DAY 01 : ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive Delhi in the evening. Upon arrival, you shall met & assisted with your baggages at the airport by our executive and transferred to prebooked Hotel.

Delhi : India's capital & a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis which successfully combines in its fold the ancient & the modern. Its strategic location was one of the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. New Delhi also reflects the legacy the British left behind . The division between New & Old Delhi is the distinction between the capitals of the British & the Moghuls respectively. So, wherever the visitor goes, he will invariably confront the citys' past.

DAY 02 : DELHI
After breakfast, half day city tour of Old Delhi. Visit Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. Built by Shah Jahan, the construction was started in 1844 and was not completed until 1658; Red Fort, which was also built by Shah Jehan. This massive fort was built from 1638 to 1648; Chandni Chowk and Rajghat - the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi.

Afternoon, city tour of New Delhi. Visit Humayuns Tomb : built in mid 16th century this is an early example of Mughal architecture; Qutab Minar, drive past India Gate, President House, Connaught Place. The city tour ends with a visit to Laxmi Narayan Temple (Birla Mandir).

DAY 03 : DELHI - AGRA (203 KMS, 04 HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast, leave for Agra. Arrive Agra and transfer to prebooked Hotel.

Afternoon, city tour of Agra. Visit Red fort, which was built by Emperor Akbar in 1565, and additions were made up until the time of his grandson, Shah Jahan. It contains the hall of public and private audiences amongst many other beautiful structues; the highlight of the day - The Taj Mahal, which was constructed by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Contruction of the Taj began in 1631 and was not completed until 1653.

DAY 04 : AGRA-GWALIOR (120 KMS, 02-03 HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast, leave for Gwalior. Arrive Gwalior and check in at prebooked Hotel. Afternoon, city tour of Gwalior.

DAY 05 : GWALIOR - ORCHHA (110 KMS, 02-03 HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast, leave for Orchha : Once the capital of Bundelas, Orchha is a village, set amongst a complex of well preserved palaces and temples. Though Orcha was founded in 1531, it's golden age was during the first half of 17th century. When Jahangir visiting the city in 1606, a special palace, the Jehangir Mahal was built for him.

Arrive Orcha and check in at prebooked Hotel.

Afternoon, visit the Jehangir Mahal, Raj Mahal & Ram Raja temple which also dates back to the 17th century.

DAY 06 : ORCHHA - KHAJURAHO (178 KMS, 04-05 HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast, drive to Khajuraho : Built by the warrior Chandela dynasty that rose to power in Central India between 10th & 11th centuries, the 25 odd surving temples display different facets of life, including the sensual. These erotic carvings on some panels have given rise to much speculation since Khajuraho's re-discovery by a British officer in 1838. To preserve it for posterity, Khajuraho has been declared a World Heritage Site.

Arrive Khajuraho and check-in at prebooked Hotel.

Afternoon, visit the world famous Khajuraho temples built by the Chandela Kings between 950 AD & 1050 AD. The most important are the Chaunset Yogini temple dedicated to Goddess Kali, the Mahadev temple, Chitragupta or Bharatji temple with lovely image of 11 headed Vishnu, Vishwanath & Nandi temples, Lakshmana temple, Visha temple dedicated to Shiva, which is the largest & most typical of temples.

DAY 07 : KHAJURAHO-BANDHAVGARH (237 KMS, 05-06 HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast, drive to Bandhavgarh. Arrive Bandhavgarh and check in at prebooked Hotel. Later, jungle safari inside the park in a private jeep.

DAY 08 : BANDHAVGARH
Morning and afternoon, jungle safari inside the park in a private jeep.

DAY 09 : BANDHAVGARH-JABALPUR (164 KMS, 04-05 HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast, leave for Jabalpur.

Jabalpur was the capital of the erstwhile medieval Gond rulers. It is not only an important historical place, but it is also famous for the Marble Rocks gorge on Narmada River, near it. It is an administrative and educational center and is the gateway to important wildlife sanctuaries around it.

Arrive Jabalpur and check in at prebooked Hotel.

Afternoon, visit the The Marble Rocks, a gorge on the River Narmada, 22 km from Jabalpur, is an important tourist spot. The different colored cliffs dotting the gorge offer an impressive sight. Travelers often visit the gorge at night to see the cliffs under moonlight. Tourists can enjoy the sight of these sheer cliffs on both side of the Narmada River on a shared rowboat, which takes the awestruck traveler through the 2-km-long gorge. One can see Dhuandhar waterfall near the gorge.

DAY 10 : JABALPUR-BHIMBETKA-BHOPAL (294 KMS, 07-08 HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast, leave for Bhopal - the capital city of the state of Madhya Pradesh, which is the largest state in India. The city is also referred to as the City of Lakes because of the two beautiful lakes that are situated in the center of the city. Apart from its natural beauty, Bhopal is also famous for its mosques. The Taj-ul-Masjid in Bhopal is the largest mosque of India. Bhopal is also known, sadly, for the largest industrial disaster or the Gas Tragedy, which struck it in 1984.

Enroute visit Bhimbetka - Embraced by Northern Vindya range and covered with huge rocks Bhimbetka is where India's richest collection of prehistoric cave paintings was discovered in 1957. Over 600 rock shelters - the largest group in the work - harbour painting that date back to early stone age. This marvellos ancient art, found in about 500 caves depicts hunting, dancing, music, horse, elephant, religious and ritual symbols. The treasures at Bhimbetka have recently been designated a World Heritage site.

Continue drive to Bhopal. Arrive Bhopal and check in at prebooked Hotel.

