7 Days in Ambernath and Pune: Temples, Hill Stations, Street Food, and Forts in Maharashtra
Welcome to Ambernath (often spelled Ambarnath or Amarnāth locally), a historic corner of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region in Maharashtra. The town is best known for the 11th‑century Ambreshwar Shiva Temple, a basalt masterpiece of Hemadpanti architecture. With forested foothills, monsoon-splashed dams, and quick rail links into Mumbai, Ambernath is a quiet base with big‑city access.
This 7‑day itinerary pairs Ambernath and nearby highlights—Matheran’s cliffside viewpoints and a heritage day in Mumbai—with three days in Pune, the state’s cultural capital. Expect a mix of temples, forts, colonial landmarks, and mouth‑watering street food from misal pav to coastal seafood. We blend self‑guided exploration with curated tours to help you see more with less hassle.
Practical notes: Mumbai (BOM) is your most convenient airport, with frequent suburban trains to Ambernath. The best weather runs November–March; June–September brings magical monsoon greenery but slippery trails—pack good footwear. Maharashtra’s cuisine is diverse: fiery Kolhapuri, thalis in Pune, Sindhi classics in Ulhasnagar, and iconic Mumbai snacks.
Ambernath (Amarnāth), Mumbai Metropolitan Region
Ambernath centers on the Ambreshwar Temple, a thousand‑year‑old shrine etched with celestial figures and mythic scenes. Around it, the Ulhas River, village lanes, and monsoon‑fed reservoirs invite unhurried walks. You’re also less than two hours by train from the Gothic splendors of South Mumbai.
- Don’t miss: Ambreshwar (Ambarnath) Temple, Chikloli Dam strolls, Ulhasnagar’s Sindhi food, day hikes to Matheran’s Charlotte Lake and Louisa Point.
- Where to stay: Search stays near Ambernath East/West or Kalyan for quick rail access.
- How to get here: Fly to Mumbai (BOM). Book flights via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. From BOM, a taxi to Ambernath takes ~1.5–2.5 hours depending on traffic; or take a suburban train from Dadar/CSMT on the Central Line (~75–90 minutes, very budget-friendly).
- Good to know: For suburban trains, choose “fast” services where possible; keep small change for tickets and snacks.
Pune
Pune, once the seat of the Maratha Peshwas, is a university city with stately palaces, leafy neighborhoods, and a legendary food scene. It’s also your gateway to the Western Ghats—Sinhagad’s wind‑swept battlements and Lonavala’s waterfalls feel worlds away yet sit just beyond the city limits.
- Top highlights: Shaniwar Wada fortifications, Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati Temple, Aga Khan Palace, Pataleshwar Caves, and café‑lined Koregaon Park.
- Where to stay:
- Getting there from Ambernath: Catch a morning Intercity/Express train from Kalyan Jn. to Pune Jn. (~2.5–3.5 hours, economy fares from ~₹120–₹500). Search schedules via Trip.com Trains. By car, plan ~3–4 hours via the Mumbai–Pune Expressway.
Day 1: Arrive Mumbai (BOM) → Ambernath soft landing
Afternoon: Land in Mumbai and make your way to Ambernath by taxi (fastest) or Central Line train from Dadar/CSMT. Check into your stay. If you’d like to lock flights first, compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.
Evening: Stretch your legs at the 11th‑century Ambreshwar (Ambarnath) Temple. Arrive around golden hour to see carvings glow in slanting light, then circle the mandapa and inner sanctum with the evening aarti. Dinner options: try North Indian and tandoori at family-friendly Gurukripa (Ulhasnagar; famous for Sindhi fare), or a grill‑and‑dessert spread at Barbeque Nation (Kalyan) if you want a familiar chain with vegetarian options.
Day 2: Ambernath heritage, Ulhasnagar flavors, riverside walk
Morning: Breakfast on local specialties—misal pav or poha at Mamledar Misal (Kalyan West branch), or fresh idli‑dosa at a South Indian café near Ambernath station. Return to the Ambreshwar Temple for a more detailed look at the Hemadpanti reliefs; take a short tuk‑tuk to the Ulhas River ghats for a gentle riverside walk.
