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Central India Tour

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Day 01 Arrive Delhi 

Arrive Delhi. You will be met by our representative at the arrival lounge at the airport and escorted till your check in at Hotel.

Delhi the Empress of Indian cities has a fascinating history and a stimulating present. She has often been sacked and left naked and desolate. But she could not be despoiled of the incomparable situation that marks her for the metropolis of a Great Empire. The capital of India, Delhi has been the seat of power of a number of dynasties – the Rajputs, the Afghans, the Turks and the Mughals who continued their imperial line until the British. Scattered over are surviving ruins, remnants of mighty edifices, tombs of warriors and saints, which in an impressive sense of magnificence are memorials not of a single city but of supplanted nations.

Overnight at Hotel.

Day 02 Delhi – Gwalior

Morning transfer to railway station to board train Shatabdi Express to Gwalior.

Gwalior formerly the capital of Madhya Bharat, was ruled by Tomar Kings, Mughals and Marathas. During the Indian independence struggle in 1857, Gwalior played an important part under the leadership of Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi. There are a number of places, which will be of great interest to the tourist with archaeological interest.

You will be met on arrival at the railway station & transfer to Hotel 

Afternoon city tour of Gwalior. Sightseeing includes visits to the great Fort, one of the oldest in India, situated on an isolated hill of sandstone, 300 ft. above the plain. Man Mandir, a six storied palace which forms the eastern wall of the Fort and is one of the classic sites of India; Gujari Mahal, a turreted palace of stone and now the home of an archaeological museum. A few kilometers away is the tomb of Mohammed Ghaus, a Muslim saint worshipped by the Mughals, as well as the tomb of the famous musician, Tansen.

Overnight at Hotel.

Day 03 Gwalior – Datia – Orcha

Post breakfast drive to Orcha enroute visit Datia.

Known in Mahabharata as Daityavakra, Daita is known for its seven-storied palace of Raja Bir Singh Deo. This structure is a unique example of 17th century architecture. And if you happen to be a temple freak, do visit the Gopeshwar temple. It is also a pilgrimage spot for devotees of Siddhapeeth Shri Peetambara Devi. The other sight is a temple with Mughal frescoes. The seven-storied palace built in brick and stone by Raja Bir Singh Deo is one of the finest examples of Bundela architecture, built in 1614. The palace houses some of the fine Bundela paintings. The imposing Gopinath temple is a confluence of cultures with Mughal frescoes adorning the temple. This is a town of great historic significance, and Datia's seven-storied palace was built entirely of stone and brick. Within the palace are some fine wall paintings of the Bundela school. The fort is an exemplary combination of the Rajput and Mughal architecture. In 1818 Datia played host to then British Governer-General, Lord Hastings and a splendid durbar was held in 1902 for the Viceroy, Lord Curzon. The sunset from the fort is absolutely spectacular. This would be your favourite site. The buildings require so much imagination to be really appreciated. This palace stands on its own.

Continue to Orcha.

Orchha’s grandeur has been captured in stone. Frozen in time a rich legacy of the ages. The palaces and temples built by its Bundela rules in the 16th & 17th centuries retain much of their pristine perfection. Founded in the 16th century, Orchha boasts of the exquisite Jehangir Mahal a tiered palace crowned by graceful chattatris. In Raj Mahal and Laxmi Narayan Temple, vibrant murals brings the walls and ceiling alive
On arrival check in at Hotel.

Afternoon city tour visiting Palace & Temples.

Overnight at Hotel.

Day 04 Orcha - Jhansi - Bhopal

Morning transfer to railway station to board train Shatabdi Express to Bhopal.

Half hidden among mountains and nestling in rich foliage, Bhopal lies in the heart of Malwa and is the capital of the state of Madhya Pradesh. It is hallowed by memories of the great Hindu King - Raja Bhoj. It was also once renowned as a prominent centre of Buddhist culture. An outstanding feature of Bhopal are its two picturesque lakes. The sunset on the lakes and a view of the festive city lights from the two high points of Idgah and Shamla are a must for every tourist. 

You will be met on arrival at the railway station & transfer to Hotel.

Afternoon city tour. Sightseeing includes Sadar Manzil, Jama Masjid, Taj-ul-Masjid, Secretariat, Vidhan Sabha, Fatehgarh Fort, Moti Masjid, Tagore Memorial, National Archives of India and T.T. Nagar.

Overnight at Hotel.

