Weekend getaway from Pune · #4 of 10
Nashik
India's wine capital and an ancient pilgrim city on the Godavari: Sula's tasting rooms, the 2nd-century BC Pandavleni caves, Ram Kund's ghats and the Trimbakeshwar jyotirlinga.
Nashik is a cool split-personality city. One half is ancient pilgrim ghats, cave temples, and wild Kumbh Mela vibes along the Godavari; the other is India's own laidback wine capital. It is a long but easy highway cruise from Pune. Pro tip: hit the sacred heritage spots on day one, and save the vineyard hopping for your drive back home.
Getting there
A long, easy highway cruise. Head out by 7 AM to beat the Chakan truck bottleneck and make it in time for brunch.
Cheap buses run around the clock. Once you land, just grab local autos and cabs to zip between sights.
Day 1 - Panchavati and the Godavari
Diving into the sacred old quarters- 16:30 AMDrive
Highway morning
Cruise north on NH60 past Narayangaon and Sangamner. You will have misty Sahyadri peaks to your left and plenty of local roadside shacks for quick chai breaks.
📍 Sangamner, Maharashtra
Tip · Hit the road by 7 AM to snag a late breakfast in town.
- 211:00 AMFood
Misal brunch in Panchavati
Nashik treats misal like religion. Old-school spots around Panchavati Karanja, like legendary Raswanti, dish it out seriously spicy, tempered with buttery pav and cold buttermilk.
📍 Panchavati, Nashik
Tip · Ask for the tari (spicy gravy) on the side if your spice tolerance is low.
- 312:30 PMSight
Ram Kund and the ghats
This sacred Godavari tank is where Kumbh pilgrims gather. The steps buzz with local life, ritual chants, bright flower vendors, and oil lamps.
📍 Ram Kund, Nashik
Tip · Keep your shoes off near the water and be polite with your camera around the steps.
- 42:00 PMSight
Kalaram Temple
A gorgeous black-stone temple dedicated to Ram, serving as the spiritual anchor of the winding old-town lanes.
📍 Kalaram Temple, Nashik
- 53:30 PMSight
Pandavleni Caves
Climb up to these ancient 2nd-century BC Buddhist and Jain rock-cut caves right off the highway. The views across Nashik from the top are fantastic.
📍 Pandavleni Caves, Nashik
Tip · Hike up in the late afternoon to catch the sunset glow and avoid the heat.
- 66:00 PMSight
Someshwar and the riverside evening
A peaceful Shiva temple tucked along a green stretch of the Godavari. It is a favorite local hangout and the perfect place to escape the old city crowds.
📍 Someshwar Temple, Nashik
- 78:00 PMFood
Thali dinner
Tuck into an endless Marathi vegetarian thali at Hotel Panchavati Yatri. It is a classic local institution, so arrive hungry.
📍 Hotel Panchavati Yatri, Nashik
- 89:30 PMStay
Overnight in Nashik
Crash near Panchavati if you want historic morning walks, or book a spot out west to wake up right next to wine country.
📍 Nashik, Maharashtra
Day 2 - Trimbakeshwar and wine country
Sacred temple vibes to vineyard chilling- 97:00 AMDrive
Out to Trimbak
Drive 30 km west toward the Godavari's source, passing under Anjneri Hill, a legendary monsoon trekking hotspot, to reach Trimbak.
📍 Trimbak, Maharashtra
- 108:00 AMSight
Trimbakeshwar Temple
This iconic temple at the base of Brahmagiri Hill is one of the twelve sacred jyotirlingas and a major Kumbh Mela venue. Get here early before lines explode.
📍 Trimbakeshwar Temple, Trimbak
Tip · Wear modest clothing, and expect to stash your phone and shoes outside.
- 1111:00 AMDrive
Across to wine country
Head back toward Nashik and swing into the lush vineyard belt, where India's premier winemakers set up shop amid working grape fields.
📍 Nashik, Maharashtra
- 1212:00 PMActivity
Sula Vineyards tour and tasting
Tour the famous estate that put Indian wine on the map. Sip on tasting flights of Zinfandels, Chenin Blancs, and bubbly right above the sprawling vines.
📍 Sula Vineyards, Nashik
Tip · Tastings fill up fast on Saturdays and Sundays, so book online in advance.
- 131:30 PMFood
Long lunch at the winery
Enjoy a lazy lunch overlooking the vines, then browse their cellar shop for exclusive bottles you won't easily find back home in Pune.
📍 Sula Vineyards, Nashik
- 143:30 PMDrive
Roll home
Aim the car back down NH60 toward Pune. A quick chai break in Sangamner will keep you going, and you'll be back in time for dinner.
📍 Sangamner, Maharashtra
Tip · Do not put your wine bottles in the hot trunk - let them ride in the cool passenger footwell instead.
Where to eat
Way spicier than Pune's version and eaten early in the day. The legendary joints in old Panchavati are where you want to go.
A fun guided flight of Sula's signature Chenin Blancs, Zinfandels, and sparkling wines right at the main tasting deck.
Feast on massive, unlimited vegetarian spreads at heritage spots like Panchavati Yatri, loved by locals and travelers alike.
When to go
The sweet spot. Perfect weather for morning temple walks and breezy afternoon wine sessions.
Monsoon magic. The hills turn incredibly green, waterfalls come alive, and trekking around Trimbak is spectacular.
Summertime. Milder than the plains but still hot, so explore the caves and ghats at sunrise.
The massive Kumbh Mela returns in 2027. Expect epic energy, huge crowds, and a completely transformed city.
Good to know
- Lock in your Sula weekend tastings and vineyard rooms way ahead of time.
- Hit Trimbakeshwar early to beat the crowd; steer clear of weekends and the holy month of Shravan if you hate long lines.
- The Pune-Nashik route gets heavy truck traffic, so try to do all your driving during daylight hours.
