Central India Tour

Luxurious Heritage Travel > India > Central India Tour

Destination

DELHI – GWALIOR – KHAJURAHO – ORCCHA – BHOPAL – BHIMBETKA – SANCHI – MAHESHWAR – MANDU – OMKARESHWAR – JALGAON– AJANTA – ELLORA CAVES –AURANGABAD – MUMBAI

Duration

12 Nights / 13 Days

Customize This Tour

This itinerary is customizable according to your need

Inclusions

Accommodation

Transfer

Meals

Sightseeing

Itinerary

Day 1

Delhi

Arrive in Delhi.

Delhi is one of the oldest cities in the world that has illustriously changed with time. Enjoy the ambiance of an ancient city in Old Delhi, and contemporary in New Delhi.

Our representative will welcome you at the Indira Gandhi International Airport and after a quick briefing, you will be transferred to your hotel.

Later we shall start sightseeing tour with Jama Masjid

Jama Masjid is India’s largest mosque that can embraces 25,000 people on daily basis. The ‘Friday Mosque’ was Shah Jahan’s last architectural creation, built between 1644 and 1658. Jama Masjid is covered with elaborate carvings and has stanzas etched from the holy Quran.

Enjoy a rickshaw ride through the winding streets of Chandni Chowk.

Next we visit the impressive sandstone structure – Red Fort. It was the seat of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan till two centuries. This iconic symbol of India is used as a stage by the Prime Minister of India to address the public and hoist the National flag on Independence Day.

Later drive past through imposing India Gate. India Gate is a red and yellow sandstone arch and is also known as All India War Memorial. It was built in memory of all those soldiers who died during the First World War. In the middle of the Arch, Amar Jawan Jyoti, an eternal flame, burns 24 hours. This was lit to pay home to the soldiers who were killed during the Indo-Pak war in 1971.

We will also pass by Parliament House, which is one of the most wonderful buildings in New Delhi and has one of the liveliest collections of architectural charms.

Strategically located in the heart of Delhi, Rashtrapati Bhawan is architectural marvel of colonial times. It is a grand palace with 340 rooms, grand reception halls and beautifully landscaped gardens.

Return to Hotel for overnight stay.

Day 2

Delhi – Gwalior (By Train – 4 Hours)

Early morning transfer to railway station to board a train to Gwalior.

Arrival at Gwalior station and transfer to Hotel.

In the afternoon visit Gwalior Fort.

Gwalior fort is one of the most glorious forts in the Indian subcontinent. You will encounter Different building styles here – from ancient to modern. Built on a hill, at a height of 700 metres, and protected by tall ramparts and large towers, it was unconquerable. Entry was possible only through the six entry gates after approval of the gatekeeper.

Of all the palaces in the Gwalior Fort, Man Mandir Palace is the most beautiful. It is said that the walls were once covered in white plaster and the towers were glad with shining copper. Towers above the wall are decorated with blue tiles.

In the evening, enjoy a sound and light show at the Man Mandir Palace.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 3

Gwalior – Khajuraho (300 KM, 4 Hours)

In the morning leave for Khajuraho.

Arrive and check in at hotel.

The temples of Khajuraho are India’s exclusive gift to the world, flawless in implementation and beautiful in appearance, they depict love and joy as a way of life. Every form of life has been carved in stone, attesting not only to the craftsman’s artistry but also of his/her vision. The ceilings in the interior are engraved with beautiful floral and geometric designs. The temples are grouped in the three geographical divisions – Western, Eastern and Southern. Among these, the Western group of temples are generally described as being the best preserved and most exquisite.

The rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight stay

Day 4

Khajuraho – Orchha (180 KM , 4 Hours)

In the morning, visit the famous temples of Khajuraho. Western Group of Temples in Khajuraho constitute some of the most splendid and architecturally marvelous specimen of temple architecture in India. The group includes such magnificent temples like Kandariya Mahadeo Temple, Chaunsat Yogini Temple, Chitragupta Temple, Lakshamana Temple, Matangeswara Temple, and Varaha Temple.

Later visit Eastern Group of temples which are quite different from the other temples in Khajuraho. These are primarily dominated by the Jain temples. These include Parsvanath temple, Adinatha temple and the Ghantai temple. There is also a Brahma Temple which is said to be wrongly named and is believed to be actually dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is the only temple built in granite here.

In the afternoon leave for Orccha.

Orchha was founded in the 16th century by Rudra Pratap who was the Bundela Rajput chieftain. This is the land that portrays the splendor of the well-known Bundela dynasty. The place is situated at 16 km from Jhansi. It is surrounded by captivating hills and lush greenery.

