After lunch, set off from Mumbai for Nashik via the NH160 corridor, heading through Thane and the Kasara ghat section. Allow around 4–5 hours of driving, and longer if Mumbai traffic or the ghat slows you down. With a six-month-old and a 70-year-old in the car, build in a flexible stop rather than trying to make up time; keep feeds, water, and any regular medicines close at hand.
Plan a 30–45-minute break around Igatpuri, roughly midway. Use a clean highway facility if one is convenient, and give everyone time to stretch, change the baby, and have a snack. Facilities vary between stops, so don’t count on a particular restroom or changing area being available; ask your driver to pull in somewhere that looks well maintained.
Once you reach Nashik, stop at Sadhana Chulivarchi Misal if it’s open and the family still has energy. It’s a popular local spot; check that day’s hours before setting out, and ask for a milder preparation or a simple alternative if misal is too spicy. Budget about ₹200–₹400 per person. Then head to your relatives’ home and keep the evening easy—settling in and getting everyone rested will make tomorrow’s drive much more comfortable.
Leave Nashik around 5:00–5:30 a.m. so the 4–5-hour drive still leaves time to explore before the afternoon heat builds. Ask the driver to plan a comfort stop, and keep water, feeds, nappies and a light layer handy. Ellora Caves are generally open 6 a.m.–6 p.m. and closed Tuesdays; Indian entry is about ₹40, but check current ticketing and holiday arrangements before you go. Since it’s Gandhi Jayanti, expect more visitors than on an ordinary weekday. Focus on the monumental Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) and a few nearby caves rather than attempting the whole site. The paths are uneven and involve steps, so sturdy shoes and a baby carrier will be much easier than a stroller; take breaks in the shade for your older companion.
From the caves, it’s only a short drive to Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple. Allow 45–90 minutes, depending on the darshan queue, and check the temple’s current entry, dress and belongings rules before setting out; queues can be tiring, so agree on a comfortable waiting plan for the 70-year-old. Then have lunch and put your feet up at Hotel Kailas, close to the caves. Budget roughly ₹300–₹700 per person; it’s a practical place for a sit-down meal and a pause before the final drive.
Continue by car to your Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar hotel—allow about 1–1.5 hours from Hotel Kailas, depending on traffic. Check in, keep the evening free for rest, and ask the hotel in advance about a baby cot, lift access and a room away from stairs if those would make settling in easier.
Leave around 6:00 a.m. if possible; allow 4–5 hours to reach Nashik, plus a flexible stop for feeding, changing and stretching. Ask the driver to choose a safe, clean stop rather than trying to keep to a strict schedule, and keep the baby’s essentials and the older traveler’s medicines within easy reach. Once in Nashik, allow time to unload and settle your relatives before getting back on the road.
For an air-conditioned meal in town, Hotel Panchavati is a practical option; budget roughly ₹300–₹700 per person, and call ahead to check the restaurant’s current hours and accessibility. Keep lunch unhurried, but remember there is still another 4–5 hours of driving to Mumbai—traffic at the city end can add considerably more. Set off after the family handover and meal, and ask the driver to pause whenever the baby or older traveler needs a break. Expect this to be a long travel day, so keep the evening in Mumbai free of plans.
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