Here’s a suggested 2-Day Travel Itinerary for visiting Akola (Maharashtra) — along with a table of popular places in/around Akola with approximate “popularity / what travellers like about it”, estimated time to spend, and entry-fee info (as available).
Day 1 — History, Heritage & City-side
Morning
- Start with a visit to Akola Fort — explore old fort walls, bastions, and get a feel of the old city’s history.
- Then visit Raj Rajeshwar Temple (in city centre / near fort) for a spiritual touch and check out the temple architecture.
Midday / Lunch Break
- Have lunch at a local eatery in city — good chance to try local cuisine (markets/food stalls).
- After lunch, visit Nehru Park for a leisurely stroll — nice for relaxing post-lunch and maybe a bit of people-watching / family-time.
Afternoon → Evening
- Take a short drive to Balapur Fort (about 25–30 km from city) — explore the historic fort, architecture, surroundings; good for heritage lovers.
- Return to city in evening; enjoy local markets, dinner or some local street/restaurant vibe.
Day 2 — Nature, Wildlife & Hill-Fort Adventure
Morning — Nature / Wildlife / Scenic
- Head out to Katepurna Wildlife Sanctuary — for a dose of nature: forest, wildlife, possibly spotting deer, antelope, birds, etc. Great for relaxing, photography, nature walk.
- Spend around 3–4 hours there (or as per interest).
Midday / Lunch + Travel Toward Hills
- Have lunch (maybe pack/nearby) and prepare for hill-fort excursion.
- Travel to Narnala Fort (in the hills / outskirts) — explore the fort complex, old structures, enjoy scenic/hilly surroundings.
Afternoon → Late Afternoon / Evening
- Explore Narnala Fort, soak in history + views; maybe get some trekking or walking if possible (depending on fitness and time).
- After descend, return to city (or reach accommodation). End the day with local dinner — reflect on the heritage + nature mix of trip.
Evening
- If you still have time or interest, you could visit a lake or smaller temple closeby — sometimes local lakes / less frequented spots offer calm nature-walks (based on what locals suggest).
Table: Popular Places in/Around Akola
| Place | Popularity / What People Like | Approx. Time to Spend (typical visit) | Entry Fee / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akola Fort | Historic site — old fortified walls, bastions, city views; historic significance. | ~1–1.5 hours | Free / No clear fee info |
| Raj Rajeshwar Temple | Spiritual / religious importance; old temple in city centre; serene vibe & local culture. | ~30–45 minutes | No fee (temple visit) |
| Nehru Park | Relaxation, greenery, good for families/children, easy walk & chill after city-walks. | ~30–60 minutes (or more if strolling/relaxing) | Free / No fee mentioned |
| Balapur Fort | Historic fort, nice heritage architecture, good short-trip from city (fort + countryside feel). | ~1.5–2 hours (incl. travel time) | Free / No clear fee mentioned |
| Katepurna Wildlife Sanctuary | Nature & wildlife — forest, animals (deer, antelope, wild animals, birds), ideal for nature lovers & relaxation. | ~3–4 hours (or more if exploring) | Sanctuary — often open; no strong fee data, likely modest / free (info not clearly stated) |
| Narnala Fort | Hill-fort + nature + history: ideal for heritage + scenic hill-view + little trekking adventure. | ~2–3 hours (plus travel time) | No well-documented fee (most sources mention accessible / public) |
Note: Entry fee info for many places (forts, sanctuary, temple, park) in Akola is not clearly documented online — many appear to be free or nominal. But local conditions may vary; it’s good to check locally (especially for sanctuary or remote forts).
Some Tips & Considerations
- Since many forts and national-park/sanctuary-type places are outside central city, plan for travel time. Use local transport or hire a cab/taxi to make full use of the day.
- For natural excursions (sanctuary, hill-fort) — wear comfortable shoes; carry water, snacks; check daylight and weather.
- If you want a relaxed trip — the Day-1 + city + heritage mix is good; if you prefer nature & adventure — Day-2 plan (nature + hill-fort) works well.
- You can adjust the itinerary depending on your energy, interest (e.g. skip a fort or swap day order).