Arrive and check in at hotel

Overnight stay.

Day 5

Orchha – Jhansi – Bhopal (15 KM, ½ Hour + Train – 4 Hours)

In the morning sightseeing tour of Orccha, we will visit Rai Praveen Mahal, which is famous for its enchanting beauty. The palace was constructed by Prince Inderjit Singh and is surrounded by beautiful gardens. The paintings on the walls of the central hall depict various moods of Rai Praveen, the paramour of Indrajit Singh, in different moods and poses.

Laxminarayan temple is the most important tourist attraction of the place. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Laxmi. It displays a unique style of architecture as it contains various elements which are seen in both forts and temples For example, along with a temple alter, there are slots for cannons which were used during the wars.The paintings on the walls are also unique,depicting scenes from the Ram Charitra Manas as well as the 1857 revolt of Indain soldiers against the Britishers.

Then we shall transfer you to Jhansi station to board a train to Bhopal.

Bhopal is the capital of Madhya Pradesh and was founded by king Bhoja of the Paramara dynasty (1000–1055 A.D.). It is also known as the City of Lakes as there are various natural as well as artificial lakes in the city.

Arrive at Bhopal station and transfer to hotel for check in and overnight stay.

Day 6

Bhopal – Bhimbetka – Sanchi – Bhopal (190 KM, 5 Hours)

In the morning visit Bhimbetka Caves

Bhimbetka Caves are located near Bhopal at a distance of 45 kms and serve as chronicles of Human history. The caves are famous for paintings that date back to prehistoric times. They also have Stupas that were made by Buddhist monks. A visit to the cave is like stealing a glimpse of the past thousand years. There are scenes of dance, rituals and hunts that are etched on the stone walls. The rocks of the caves have served canvas to many eras. Each generation has left their imprint on these rocky canvases which were discovered centuries later by a wandering archeologist.

Continue drive to Sanchi and Udaygiri caves.

Udaygiri is a group of 20 unique rock-cut caves which contain some of the oldest Hindu and Jain sculptures, inscriptions and wall paintings. Dating back to the 2nd century BC. These caves used to hold retreats for travelling Buddhist monks in the mighty kingdoms of Malad and Kalinga. The largest and most beautiful cave here is Rani Gufa. It is a double structure cut out to form an inverted U. The walls are adorned with beautiful sculptures and panels. These wall motifs on religious and royal scenes run all through Udaygiri walls.

Later visit Sanchi which is located 46 km north east of Bhopal. It is home to several Buddhist monuments dating from the 3rd century BC to the 12th century AD and is considered to be one of the most important places of Buddhist pilgrimage. The great Buddhist emperor Ashoka erected the Great Stupa here and several other stupas all over the country in order to spread Buddhism. These contain the mortal remains of Lord Buddha. The exquisite carvings on the doorway of the ‘Great Stupa’ depict in detail the significant episodes and miracles from Lord Buddha’s life and events depicted in the Buddhist Jataka stories.

Finally, return to Bhopal for overnight stay.

Day 7

Bhopal – Maheshwar – Mandu (340 KM, 8 Hours)

In the morning leave for Mandu.
En-route visit Maheshwar.

During the era of ancient Indian civilization,Maheshwar was a magnificent city. This beautiful temple town is situated on the banks of river Narmada and finds its name in the great Indian epics such as Mahabharata and Ramayana. The city is extremely popular for its beautiful handwoven saris.

Continue drive to Mandu and upon arrival check in at hotel.

In the present day mandav area,Mandu is a city of ruins that is located on the western part of Madhya Pradesh. This ruined city is a celebration in stone of life and joy. It is a loving tribute shared between the prince Baz Bahadur and his gorgeous partner, Rani Roopmati. Mandu was originally fort capital of Parmar rulers. The fort house beautiful palaces like Jahaz Mahal, ornamental canals and exquisite baths. Every The stone structures of Mandu are considered ancient architectural marvels and are even studied in architectural schools in India.

Overnight stay

Day 8

Mandu

In the morning we shall go for sightseeing of the city.

Jahaz Mahal is a brilliantly carved palace that sits on a narrow strip of land between two lakes, Munj Talao and Kapur Talao. In the monsoon season, when the lakes are full with water, It looks as if the palace is floating on the waters of these lakes. The entrance of the rectangular structure has Gothic architecture. The palace boasts of three huge halls differentiated by corridors.

