- Starting from
- Pune
- Duration
- 1 Day
- Distance
- Approx. 220-250 km round trip
- Mode
- Private AC cab with driver
- Package rate
- Call for best fare
About This Tour Package
Bhimashankar is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and the closest of Maharashtra's Jyotirlinga temples to Pune. A one day Pune to Bhimashankar tour fits comfortably between an early breakfast and a late evening return. Cab Service Pune handles the drive on the ghat roads, so you can concentrate on the darshan and the scenery.
Why Bhimashankar Suits a Day Trip
Bhimashankar lies about 110-125 km from Pune, taking roughly three to four hours each way depending on traffic through Manchar and Rajgurunagar side roads and the condition of the ghat. This is much shorter than other pilgrim destinations, so a same-day return is easy and relaxed.
The temple sits in the Sahyadri range, inside the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, so the surroundings are cool and forested, a nice change from the city.
The Road from Pune
The drive normally goes towards Chakan and Rajgurunagar (Khed), then on to Ghodegaon and Bhimashankar through the ghat section. The last stretch has curves and steep climbs, and on rainy or misty mornings visibility drops quickly. Our drivers know these roads well and take the climb carefully.
Plan a tea halt on the way, as options become sparse near the top.
Darshan and Temple Atmosphere
The Bhimashankar temple is an old stone shrine in the Nagara style, associated with Lord Shiva. It is known as the source of the Bhima river. Crowds are heavy during Shravan Mondays, Maha Shivratri and on weekends. Check current darshan hours and any queue or dress rules before you travel.
You walk down a stairway to reach the temple, and then back up, which can be tiring for senior citizens. Palanquin or assistance options may be available locally; ask on arrival. Cab Service Pune can coordinate darshan help on request.
Nature and Wildlife
Bhimashankar is known for the Shekru, or Indian giant squirrel, the state animal of Maharashtra. Sightings are possible but never guaranteed, so treat them as a bonus. Walking trails and viewpoints around the temple give you good scenery, especially after the monsoon, when the forest glows green.
- Temple stairway and surrounding forest trail
- Viewpoints over the Sahyadri valleys
- Possible sightings of the Shekru and birds
- Hanuman Lake and small shrines nearby, if time allows
Sample Day Plan
You leave Pune around 5:30-6:00 am and stop for breakfast around Chakan or Rajgurunagar. You reach the base at about 9:30-10:00 am, walk down for darshan, spend some time at viewpoints, and have a simple lunch from a local eatery. The return starts around 2:00-3:00 pm, aiming for Pune by evening.
Best Time to Visit
The monsoon and just afterwards, from July to October, bring waterfalls, mist and green hills, but the ghats are slippery and crowds can be heavy. Winter is cool and clear for walking. Summer is dry and hot in the open, so wear a hat. In peak monsoon, check local advisories before travelling.
Choosing Your Vehicle
A Swift Dzire is plenty for two or three people, and an Ertiga or Innova Crysta suits families with seniors who need extra comfort on the climb. Tempo Traveller and Force Urbania options suit groups, while larger parties may need a 20-45 seater bus, subject to the road conditions on the ghat. Cab Service Pune vehicles are clean and air-conditioned.
Safety and Practical Tips
Wear grippy footwear for the stairs, especially after rain, and keep a rain jacket in monsoon. Carry water, snacks, a torch if you plan a late return, and photo ID. Keep your distance from monkeys, and do not feed them. Avoid taking plastic into the forest, and dispose of waste properly. Drive-time motion sickness is common on curves, so keep medication.
Dress, Footwear and What to Carry
Wear comfortable clothes and sturdy footwear, because the walk to the temple involves steps and can be slippery when wet. Carry a light rain jacket during and after the monsoon, plus drinking water, a small snack, sunscreen and a power bank. Leave heavy bags in the vehicle and take only what you need.
Planning for Senior Citizens and Children
Elders should check the steps and the distance from the parking area before deciding how much to walk, and take rest breaks without hurry. Children enjoy the forest setting but need supervision near the edges and streams. Tell us about any health or mobility needs while booking so the day is paced properly.
Combining Bhimashankar with Nearby Stops
Some travellers like to add a stop near the highway on the way back, such as a roadside tea break or a viewpoint. Keep any extra stop short, as ghat roads are best driven in daylight. Your driver can suggest options based on the weather and the time you finish darshan.
What Not to Expect
Bhimashankar is a forest shrine, so facilities are basic compared with a city temple. Food stalls are simple and crowds on weekends and festival days can be heavy. Going with realistic expectations makes the day far more enjoyable.
Fuel, Network and Emergencies
Mobile network can be patchy on the ghat sections and inside the forest, so download maps and share your plan with family before leaving. Keep the driver's number saved, agree a meeting point near the parking area and carry a basic first-aid kit with any personal medicines.
Respecting the Forest
Bhimashankar lies in a protected forest area, so avoid littering, loud music and plastic waste. Do not feed or tease animals, stay on marked paths and carry your rubbish back to the vehicle. Small habits like these keep the place pleasant for the next visitors, and for the wildlife that lives here.
Fare and Booking
The fare is shared before the trip. Toll, parking and state tax are normally charged at actuals unless an all-inclusive package is quoted. Meals, offerings and any local charges are paid by you. Tell us the date, pick-up point and group size via WhatsApp, a call or the enquiry form, and we will confirm your vehicle and fare.
If you want an easy and meaningful one day Pune to Bhimashankar tour, call or WhatsApp 7888117999. Cab Service Pune will take care of the road.
Tour Itinerary
- 5:30-6:00 am: Pick-up from your Pune address or the airport area
- 7:30 am: Breakfast halt near Chakan or Rajgurunagar
- 9:30-10:00 am: Reach Bhimashankar and walk down to the temple
- 10:00 am-12:30 pm: Darshan, depending on the queue
- 1:00 pm: Lunch and a stroll to viewpoints or the forest trail
- 2:30 pm: Start the return drive through the ghat
- 6:00-7:00 pm: Drop-off in Pune, depending on traffic
Choose Your Vehicle
FAQs
How far is Bhimashankar from Pune?
Bhimashankar is roughly 110-125 km from Pune, and the drive takes around three to four hours each way, depending on traffic and the ghat road.
Is there a lot of walking at Bhimashankar?
Yes, the temple is reached by a stairway, so expect a walk down and back up. Seniors may want help locally. Wear grippy footwear.
Can I see the Shekru squirrel?
Sightings are possible in the sanctuary but never guaranteed. Walk quietly, carry binoculars if you have them and treat any sighting as a bonus.
Is it safe during the monsoon?
The ghat becomes slippery and misty, so we drive slowly and may advise delay in heavy rain. Check current advisories and carry a rain jacket.
What is included in the fare?
The vehicle and driver as agreed. Toll, parking and state tax are normally charged at actuals unless an all-inclusive package is quoted. The fare is shared before the trip.
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.