Cultural heritage of Central India isvery ancient & interesting. Beautiful monuments, exquisitely carvedtemples, forts, palaces speaks the story of old empires & kingdoms of great warriors from various religions including Hindu, Jain, Islam, Buddhaetc. This tour takes you to some of the most interesting and old monumentsin northern and central belts of the country. Taj Mahal, Elephant Safari atJaipur, capital city of Delhi, Orchha Fort, Gwalior Fort, The beautiful Chandela Temples of Khajuraho, Bhimbetka, Sanchi Stupa, Buddhist caves of Aurangabd and the commercial capital of Mumbai are the main attractions of the tour.
Day 01 : Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi airport . Meeting and assistance on arrival by our representative and transfer to hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 02 : Delhi sightseeing
After breakfast a full day guided tour of Old and New Delhi (Delhi, the capital of India comprises of conspicuously contrasting Old and New Delhi.Old Delhi was the capital of Muslim India between the 12th and 19th centuries and one can find mosques, monuments and forts related to Muslimhistory. New Delhi is the imperial city created as India's capital by the British, intricately planned and comprises of imposing buildings displaying various modern style of architecture) will take you to Red Fort (Built by the builder of the Taj Mahal - Shah Jehan, famous for its delicately carvedin laid and Royal chambers), Raj Ghat (The creamation Ground of the father ofthe Nation Mahatma Gandhi), Humayun's Tomb (Humayun's tomb is believed tohave been designed in 1565 AD by the widow of Mughal emperor Himayun. It'splan, based on the description of Islamic paradise gardens, is known to have inspired the Taj Mahal and many later Mughal tombs. This type of garden is known as a charbagh and is based on a grid), Safdarjung's Tomb (Representing the last phase of the Mughal style of architecture, Safdarjang's Tomb stands in the centre of an extensive garden), Qutab Minar (73 meters high which tapers from a 15 m diameter base to just 2.5 m at the top. The walls consistintricately carved quotations from Koran and is one of the most perfect towers of the Persian world) Drive through India Gate (The war memorial) and President's Palace. Night stay in your hotel.
Day 03 : Delhi-Agra (210 kms)
Morning drive to Agra en route visiting Sikandra Tomb (The mausoleum of Mughal emperor Akbar) . Arrive and check in at hotel Afternoon half day city tour including the magnificient Taj Mahal and Agra Fort . Overnight at the hotel.
Day 04 : Agra-Gwalior (120 kms)
Morning drive to Gwalior. Afternoon city tour visiting fort of Gwalior Fort that stands on a long narrow rocky hill of sandstone, which rises abruptly 300 ft. above the surrounding countryside . Overnight in Gwalior.
Day 05 : Gwalior - Khajuraho (275 kms)
Drive to Khajuraho. Arrive and check in at hotel. Afternoon visit the exquisite Eastern and western group of temples, built between 9th century and 12th century. The Khajuraho temples are famous not only for their symmetry and design but also for intricate and erotic carvings on their walls. The main temples are Kandariya, Mahadeoa, Chitragupats, Parsvanathand the Ghantai. Architecturally the temples have some unique feature - they stand on high platforms and do not have the customary enclosures. Overnightin Khajuraho.
Day 06 : Khajuraho - Orchha (120 kms)
Breakfast in the hotel and then drive to Orchha which lies 11 kilometres from Jhansi and although now little more than a village, it was once the capital of Orcha state. Visit the Ramji Mandir which a proto type of Rajput architecture. The second palace, the Raj Mandir, was built between 1554 and1591, which comprises of a solid single block crowned by pavilions. The third and by far the most accomplished palace are the Jahangir Mandir..Overnight at hotel Orchha Fort
Day 07 : Orchha - Bhopal
Drive to Bhopal. Afternoon city tour visiting Taj-ul mosque - one of the largest mosques in India . The other places to be visited are the Secretariat, Vidhan Sabha, Moti mosque, Sadar Manzil, Fatehgarh Fort, National Archives, Tagore Memorial and the lakes.
Day 08 : Bhopal - Bhimbetka -Sanchi-Bhopal
Same day excursion to Bhimbetka and Sanchi the important centre of Buddhist pilgrimage. The great Stupa, built by Emperor Ashok (who abandoned war andembraced Buddhism), is a grey-brown hemisphere of massive proportions. In the evening drive back to Bhopal to stay at your hotel.
Day 09 : Bhopal - Indore ( 186 kms )
After breakfast drive to Indore enroute visiting 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 for its traditions of spiritual learning and culture). Arrive and check in at hotel. Overnight in Indore.
Day 10 : Indore - Mandu ( 97 kms )
Same day excursion to Mandu and back to Indore. Architecturally, Mandu is important as one of the two great centers of provincial style of Islamic architecture. Most of the extant buildings were erected between 1401-1526 A Dinitially using salvaged masonry from local Hindu temples. Overnight inIndore.
Day 11 : Mandu - JalgaonMorning after breakfast drive to Jalgaon. Arrive and check in at hotel.Overnight in Jalgaon.
Day 12 : Jalgaon - Aurangabad (161 kms )
Morning drive to Aurangabad . Arrive and check in at hotel. Afternoon tour of Ellora Caves with 34 rock cut shrines dating back between 4th to 9th century A.D. This World heritage site is celebrated for its successive groups of Buddhist, Hindu & Jain rock-cut cave temples. The monuments atEllora (closed on Mondays), located at a distance of 30 kms, represent the last phase in the evolution of rock cut architecture and are remarkable for large-scale sculptural compositions and the range of iconographic schemes.Overnight in Aurangabad.
Day 13 : Aurangabad
Full day tour of Ajanta Cave (closed on Mondays), located at a distance of 100 kms, is known for remarkably well preserved sculptures and paintings.The cave temples at Ajanta provide the most complete illustration of early Buddhist traditions in India. The cave temples are cut into the rocky sidesof a dramatic crescent shaped gorge, at the head of which is a naturalpool-fed by a waterfall. The caves at Ajanta are fine examples of rock cuthalls and monasteries.. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 14 : Aurangabad-Mumbai (By Flight)
Breakfast in the hotel. In time transfer to the airport for Mumbai flight.In Mumbai airport transfer to the hotel. Rest of the time free to rest and stay at the hotel.
Day 15 : Mumbai Sightseeing
Morning after breakfast excursion to Elephanta Caves. This beautiful green island is about one hour's boat ride from Bombay harbour. The celebrated Hindu cave temple on the island is excavated from a cliff high above the water and is approached by long flight of steps. These temples carved during the Golden age of the Guptas have been inspired by the worship of Shiva.Afternoon half day visit Gateway of India (This symbolic national landmark,the Marble arch of India, designed by George Wittet to commemorate the visit of George V and Queen Mary in 1911), Marine Drive, Hanging Gardens andPrince of Wales Museum (Set among verdant gardens, it is a huge complex witha bronze statue of George - V standing outside. The monument designed in1905- dominated by a huge tilted concrete dome, comprises of three main sections, Art, Archaeology and Natural history).Overnight at the hotel.
Day 16 : Leave MumbaiIn time you will be transferred to the airport to board your onward flight.
