Maharashtra’s twin draw—Aurangabad (officially Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) and Pune—offers a sweep of Indian history in a compact loop. You’ll step from ancient Buddhist and Hindu cave temples to Mughal gardens and into the Maratha capital that shaped modern Maharashtra. The landscapes shift too: basalt cliffs carved into cathedrals at Ellora, a conical fort rising over the Deccan, leafy avenues in Pune.

Expect a feast for the senses: thalis piled high, misal pav with a signature “tarri” heat, Irani café buns, biryani spiced the old way, and delicate Paithani weaves unique to this region. Between culture stops, sip filter coffee in student haunts and catch sunset from hilltop bastions. It’s a quick trip, but with the right pacing you’ll see—and taste—the essentials.

Practical notes: Ajanta Caves are closed on Mondays; Ellora Caves are closed on Tuesdays. Carry some cash for small shops though most places accept cards/UPI. Post-monsoon through March is the sweetest weather window; summers get hot. This plan assumes you arrive on Day 1 afternoon and depart on Day 4 afternoon.

Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar)

Gateway to the UNESCO-listed Ellora Caves, Aurangabad juxtaposes medieval sultanate heritage with bazaar life humming around Bibi Ka Maqbara—the “Mini Taj.” The city sits near weaving communities famed for Paithani and Himroo textiles, and the hulking Daulatabad (Devagiri) Fort, once the near-impenetrable capital of a Deccan dynasty.

• Top sights: Ellora Caves (Kailasa Temple), Bibi Ka Maqbara, Daulatabad Fort, Aurangabad Caves, Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple.
• Local bites: Naan qalia in nearby Khuldabad, classic veg thalis, old-school bakeries for cake and chai.
• Fun fact: The Kailasa Temple (Ellora Cave 16) was carved top-down from a single rock—a feat of engineering and devotion.

Where to stay: Browse stays near CIDCO for quieter nights, or around Kranti Chowk for quick access to heritage sights. Compare options on VRBO Aurangabad and Hotels.com Aurangabad.

How to get here: Fly into Aurangabad (IXU) via Mumbai/Delhi (about 1–1.5 hrs flight; total $45–$120) using Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Trains from Mumbai/Manmad take ~7–9 hrs—check schedules on Trip.com trains. Private cars from Pune take ~5.5–6.5 hrs via AH47.

Day 1: Arrival, Waterworks & the “Mini Taj”

Morning: Travel toward Aurangabad. If flying midday, aim for an early lunch at your departure city.

Afternoon: Check in, freshen up, then visit Panchakki, a 17th-century water mill that once powered a medieval kitchen via clever aqueducts. Continue to Bibi Ka Maqbara for golden-hour photos—the Mughal-style marble-and-lime mausoleum glows at sunset with the Deccan hills behind.

Evening: Wander the old-city lanes and stop by a Paithani/Himroo weaving workshop to see handlooms in action. Dinner ideas: savor a traditional veg thali at Bhoj (rotating seasonal sabzis and ghee-laced rotis) or go tandoori-and-kebab focused at a long-running North Indian spot; finish with pastries and coffee at Kream N Krunch.

Day 2: Ellora Masterpieces, Fort Views, and Cave Vistas

Morning: Get an early start for Ellora Caves (closed Tuesdays). Focus on Cave 16 (Kailasa Temple), the crown jewel, then a sampling of Buddhist and Jain caves to appreciate the range of styles. Modest dress is recommended if you also step into nearby Grishneshwar Temple (a Jyotirlinga pilgrimage site).

Afternoon: Light lunch at the MTDC canteen near Ellora, then drive to Daulatabad Fort. Climb through bat-haunted passages and up to wind-swept ramparts for sweeping views of the plains—bring water and sun protection. On the way back, drop by the Aurangabad Caves for a quieter, cliffside set of Buddhist carvings overlooking the city.

Evening: Shop for Paithani sarees or Himroo shawls in old-town boutiques. For dinner, try fragrant biryani and rustic gravies at a local favorite, or opt for grills and open-air seating at a hotel-run barbecue venue; cap with malai kulfi or rabdi from a legacy sweet shop.

