- Starting from
- Pune
- Duration
- 2 Days / 1 Night
- Distance
- about 400-450 km round trip (approx.)
- Mode
- Private AC cab with driver
- Package rate
- Call for best fare
About This Tour Package
The Bhimashankar Shirdi Darshan tour package from Pune suits people who want a short pilgrimage with a mix of forest, hills and a well-known saint's town. Bhimashankar lies in the Western Ghats in Pune district, while Shirdi is in Ahilyanagar district, and the road between the two passes through quiet Maharashtra countryside. Two days are enough to do both comfortably.
Cab Service Pune designs this trip so that you reach Bhimashankar early, when queues are shorter, and arrive in Shirdi before the evening aarti.
Why Combine Bhimashankar and Shirdi
Bhimashankar is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and among those located in Maharashtra. The temple sits at the top of a forested ridge near the source of the Bhima river, and the setting is as much a draw as the shrine. Shirdi offers a different mood, a calm town centred on Sai Baba's samadhi and the places associated with his life.
Together they give you a nature-rich morning and a devotional evening.
The Route and Timings
Pune to Bhimashankar is roughly 110 to 120 km, typically three to three and a half hours via Manchar and Ghodegaon or the Khed side, with a ghat section at the end. From Bhimashankar to Shirdi, the road via Sangamner is a long cross-country drive of about 170 to 190 km, around four to five hours. The return from Shirdi to Pune is about 185 km, four to five hours.
Your driver chooses the best road on the day depending on weather and condition. Tolls and parking are normally charged at actuals unless an all-inclusive quote is given.
Day 1: Pune to Bhimashankar
Leave Pune around 4:30 to 5:00 am. The earlier you reach the temple, the shorter the line, particularly on weekends, Mondays and festival days. After the last stretch of ghat road, you park near the base area and reach the temple by a short walk or a set of steps, depending on the entry you use. Check current routes and timings locally.
Spend time in the darshan queue, then explore the surroundings if you can. The Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary is known for forest walks and the Indian giant squirrel, locally called shekru, though sightings are never guaranteed. Dress modestly, carry water and keep belongings light.
- Early start and breakfast stop on the Manchar-Ghodegaon road
- Darshan at the Jyotirlinga temple
- Short walk or viewpoint stop in the forest area
- Lunch and drive towards Shirdi
Afternoon and Evening: Drive to Shirdi
After lunch, begin the long drive to Shirdi. The road is straightforward, and the second half of the journey is mostly on highway. You should reach Shirdi by late afternoon or early evening. Check in to the hotel, rest and visit the Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir for evening darshan or aarti. Hotel stay can be coordinated on request.
Day 2: Shirdi Darshan and Return to Pune
Early morning is the most peaceful time in Shirdi. Many devotees choose the first aarti, though passes, schedules and entry rules are managed by the temple trust and may change, so check them in advance. Visit Dwarkamai, Chavadi and Lendi Baug, then pick up prasad and keepsakes from the market.
After breakfast and checkout, start the drive back to Pune. Depending on traffic, expect to reach home by evening.
Best Time to Go
The monsoon is the most beautiful season in Bhimashankar, with mist and waterfalls, but ghat roads can be slippery and visibility can drop sharply. Heavy rain sometimes leads to restrictions on movement or darshan, so check current conditions before starting. October to February is pleasant and easier for walking. Summer is hot, especially in Shirdi.
Choosing the Right Vehicle
A Swift Dzire is suitable for a couple or a small family. If you are five to seven people or have elderly parents, an Ertiga or Innova Crysta offers better seating and room for luggage on a long day. Tempo Traveller and Force Urbania options are available for relatives, societies and office groups.
Practical Tips for Pilgrims
Carry ID cards, a water bottle, light snacks and any regular medication. Wear shoes or slippers that are easy to remove. Some temple areas restrict phones, bags and cameras, so use cloakrooms when available.
- Start before dawn for the Bhimashankar ghat road
- Keep a light jacket in the cab for the forest chill
- Avoid carrying plastic into the forest area
- Verify temple rules a day before you travel
Safety and Comfort
The final stretch to Bhimashankar is a winding ghat road that can be foggy and wet. Our drivers are used to such roads and drive carefully. We avoid night driving on hill roads and keep rest breaks at sensible intervals. Tell us about motion sickness, knee issues or older members so that we can plan around them.
What to Expect at Bhimashankar
Bhimashankar sits inside a forested wildlife sanctuary in the Sahyadri hills, so the approach road is green, winding and often misty after the rains. The temple area has steps and queues, and the walk can feel longer than expected on a busy day. Wear comfortable footwear, keep valuables minimal and carry a small bottle of water.
Weekends, Mondays and festival days, particularly around Mahashivratri and Shravan, can bring heavy crowds. An early arrival usually means a calmer darshan, and it also leaves enough daylight for the onward drive to Shirdi. Please check current timings and any access rules before you go.
Planning the Shirdi Stretch
After Bhimashankar, the road to Shirdi runs back down the ghat and then north through the Pune and Ahilyanagar district countryside, with your driver choosing the best route on the day. The drive is long, so Cab Service Pune suggests leaving the temple by early afternoon and keeping a tea halt on the way. Arrive in Shirdi by evening, check in, rest and plan the next morning's darshan at your own pace.
How Booking Works
Send us your date, group size, pickup area and any preferences. We confirm the plan and share the fare before the trip. Hotel stay, darshan help and tickets can be coordinated on request, so please confirm them at booking. If you want to extend the trip with Shani Shingnapur or Nashik, we can customise the itinerary.
For a smooth Bhimashankar Shirdi Darshan tour package from Pune, call or WhatsApp 7888117999. Cab Service Pune will take you from forest to samadhi comfortably.
Tour Itinerary
- Day 1: Very early departure from Pune and drive via Manchar and Ghodegaon to Bhimashankar (about 3-3.5 hours)
- Day 1: Darshan at the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga temple and a short walk in the forest area
- Day 1: Lunch, then drive to Shirdi via Sangamner (about 4-5 hours)
- Day 1: Hotel check-in and evening darshan or aarti at Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir
- Day 2: Early darshan, Dwarkamai, Chavadi and Lendi Baug
- Day 2: Breakfast, checkout and return drive to Pune (about 4-5 hours)
Choose Your Vehicle
FAQs
How far is Bhimashankar from Pune?
About 110 to 120 km, usually three to three and a half hours with a ghat section near the end. Start early to avoid queues and to cross the hill road in good light.
Can both places be done in two days?
Yes. Reach Bhimashankar for early darshan, drive to Shirdi by evening and spend the next morning there before returning. It is a long first day, so an early start is important.
Is Bhimashankar safe to visit in the monsoon?
The scenery is beautiful, but ghat roads are wet and visibility can be poor. Heavy rain may bring restrictions, so check current conditions. Our drivers avoid risky stretches and suggest early timings.
Is hotel booking included?
Hotel stay in Shirdi can be coordinated on request. Confirm inclusions and the final fare at booking, as tolls, parking and state taxes are usually charged at actuals unless a package is quoted all-inclusive.
Which vehicle is comfortable for elderly parents?
An Innova Crysta or Ertiga is a comfortable option with easy seating and space for luggage. Tell us about mobility needs and we will plan shorter walks and more breaks.
How do I book this package?
Call or WhatsApp 7888117999 with your date, group size and preferred vehicle. We confirm the plan and fare before you pay anything.