India /Maharashtra /Pune /Pune

Pune, also known as the culture capital of Maharashtra, is a bustling town, replete with historical monuments, holy temples, magnanimous forts and adventure options of trekking. Located near to the capital city of Mumbai, Pune has its own airport and railway station that regularly connects the city to the rest of the country. Aga Khan Palace, Shinde Chatri, Patleshwar Rock cut temple, War Memorial, Nandi Mandap, Mahatma Phule Museum, Tilk Museum, National War Museum, Tribal Museum should not be missed. The city is also home to some of the most impressive gardens like Sarasbaug, Empress garden and the Katraj Park. There are many tourist attractions viz Sinhagarh Fort, Khadakvasala Dam which are located in close proximity to the city. Visit the city of Pune which still preserves a blend of the legacy of the Maratha kingdom along with the colonial charm of the British era, hand in hand with the present day modernization. A combination of hot & cold climates hit the city each year.

Quick Facts-Edit

Category : Nature

Time Zone: UTC + 5:30 Hours

Pincode: 4110xx

STD Code: 20

Info Website: www.maharashtratourism.gov.in

Best Time to Visit:  July-February

HistoryEdit

Pune was adorned with the prestigious title as the capital of the Maratha kingdom. It was here, that the illustrious warrior of Maratha dynasty, Shivaji had spent his childhood. Later in 1750, it became the core of all political and administrative activities under him. Before the Maratha power ascended to the thrown, Pune had been ruled by an array of various rulers from different clans. Rashtrakutas in the 8th century AD, Yadava Empire of 9th century and the Mughals of Medieval times had contributed much to the cities all round development. The British gained control of this city after the hectic war of 1817 against the Marathas. Like all other major Indian cities, Pune also has shown its flourishing graph under the British rule who had utilized the cities resources in a wonderful way. They developed the city as their summer capital. A cradle of Indian renaissance during the pre-independence era, Pune had shown a massive participation of public in the freedom struggle. Pune would be remembered for ever as the birth place of some of the great reformers in the socio religious field. The most prominent of them all is Bal Gangadhara Tilak, who was popularly called as Lokmanya. Today’s Pune presents a perfect blend of all the virtues of the bygone days and the merits of modern era.

Places to VisitAdd 

Pune Sightseeing

How to ReachEdit

By Air : Pune airport is located about 10 km away from the heart of the city, in the Lohagaon area. Taxi charge from airport to city is only Rs 200. Regular, direct flights are available from Pune to many cities in India. The cities Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore and Mumbai are all air connected to Pune. Pune airport :020 2668 5201.

By Train : Pune is an important railway junction in Indian railway. Good rail networks connect Pune with all other rail junctions in India.Pune railway station : 020 2611 1720.

By BUS : Pune is well connected with many of the major cities in Maharashtra by state owned bus services. Private luxury deluxe buses are operated from Pune to many cities in India, including Goa, Mumbai and Hyderabad. Regular frequent bus services are connecting Pune with Mumbai, nearly a distance of 200 km.

By Taxi : Pune is well connected by a road network and national highways. The tourist can reach to Pune by taxi. The normal Indian taxi charges of Rupees 8 to 20 will be charged for each km.

By Other : N.A.

Top HotelsAdd

Budget  – Up to Rs. 800

• Hotel Rajmandir ; 433/7/1,Sarswat colony, Somwar peth, Behind Zila Parishad Building, Pune 411001. ; Ph – (020) 26135180 ; Facilities – Travel Desk, 24-hour front desk, 24-hour room service, Air conditioning, Laundry, Parking, 24-Hour Security.

Economy – Up to Rs. 801 to Rs. 1200

• Hotel Prince Regency ; 1137 A,Yerwada Chowk, Nagar Road, Pune . ; Ph – 020 2668 1566 ; Facilities – 24-hour front desk ,Air conditioning ,Conference facilities ,Elevators ,Parking ,24-Hour Security ,Valet Parking ,Doctor on call.

Deluxe – Up to Rs. 801 to Rs. 1200

• Hotel Rajdhani ; 429-Somwar Peth, Narpathgiri Chowk, Next To Zilla Parishad, Pune 411011. ; Ph – 020 2613 2326 ; Facilities – Travel Desk ,24-hour front desk ,24-hour room service ,Air conditioning ,Elevators ,Laundry ,Parking ,24-Hour Security ,Doctor on call.

Luxury – Rs. 2501 and above

• Hotel Oakwood Premier ; 81 Mundhwa, Koregaon Park Annex, Pune. ; Ph – 020 6725 7777 ; Facilities – Travel Desk ,24-hour front desk ,24-hour room service ,Air conditioning ,Baby sitting ,Conference facilities ,Elevators ,Laundry ,Parking ,24-Hour Security ,Body Treatments ,Concierge ,Health Club ,Lounge ,Massage Services ,Valet Parking ,Banquet facilities ,Doctor on call.

Top RestaurantsAdd

• Malaka Spice ;  Lane 5, Opposite Oxford Properties, Off North Main Road, Koregaon Park, Pune،Maharashtra 411001. ; M –  020 2615 2008 ; Food Serve :  Multi-Cuisine.

• Arthur’s Theme Restaurant ;  2, Vrindavan apartments, Lane No.6, Koregaon Park, Pune 411001. ; M –  020 6603 2710 ; Food Serve :  Multi-Cuisine.

