Pune Tourism And Travel Guide

As the cultural capital of the state of Maharashtra, Pune or Punyanagari, is one of the foremost metro cities that has carved a place for itself in the realms of education, commercialization and tourism. The historical city of Pune, the capital of the mighty Marathas and the childhood home of the Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, has many a number of heritage sites, monuments, temples and probably the most significant number of forts and citadels built on the mountain peaks by the kingdoms of the bygone eras.

The majestic Sahyadri or the Western Ghats rise up on the west, and the mist covered lofty peaks of the hill stations near Pune offer some of the most picturesque locations that nature could offer. Pune is an ideal place to spend your holidays in, for there are vintage places to explore and a whole lot of adventurous things to do.

If you are planning to visit Pune, our travel and tourism guide should help you plan a great trip.

Pune has a well developed transport system and is easy to access through rail or road and by air. The most ideal way to reach Pune would be by train.

By Air:

Pune International Airport caters to flights from most of the major cities of India and international flights from Abu Dhabi, Frankfurt, Dubai and Sharjah.

By Rail:

Pune is a major rail head in the Central Railways and caters to trains that run from north to the south of India. Travel through some of the most beautiful locales as the train lugs towards Pune.

By Road:

There are state transport and private buses that can drive you to Pune from most of the major cities across the neighbouring states. You could also drive to Pune via beautifully set interstate highways.

Getting Around:

There are local buses, taxis, auto rickshaws and two wheelers that could be hired for a trip round town.

Pune’s tropical weather has hot summers and rainy monsoon months. The idyllic time to visit would be in winter, if you would like to enjoy an uninterrupted holiday.

Summer (March – June):

Summer months are hot, though evenings might turn in a little cooler. These months would not be preferable if you are planning to go in for sightseeing and adventure tourism.

Monsoon (July – October):

Monsoon is such a beautiful time to visit the hill stations. But during the monsoons, Pune receives heavy rains that are accompanied by traffic snarls and water logged roads that can upset your travel plans.

Winter (November - February):

Nights are cold, but days are clear and pleasant. Winter is just the right season to visit Pune when the cold winds from the north blow in and turn the mountain peaks a misty cool! 

Trekking:

One of the most exciting and adventurous things you can do in Pune is hiking up the slopes of history. The mountainous peaks of the Sahyadri close to Pune are home to ruined fortresses and temples built by the Marathas. Trek up some of the finest mist covered peaks to revisit history.

Quest for Adventure:

Pune has some great holiday getaways for a plethora of exciting outdoor sports. There are sports hubs that offer fun filled activities like mountain cycling, pontoon boating or paddle boating, bungee jump or bouldering that are going to keep you on your toes.

Walk through History:

What more than an unhurried exploratory tour around the city of Pune, visiting the Wadas, century old markets and temples.

Parks and Zoos:

Pune’s well groomed gardens and parks make a lovely occasion for a day’s trip. You could visit Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park and Wildlife Research Centre at Katraj, watch the scores of migratory birds at Pu La Deshpande Garden or offer prayers at the ancient Talyatla Ganpati temple at Sarasbaug, established in 1784 by Sawai Madhavrao Peshwa.

Vetal Hill:

At an altitude of 2,600 ft, Vetal Hill or Vetal Tekdi, with the hilltop temple to Vetala, is the highest point at Pune. The Vetal Hill is a cool retreat from the routine of city life at the plains and offers a panoramic view of the city spread out at the foothills and the sun rise or sun set above.

Sacred Places:

Pune is home to several ancient places of worship that would be a dream of every pilgrim. Visit some of Pune’s old churches like St. Mary’s or St. Zavier’s Church built during British rule, Chand Tara Masjid, the Bhuleshwar Shiva temple on the Pune – Solapur highway or Neelkanteshwar temple on a hillock about 40 km from Pune.

Pune celebrates festivals with a lot of traditional fervour and gaiety. Pune Festival in September, corresponding with the Ganesh Festival, is one of the grandest of all festivities celebrated in Pune. There are music concerts by eminent musicians and dancers, along with a variety of theatre shows, dance and folk art performances and cooking and talent competitions, water sports et al that are attended by people from around the world. You could also visit Pune Heritage Festival with heritage walks, dance and drama performances and exhibitions that celebrate Pune, along with participating in Shivaji Maharaj Jayanthi in February.