Day 05 In Bhopal

Full day visit Sanchi, Bhimbetka & Bhojpur.

SANCHI : Sanchi is an important centre of Buddhist pilgrimage. The great Stupa, built by the Emperor Ashoka (who abandoned war and embraced the Buddhist faith), is a grey-brown hemisphere of massive proportions. The form of the four gateways guarding the Stupa is derived from bamboo fences. They are carved with scenes from The Buddha’s life and previous incarnations and are amongst the finest specimens of early Buddhist art.

BHIMBHETKA Surrounded by the northern fringe of the Vindhyan ranges, Bhimbetka lies 46 km South of Bhopal. In this rocky terrain of dense forest and craggy cliffs, over 600 rock shelters belonging to the Neolithic age were recently discovered. Here, in vivid panoramic detail, paintings in over 500 caves depict the life of the pre-historic cave-dwellers making the Bhimbetka group an archaeological treasure, an invaluable chronicle in the history of man

BHOJPUR Founded by the legendary Parmar King of Dhar, Raja Bhoj (1010-1053), and named after him, Bhojpur, 28 km from Bhopal, is renowned for the remains of its magnificent Shiva temple and Cyclopean dam.
The temple which has earned the nomenclature of the Somnath of the east, is known as the Bhojeshwar Temple. The temple was never completed and the earthen ramp used to raise it to dome-level still stands. Had it been completed, it would have had very few rivals. As it is, even with the ravages of time, it remains one of the best examples of temple architecture of the 11th - 13th centuries

Overnight at Hotel.

Day 06 Bhopal – Ujjain – Indore

Post breakfast drive to Indore enroute visit Ujjain.

UJJAIN : One of the greatest cities of ancient India, Ujjain’s links with its glorious past have endured into the present day, making it a city renowned still for its traditions of spirituality, learning and culture.

Tracing its origin to the age of the great Hindu scriptures, the Upanishads and the Puranas known earliest as Avantika, legend has it that the King Shiva commemorated his victory over the demon ruler of Tripuri by changing the name of his capital to Ujjaiyini: one who conquers with pride.

Today the shikhar spires of temples still dominate the skyline of the city and the sacred river Shipra that flows through it draws pilgrims by the thousands to take a purifying dip in its waters. And after every 12 years, a Simhastha mela transforms Ujjain into a city where faith reigns supreme.

The temple of Mahakaleshwara, Bade Ganeshiji ka Mandir, the Bhartrihari Caves, Kaliadeh Palace and The Observatory are worth visiting.

Continue to Indore.

The country’s fourth largest textile centre - Indore was also one of the first places to join Mahatma Gandhi’s campaign towards providing the Harijans with a better way of life. Tour Kanch Mandir, a Jain shrine worked in mother-of-pearl and glass beads, Lalbagh Palace and New Palace. 

On arrival check in at Hotel.

Overnight at Hotel.

Day 07 Indore – Omkareshwar – Maheshwar – Dhar

Post breakfast drive to Dhar enroute visit Omkareshwar & Maheshwar 

Omkareshwar, the sacred island, shaped like the holiest of all Hindu symbols, 'Om', has drawn to it hundreds of generations of pilgrims. Here, at the confluence of the rivers Narmada and Kaveri, the devout gather to kneel before the Jyotirlinga (one of the twelve throughout India) at the temple of Shri Omkar Mandhata. And here, as in so many of Madhya Pradesh's sacred shrines, the works of Nature complement those of man to provide a setting awe-inspiring in its magnificence

Maheshwar was a glorious city at the dawn of Indian civilization when it was Mahishmati, capital of king Kartivarjun. This temple town on the banks of the river Narmada finds mention in the epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata. Revived to its ancient position of importance by the Holkar queen Rani Ahilyabai of Indore. Maheshwar's temples and mighty fort-complex stand in quiet beauty, mirrored in the river below.

Continue to Dhar. On arrival check in at Hotel. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 08 Dhar – Mandu – Indore

Morning drive to Indore enroute visit Mandu.

Perched along the Vindhya ranges at an altitude of 2,000 feet, Mandu, with its natural defenses, was originally the fort capital of the Parmar rulers of Malwa. Towards the end of the 13th century, it came under the sway of the Sultans of Malwa, the first of whom named it Shadiabad - 'city of joy'. And indeed the pervading spirit of Mandu was of gaiety; and its rulers built exquisite palaces like the Jahaz and Hindola Mahals, ornamental canals, baths and pavilions, as graceful and refined as those times of peace and plenty.
Each of Mandu's structures is an architectural gem; some are outstanding like the massive Jami Masjid and Hoshang Shah's tomb, which provided inspiration to the master builders of the Taj Mahal centuries later

On arrival check in at Hotel.