Hindola Mahal is a primeval edifice which was constructed under the rule of Ghiyas-ud-din’s supremacy. It is an ideal spot with wonderful sculptures.

Jami Masjid is a mosque that was built in 1454 by Mahmud Khilji, the 15th century Sultan of Delhi. The mosque projects a dome entrance hall and has beautiful landscaped gardens in the front. There are also two subsidiary entrances to the north, one of for the priests and the other one is reserved for the women.

Roopmati’s Pavilion is the most important tourist attraction in the city of Mandu. This pavilion is famous for the tragic love story of Prince Baz Bahadur and Roopmati. This pavilion is located on the hill top near the Baz Bahadur Palace. The corridors of the pavilion have arched openings. The western ledge of the pavilion contains a huge reservoir for rain water harvesting.

Overnight stay at hotel

Day 9

Mandu – Omkareshwar – Jalgaon (300 KM, 7 Hours)

In the morning leave for Jalgaon

En- route visit Omkareshwar

Omkareshwar is a Hindu temple dedicated to God Shiva. It is one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlinga Shrines of Shiva. It is located on an island on the Narmada River. This place has its own stories and legends to tell. This sacred place attracts thousands of pilgrims annually. The temple is a fine example of medieval Brahmin architecture.

Then proceed to Jalgaon.

Jalgaon is a city located in the Deccan plateau of the Indian subcontinent. The city is situated near the very famous Ajanta caves which is one of the most important tourist attractions.

On arrival check in at hotel for overnight stay.

Day 10

Jalgaon – Ajanta – Aurangabad (165 KM, 4 Hours)

In the morning leave for Aurangabad

Aurangabad is a gateway to the World Heritage Sites – Ajanta and Ellora caves. The city of Auranagabad is named after the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Stop en-route to visit Ajanta.

Ajanta has 29 Buddhist temples and monasteries that were built in the 2nd century BC. Ajanta Caves are testament to glorious past when Buddhism was its peak. These caves are mainly prayer halls and vihars. The ceilings on the walls have sculptures depicting scenes from Buddha’s life. To protect the caves from the damage from artificial light, the caves are dimly lit. They are even home to famous reclining Buddha. The caves were excavated in the 19th century.
Continue drive to Aurangabad for overnight stay at hotel.

Day 11

Aurangabad

In the morning we shall visit Ellora caves.

Ellora Caves have Buddhists, Jain, and Hindu rock cut temples and monasteries that were built in the 7th century. There are 12 Buddhist caves, 17 Hindu caves, and 5 Jain caves which were carved out of serene hills. The most beautiful is the Kailash temple which took 100 years to be carved out from a single piece of rock. Two carved columns and two elephants guard the entrance. The temple is surrounded by pillared corridors. The walls of the corridors are adorned with 6 to 7 feet high sculptures of different avatars of Shiva. Here you can find Shiva in every mood, from slaying demons to meditating posture. The famous carpenters cave has a sculpture of a seated Buddha.

Afternoon is free for independent activities.

Overnight stay.

Day 12

Aurangabad – Mumbai (By Flight – 45 Minutes)

Transfer to airport to board a flight to Mumbai.

Mumbai is India’s largest Metropolis city. It is a metropolis of contrast with glitter and glue. The city was first founded by the Portuguese. The city is a well-known tourist hub and is known for its glittering nightlife. The city has turned itself from a small village to a commercial trading center. The city is the home of Bollywood film Industry, The industry which brings fashion, glamour and cinema together.

Arrive in Mumbai and transfer to hotel

In the afternoon leave for sightseeing of the city.

Gateway of India is an important landmark of the city that was built during the British era in the year 1923. The monument was originally built to honor the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Bombay. The monument constitutes of a large arch and is built in yellow basalt stone to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to India in 1911. The structure is designed in Indo-Saracenic style.

Hanging Gardens is located on the Malabar hills. They are generally referred to as Oasis in tranquility. Bushes and shrubs take the shapes of animals and arches. They are well manicured lawns that attract numerous tourists. Below the ground are the hidden reservoirs and behind the trees are the hidden tower.

Prince of Wales Museum is an elegant building in Indo Saracenic design encircled by a small park. The central hall crowned by a dome welcomes visitors. There are three exhibition areas that were inaugurated in 1923. The museum features private possessions of the rulers. The first floor of the museum displays a collection of jewelry and weaponry. The museum also houses a large collection of paintings, stuffed animals and prehistoric stone tablets.

In the evening you are free for shopping and other activities.

Overnight stay.