CENTRAL INDIA TOUR
Destinations : Delhi - Khajuraho - Orcha - Jhansi - Gwalior - Shivpuri - Bhopal - Udaigiri - Indore - Mandu - Aurangabad - Mumbai
Duration : 16 Nights / 17 Days
Day 1: DELHI
Morning arrive Delhi. Meeting, assistance at airport and transfer to hotel ( check-in time 12 noon ). PM. Sightseeing of Old Delhi : Red Fort - the red sandstone walls of the fort extends for 2 kms and vary in height from 18 meters on the river side to 33 meters on the city side. The Hall of Public Audiences, The Hall of Private Audiences, the Royal Baths, Moti Masjid built by Aurangzeb for himself are important portions of the immense fort. Jama Masjid - the great mosque is both the largest mosque in India and the final architectural extravagance of Shah Jehan. Raj Ghat - the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi where he was cremated after his assassination. Overnight stay at hotel. Day 2 : DELHI
Breakfast at hotel. AM. Sightseeing of New Delhi : Laxmi Narain Temple - garishly coloured modern temple was erected by the industrialist Birla. India Gate - the 42 meter high stone “Arch of Triumph”, erected in memory of the Indian soldiers who died in the first World War. Humayun's Tomb - built by the wife of Humayun, the second Mughal king. This is an early example of Mughal architecture. The design and pattern were to be refined over the years to the magnificence of the Taj Mahal in Agra. Qutab Minar - the buildings in the complex date from the onset of Moslem rule in India and are fine examples of the early Afghan architecture. PM at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 3 : DELHI / KHAJURAHO
After breakfast transfer to airport for flight to Khajuraho. On arrival transfer to hotel. Sightseeing of Khajuraho : The temples of Khajuraho are one of India's major attractions and are superb examples of Indo-Aryan architecture. It is the decorations with which the temples are so liberally embellished that has made Khajuraho so famous. Around the temples are bands of sculptures of exceedingly fine and artistic stone work. The sculptors have shown many aspects of Indian life a thousand years ago - Gods and Goddesses, warriors and musicians, animals real and mythological. But two elements appear over and over again in greater details than anything else - Women and Sex. In between are the Mithuna couples running through the whole Kama Sutra of positions and possibilities. Western Group of Temples : This group is the most important group of temples in Khajuraho. Chausath Yogini Temple, Kandariya Mahadeo Temple, Mahadeo Temple, Chitragupta Temple, Lakshmana Temple are the main temples. Eastern Group of Temples : This group lies close to the village and includes three Hindu temples and three Jain Shrines.
Day 4 : KHAJURAHO / ORCHA / JHANSI
After breakfast proceed to Jhansi enroute visiting Orcha : it is famous for its palaces and temples, built in the 17th and 18th centuries. Jahangir Mahal, a rectangular palace with eight minarets, was built by the Bundela Raja to commemorate the visit of Jahangir to Orcha. There are four important temples, the Chaturbhuj, Janaki, Laxmi and Raja Ram Mandirs. The Laxmi temple has exquisite paintings that adorn the ceilings and walls of three corridors. Vibrant in colour and stylisation, the paintings are in excellent state of preservation and express religious themes and historical events. Evening arrive and transfer to hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 5 : JHANSI / DATIA / GWALIOR
After breakfast proceed to Gwalior enroute visiting Datia : a town of great historic significance, highlighted by a seven-storied palace built entirely of stone in 1616. It is considered one of the finest examples of Bundela architecture in the country. There are some fine wall paintings of the Bundela school. The Mughal frescoes are Datia's other attraction. The imposing Gopeshwar Temple, also reveal an interesting blend of cultures. Noon arrive at hotel. PM. City sightseeing : Gwalior is practically synonymous with its fort , one of the oldest in India. Man Mandir, a six-towered palace that forms the eastern wall of the fort. Three hundred feet long and eight feet deep, it is decorated with perforated screens, mosaics, floral design and mouldings in Hindu profusion. Eleven century temple Sas Bahu ( Mother-in-law and Daughter-in-law ) temples are dedicated to Vishnu. Another temple, Teli ka Mandir, with its 100 foot tower, is the highest building in the fort. This temple is an interesting blend of Dravidian architecture from South India, typified by the spire, with Indo-Aryan decoration on its walls. Outside the fort visit the Tomb of Muhammad Ghaus, a Muslim saint, and the tomb of famous musician Tansen. Overnight at hotel.
Day 6 : GWALIOR / SHIVPURI
Breakfast at hotel and proceed to Shivpuri. PM. Visit of the National park. Shivpuri is best known for its Madhav National Park. Driving through its 154 km of jungle is an enthrilling experience, offering many glimpses of deer, blue bull, wild boar, and a variety of rare birds. The park is equally rich in waterfowl. An artificial lake is the winter home of migratory geese, pochard, pintail, teal, mallard etc. The species that frequent this spot are red-tailed lapwing, large-pied wagtail, pond heron, white breast kingfisher, painted storks, white ibis, lagger falcon, purple sunbird etc. The cenotaphs of the Scindias are set in a Mughal Garden, with quiet nooks under flowering trees interested by pathways with ornamental balustrades, illuminated by Victorian lamps. Overnight at hotel.
Day 7 : SHIVPURI / BHOPAL
Breakfast at hotel and proceed to Bhopal enroute visiting villages. Evening arrive. Overnight at hotel.