Optional swap: Prefer Ajanta Caves? Dedicate this entire day to Ajanta (closed Mondays): it’s ~2.5 hrs each way through countryside, rewarding you with serene, painted Buddhist caves. Ask your hotel to arrange a car (typical AC sedan ₹3,500–5,500 for the day, plus tolls/parking).

Pune

Once the seat of the Peshwas, Pune is a university town with a youthful pulse, leafy neighborhoods, and a living Maratha legacy. In a single afternoon you can jump from the ruins of Shaniwar Wada to a serene riverside temple, then into a museum of curios collected across India.

• Top sights: Shaniwar Wada, Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati Temple, Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum, Pataleshwar Cave Temple, Aga Khan Palace, Parvati Hill, Sinhagad Fort (day trip).
• Where to eat: Vaishali (idli-dosa institution), Vohuman Café (butter-lashed bun-maska and eggs), Shabree (Maharashtrian thali), SP’s Biryani House, Bedekar Misal, Kayani Bakery (Shrewsbury biscuits), Malaka Spice (Southeast Asian), Effingut or Great State Aleworks (craft beer).
• Neighborhood vibes: Koregaon Park cafés and Osho gardens; Deccan Gymkhana’s student energy; Camp’s old-world bakeries.

Where to stay: Base in Koregaon Park or Deccan for food-and-sightseeing convenience. Compare options on VRBO Pune and Hotels.com Pune.

Getting here from Aurangabad: Train takes ~6.5–7.5 hrs (AC 3-tier/Chair Car ~US$7–12) via Trip.com trains. By road, it’s ~5.5–6.5 hrs; a private car is comfortable for pairs/families. Direct flights are limited; via Mumbai can take 3–5 hrs total—check Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

Day 3: Travel to Pune + Core City Highlights and Street Eats

Morning: Depart Aurangabad by early train or private car so you’re in Pune after lunch. Drop bags, then fuel up: options include Vaishali on FC Road (classic dosas and filter coffee) or SP’s Biryani House nearby (aromatic mutton/chicken biryani in generous portions).

Afternoon: Cover the essentials on a compact city circuit with a driver-guide. Book the Guided Highlights of Pune Car Tour (4 Hrs) to hit Shaniwar Wada, Dagdusheth Ganapati, Pataleshwar Cave Temple, and the Kelkar Museum without logistics stress.

Evening: Dive into Pune’s flavors on a guided crawl. The Food walking tour in Pune covers misal pav (try the fiery Kolhapuri-style), vada pav, sabudana khichdi, and sweets like shrikhand and peda while strolling a beloved food street. If you prefer DIY, pair Bedekar Misal with a later stop at Kayani Bakery for Shrewsbury biscuits.

Day 4: Fort Morning, Garden Stroll, and Departure

Morning: Head into the Sahyadris for cool breezes and big views on the Sinhagad Fort Trip (Guided Half Day). Climb past old bastions to the top, then reward yourself with rustic kanda bhaji (onion fritters) and pitla-bhakri at a fort-side shack.

Afternoon: Back in town, take a quick spin through the serene gardens of Aga Khan Palace or Osho Teerth Park if time allows. Grab lunch at Shabree (veg thali with puran poli when in season) or at Vohuman Café for a fast bun-maska-and-eggs fix before your afternoon departure.

Evening: If you’re staying later, consider a sunset climb at Parvati Hill, then celebrate the trip with craft beer flights at Effingut or Great State Aleworks, and a rooftop north-Indian dinner at Paasha (for skyline views).

Getting out: Pune’s airport has frequent connections to Indian hubs—compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. For trains to Mumbai, Goa, or Hyderabad, check Trip.com trains.

Coffee & bakery shortlist (pin for later): Blue Tokai (KP) for specialty roasts; Good Luck Café (Camp) for Irani chai and bun omelette; One O Eight Café (KP) for wholesome brunch; Chitale Bandhu for bakarwadi to take home.

In four days you’ve traced rock-cut sanctuaries, Mughal romance, and Maratha grit—then tasted Pune’s living food culture. If you have an extra day, add a monsoon-green detour to Lonavala/Khandala or a Paithani-weaving visit in Yeola. Until then, this heritage-and-food loop is a perfect Maharashtra sampler.