Highlight : This tour takes you to some of
the magnificent caves and temples of central India. Many of them are 'World
Heritage Site'
Day 01 : Arrive Mumbai
Arrive Mumbai international airport met by our representative and transfer
to the hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 02 : Mumbai
Morning transfer to Gateway of India to board the boat for an excursion to
Elephanta Cave. Elephanta Caves : The celebrated cave on the
island excavated from a cliff high above the water during the Golden age of
the Gupta's the worshipers of Lord Shiva derives its name from a stone
elephant carved in here. Sculptures in caves are beautifully executed and
most outstanding of them is the "Trimurthy", a three headed bust
hewn from a single rock representing the trinity viz. Lord Bramhan the
Creator, Lord Vishnu the Preserver and Lord Shiva the Destroyer.
Afternoon city tour of Mumbai includes visit to Prince of Wales Museum
(Monday closed) magnificent heritage building built in 1909 is an exquisite
example of the Indo-Saracenic architecture. The Museum is expanded into
various sections, including the Maritime Heritage gallery, the first of its
kind in India. Watch washermen in action at "Dhobighats"- the
unique and colourful out door laundry. Drive to the Malabar hill to visit
lovely Hanging Gardens and Kamla Nehru Park which commands a wonderful view
of Mumbai and the Arabian Sea spread out before.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 03 : Mumbai (Day return excursion to Kanhari Caves)
Morning proceed on an excursion to Kanhari Caves that dates back to 2nd -
9th centuries and are found to have been carved out by Buddhist monks.
Situated at the centre of Mumbai's Borivali National Park, the Kanheri caves
are one of the biggest Buddhist monastic establishments on the Konkan coast.
Return to Mumbai in the afternoon with rest of the Day at leisure or free
for optional activities.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 04 : Mumbai to Pune (163 Km)
Morning depart Mumbai by surface for Pune stopping by en route to visit
Karla and Bhaja Caves.
Karla and Bhaja Caves dating back to the 2nd Century BC are one of the best
Buddhist Cave monasteries. The magnificent Chaitya or the hall of prayer at
Karla is the largest one of its kind. Three unique features of the interior
these caves are their pillars, roof vault and the light windows.
Arrive Pune and check in at hotel with rest of the Day at leisure or free
for optional activities.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 05 : Pune to Aurangabad (226 Km)
Morning depart Pune by surface for Aurangabad. Arrive Aurangabad and check
in at hotel.
Afternoon visit Bibi-ka-maqbara often referred as poor man's Taj Mahal,
built in 1679 as a mausoleum for emperor Aurangzeb's wife, Rabia-ud-daurani,
Panchakki a water wheel which was considered marvel of engineering during
its time.
Overnight at hotel.
Day
06 : Aurangabad (Day return excursion to Ajanta)
Full Day excursion to Ajanta Caves "A World Heritage Site"
(Closed to visitors on Mondays) - nestled in panoramic gorge of Sahyadri
hills about 107 km from Aurangabad city, the Caves of Ajanta are the finest
examples of some of the earliest Buddhist architecture, cave paintings and
sculptures. The caves comprise of Chaitya or prayer halls and monasteries
dedicated to Lord Buddha which were used by Buddhist monks for meditation
and the study of Buddhist teachings. The murals on the walls and ceilings of
the Caves depict incidents from the life of the Buddha, Jataka tales,
illustrating diverse stories relating to the previous incarnations of the
Buddha as Boddhisatava, a saintly being who is destined to become the
Buddha.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 07 : Aurangabad
Morning proceed on an excursion to Ellora Caves "A World Heritage Site"
(Closed to visitors on Tuesday) - the cave temples and monasteries at
Ellora, excavated out of the vertical face of an escarpment contain Buddhist
monasteries, prayer halls, Hindu and Jai temples. Carved between the 5th and
11th century AD, the earliest excavation here is of the Dhumar Lena. Kailash
Temple at Cave 19 largest monolithic structure in the world is the most
imposing excavation without doubt.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 08 : Aurangabad to Indore (380 Km)
Morning depart Aurangabad by surface for Indore. Arrive Indore and check in
hotel with rest of day at leisure or free for optional activities.
Overnight at hotel.
Day
09 : Indore to Bhopal (via Ujjain 245 Km)
Morning depart Indore for Bhopal visiting Ujjain en route. Ujjain - Situated on the banks of the river
Shipra, Ujjain is the one of the sacred place for Hindu pilgrimage. It is
believed that mythological tale search of immortal nectar took place here
and one of the four drops which spilled from the jar fell on Ujjain. Thus
Maha Kumb takes place in Ujjain every 12 years. Ujjain has a great tradition
of learning and culture. It was used as the base for calculations of Hindu
astronomy, astrology and geography.
