Leave Pune around 5:30 AM with a full tank, taking the Pune–Nashik highway and continuing toward Aurangabad via NH60. Allow 7–8 hours with breaks; the road is straightforward but truck traffic can slow the Nashik–Aurangabad stretch. Stop for breakfast at a clean highway restaurant or service area rather than delaying the schedule. Around 10:00–11:30 AM, detour into the Gangapur area for Sula Vineyards. The vineyard is a pleasant monsoon stop, with lake-and-hill views; tastings and lunch generally cost ₹1,000–₹2,000 per person. Keep this visit flexible—if traffic from Pune is heavy, prioritize lunch over a full tasting tour, and confirm same-day entry and tasting slots before arrival.
Continue to Aurangabad, reaching around 1:00–2:00 PM, then check in and rest briefly before visiting Bibi Ka Maqbara in Begumpura. Allow 45–60 minutes for the mausoleum and gardens; late afternoon is considerably more comfortable than midday, and entry is usually inexpensive, roughly ₹25–₹300 depending on visitor category. From there, take an auto-rickshaw or cab—about 10–15 minutes—to Panchakki in Rauza Bagh. The historic water mill and adjoining dargah complex take 30–45 minutes; modest clothing and quiet behavior are appropriate. Finish at the Talao Pali food area around 7:30 PM for an easy dinner, choosing Maharashtrian specialties or North Indian fare for approximately ₹300–₹700 per person. Keep the evening relaxed, as tomorrow’s Shirdi departure requires an exceptionally early start.
Leave Aurangabad around 3:00–4:00 AM in your private car so you reach Shirdi Sai Baba Temple before sunrise; the drive takes roughly 2½–3 hours, depending on traffic and the exact hotel location. Keep government-issued ID handy and avoid carrying phones, cameras, bags, or valuables into the temple area—use the official cloakrooms and follow the security instructions. Allow 2–3 hours for darshan, queues, and temple परिसर; online darshan booking through the official Shree Saibaba Sansthan Trust website can make the visit more predictable, though early-morning queues still vary.
After darshan, walk or take a short auto-rickshaw ride to Shirdi Prasadalaya near the temple complex for a simple vegetarian meal. It is inexpensive—roughly ₹100–₹250 per person—and 45 minutes is enough for breakfast or an early lunch. Leave Shirdi promptly afterward; the road toward Verul takes about 2½–3 hours, so carry water and snacks, particularly during the monsoon when traffic and wet road conditions can slow the journey.
Stop first at Ghrishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, just beside Ellora Caves, and allow about an hour. Dress conservatively, remove footwear before entering, and check the day’s darshan rules at the entrance, as access and queue arrangements can change during festivals or busy Mondays. From the temple, it is only a few minutes by car to the Ellora Caves entrance. Spend 2–3 hours here, prioritising the immense Kailasa Temple and allowing time for the Buddhist and Jain caves; uneven stone paths and monsoon puddles make sturdy footwear useful. The complex is generally open from around 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM and is closed on Tuesdays; monument entry is commonly around ₹40 for Indian visitors and higher for foreign visitors, with separate parking and guide charges. Start the onward drive by mid-afternoon rather than attempting every cave.
Continue by road from Ellora toward Shegaon, allowing roughly 5–6 hours with a meal and fuel stop. This is the longest leg of the day, so treat the evening visit to Shegaon Gajanan Maharaj Temple as a calm arrival rather than another rushed sightseeing stop. On reaching town, ask the driver to drop you near your hotel or the temple’s designated approach roads, since traffic and pedestrian movement can increase around evening aarti. Check in, freshen up, and visit the temple if the queue is manageable; otherwise, take darshan early the next morning. Modest clothing, covered shoulders and knees, and minimal belongings will make entry easier.
Leave Shegaon around 6:00 AM in your private car, allowing a calm 1½–2-hour visit to Anand Sagar before the day’s long drive. Walk through the landscaped gardens, lake area, and devotional complex; the morning is cooler and quieter, though opening hours and access can vary, so confirm locally the previous evening. Modest clothing is advisable, and keep ₹50–₹100 per person for small donations or incidental fees. Afterward, stop in Shegaon town for a simple vegetarian breakfast—look for a busy local eatery serving poha, misal, or thalipeeth, budgeting ₹150–₹350 per person. Do not linger too long: the drive to Lonar Lake is several hours, and roads around Buldhana can be slow.
Continue by road to Lonar Lake, allowing roughly 2–3 hours for the crater rim viewpoints and nearby temples. The approach and lakeside paths can be uneven, particularly during the monsoon, so wear shoes with good grip and carry water; avoid attempting the full descent if the trail is muddy. The lake area is best treated as a nature-and-heritage stop rather than a quick photo break, with time to observe the unusual greenish water, birdlife, and basalt landscape. There are limited reliable food options immediately around the lake, so have snacks in the car and arrange lunch at a clean restaurant in Lonar or farther along the route. Keep valuables with you, as facilities and signage are basic.
After Lonar Lake, resume the NH53 route toward Pune, joining the Mumbai–Pune Expressway for the final stretch. Plan a 30–45-minute break around the Karla–Lonavala highway stop for tea, vada pav, or packaged snacks; choose a busy, well-lit outlet and use the opportunity to refuel. Traffic near Lonavala and the expressway toll plazas can add time, so an evening arrival in Pune is realistic rather than guaranteed. The full day will take around 10–12 hours including the two sightseeing stops and meal breaks; keep the driver rested, carry cash for smaller stops and toll-related contingencies, and confirm your Pune drop-off point before leaving Shegaon.