Madhya Pradesh – The Heart of India
Trip Info
- Oct – April
- Delhi Airport
- Mumbai Airport
- 2-12 People
- English, French
- Required for India
Trip Overview
Delhi - Gwalior - Orcha - Khajuraho - Chanderi - Orcha - Jhansi - Bhopal - Sanchi - Ujjain - Indore - Mandu - Maheshwar - Omkareshwar - Burhanpur - Ajanta Caves - Aurangabad - Mumbai
Madhya Pradesh, the heart of India, borders the south of Rajasthan and is about the size of the Federal Republic. The population is also roughly the same as that of Germany. The state of Madhya Pradesh has accumulated a wealth of cultural and historical substance—the Buddhist cultural flowering of the Mauryas over two thousand years ago, followed by regional kingdoms and principalities. Numerous temples, forts, and palaces bear witness to this glorious past. Off the beaten tourist track, we want to explore a part of India that is rural and has largely retained its timelessness and traditions. The magnificent temple complex of Sanchi (a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1989) dates from the early days of Buddhism, from the 3rd century BC, and its stupas date back to the time of Emperor Ashoka. We have to go back even further in time, to the Stone Age, to experience the cave paintings of Bhimbetka. The oldest site with rock paintings on the Indian subcontinent (a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003). Here, our ancestors left hundreds of pictures on the rock walls. These are just three examples from the book of Indian history on this trip. In addition to the highlights of Madhya Pradesh, we also want to visit the cave system around Aurangabad in the state of Maharashtra. The caves of Ajanta and Ellora are among the very best masterpieces of Indian culture and are also UNESCO World Heritage sites. At the end of our trip, we will get to know a completely different facet of India: the mega-metropolis of Mumbai, the largest city in India and one of the largest metropolitan regions on earth.
Trip Highlights
- Seventeen-day intensive study trip through the heart of India - Madhya Pradesh
- In a pleasantly small group
- Many top-class sights off the beaten track
- Detailed presentation of the mega metropolis of Mumbai
- Great UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the Ajanta and Ellora caves
- Including a trip to Elephanta Island
- The famous erotic temples of Khajuraho
- Several train rides, a special experience and a great opportunity to get In touch with locals
Itinerary
Upon arrival at New Delhi International airport greet and welcomes by our representative and transfer to hotel for overnight stay. If your arrival early in the morning after breakfast commence New Delhi Sightseeing, explore as Akshardam Temple, the Lodhi Garden, the large Sikh temple Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and the Birla Temple. Rest of the time explore Connaught Place & Government buildings etc.
Meals: Breakfast included
Early in the morning we take the Shatabdi Express to Gwalior (approx. 3.5 hours). Here we visit the impressive Gwalior Fort, the Saas Bahu Temple and the Jai Vila Palace. We continue to Orchha (125 km, approx. 3-4 hours). On the way there we stop at the Datia Fort.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner included
In Orchha, time seems to stand still, the palaces and temples built by the Bundela rulers in the 16th and 17th centuries have retained much of their original perfection. We first visit the Jehangiri Malah Palace, which was built as a garrison and citadel for the Mughals to enable greater control over the Bundela region. The palace is a classic example of Mughal architecture. The domes are built according to Timurid custom and the gates are large enough to allow war elephants to enter. We then visit the royal tombs of the Maharajas, the Cenothaps, on the banks of the Betwa River. In the evening we experience a prayer ceremony in the Ram Raja Temple.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner included
Drive to Khajuraho (172 km, approx. 4 hours). Today we visit the "erotic" temples. They are a highlight of Indian temple culture with an unsurpassed sculptural decoration on the outer walls, famous for the many depictions of erotic acts. We also visit the magnificent Khandhariya Mahadeo Temple.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner included
Drive to Chanderi (225 km, approx. 5-6 hours), a historically and culturally significant place. First, we visit the Chanderi Fort, which stands on a hill 71 m above the city. The fort is home to several attractions such as the Khilji Mosque, Hawa Paur, the Naukhanda Palace and the tomb of Hazrath Abdul Rahman. We will also see the Koshak Mahal monument, the Chanderi Museum with its collections of the free-standing architectural and sculptural parts of the temple ruins of Budhi (Old) Chanderi from the 10th to 12th centuries AD, and the Badal Mahal Gate.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner included
