Cultural Tour

Morning visit the world famous Taj Mahal built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1630 for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. Later visit the Red Fort containing the Halls of Public and Private Audience.

Overnight at hotel in Agra.

Morning drive to Gwalior. Afternoon visit the Man Mandir, Gujari Mahal (today an archaeological museum), The Fort, Temples of Sas-Bahu, Teli Ka Mandir, Jai Vilas Palace, Tomb of Gaus Mohammad & the Mausoleum of Tansen.

Overnight at hotel in Gwalior.

Drive to Khajuraho. Afternoon city tour.The world famous Khajuraho temples were built by the Chandela kings between 950 AD and 1050 AD. The most important are the Chaunset Yogini Temple dedicated to Goddess Kali, The Mahadev Temple, Chitragupta or S Bharatji Temple with a lovely image of 11 headed Vishnu, Vishvanath and Nandi Temples, Lakshmana Temple, Visha Temple of Shiva, which is the largest & most typical of temples.

Visit the Eastern group of temples that consist of the Parasvanath Temple - the only Jain Temple surviving at Khajuraho and has excellent sculptures on the outer walls of the Sanctum, the Javeri Temple dedicated to Vishnu. The other temples in this group are those dedicated to Brahma, Yamuna and Adinath.

Overnight at hotel in Khajuraho.

Drive to Orchha. Orchha's grandeur has been captured in stone, frozen in time & a rich legacy to the ages. For, on this medieval city, the hand of time has rested lightly: the palaces and the temples built by its Bundela rulers in the 16th and 17th century retain much of their pristine glory. Jahangir Mahal, a tiered palace crowned by graceful chhatris has a spectacular view of soaring temple spires & cenotaphs.

Overnight at hotel in Orchha.

Drive to Bhopal. Afternoon city tour.Visit the Upper & Lower Lakes, Laxmi Narayan Temple, Birla Museum, Kilol Park, Kamla Park, Moti Masjid, Sadar Manzil & Taj-ul-Masjid. Drive past Vidhan Sabha, Tagore Memorial & the National Archives.

Overnight at hotel in Bhopal.

Excursion to Bhimbetka & Sanchi and drive back to Bhopal. In Bhimbetka about 700 rock shelters belonging to the neolithic age, have been discovered. Over 500 caves have paintings of pre-historic man. 68 kms from Bhopal, Sanchi has the distinction of having the finest specimens of almost all Buddhist architectural forms, Stupa, Chaitya, Temples and Monasteries dating from 3rd century BC. Visit the Stupas with circular domes and railings around them; Ashoka Pillar, Gupta temple built in the 4th century and the Great Bowl carved of one piece of stone. The museum displays number of sculptures found in the area.

Overnight at hotel in Bhopal.

Drive to Indore enroute visiting Ujjain. Ujjain is one of the holiest and oldest cities of India & was an important place, during the reign of Ashoka, in spreading Buddhism. Famous for its Jyotirlinga shrine at Onkareshwar, it is one of the seven sacred cities of India. Once in 12 years, the mammoth Kumbh Mela festival is held here. The ancient shrine of Mahakala is among its attraction.

Overnight at hotel in Indore.

Excursion to Mandu and back to Indore. Mandu - city of joy is famed for story of love of King Š Baz Bahadur, for his consort, Rani Rupmati. Originally the capital of the Hindu Parmar Kings in the 13th century it was later captured by the Sultans of Malwa. See the palaces, baths, pavilions, each an architectural gem in the Afghan style, mosques & tombs of great beauty.

Overnight at hotel in Indore.

Drive to Jalgaon.

Overnight at hotel in Jalgaon.

Drive to Aurangabad. Check-in at hotel. Afternoon tour of Ellora Caves. Ellora Caves (29 kms) encompasses 34 rock cut shrines representing Buddhist, Hindu and Jain art dating from the 4th to 9th century A.D. The most remarkable among them is the Kailash Temple, meant to be a replica of Lord Shiva's celestial abode - Kailash is the best example of rock cut architecture & an engineering marvel.

Overnight at hotel in Aurangabad.

Full day visit of Ajanta Caves. Ajanta Caves are 106 kms from Aurangabad and date back to the 2nd century BC. The 30 rock hewn caves are adorned with Buddhist sculpture and the frescoes portray in epic form the religious and secular life through eight centuries.

Overnight at hotel in Aurangabad.

Transfer to airport for Mumbai flight. Arrive and transfer to hotel in Mumbai. Evening Mumbai city sightseeing tour.

Overnight at hotel in Mumbai.

Morning Sightseeing of Elephanta caves, evening free for shopping then transfer to airport for onward destination.