Overnight at Hotel.

Day 09 Indore – Mumbai - Mumbai – Aurangabad

Morning transfer to airport to connect flight to Aurangabad via Mumbai.

Aurangabad city was founded as a vice regal capital in the Deccan by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. The fort wall surrounding the city is a poignant reminder of its ancient history. Though the splendor of the 16th and 17th centuries found its finest expressions in the royal monuments of Delhi and Agra, there is enough in Aurangabad to reward the curious visitor.

You will be met by our representative at the airport and. escorted till your check in at hotel

Overnight at Hotel.

Day 10  Aurangabad

Full day tour of Ajanta & Ellora caves.

The Ajanta caves survived hundreds of years in the Sahyadri hills to tell the story of a rich and glorious past from 200 BC to 650 AD. These 30 caves were built to offer seclusion to the Buddhist monks who lived, taught and performed rituals in the Chaityas and Viharas, which were the seats of learning and cultural movement. Inspired by faith and devotion, each figure has been carved by the monks using just hammer and chisel. 

Ajanta offers a rich tapestry of images that speak of places, royalty, culture and tales of everyday life of ancient India. Many of the Ajanta caves hold panels that illustrate stories from the Jatakas – a large repertoire of tales of incarnations of the Buddha to nymphs and princesses and various other characters.

Ajanta engravings are an unmatched visual treat. To name a few, the flying Apsara in cave: 17, the preaching Buddha in cave 16 or the sculpted Nagaraja in a sitting posture with his consort and a female attendant. These enigmatic caves set deep in the hills still illuminate with natural light during some part of the day.

Ellora caves.
The finest examples of cave temples, these 34 caves have intricate interiors and ornamental facades. Carved during the 350 AD and 700 AD the rock temples and monasteries represent three faiths – Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.

The Vishvakarma cave of the Buddhists, the Kailasa Hindu temple and the Jain Indrasabha present a captivating sight. These were carved out of a solid rock to provide sanctuaries to Buddhist monks. The Kailasa Temple in cave 16 is a masterpiece in itself. The entire structure was etched out of a monolith and took over 100 years to complete. The temple itself is decorated with themes and incidents from the puranas in a manner that leaves one in rapturous delight.
Vishvakarma cave is both a Chaitya and a Vihara with a seated Buddha in the stupa. Its double – storied structure has dwarfs, dancing playing musical instruments.

The Rameswara cave has figurines of river goddesses adorning its entrance. The Dumar Lena cave resembles the great cave shrine at Elephanta and is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Cave 32, belonging to the Jain faith, is a beautiful shrine with exquisite carvings of a lotus flower on the ceiling and an imposing Vakshi seated on her lion under a mango tree laden with fruit. The ceilings of this double – storied cave are also decorated with paintings.

Overnight at Hotel.

Day 11 Aurangabad – Mumbai

Morning transfer to airport to connect flight to Mumbai.

The area occupied by Mumbai three hundred years ago was 7 islands inhabited by Koli fisherman and their families. With land reclamation the islands were connected, so that now Bombay occupies a thin isthmus. The British acquired these marshy islands for a pittance. Mumbadevi or Mumbai was part of Catherine of Braganza’s marriage dowry when she married Charles II in 1661. Four years later, the British took possession of the remaining islands and neighboring mainland area and in 1668 the East India Company leased the whole area for 10 pounds per year.

You will be met on arrival at the airport & transfer to Hotel.

Afternoon city tour of Mumbai.

Start with a stop at the Gateway of India –a Indo – Sarcenic style of architecture (1927), designed by George Wittet to commemorate the visit of George V and Queen Mary in 1911, drive, past the Victoria Terminus the most remarkable example of Victorian Gothic architecture in India opened during Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee Year, Marine Drive and visit the Hanging Gardens so named since they are located on top of a series of tanks that supply water to Bombay. Visit the Jain Temple built of marble and dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankara. Much of the decoration depicts the lives of the Tirthankaras. And last but not the least, make a brief photo stop at “Dhobi Ghat” the Indian laundry system

Overnight at Hotel.

Day 12 Leave Mumbai

In time transfer to international airport to connect flight to onward destination.