First, we drive to Sanchi (165 km, approx. 4 hours). Here we visit the large stupa, the oldest stone structure in India, with a diameter of 36 m and a height of 16 m. We then continue to Bhopal (55 km, approx. 2 hours), the capital of Madhya Pradesh.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner included
In the morning, we visit the famous Bhimbetka caves, which are known for their prehistoric paintings. There are more than 600 caves or rock dwellings dating back to the Neolithic period. Inside most of these dwellings are paintings depicting the life of prehistoric cave dwellers in vivid panoramic detail. The oldest paintings are said to be up to 12,000 years old. The caves, which are located in a rocky terrain with dense forests and jagged rocks, have become an invaluable chronicle of human history. In the afternoon, a sightseeing tour of Bhopal awaits us with the Laxmi Narayan Temple, the Taj-ul Mosque and the Moti Mosque.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner included
We set off for Indore (245 km, approx. 5-6 hours), en route a visit to Ujjain, one of the seven holy cities of India, with the observatory and the Mahakaleshwar Temple. After our arrival in Indore, we visit the glass temple Kanch Mandir.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner included
Continue to Mandu (95 km, approx. 2-3 hours). Every structure in Mandu is an architectural gem, some are outstanding such as the massive Jami Masjid mosque and the tomb of Hoshang Shah, which centuries later inspired the builders of the Taj Mahal. We spend the day with extensive sightseeing: Jahaz Mahal, Shrafi Mahal and Hindola Mahal.
After breakfast drive to Maheshwar, located on the banks of the Narmada River. An imposing fort dominates the dusty landscape of Maheshwar. A palace on the grounds of the fort has been converted into a museum in which exhibit utensils and art objects. After a tour, continue to the pilgrimage site of Omkareshwar (130 km, approx. 3 hours), a holy island. It lies at the meeting point of the Narmada and Kaveri rivers, which are separated from north to south by a deep gorge. The shape resembles the holiest of all Hindu symbols, the "Om". Here we visit the temple complex.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner included
We drive to Asirgarh Fort by jeep. Later, a sightseeing tour in Burhanpur with the Royal Hamman, Gurudwara of Burhanpur and Khuni Bhandara (120 km, approx. 3 hours).
Meals: Breakfast, dinner included
On our way to Aurangabad (240 km, 6 hours) we will visit the Ajanta Caves in detail. The caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and, with their wall paintings and sculptures from the Gupta period, are considered to be among the very best masterpieces of Indian culture.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner included
We visit the Ellora Caves. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most visited sights in India. The complex consists of 34 Buddhist, Hindu and Jain cave temples.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner included
Early in the morning we take the train to the mega-metropolis of Mumbai (6.5 hours). The rest of the day is free for us to explore on our own.
Meals: Breakfast included
Today we have a trip to the Elephanta Caves as per our program. The caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are used to worship Shiva. The sculptures carved into the stone are among the most important works of Hindu sculpture. In the afternoon we explore Mumbai and see, among other things, the Marine Drive, the Victoria Terminal and Dhobi Ghat, India's largest open-air laundry. Our rooms are available to us until the airport transfer in the evening. As per your flight schedule one of our staff lead you till Mumbai international airport. End our services.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner included & a farewell dinner,
Trip Cost Includes
- A traditional welcome on arrival at New Delhi International Airport.
- All in out transfer, sector drive and city sightseeing as per above program
- All toll tax parking fuel and driver’s allowance
- English Speaking City Guide (as per above program)
- One time monuments entrance
- Train or domestic flight fare (if any)
- Entire trip with breakfast & dinner only (Except Delhi, only breakfast)
- Cooking classes with traditional dinner
- Village walking tour
- Mineral water bottle (1Lt) per day.
- Elephenta Cave excursion by ferry.
- Ajanta & Ellora caves visit
Trip Cost Excludes
- Any personal expenses
- Any Domestic or International flight fare
- Tip, laundry, lunch en route, table drinks,
- Any suppliant (guide, activities, park ride etc.) price.
- Anything else that is not mentioned in the “Price Includes” section.
- Best Price Guaranteed - ( You can add information like this to further explain value that you provide to your travel clients. )
- No Booking Fees - ( You can add information like this to further explain value that you provide to your travel clients. )
- Professional Local Guide
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