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10 Days in Pune: Exploring Ancient Marvels and Indulging in Authentic Delights

Harshita Indurkar

Harshita Indurkar

5 Jan 2024

Embark on a thrilling journey through Pune's rich history and vibrant culture. Discover ancient marvels, immerse yourself in spiritual bliss, and indulge in authentic local delicacies. Join us as we explore the hidden gems of this captivating city.

Trip to Pune

Day 1Parks, Museums, and Divine Blessings
+

$4

Peshwe Energy Park
Eco-park emphasizing renewable energy, with educational pavilions & a battery-powered train.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
•
$1
11 - 16 min

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Directions

Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum
Museum housing one man's varied collection of 20,000+ Indian artefacts ranging from toys to artwork.
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
•
$2
4 - 6 min

~

Directions

Vishrambaug Wada
Once-stately, 3-story mansion with intricate brickwork plus wood carvings on the doorway & balcony.
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
•
$1
5 - 8 min

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Directions

Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Mandir
Hindu temple popular with pilgrims, with marble interiors & a golden Ganesh idol.
3:30 PM - 5:30 PM
•
Free
Day 2Temples, Caves, and Botanical Wonders
+

$5

·

$ 2

Pataleshwar Cave Temple
8th century cave temple carved from basalt rock, with square pillars & ornate carvings.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
•
$1
5 - 6 min

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Directions

Laal Mahal
Modern reconstruction of the Red Palace, home of legendary 17th-century warrior king Shivaji.
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
•
$3
20 - 24 min

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Directions

Empress Botanical Garden
Sprawling botanical garden specializing in regional plants, with rare trees, flowers & a kids' area.
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
•
$1
7 - 9 min

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Directions

Mahadji Shinde Chhatri
Memorial for an 18th-century military leader, with a Hindu temple & Anglo-Rajasthani architecture.
3:30 PM - 5:30 PM
•
$1
Day 3Lakeside Serenity and Cultural Heritage
+

$5

·

$ 2

Mastani Lake
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
•
$1
35 - 42 min

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Directions

Ramdara temple
Striking temple with steps down to the water & decorative idols in vibrant, colonnaded prayer halls.
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
•
$1
61 - 74 min

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Directions

Aga Khan Palace
Palace built in 19th century by Aga Khan & the site of Gandhi's 2-year imprisonment in 1940s.
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
•
$3
23 - 28 min

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Directions

Mahatma Phule Museum
Small museum founded in 1875 featuring historical objects such as handicrafts, weapons & taxidermy.
3:30 PM - 5:30 PM
•
$1
Day 4Spiritual Sites and Tranquil Parks
+

$4

·

$ 2

Shri Ahobila Mutt's Shri Balaji Mandir
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
•
$1
7 - 9 min

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Directions

St. Mary's Church
This Anglican church dating from the 1820s features a bell tower & memorials of British soldiers.
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
•
$1
16 - 20 min

~

Directions

Osho Teerth Park
Calm, natural setting for quiet walks & jogs amid dense foliage, gardens & a stream.
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
•
$1
33 - 40 min

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Directions

Wagheshwar Temple
Elaborate temple carved out of black basalt with a colorful gopuram tower, overlooking a lake.
3:30 PM - 5:30 PM
•
$1
Day 5Sacred Temples and Hilltop Panoramas
+

$4

·

$ 1

Shree Omkareshwar Temple
This 18th-century Hindu temple has onion-shaped domes & other traditional architectural features.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
•
$1
17 - 21 min

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Directions

Parvati Hill
Leafy, 640m mount with stairs leading to a summit with panoramic views, several temples & a museum.
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
•
$2
10 - 15 min

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Directions

Bagul Udyan
Outdoor venue featuring displays with jungle animal statues, plus a nighttime laser fountain show.
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
•
$1
22 - 27 min