Afternoon: Head to Ulhasnagar’s markets (10–20 minutes by auto from Ambernath) for textiles and Sindhi snacks. Lunch at Gurukripa: order dal pakwan, sai bhaji with rice, and gulab jamun for dessert. Stop for sweets or rabri at a nearby mithai shop.
Evening: Sunset amble along Chikloli Dam’s bund road (carry a flashlight for the walk back). Dinner back in Ambernath at a multi‑cuisine family restaurant; ask for a Maharashtrian thali or order prawns koliwada if available—Mumbai’s coastal influence sneaks onto many menus.
Day 3: Day trip to Matheran hill station (toy train, red earth trails, viewpoints)
Morning: Take a suburban train to Neral (~45–60 minutes), then ride the heritage toy train up to Matheran (book early in peak season) or take a shared jeep to Dasturi Car Park and walk/horse‑ride in. Start at Charlotte Lake and walk to Echo Point.
Afternoon: Loop to Louisa Point and Porcupine Point for sweeping valley views. Lunch in Matheran market—try a simple veg thali at Garden View Restaurant, and don’t miss piping‑hot onion bhajjis and corn on the cob from local stalls around Charlotte Lake.
Evening: Ride or walk back to Dasturi before dusk, descend to Neral, and return by train. Dinner near Ambernath station; for a quick bite, grab vada pav and mango lassi at a busy street‑side stall.
Day 4: Mumbai heritage sampler from Ambernath
Morning: Board a fast local to CSMT (~75–90 minutes). Admire the UNESCO‑listed CSMT façade, then stroll the Oval–Fort district: High Court, University clock tower, and Art Deco edges of the Oval Maidan.
Afternoon: Make for the Gateway of India and the harbor promenade. Lunch picks: Leopold Café (Colaba causeway institution; order butter garlic prawns and a chilled lime soda) or Kala Ghoda Café (artsy espresso bar with excellent croissants and salads).
Evening: Sunset at Marine Drive, then dinner at Bademiya behind the Taj—seekh rolls and roomali rotis hot off the sigri—or go seafood at Gajalee (butter garlic crab, bombil fry). Ride a late fast local back to Ambernath.
Day 5: Ambernath → Pune, old city walk and café culture
Morning: Depart Ambernath early for Kalyan Jn., then an Intercity/Express to Pune Jn. (~2.5–3.5 hours). Check in near Koregaon Park, Camp, or Deccan for easy sightseeing. Book trains via Trip.com Trains.
Afternoon: Explore Shaniwar Wada’s ramparts and the photogenic sprawl of old Pune lanes. Snack stops: Kayani Bakery (legendary Shrewsbury biscuits) and Bedekar Tea Stall for misal pav if the queue isn’t daunting.
Evening: Join a guided tasting stroll to decode Pune’s snacks and stories:
Pune Food & Snack Tasting Walking Tour
Day 6: Full‑day highlights of Pune with a licensed guide
Spend the day covering Pune’s headline sights with a guide and AC car—ideal if you want history and hassle‑free logistics:
Full Day Private City tour of Pune with a licensed Guide
Day 7: Sinhagad sunrise and departure
Morning: Escape to the citadel in the clouds:
Sinhagad Fort Trip (Guided Half Day Sightseeing Tour)
Pune to Lonavala Monsoon Drive in Private Vehicle
Afternoon: Return to your hotel, pack, and transfer to Pune airport or Pune Jn. for onward travel. Compare flight options on Trip.com Flights, or ride the train toward Mumbai via Trip.com Trains.
Evening: If time allows before departure, grab a final coffee and bun maska at Good Luck Café (FC Road) or craft gelato at Sujata Mastani (pistachio or custard apple are classics).
Optional Add‑On (extra day or swap‑in): Nashik temples and wineries
If you can add a day, detour to Nashik for riverfront ghats, the Kalaram Temple, and a tasting flight at a local winery (Sula is the most famous). For fully guided logistics with spiritual stops and wine, consider:
Discover the religious city: Nashik with wine tasting tour
Across a week, you sample Ambernath’s ancient artistry, Mumbai’s Victorian grandeur, Pune’s living heritage, and the breezy Ghats—plus a generous helping of Maharashtra’s comfort foods. Use the railways to your advantage, keep a light rain jacket in monsoon, and let this itinerary be your reliable companion for return visits.