Bhimashankar itinerary

Plan 01

1 day in Bhimashankar

1. 01

   Day 1: Temple and plateau viewpoints

   Leave Pune or Mumbai very early so you reach the temple soon after it opens on a weekday, and check the current darshan hours first. After darshan, step out to the small kund said to mark the source of the Bhima river, then drive or walk to Mumbai Point for the Konkan view. If you have energy, walk to Hanuman Lake. Eat a simple lunch from a busy stall, rest in the car and begin the drive down before late afternoon, since the ghat road is easier in daylight.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Mumbai Point	20–40 minutes	Easy	Clear mornings and late afternoons, October to February
   Hanuman Lake	30–60 minutes	Moderate	Early morning, October to February

   Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.

   With parents at Hanuman Lake: The approach is a forest path of about a couple of kilometres, with uneven stretches and little seating. Many older visitors prefer to go as far as a vehicle allows and walk the last section slowly.

Plan 02

2 days in Bhimashankar

1. 01

   Day 1: Arrival and a gentle evening

   Drive up in daylight via Manchar and Ghodegaon, check in and rest. Late in the afternoon, walk to Mumbai Point for the view over the Konkan, then have an early meal. Avoid the temple on Shravan Mondays and Mahashivratri.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Mumbai Point	20–40 minutes	Easy	Clear mornings and late afternoons, October to February

   Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.

2. 02

   Day 2: Darshan and forest walk

   Go to the temple at opening time to avoid the day-visitor crowd. Afterwards, walk to Hanuman Lake and, if you are fit, continue to Nagphani Point on a clear day. Return for lunch and begin the drive back by early afternoon.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Hanuman Lake	30–60 minutes	Moderate	Early morning, October to February
   Nagphani Point	1–2 hours including the walk	Demanding	Clear mornings, October to February; late afternoon for light

   Pace: Nagphani Point involves a lot of walking or steps — do it early, and keep the rest of the day light.

   With parents at Hanuman Lake: The approach is a forest path of about a couple of kilometres, with uneven stretches and little seating. Many older visitors prefer to go as far as a vehicle allows and walk the last section slowly.

   With parents at Nagphani Point: The climb is short but rough, with loose rock and an exposed edge. There is no handrail and no seating. Older or unsteady visitors can enjoy the Mumbai Point view instead.

Plan 03

3 days in Bhimashankar

1. 01

   Day 1: Arrive and settle

   Drive up in daylight, rest, and walk to Mumbai Point near the bus stand at sunset if the sky is clear.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Mumbai Point	20–40 minutes	Easy	Clear mornings and late afternoons, October to February

   Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.

2. 02

   Day 2: Temple and Hanuman Lake

   Early darshan at the Jyotirlinga, then the Bhima source kund, Hanuman Lake and, for fit walkers, Nagphani Point. Rest in the afternoon.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Hanuman Lake	30–60 minutes	Moderate	Early morning, October to February
   Nagphani Point	1–2 hours including the walk	Demanding	Clear mornings, October to February; late afternoon for light

   Pace: Nagphani Point involves a lot of walking or steps — do it early, and keep the rest of the day light.

   With parents at Hanuman Lake: The approach is a forest path of about a couple of kilometres, with uneven stretches and little seating. Many older visitors prefer to go as far as a vehicle allows and walk the last section slowly.

   With parents at Nagphani Point: The climb is short but rough, with loose rock and an exposed edge. There is no handrail and no seating. Older or unsteady visitors can enjoy the Mumbai Point view instead.

3. 03

   Day 3: Forest or trek

   Fit walkers can do the forest path to Gupt Bhimashankar and Sakshi Vinayak early in the morning, or join an organised Ganesh Ghat or Shidi Ghat trek in the cool season. Others can visit Kondhwal Waterfall in the monsoon or combine a day trip to Shivneri Fort near Junnar on the way back.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Gupt Bhimashankar and Sakshi Vinayak	1.5–2.5 hours return, with time at the shrine	Demanding	October to February mornings; the stream is fuller after the monsoon, but the path is slippery
   Shidi Ghat Trek	2.5–4 hours uphill; 1.5–2.5 hours down	Demanding	October to February
   Kondhwal Waterfall	1–2 hours including the side road	Moderate	July to October

   Pace: Gupt Bhimashankar and Sakshi Vinayak and Shidi Ghat Trek involve a lot of walking or steps — do them early, and keep the rest of the day light.

   With parents at Gupt Bhimashankar and Sakshi Vinayak: The path is a forest track with roots, stones and mud, and the last stretch near the stream is slippery in rain. There is little seating. Better for fit older walkers with a stick than for anyone with knee or balance problems.

   With parents at Shidi Ghat Trek: Not suitable for most older visitors: steep rock, fixed ropes in places and a scramble of 30 to 45 minutes. Seniors should drive to the temple instead.

Read before you go

Guides for the stops on these routes

Pacing

Pacing a Bhimashankar trip for parents and children

• Visit the temple on a weekday at opening time and avoid Mondays in Shravan and Mahashivratri, when queues are very long.
• Check current darshan hours before you leave, as the temple has announced restricted hours during construction.
• Use a private car and driver for the winding ghat road, and avoid driving it after dark.
• Keep to the temple and Mumbai Point if mobility is limited; Gupt Bhimashankar, Nagphani and the treks involve rough, steep ground.
• Carry water, snacks and medication; shops and medical facilities on the plateau are limited.
• Wear shoes with grip and avoid the monsoon if you are unsteady, because paths and temple stone become slippery.

Bhimashankar with elderly parents: the full guide →