Pune District

A cultural and educational hub in western Maharashtra, with Maratha-era historic sites and monsoon mountain scenery in the Western Ghats.

Pune District lies in western Maharashtra, India, on the western edge of the Deccan Plateau. Pune city, the main destination, was the historic center of the Maratha Empire. Visit the Shaniwar Wada palace ruins and the Aga Khan Palace, and enjoy the lively university and café scene. Heading west into the Western Ghats, Lonavala and Khandala are famous hill resorts, most charming in the monsoon when waterfalls and misty valleys are at their best. Nearby, the ancient Buddhist rock-cut caves of Karla and Bhaja are also worth a visit. October through February offers the most pleasant weather, while the hill country is at its most beautiful in monsoon season. Pune Airport and the railway connect the city to the rest of India, and the Mumbai–Pune Expressway makes trips to and from Mumbai convenient.

Destinations

• Central Pune
• Lonavla & Khandala

Itineraries

• Western Ghats Caves, Forts & Hill Stations – Climb up the Western Ghats from Mumbai to connect Buddhist caves, Maratha hill forts, Pune's heritage sites, and highla…