Overview
For first-time visitors, Pune is crowded & overwhelming. For decades now, Pune City has primarily been perceived as a Business, Industrial & Student City. However, the truth is Pune has a rich history from the 17th Century when it was the base of the Maratha Empire & it is known as the Cultural Capital of Maharashtra. During the 5 or 6 hours that you will explore Pune with us, you will be surprised & fascinated with the Spirituality, Ancient History, Rich Culture, Diversity, Customs & Traditions that this vibrant City offers. Our knowledgeable, friendly & helpful guide in a chauffeur driven AC car will take you around this incredible City on a private tour during which you will feel like you are experiencing this city with an old friend. We are happy to pick you up & drop you back at a location anywhere in & around Pune with pick up & drop off timings as per your convenience. We are also happy to customise the itinerary, places & timings as per your personal preferences.
Why travelers book this
What's Included
- Delicious local Lunch in a traditional Cafe.
- Private transportation
- Unlimited mineral water and soft drinks.
- Pickup and drop-off from your hotel or any other location.
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- All Entry Fees, Taxes, Toll Fees, Parking Fees, Allowances etc.
- Tea, Coffee, local snacks, refreshments etc.
- Private friendly and knowledgeable guide.
What's Not Included
- available to purchase
Meeting & Pickup
Meeting point, pickup options and start time are confirmed on Viator before checkout.
Itinerary
Stop 1
The 130 year old Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to the Hindu God Lord Ganesha. The temple is visited by over hundred thousand pilgrims every year. Devotees of the temple include celebrities & famous public figures who visit during the annual ten-day Ganeshotsav festival in September every year.
Stop 2
The Aga Khan Palace is a majestic building which is closely linked to the Indian freedom movement as it served as a prison for Mahatma Gandhi, his wife Kasturba Gandhi, his secretary Mahadev Desai and Sarojini Naidu. It is also the place where Kasturba Gandhi & Mahadev Desai died. Aga Khan Palace is major tourist attraction in Pune as it holds great historical significance. It has a beautiful architecture, century old trees and perfect gardens around it. It has Italian arches. The Palace captivates the eye of a spectator with its magnificence and picturesque architecture. The Palace has a number of objects, documents, photos and portraits depicting glimpses from the life of Mahatma Gandhi & other personalities of the Indian freedom struggle. This palace is also the headquarters of the Gandhi National Memorial Society & has a shop that deals in khaadi and other hand loomed textiles. Today the Palace houses a memorial on Mahatma Gandhi and his ashes are kept there.
Stop 3
Shaniwarwada is a 300 year old historical fort & one of the the main tourist attractions in Pune. Built in 1732 in the Maratha Imperial Architectural style, it was the great throne of the Peshwas of the Maratha Empire until 1818. Following the rise of the Maratha Empire, the fort became the centre of Indian politics in the 18th century. The fort itself was largely destroyed in 1828 by a fire, but the surviving structures are now maintained as a tourist attraction. The Shaniwarwada was originally a seven-storey building and after being attacked by the British Artillery 90 years later, all the top six stories collapsed leaving only the stone base, which was immune to the British artillery. Hence only the stone base of the Shaniwar Wada remains and can be seen today. In June 1818, the Peshwa, Bajirao II, abdicated his throne to Sir John Malcolm of the British East India Company & went into political exile at Bithoor, near Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh in North India.
Stop 4
The Lal Mahal (Red Palace) is one of the famous monuments located in Pune where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, founder of the Maratha Empire spent his childhood. In the year 1630 AD, Shivaji Maharaj's Father Shahaji Raje Bhosale, established the Lal Mahal for his wife Jijabai and son. Shivaji Maharaj stayed here for several years until he captured his first fort. The original Lal Mahal was built with the idea of rejuvenating the recently razed city of Pune when Shahaji Raje entered the city along with Shivaji and his mother, Maasaheb Jijabai. Young Shivaji Maharaj grew up here, and stayed in the Lal Mahal till he captured the Torna fort in 1645. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's marriage with his wife, Saibai took place in Lal Mahal on 16 May 1640.
Stop 5
Tulshibaug is a bustling street market in old Pune City area. Its main features are a historic temple and a large open market. The busy Tulshibaug market is located in front of the famous Vishrambaug Wada. The market sells a wide variety of goods including traditional Maharashtrian cooking items, cosmetics, imitation Jewellery, traditional clothes and household goods as well as Puja items used for worshipping Gods in temples and at home. Other than shopping the market offers various kinds of refreshments and hotels.
Stop 6
drive past Laxmi Road
Stop 7
Tribal Research Institute Museum, Museum of Tribal Arts and Artifacts, is a museum in Pune inside the campus of Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes Research & Training Institute. It is popularly known as Tribal Museum. Please note: Closed on Sundays and public holidays.
Stop 8
Drive past the Famous and Vast 118 acres area of the 190-year-old Pune Race Course.
Stop 9
Calm, natural setting for quiet walks & jogs amid dense foliage, gardens & a stream.
Stop 10
Drive around the beautiful, lush green and old world residential area known as Koregaon Park.
Stop 11
Drive past the famous The Osho Commune (formerly known as the Rajneesh Ashram).
Stop 12
Empress Botanical Garden - visit and take a stroll around the Serene and Beautiful Empress Botanical Gardens named after Queen Victoria. This garden is home to many rare species of trees and flowers.
Stop 13
The National War Memorial Southern Command is a war memorial in Pune Cantonment, India, dedicated to post-Independence war martyrs. This is the only war memorial in South Asia which has been erected by citizens' contributions. The memorial was unveiled and dedicated to the nation on 15 August 1998.
Stop 14
Drive past the 90-feet high Red Coloured Ohel David Synagogue, locally called as “LAL DEVAL” built in English Gothic Style in the year 1867. It is one of the largest synagogues built in India.
Stop 15
Drive past the bustling areas of Deccan Gymkhana called J. M. Road and Fergusson College Road, both known for celebrating traditional as well as western cultures and festivals.
Stop 16
Visit the Ancient Pataleshwar Cave Temple which is a rock-cut cave temple carved out in the 8th century in the Rashtrakuta Dynasty period. It is dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. This is the oldest monument in Pune, which is over 1300 years old.
Stop 17
Take a 10-minute walk in one of the ancient bazaars/market areas of Pune known as Centre Street and Kolsa Galli which is a small by-lane.
Stop 18
The famous shopping street in the Deccan area of Pune.
Stop 19
See the famous Sikh place of worship in Pune.
Stop 20
The famous shopping street of Pune.
Stop 21
The lush green campus and historical buildings of more than 100 year old University.
Stop 22
The famous and historical walking street near Shaniwar wada.
Stop 23
The place of worship frequented by the people of Zoroastrian religion.
Stop 24
The architecture and design is beautiful and stunning of this Church frequented by the small Christian population of Pune.
Stop 25
Visit the beautiful and ancient temple frequented by devout Hindus.
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels