Junnar itinerary

Plan 01

1 day in Junnar

1. 01

   Day 1: Shivneri and the caves

   Reach Shivneri Fort soon after opening and climb the main route through the gateways, resting at each. Visit the Badami Talav pond and the statues of Jijabai and young Shivaji, then descend before the heat peaks. After lunch in town, drive to Lenyadri for the Ganesha shrine and the cave hall, or visit the Tulja caves if the stair climb is too much. Return to Pune in the early evening.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Shivneri Fort	2-3 hours including the climb	Moderate	October to February; start at opening time to avoid midday heat

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

   With parents at Shivneri Fort: The main approach is the gentle route and is used by most visitors, but it is a long climb with many stone steps and several gateways, and shade is patchy. There is little seating, so older visitors should go slowly, rest at the gates and avoid the heat of the day. The chain route is for trekkers only.

Plan 02

2 days in Junnar

1. 01

   Day 1: Shivneri and the caves

   Spend the morning on Shivneri and the afternoon on the Manmodi and Tulja cave groups, choosing one or two rather than all. Stay in or near Junnar.

2. 02

   Day 2: Lenyadri and Ozar

   Climb to Lenyadri early, before the sun is high. Drive on to the Vigneshwar temple at Ozar in the late morning, and stop at Narayangad Fort if you want a short, easy hill walk on the way back to the highway.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Narayangad Fort	1.5-2.5 hours including the climb	Moderate	Winter and just after the monsoon, when the hill is green; go early in the morning

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

   With parents at Narayangad Fort: The climb is short but steep in places and the path can be rough and loose. There is little shade and no handrails, so older visitors should consider whether they are comfortable on uneven rock steps. The top is open, so wind and sun are strong.

Plan 03

3 days in Junnar

1. 01

   Day 1: Shivneri and the caves

   Follow the first day of the two-day plan, with a slow pace and a long lunch.

2. 02

   Day 2: Lenyadri, Ozar and Narayangad

   Lenyadri in the morning, Ozar before noon, and Narayangad Fort in the late afternoon for the view.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Narayangad Fort	1.5-2.5 hours including the climb	Moderate	Winter and just after the monsoon, when the hill is green; go early in the morning

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

   With parents at Narayangad Fort: The climb is short but steep in places and the path can be rough and loose. There is little shade and no handrails, so older visitors should consider whether they are comfortable on uneven rock steps. The top is open, so wind and sun are strong.

3. 03

   Day 3: Naneghat country

   Drive towards Naneghat with a local driver or guide, visit the pass and the inscription cave, and, if you are fit and have booked a guide, trek Hadsar by its southern route. Skip Jivdhan and Nimgiri unless you are an experienced trekker.

Read before you go

Guides for the stops on these routes

Pacing

Pacing a Junnar trip for parents and children

• Choose one stair-heavy site per day: Shivneri and Lenyadri both involve long climbs on stone steps.
• Ozar's Vigneshwar temple is the easiest stop for older pilgrims; go on a weekday morning.
• Skip the forts of the Naneghat country (Jivdhan, Hadsar, Chavand, Nimgiri); view the area from the road instead.
• Carry your own water and snacks; facilities near the sights are minimal.
• Plan a rest stop in Junnar town or the car after each climb, and avoid the midday sun from March to May.
• Hold handrails and wear shoes with grip on worn stone steps, especially after rain.

Junnar with elderly parents: the full guide →