirlinga.
- Daulatabad Hill Bastion: Climb the medieval citadel to explore the Chand Minar and the dark, defensive Andhari passage.
- Mughal Deccan Taj: Tour the gardens and white domes of Bibi Ka Maqbara.
The Route
Your Journey
Pune · Ranjangaon · Shirdi · Shani Shingnapur · Aurangabad · Ajanta · Ellora · Pune / Aurangabad
Itinerary
Day by Day
Day 01 – Pune to Shirdi via Ranjangaon Mahaganapati
Morning pickup from Pune (Airport, Railway Station, or residence) by your private air-conditioned vehicle.
Depart Pune along the Ahmednagar Highway, stopping en route at Ranjangaon to visit the sacred Mahaganapati Temple, one of the eight revered Ashtavinayak shrines.
Continue the drive toward Shirdi (total distance approx. 200 km / 4.5 to 5 hours).
Upon arrival in Shirdi, check in to your hotel and freshen up.
In the afternoon, visit the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple Complex for Darshan at the Samadhi Mandir.
Walk through Dwarkamai (home to the sacred perpetual Dhuni fire), the historic Chavadi, and the Gurusthan neem tree.
In the evening, attend the devotional Dhoop or Shej Aarti at the shrine.
Overnight: Shirdi
Meals: As per plan
Day 02 – Shirdi to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) via Shani Shingnapur
Following breakfast at the hotel, complete check-out formalities.
Depart Shirdi for Shani Shingnapur (approx. 70 km / 1.5 hours), celebrated for its faith traditions where homes have no doors, to offer prayers at the open-air shrine of Lord Shani.
Continue the drive to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) (approx. 80 km / 2 hours).
Check in to your hotel and take time to freshen up.
In the afternoon, visit Bibi Ka Maqbara, the 17th-century Mughal mausoleum commissioned by Prince Azam Shah, featuring Charbagh gardens and marble screens.
Stop at a local handicraft cooperative to observe traditional Himroo fabric and Paithani silk loom work.
Evening at leisure.
Overnight: Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad)
Meals: As per plan
Day 03 – Excursion to Ajanta Caves
Enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel.
Set out on a scenic excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ajanta Caves, covering approximately 105 km (approx. 2.5 hours).
Board the eco-friendly shuttle bus from the transport terminus to the base of the horseshoe-shaped Waghora River gorge.
Spend the morning and early afternoon touring the rock-cut Buddhist chaitya halls and viharas.
Inspect ancient Buddhist tempera wall murals in Caves 1 and 2, early Hinayana sanctuaries in Caves 9 and 10, and the sculptured Mahaparinirvana figure in Cave 26.
Make a short halt at the Ajanta Viewpoint across the ravine for sweeping vistas of the entire crescent cliff.
Return by road to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) in the late afternoon.
Spend the evening relaxing at your hotel.
(Note: Ajanta Caves remain closed on Mondays.)
Overnight: Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad)
Meals: As per plan
Day 04 – Ellora Caves, Grishneshwar, Daulatabad Fort & Return / Departure
Following breakfast, check out from the hotel.
Drive to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ellora Caves (approx. 30 km / 45 minutes).
Explore Cave 16 (Kailasa Temple), an architectural masterpiece excavated top-down from a single basalt cliff face, alongside neighboring Buddhist and Jain sanctuaries.
Visit the adjacent Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, the 12th holy Jyotirlinga dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Tour the clifftop ramparts of Daulatabad Fort (Devagiri); walk through the defensive moat, admire the 14th-century Chand Minar, and navigate the labyrinthine Andhari passage.
In the afternoon, commence your onward journey:
Transfer directly to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) Airport / Railway Station for departure, OR
Board your private vehicle for the return drive back to Pune (approx. 235 km / 5 hours via Ahmednagar).
(Note: Ellora Caves remain closed on Tuesdays.)
Meals: As per plan
Stays & Travel
Accommodation & Transport
Where You Stay
- Shirdi – 1 night
- Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) – 2 nights
Your Tour
What Is Included
Included
- Assistance & Transfers: Meeting and assistance upon arrival in Pune and departure at Pune / Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad).
- Accommodation: Accommodation in verified hotels on a double-sharing basis for 03 nights (01 Night in Shirdi, 02 Nights in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar).
- Taxes & Policies: Currently applicable government hotel taxes, with standard check-in at 14:00 hrs and check-out at 12:00 hrs.
- Guide Services: English/Hindi-speaking approved local guide during cave and monument visits in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad).
- Monument Entries: Single-entry monument tickets to Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Daulatabad Fort, and Bibi Ka Maqbara.
- Private Transport: Transportation by private air-conditioned vehicle as per group size:
02 Pax: AC Sedan (Maruti Dzire / Honda Amaze)
03–05 Pax: AC SUV (Toyota Innova / Crysta)
06–12 Pax: AC Tempo Traveller - Logistics & Road Expenses: Driver allowance, toll taxes, inter-district permits, and parking charges.
- Special Transit: Shuttle bus transit between the Ajanta parking depot and cave gates.
Not Included
- GST (5%) and any newly applicable government taxes.
- Airfare, rail fare, travel insurance, or personal emergency expenses.
- VIP / Special Darshan entry tickets at Shirdi or Grishneshwar.
- Early check-in and late check-out at hotels.
- Video camera and professional photography fees at monuments.
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, room service, alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages, and tips.
- Any additional sightseeing, detour, or meal not specified under the itinerary.
- Expenses resulting from unforeseen flight/train delays, strikes, road closures, or natural calamities.
Before You Go
Good to Know
Essential Information
Starts from: Pune
Booking Terms
Cancellation Policy
Read the cancellation policy
- Cancellation requests must be submitted in writing.
- Cancellation charges will apply in accordance with the terms of hotels, transport operators, and service providers.
- Advance token payments and non-refundable hotel allocations are non-refundable.
- No refund will be granted for missed visits, unavailed services, or voluntary cancellations after commencement of the tour.
- Any additional costs arising from itinerary modifications requested by the traveler will be payable by the traveler.
- The prevailing cancellation policy applicable at the time of final booking confirmation will apply.
Our standard booking terms and website disclaimer: Terms & Conditions.
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Plan Your Deccan Foothills, Faith & Rock-Cut Corridor Holiday
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