LUXURY MAHARASHTRA TOUR

MUMBAI is a dizzying sensory overlord of wonders that is hard to describe in words. India’s “Maximum City” is where dreams are chased and fortunes made and lost.

 Begin your tour of Mumbai with an attendance at its most famous landmark the Gateway of India followed by the 1878 Italian-Gothic styled Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (railway station) renowned for its grandeur.

Pay respect at the Shree Siddhivinayak Temple and Global Vipassana Pagoda. Watch the workers at work at the open-air laundry, Mahalakshmi Dhobi Ghat.

Explore the hip streets of the Bandra neighborhood with its graffiti, wall paintings and Bollywood-inspired art. And, munch on delectable snacks and Chai at the heritage Iranian Cafes of the Zoroastrian community.

Built as a homage to LORD SHIVA in the 5th century AD, the Elephant Caves Site are collection of rock-art cave temples located in an ancient “City of Caves” on the island of Gharapuri (Elephanta islands) off the coast of Mumbai. The site draws a large number of tourists and enthusiasts of archelogy and rock art.

A day trip to this once-bustling settlement in the Arabian Sea is a must-do activity.

Located 100 miles north of Mumbai, the Nashik region on the banks of the Godavari is known as the “Wine Capital of India.”

Some 30 wineries located in Nashik offer tours, tasting and sizeable discounts on the finest wines produced in India. You need to spare time for a visit to this wine land.

The UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Ajanta and Ellora located 60 miles apart from each other in the district of Aurangabad are one of India’s top archaeological attractions.

Comprising a total of 34 caves containing rock statues and carvings going back to the 2nd century BC (Ajanta) and 6-11th Century AD (Ellora), these sites contain Buddhist, Hindu and Jain sculpting and rock-art influences which suggest that the eras they were built it was marked by peaceful coexistence and mutual respect.

The erstwhile summer capital of the Bombay Presidency of the British Raj, the small town of Mahabaleshwar in the Western Ghats is famous for its strawberry and production of other berries like raspberry, mulberry and gooseberries.

As a hill station, it attracts a large number of tourists in the hot months and is an important pilgrimage site due to it being the origin of the holy Krishna River.

THE TADOBA ANDHARI TIGER RESERVE in Chandrapur is named after the god of the Tadoba indigenous tribe who lives in these parts. The tribe believes that the god resides in the dense intimidating foliage of the 577 sq. km region which is now a National Reserve.

The Tadoba is home to some 88 documented Bengal Tigers, and other exotic creatures like Indian Leopards, Indian Wild Dogs (Dhule), honey badgers, Sambar Stags, Gaur (Indian Bisons) and many endangered reptiles like Indian Cobras and Russell Vipers.

A privately planned city and hill station modeled after the Italian town of Portofino, Lavasa near Pune offers a much-needed lakeside escape for a serene mountainous holiday.

The misty mountains of Lonavala and Khandala are two of Maharashtra’s favorite hill stations in the Western Ghats.

They are known for their idyllic lush green hilly terrain, serenity and calm. Lonavala and Khandala are ideal getaways from the hustle and bustle of the chaos in the metropolitans.

Also known as Poona, the Pune Division located in the Deccan Plateau is one of the largest hubs of IT in India and gets its moniker “Oxford of the East” due to its state-of-the-art educational institutions which are the pride of India.

 As a center of the Rashtratuka dynasty, Ahmadnagar Sultanate, the Mughal Empire and the Adil Shahi dynasty, Pune is also known for its historical legacy, temples and important landmarks like the Bajirao Peshwa Headquarter Shaniwar Wada, the Agha Palace, Shivneri Fort and National Film Archives museums.

Also known as Alibag, the coastal town of Alibaug in Raigad district 60 miles from Mumbai with its famous Colaba Fort and beautiful shoreline is a picturesque seaside retreat. Jews fleeing the Roman Empire settled down here 2000 years ago and traces of many synagogues and settlements can be found here.