Visit the Temple of Mahakaleshwar, Observatory of masonry, Jantar Mantar,
Bathing Ghats of Shipra river and the Gopal Mandir, a 19th century temple of
Maratha-Style architecture.
Arrive Bhopal and check in at hotel with rest of the Day at leisure or free
for optional activities.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10 : Bhopal (Day return excursion to Sanchi & Bhimbetka) Morning
depart on a Day return excursion to Sanchi and Bhimbetka. Sanchi - Sanchi is on the finest specimens of
almost all Buddhist architectural forms. Known for its Stupas, monasteries,
temples and pillars dating from the 3rd century B.C. to the 12th century
A.D, the most famous of them is Sanchi Stupa 1 originally built by the
Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. Also visit Ashoka Pillar. Bhimbetka - Located in the northern fringe of
the Vindhyan ranges at Bhimbetka lies over 600 Neolithic age rock shelters
where one can witness vivid panoramic detail, paintings describing life of
the pre-historic cave-dwellers providing an invaluable chronicle in the
history of man. Murals depicts activities of every day life such as hunting,
dancing, music, horse and elephant riders, animals fighting, honey
collection, decoration of bodies, disguises, masking and household scenes,
Popular religious and ritual symbols etc. Animal figures appearing in some
such as bison, tiger, lion, wild boar, elephant, antelope, dog, lizards,
crocodile, etc. in some caves also contributes in providing information in
natural history.
Return to Bhopal by late afternoon with rest of the day at leisure or free
for optional activities.
Day 11 : Bhopal to Jhansi and Orcha
Morning drive along the upper lake and visit some import sites in Bhopal.
Afternoon transfer to railway station to board the train Shatabdi Express
for Jhansi. Arrive Jhansi and transfer to Orcha (30 km).
Overnight at hotel.
Day 12 : Orcha to Khajuraho (140 Km)
Orcha's grandeur has been captured in stone, frozen in time, a rich legacy
to the ages. In this medieval city, the hand of time has rested lightly and
the palaces and temples built by its Bundela rulers in the 16th and 17th
centuries retain much of their pristine perfection.
Morning visit Orcha Palace and royal cenotaphs that line along the bank of
Betwa river.
Afternoon depart Orcha by surface for Khajuraho. Arrive Khajuraho and check
in at hotel.
Evening witness sound and light show a magnificent light display on the
temples of Khajuraho with tale of Khajuraho.
Overnight at hotel.
Day
13 : Khajuraho
Full day explore the western and eastern group of temples. Khajuraho
occupies a unique place in the temple architecture of India. Thousand years
old intricately carved 85 temples built in short span of 100 years, from 950
AD - 1050 AD only 22 stand today. Erotic carvings are another very important
features of Khajuraho temples. Also, visit newly excavated 10th century
Chandela temple.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 14 : Khajuraho to Jhansi and Agra After a leisurely morning depart Khajuraho by surface for Jhansi to
connect train Shatabdi Express for Agra. Arrive Agra in the evening and
check in at hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day
15 : Agra to Delhi Morning excursion (44 km one way) deserted capital of Fatehpur, which
shortly served as capital of Mughal dynasty during the reign of emperor
Akbar. However, it was quickly abandoned due to lack of portable water but
it remains as a perfect example of preservation till date.
Afternoon visit Agra Fort from where four of the mighty ruler from Mughal
dynasty ruled their vast empire and the most beautiful monument of love the
Taj Mahal, which is flawless to its conception and execution. Stay on the
view the monument in the soft light of the setting sun. Later in the evening
transfer to railway station to board the train Shatabdi Express for Delhi.
Arrive Delhi and transfer to hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 16 : Depart Delhi Full day combined sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi - visiting
Qutab Minar one of the tallest tower of it's time, Humayun Tomb one of the
forerunner of the Taj Mahal, drive past India Gate and President House and
other government buildings, Red Fort symbol of mighty Mughal empire, Jama
Masjid one of the biggest mosque in India, Chandni Chowk and Raj Ghat
(Mahatma Gandhi Memorial).
Late evening transfer to international airport to board the flight for
onward destination.
Day
06 : Aurangabad (Day return excursion to Ajanta)
Morning
depart on a Day return excursion to Sanchi and Bhimbetka. 
Day
15 : Agra to Delhi 
