Ganpatipule

Route from Pune:
Pune> Shirval > satara > karad > take right turn after 3-4 km from karad> kokrud > malkapur > take right turn from malkapur > Amba ghat > nanij > take right turn once reached to Mumbai Goa highway > Hathkhamba> Nivali > take right turn from here> Ganpatipule pule.

Distance: 340 kms

This route has toll: 80 + 65 + 40 = 185

Accommodation:
Lot of options like lodge, home Stay, hotels and resorts available there. Also Ganpatipule devasthan has started 2 Bhakt Nivas at very nominal rates starting from rs 300 to 500 non AC rooms. But no advance or phone booking available only counter bookings.
One Bhakt Nivas is right inside temple premise.

Home stay available from rs 500 to 800 depend upon the room and facilities.

Climate: Most of the time throughout the year climate is humid.

Places of interest:

Ganpati temple:
Swayambhu ganesh temple 400+ years old.

There are lot of development work done by trust like, shade on queue, prasadalay no charges for prasad it is very simple like khichadi, sweet boondi and mango pickle but it is delicious.

Also boondi ladu prasad, daily they distribute limited stock so depend on how much rush you will get it.

Goga Baba Tekadi, Aurangabad

Goga baba hill is located behind Marathawada University in Aurangabad. It is on the same mountain range of Aurangabad Caves.

At base there is ample space for car & bike parking. There is also a small temple & function hall at base. From back side of this temple has way to Goga Baba hill.

There are no steps to climb; one has to trek to reach the top. It’s a small trek; most of the part is easy but couple of difficult patches, but are manageable. It takes around 30 minutes to reach the top.

There is a small white coloured Goga Baba temple at top, only 2 people can comfortably sit inside for worship . History is not known about the temple but it seems to be quite old place.

From top you can see complete Aurangabad city and other city landmarks like Bibi Ka Makbara, Devgiri Fort, Hanuman Tekadi (Hill) & Aurangabad Caves.

There is also some Godess temple on Adjacent hill. From top people walk to beside hill and descent to Aurangabad caves.

Do not forget to bring camera and wear comfortable shoes. Also carry at least 1 litre water bottle as i did not find any water source at top.

Dattatrey Gad, Dighi

Dattatrey gad is located on Dighi hill, on Dighi Alandi road. This hill is known as Dighi hill. it should be just 15-20 kms from pune city.

There are 2 Lord Datta temple, 1 Dargah, 3 stone carved water tanks and a well like structure on hill.

There are two data temples on top, one is small and seems to be old, another is big. It has large "Sabha Mandap"(Hall) and nicely painted walls. There are railing made for Darshan queue so it seems there must be crowd during data jayanti and other lord data festivals. There are iron benches

There are steps and walking trails to reach to the temple on top or one can just trek to reach the top.
This trek is quite simple and takes around 30 mins to reach, there are couple of rock patches but are manageable. At some places stones has been painted with white color to show the route.

View from top is very spectacular and one can see Dighi buildings, water tank from one side and from other side hills and plateau.

Lot of people come here for exercise\workout daily or on week ends.
If you want to build trekking habit in your children then its a good place to visit.
Do not forget to carry 1 liter bottle & camera and wear comfortable shoes.