DAY 11 : BHOPAL
After breakfast, day return trip to Sanchi - The Great Stupa at Sanchi, built by Emperor Ashoka, has become the icon of India's cultural heritage, and is another World Heritage site. It is the most famous of a host of stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars on this hill, dating from the 3rd century BC to the 12th century AD. A sandstone pillar fragment here carries Ashoka's famous edict warning schism in the Buddhist community.

Return to Bhopal for overnight stay.

DAY 12 : BHOPAL-INDORE (186 KMS, 04-05 HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast, leave for Indore - Planned and built by Rani Ahilyabai, the brave Holkar queen whose reign stretched from 1766 to 1795, Indore is situated on the banks of river Saraswati and Khan. This bustling and vibrant city derives it's name from the 18th century Indreshwar temple.

Arrive Indore and check in at prebooked Hotel. Later, visit Indore.

DAY 13 : INDORE
After breakfast, day return trip to Ujjain - Consider one of Hinduism's seven sacred cities, Ujjain is also one of the four centres of the 12 yearly Kumbh Mela. The holy town sees a steady stream of pilgrims throughout the year but at the time of Kumbh the stream swells into a flood. Legend has it that this ancient town got its name when the god like King Shiva of Avanti commemorated his victory over the demon ruler of Tripura by renaming his capital, Avantipura, as Ujjayini (one who conquers with pride).

Several dynasties rules over the prosperous town and it is said to have been the seat of the vice royalty of Ashoka in 275 BC. In its heyday, Ujjain was on a flourishing trade route with Mesopotamia and Egypt. Ujjain's final decline as a politicaly important centre dates to when the Scinidia capital was moved to Gwalior in 1810.

Return to Indore for overnight stay.

DAY 14 : INDORE-MANDU (99 KMS, 02 HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast, leave for Mandu - The erstwhile fort capital of the Parmara rules of Malwa, Mandu was renamed Shadiabad, the City of Joy, by the Sultans of Malwa at the end of the 13 century. It embodies the love of the poet prince Baz Bahadur for this beautiful consort Rani Roopmati; her pavilion, high on the crest of a hill, still overlooks his magnificent palace, and the balladeers of the region still sing about their love.

Arrive Mandu and check in at prebooked Hotel.

Afternoon, the exquisite palaces built by Sultans - Jahaz Mahal and the Hindola Mahal, as well as ornamental canals., baths and pavilions. The lakes and palace built by the Mughals. Each structure in Mandu is an architectural gem - don't miss any especially the Jama Masjid and Hoshiang Shah's Tomb which provided inspiration for the Taj Mahal.

DAY 15 : MANDU
After breakfast, day return trip to Omkareshwar & Maheshwar.

Omkareshwar : Renowned for its medival Brahmanic Temples. This tiny island consists of two hills and a valley, thought to resemble the Hindu symbol "Om". The exquisitely carved Shri Omkar Madhata temple of the island houses one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. The Siddhartha temple is a fine example of 10th century architecture. The 24 Avatars, a cluster of Jain temples and the Satmatrika Temples are also worth visiting.

Maheshwar : This twon finds mention in the Ramayana and Mahabharata. It was restored to its pre-eminent position in the 18th century by the revered Holkar queen, Rani Ahilyabai of Indore. The town is renowned for its bathing ghats and rows of pretty tiered temples, which are distinguished by their over hanging balconies and intricately ornamented doorways. The important temples include the Kaleshwar, Rajarajeshwara, Vithaleshwara and Ahileshwara.

DAY 16 : MANDU-AURANGABAD (323 KMS, 07-08 HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast, leave for Aurangabad. Arrive Aurangabad and check in at prebooked Hotel.

DAY 17 : AURANGABAD
After breakfast, day return trip to Ajanta Caves.

Ajanta caves : It was only in the 19th century, that the Ajanta group of caves, lying deep within the Sahyadri hills, cut into the curved mountain side, above the Waghora river, were discovered. They depict the story of Buddhism, spanning a period from 200 BC to 650 AD. The 29 caves were built as secluded retreats of the Buddhist monks, who taught and performed rituals in the Chaityas and Viharas, the ancient seats of learning, and nerve - centers of the Buddhist cultural movement. Using simple tools like hammer and chisel, the monks carved out the impressive figures adorning the walls of these structures. Many of the caves house panels depicting stories from the Jatakas, a rich mine of tales of the several incarnations of the Buddha. Images of nymphs and princesses amongst others, are also elaborately portrayed.

Return to Aurangabad for overnight stay.

DAY 18 : AURANGABAD-MUMBAI (FLIGHT, IC 888, 1720-1805 HRS)
After breakfast, excursion to Ellora caves - 34 in number, are carved into the sides of a basaltic hill, 30 kms from Aurangabad. The finest specimens of cave - temple architecture, they house elaborate facades and exquisitely adorned interiors. These structures representing the three faiths of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, were carved during the 350 AD to 700 AD period. The 12 caves to the south are Buddhist, the 17 in the centre dedicated to Hinduism, and the 5 caves to the north are Jain. The sculpture in the Buddhist caves accurately convey the nobility, grace and serenity inherent in the Buddha. Caves 6 and 10 house images from the Buddhist and Hindu faith, under the same roof, the latter dedicated to Vishwakarma, the patron saint of Indian craftsmen. The Vishvakarma cave is both a Chaitya and a Vihara, with a seated Buddha placed in the stupa. Its two - storied structure sports a colourful pageant of dwarfs, dancing and making music.

Afternoon, transfer to the airport to board flight for Mumbai. Arrive Mumbai and transfer to prebooked Hotel.

DAY 19 : MUMBAI
After breakfast, excursion to Elephanta caves. Afternoon, half day city tour of Mumbai.

DAY 20 : DEPART MUMBAI
Transfer to the airport to board flight back home.

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