• Flag’s ;  G-2, Metropolitan, Bund Garden Rd, Pune. ; M –  020 2614 1617 ; Food Serve :  Multi-Cuisine.

• Sigree Restaurant ;  Chatrapati Shahu Maharaj Rd, Sangamvadi, Pune. ; M –  020 6602 7080 ; Food Serve :  Indian.

Must Eat FoodAdd

• Chiwda –  Laxminarayan Best Chiwda ; 374, Bhawani Peth, Pune, MH 411002 ; Ph/M –  020 2645 4561 ; Cost –  N.A. ; Famous for – Rice flakes Chiwda, Cornflakes Chiwda, Potato chiwda, Chitales’s Bakarwadi.

Must Do ActivitiesAdd

• Trekking ; Trek’Di, 106, Saket Apartments. Vitthal Mandir Road., Karvenagar, Pune, MH 411052. ; Cost – N.A. ; Visiting Time –  9:00 AM ; Closed Time :  6:00 PM.
• Horse riding ; Shiv Shrusti, Opp. Abhinav English Medium School, Near Ashok Leyland, Mumbai Pune Bypass, Raghav Nagar, Ambegaon Budruk, Pune, MH 411046 ; Cost – N.A. ; Visiting Time –  10:00 AM ; Closed Time :  6:00 PM.

Must ShopAdd

Nightlife (Pub / Disc / BAR)Add

• Penthouze Nightlife ; Rooftop, Onyx Tower, Next to Westin Hotel, Mundhwa Road, Koregaon Park Annexe, Pune. ; Ph/M: 91 8888074442 ; Cost:  Rs.1100 for two people (approx.) ; Food Serve : Multi-Cuisine.
• wa ga ya ; Shop No. 205, Fortaleza, Koregaon Park, Pune. ; Ph/M: 020-26608888 ; Cost:  N.A. ; Food Serve : N.A.
• The Ship Grill & Bar ; 217, Fortaleza, Central Avenue, Kalyani Nagar, Pune. ; Ph/M: 91 20 2660877 ; Cost:  N.A. ; Food Serve : N.A.

SpaAdd

• Zazen Spa ;  Shop No. 5, Winner’s Window, Behind Vaishali Restaurant, F.C. Road, Pune, MH 411004. ; Ph/M – 020 6400 1100 ; Cost:  Rs.1500-5000 ; Services –  Chair Massages, Facials,Body Massages, Manicures and Pedicures, Zazen Packages.
• Touche The Spa Experts ;  Nagar Rd, Yerawada, Pune, MH 411006. ; Ph/M – 020 6400 1100 ; Cost:  N.A. ; Services –  Swedish Massage, Balinese Massage, Abyangha is a full body massage, etc.
• Saffron Spring Spa ;  2B/3, Clover Cascade, 64, Kalyaninagar, Pune, MH 411006. ; Ph/M – 020 6510 2841 ; Cost:  N.A. ; Services –  Foot Reflexology, Body Scrubs, Facial Treatments, Body Massages, Body Detoxifier (Exfoliation), Special Package.

FestivalAdd

Pune Festival ; Venue:  N.A. ; Period :  August – September ; Details:  Pune festival is held between August and September during Ganesh Mahotsav. It is the biggest festival of Pune. The festival goes for ten days – starts with the installation of idols of Lord Ganesha on the first day to immersion of the Lord’s idols on the tenth day. Pune festival mainly emphasises on the celebration of art and culture, song and dance, custom and tradition. It started as a local event but now has succeeded to attract visitors from across India and abroad. The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation joining hand with the Union government actively promotes the festival abroad as a major tourist attraction.

Pune International Film Festival ; Venue:  N.A. ; Period : 9th-16th January ; Details: The Pune International Film Festival was launched in 2002, with an idea of attracting the best in celluloid to Pune. The first “International Film Festival” received a response brimming with success. Slowly, event by event, PIFF has evolved into a major annual event. With the backdrop of 10 eventful editions, the 11th version of PIFF promises more variety, more movies and greater insight and entertainment into the international cinematic world.

Safety / WarningEdit

•  Beware of pickpockets as Puna is a major tourist city in India.
•  Beware of fake items. Better to buy from reputable shops even though you have to pay more.
•  Never accept a ride if there’s someone accompanying the driver in a taxi or rickshaw.

HelplineEdit

• police control Room (pune):020-25657171
• Ambulance : 102
• Fire Brigade : 101
• Police : 100

ItineraryEdit

Day-1
10:00 am – Pu La Deshpande Garden;Approx. time spent : 3 hrs
1:00 pm – Shaniwar Wada ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
3:00 pm – Aga Khan Palace ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
5:00 pm – Mulshi Lake and Dam ;Approx. time spent : 3 hrs
8:00 pm – Phoenix Market City ;Approx. time spent : 3 hrs
Day-2
8:00 am – Sinhagad ;Approx. time spent : 4 hrs
12:00 pm – Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati Temple ;Approx. time spent : 1 hrs
1:00 pm – Parvati Hill ;Approx. time spent : 3 hrs
4:00 pm – Vaishali ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
6:00 pm – Celebrate Shopping Mall;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
DAy-3
10:00 am – Osho International Meditation Resort ;Approx. time spent : 4 hrs
2:00 pm – Malshej Ghats ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
4:00 pm – Rajgad Fort ;Approx. time spent : 3 hrs
6:00 pm – Nucleus Mall ;Approx. time spent : 3 hrs

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