Things to Do in Maharashtra: Experiences Worth Planning Around

The experiences most worth planning around in Maharashtra are the Ajanta and Ellora caves, a tiger safari at Tadoba, Mumbai's heritage and food, the Western Ghats in the monsoon, and the beaches and sea forts of the Konkan coast. With a week, combine Mumbai, Ajanta and Ellora, and either the hills or Tadoba.

Maharashtra stretches from the coast to central India, with experiences for every interest. This guide groups 18 experiences by place and type and explains who each one suits, so you can build a balanced trip. Pair it with our 7-day Maharashtra itinerary and cost guide.

At a glance

Mumbai

1. The Gateway of India and Colaba. The waterfront arch and the Taj hotel area.

2. Elephanta Caves. Rock-cut Shiva temples on an island, by ferry.

3. CSMT and the Fort district. Victorian Gothic and Art Deco architecture, UNESCO-listed.

4. Marine Drive at sunset. The Queen's Necklace curve along the sea.

5. A street-food walk. Vada pav, pav bhaji and bhel puri at Chowpatty and beyond.

Ajanta and Ellora

6. Ajanta. Buddhist caves with ancient paintings, in a horseshoe gorge.

7. Ellora. Buddhist, Hindu and Jain caves, including the monolithic Kailasa temple.

8. Daulatabad Fort and Bibi Ka Maqbara. A hill fort and a Mughal tomb modelled on the Taj Mahal.

The Western Ghats

9. Lonavala and Khandala. Hills, waterfalls and caves at Karla and Bhaja.

10. Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani. Strawberry farms, viewpoints and Pratapgad Fort.

11. Matheran. A car-free hill station with a toy train.

12. Malshej Ghat. Waterfalls and mist in the monsoon.

Wildlife

13. Tadoba. Tiger safaris in teak forests near Chandrapur.

14. Pench (Maharashtra side). Forests near Nagpur, shared with Madhya Pradesh.

The Konkan coast

15. Alibaug and Murud-Janjira. Beaches and a sea fort, reached by ferry from Mumbai.

16. Ganpatipule and Ratnagiri. A seaside temple and quiet beaches.

17. Tarkarli and Sindhudurg. Clear water for snorkelling and a sea fort.

18. Nashik vineyards. Wine estates and tastings near Nashik.

Visiting Ajanta

Ajanta's caves are cut into a horseshoe-shaped cliff above the Waghur river. Buses take visitors from the parking area to the site. The painted caves, such as 1, 2, 16 and 17, hold some of the finest surviving ancient Indian murals, and lighting is kept low to protect them. Steps lead between caves, and palanquins are available for those who need them. Allow most of a day, including the drive.

Visiting Ellora

Ellora's 34 caves span Buddhist, Hindu and Jain traditions. The Kailasa temple, carved from a single rock from the top down, is the highlight. Ellora is about 30 kilometres from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and easier on the feet than Ajanta. Combine it with Daulatabad Fort and the Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga temple nearby.

Planning a Tadoba safari

Tadoba has core and buffer zones with several gates, such as Moharli and Kolara. Permits are booked through the official Tadoba booking site, with gypsies and guides charged separately. Plan at least three or four drives; April and May bring good sightings near waterholes.

More of Mumbai

Beyond the classic sights, Mumbai has the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya museum, the dabbawalas at work, Dharavi's small industries on responsible tours, the Banganga tank and the Haji Ali dargah. The city's Art Deco buildings along Marine Drive form one of the world's largest collections.

Forts

Maharashtra has hundreds of forts linked to Shivaji Maharaj, including Raigad, Sinhagad, Pratapgad, Lohagad and the sea forts of Sindhudurg and Murud-Janjira. Many involve climbs, so wear good shoes.

Visiting Elephanta

Ferries to Elephanta Island leave from the Gateway of India and take about an hour. A short climb, with an optional toy train, leads to the rock-cut caves, including the great three-headed Shiva sculpture. The site is usually closed on Mondays.

Nashik and Shirdi

Nashik, on the Godavari, is known for its ghats, the Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga and the vineyards that have made it India's wine capital. Shirdi, about two hours away, draws pilgrims to the Sai Baba temple. Both are busy on festival days and weekends.

Treks and nature

The Sahyadri hills offer short treks to forts such as Rajmachi, Harishchandragad and Kalsubai, Maharashtra's highest peak. Bhandardara, Igatpuri and Amboli are green escapes in the monsoon. Hire local guides for monsoon treks, as paths become slippery.

Pune and around

Pune, about three hours from Mumbai, has the Aga Khan Palace, Shaniwar Wada and a lively food scene. It is the base for Sinhagad Fort, the Lavasa and Mulshi lakes, and the hills of Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani. Pune suits travellers combining culture with the hills.

More of the Konkan coast

The Konkan coast is Maharashtra's quiet seaside, with long beaches, coconut groves and Malvani food. Tarkarli has clear water for snorkelling and scuba, Ganpatipule a temple on the beach, and Murud the island fort of Janjira. Homestays make it good value, and the Konkan Railway reaches most towns.

Food experiences

Mumbai's street food, Kolhapuri thalis, Malvani curries, misal pav, puran poli and Nashik grapes are highlights. Vegetarian and Jain food is easy, especially in Mumbai and Pune.

Monsoon experiences

From June to September, the Western Ghats turn green with waterfalls at Malshej, Igatpuri, Lonavala and Bhandardara. Roads are slow, and some treks are risky, so go with local guides.

Festivals

Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai and Pune, Gudi Padwa and Diwali are colourful. Ganesh Chaturthi brings huge crowds and processions.

When to go

October to March suits caves, forts and wildlife; the monsoon suits the hills.

What you can safely skip

You do not need every hill station. Choose one, such as Mahabaleshwar or Lonavala.

Getting between experiences

Flights and trains to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Nagpur, the Mumbai–Pune Expressway and the Konkan Railway make travel easy.

Free and low-cost experiences

Marine Drive, Chowpatty, heritage walks and beaches cost little.

Best views

The Kailasa temple from above, Marine Drive at night and the Ghats in the monsoon.

How to choose

Our Timeless Wonders of Maharashtra includes Ajanta and Ellora, and our Oleander Farms babymoon is a calm stay near Mumbai.

For families and parents

Children enjoy safaris and toy trains; parents may prefer palanquins at Ajanta and shorter drives.

For couples

Couples often favour Mahabaleshwar, a Konkan beach and Nashik vineyards.

Practical tips

Carry water at the caves, dress modestly at temples and avoid weekend crowds in the hills. Read our planning guide for more.

A BagPackerMe planner can choose and plan these experiences privately, with one named planner, WhatsApp support throughout and vegetarian and Jain food planned in.

Your questions, answered

What is the one thing not to miss in Maharashtra?

For most first-time visitors, the Ajanta and Ellora caves near Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, UNESCO World Heritage Sites with remarkable paintings and rock-cut temples.

Which experiences suit families?

Children usually enjoy Tadoba safaris, Mumbai's Gateway of India and Elephanta boat ride, the toy train at Matheran and beaches on the Konkan coast.

When are Ajanta and Ellora closed?

Ajanta is usually closed on Mondays and Ellora on Tuesdays. Check current timings with the Archaeological Survey of India before you go.

How many days do I need?

A week covers Mumbai, Ajanta and Ellora, and a hill station or Tadoba. Add days for the Konkan coast.