Pune Private City Tour: Maratha History, Temples & Lunch

Five centuries of Maratha rule, temples, palaces and bazaars in one afternoon

A private guided tour of Pune lasting five to six hours, visiting the 300-year-old Shaniwarwada fort, Aga Khan Palace (where Gandhi was imprisoned), the Dagadusheth temple, and Lal Mahal, with lunch in a traditional cafe, AC transport, and pickup from your hotel. The guide speaks English, Hindi or Marathi, and the itinerary can be customized to your interests.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Pune city highlights

• Visit Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati Temple
• Tour Aga Khan Palace and gardens
• Explore Shaniwarwada fort ruins
• See Lal Mahal childhood home
• Shop and stroll Tulshibaug market
• Drive past Laxmi Road
• Visit Tribal Research Institute Museum
• Drive past Pune Race Course
• Walk in Empress Botanical Garden
• Visit National War Memorial Southern Command
• Drive past Ohel David Synagogue
• Drive through Deccan Gymkhana area
• Visit Pataleshwar Cave Temple
• Walk Centre Street and Kolsa Galli
• Shop on famous Deccan shopping street
• Visit Sikh place of worship
• Shop on another famous Pune street
• See Pune University campus
• Walk historical street near Shaniwarwada
• Visit Zoroastrian place of worship
• Visit Christian church
• Visit ancient Hindu temple

The experience

Pune reads as a business city on first arrival, but the tour uncovers what locals know: a place where the Maratha Empire rose in the 17th century and shaped Indian politics for generations. You'll start at Shaniwarwada, a 300-year-old fort built in 1732 as the seat of the Peshwas: the stone base that survives today is all that remains after a fire in 1828 destroyed the upper stories. From there, the guide takes you to Aga Khan Palace, a majestic building where Mahatma Gandhi, his wife Kasturba, and other independence leaders were held as prisoners. His ashes are kept there now. The Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati Temple, 130 years old and dedicated to Lord Ganesha, draws over a hundred thousand pilgrims yearly, especially during the September Ganeshotsav festival.

The route also passes through Lal Mahal, where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, founder of the Maratha Empire, spent his childhood starting in 1630, and stops at Tulshibaug, a bustling street market in old Pune where you can walk through stalls selling traditional Maharashtrian cooking items, cosmetics, jewelry and puja goods. You'll drive past Laxmi Road, the Osho Commune, Koregaon Park's tree-lined residential streets, and the 190-year-old Pune Race Course spanning 118 acres. The Empress Botanical Gardens offer a quieter moment among rare trees and flowers, and the Pataleshwar Cave Temple (carved in the 8th century and over 1,300 years old) is the oldest monument in the city.

Lunch happens at a traditional cafe where you eat local food, and the car stays air-conditioned throughout. Mineral water, soft drinks, tea, coffee and local snacks are included. Your guide is knowledgeable and friendly, and pickup and drop-off happen at your hotel or anywhere else in and around Pune at times that suit your schedule. Entry fees, taxes, tolls and parking are all covered.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned car with a knowledgeable guide.
• lunch at a traditional cafe.
• unlimited mineral water, soft drinks, tea, coffee and local snacks.
• pickup and drop-off from your hotel or any location in and around Pune.
• all entry fees, taxes, tolls and parking charges.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 11 years): free · Infant (1 to 3 years): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Hindi and Marathi

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by World of Bollywood Tours

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English, Hindi or Marathi, so choose the language you're most comfortable with. The five to six hour span fits a half-day into Pune's history without rushing, and the private car means you set the pace and can linger at stops that interest you most.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Hindi and Marathi.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (4 to 11 years): free; Infant (1 to 3 years): free.

What is Shaniwarwada and why does only the stone base remain?

Shaniwarwada is a 300-year-old fort built in 1732 as the seat of the Peshwas during the Maratha Empire, when it became the center of Indian politics in the 18th century. A fire in 1828 destroyed most of the original seven-story structure, but the stone base survived because it was immune to the British artillery that attacked it 90 years later.

Can I customize the stops or timing on this tour?

Yes, the itinerary, places and timings can be customized to your personal preferences. The guide will work with you to adjust the route based on what interests you most.

Is lunch included, and what kind of food will I eat?

Yes, lunch at a traditional cafe is included in the tour price. You'll eat local Pune cuisine prepared in the traditional style.

What is Aga Khan Palace and why is it historically important?

Aga Khan Palace is a majestic building closely linked to India's independence movement. Mahatma Gandhi, his wife Kasturba Gandhi, his secretary Mahadev Desai and freedom fighter Sarojini Naidu were imprisoned there during the British rule. Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadev Desai died at the palace, and Gandhi's ashes are kept there today. The palace now houses a memorial and is the headquarters of the Gandhi National Memorial Society.