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Directions

ISKCON NVCC Pune
Opulent temple devoted to Radha Krishna featuring a golden dome & chandeliers, plus a veranda.
3:30 PM - 5:30 PM
•
$1
Day 6Miniature Railways and Rejuvenating Lakes
+

$4

·

$ 2

Joshi's Museum Of Miniature Railways
Opened in 1998, this museum presents demonstrations of miniature trains on a model railway system.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
•
$1
23 - 28 min

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Directions

Shree Sadguru Shankar Maharaj Samadhi Math
Temple dedicated to an 18th-century holy man, with personal items, a marble idol & floral tributes.
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
•
$1
5 - 6 min

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Directions

Katraj Snake Park Lake
Park with a lake at its heart boasting snakes, but also leopards, deer, lions, bears, elephants etc.
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
•
$1
6 - 8 min

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Directions

Katraj Lake
Fountains synchronised to lights & music for evening shows at a lake with garden paths & benches.
3:30 PM - 5:30 PM
•
$1
Day 7Temples, Zoological Park, and Spiritual Retreats
+

$4

·

$ 1

BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir
Ancient Vedic texts provided a steel-free design scheme for this landmark, towering temple complex.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
•
$1
14 - 17 min

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Directions

Katraj Jain Temple, Aagam Mandir
Palatial Jain temple featuring a courtyard & carved-stone pillars, plus a colourful domed ceiling.
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
•
$1
8 - 10 min

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Directions

Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park
This large zoo with a lake & greenery has a snake park with many reptiles & an animal rescue center.
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
•
$2
Day 8Gardens, Hills, and Majestic Fort
+

$3

·

$ 1

Pune-Okayama Friendship Garden
Japanese garden set on 10 acres with paths & wooden pergolas, plus fish ponds & a kids' play area.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
•
$1
10 - 12 min

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Directions

Taljai Hills
Tranquil, tree-covered area with jogging paths, a pond & wildlife such as ducks & peacocks.
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
•
$1
7 - 10 min

~

Directions

Taljai Tekdi
Walking paths traverse this serene urban park with an observation tower, playground & temple.
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
•
$1
82 - 99 min

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Directions

Sinhagad Fort
Historic hilltop fort with a memorial for 17th-century emperors, plus a temple to the goddess Kali.
3:30 PM - 5:30 PM
•
$1
Day 9Ancient Temples and Buddhist Caves
+

$4

·

$ 2

Shri Dashbhuja Ganpati Mandir
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
•
$1
16 - 20 min

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Directions

Vetal Tekdi
Landmark, 2,600 ft.-high hill & forest reserve with hiking, birdwatching & a panoramic temple.
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
•
$1
27 - 33 min

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Directions

Shri Chatushrungi Devi Temple
Hillside Hindu temple known for its steep entrance steps, vibrant facade & landscaped gardens.
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
•
$1
87 - 105 min

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Directions

Bhaja Buddhist Caves
22 landmark rock-cut caves featuring old carvings & a large shrine, dating to the 2nd century BCE.
3:30 PM - 5:30 PM
•
$1
Day 10Parks, Museums, and Spiritual Abode
+

$4

·

$ 2

Kamala Nehru Park
Recreational green space featuring a children's play area, running path & a displayed military jet.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
•
$1
15 - 22 min

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Directions

Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Museum & Memorial
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
•
$1
21 - 26 min

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Directions

Pashan Lake
Migratory birds, a nature trail & bamboo plantings are among the highlights of this artificial lake.
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
•
$1
11 - 14 min

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Directions

Late Sanjay Mahadeo Nimhan Gram Sanskruti Udyan
Homespun exhibits about rural village life a century ago, with costumes & historical displays.
3:30 PM - 5:30 PM
•
$1
34 - 41 min

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Directions

Mahasadhu Shree Moraya Gosavi Maharaj Sanjivan Samadhi Mandir
Stone-carved temple with life-sized animal statues, flower-bedecked altars & colorful towers.
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
•
$1

Budget breakdown: $45 In total

Activities & Food:$36
Transport:$9