Day 8 : BHOPAL
Breakfast at hotel. AM. City sightseeing : For a long while, Bhopal remained silent. With the coming of extravagant Mughals in the fourteenth century, the city was reborn. The Mughals made it a refuge for artists and musicians and a city of monuments and mausoleums. The sprawling Taj-ul-Masjid, started by Begum Shah Jehan in the 1600s, still incomplete, consists of a wide courtyard. Other monuments include the Jama Masjid, built by Qudsia Begum, which has tall dark minarets crowned with glittering golden spikes. The famous Moti Masjid is patterned on Delhi's Jama Masjid. There are two picturesque lakes, an over bridge divides one lake into two. PM. Excursion to Bhimbetaka : surrounded by the northern fringe of the Vindhyan ranges, Bhimbetaka lies 40 kms south of Bhopal. In this rocky terrain of dense forest and craggy cliffs, over 500 rock shelters were recently discovered. Hundreds of paintings in the caves depict the life of prehistoric cave dwellers making Bhimbetaka group an archaeological treasure, an invaluable chronicle of the history of humanity. Executed mainly in red and white with occasional greens and yellows and with themes taken from the everyday events of aeon ago, most scenes depict hunting, dancing, music, horse and elephant riders, animal fights, honey collections and households scenes. In some caves popular religious and ritual symbols occur frequently. Overnight at hotel.
Day 9 : BHOPAL / SANCHI / UDAIGIRI / BHOPAL
After breakfast full day excursion to Sanchi and Udaigiri. Sanchi : Sanchi sits on a hill crowned by a group of Stupas and pillars that represent the peak of perfection in Buddhist art and architecture. This holy site occupies a unique position in the history of Buddhism. Originally consecrated by the Kushan rulers, Ashoka sought to give permanence to this site by replacing the original wooden structures and railings with perfectly wrought stone embellished in forms and symbols that expressed Buddhist teachings. Every form of Buddhist architecture found expression here ; Stupas, temples, pillars, monasteries, and four magnificent Toranas or gateways. The Great Stupa no 1 is a landmark in Buddhist architecture. It surrounds a high circular dome with a railing around its base with four elaborately carved Toranas. Bas-reliefs on the Toranas depict tales of Buddha's previous incarnations and main events in his life in symbolic forms, foot prints, Bodhi tree, Wheel of Law and the stupa motifs. The other Stupas are smaller. Udaigiri Caves : there is a group of two Jain and 18 Hindu Caves. Evening return to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 10 : BHOPAL / UJJAIN / INDORE
After breakfast proceed to Indore enroute visiting Ujjain : described by Chandragupta-II's court poet, Kalidasa, as “the town fallen from heaven to bring heaven to earth”. Kalidasa also found its palaces like mountains and its houses like palaces. Legend goes that Shiva lived here after destroying a demon and thus Ujjain was born. Once every 12 years, millions of Hindu devotees congregate to celebrate the Kumbh Mela, the most sacred festival in the Hindu calendar. The Scindias rebuilt the Mahakala, the main temple, on the ruins of an earlier one destroyed by the Muslims. Bridh Kaleshwar, small and compact, with a simple porch and shrine spire, the temple of the nine planets. The legend claims that moon and Mars are born here. The scientific work was done in an observatory built in the eighteenth century by Jai Singh II of Jaipur. Evening arrive Indore. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 11 : INDORE / DHAR / BAGH / MANDU
Breakfast at hotel and proceed to Mandu enroute visiting Dhar and Bagh : The rock- cut Bagh Caves, like those of Ajanta, belong to the period when Buddhist art was at its best. Originally, there were nine caves of which five are still in existence. It contain paintings of the period between 500 and 700 AD. Evening arrive Mandu. Overnight at hotel.
Day 12 : MANDU
Breakfast at hotel. Full day visit of Mandu : known as the `city of joy' has had a chequered and varied history. Mandu has one of the best collections of Afghan architecture to be seen in India. The buildings of Mandu can be divided into three groups, group of buildings known as royal enclave, buildings in the village as village group and the Rewa Kund group. Royal Enclave - Jahaz Mahal, the ship palace is probably the most famous building in Mandu. Hindola Mahal, the swing palace, the building is massively constructed , quite strong enough to handle the odd elephants. Village Group - the huge mosque dominates the village of Mandu, claimed to be the largest and finest example of Afghan architecture in India. Hoshang's Tomb, typical of the clear Hindu influence on the fine design of this fine tomb. Ashrafi Mahal, originally built as a religious college. Rew Kund - the palace here is a curious mix of Rajasthani and Mughal styles. Rupmati's Pavilion, Darya Khan's Tomb etc. Overnight at hotel.
Day 13 : MANDU / AURANGABAD
After very early morning breakfast proceed to Aurangabad. Late evening arrive and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 14 : AURANGABAD
Breakfast at hotel. AM. Visit of Aurangabad : Aurangabad takes its name from the king Aurangzeb, the last of the great Mughals, who made it its capital. In the numerous monuments that lie in the region, you can see the influence of various empires, religions and philosophies. Bibi ka Maqbara, the mausoleum built in later seventeenth century, by the king for his wife. It is rather a pale imitation of Taj Mahal, the masterpiece of his father, Shah Jehan. It is very impressive, if you have not seen the Taj Mahal. The Panchakki - is a mill where water was harnessed to turn large stones to grind flour. Daulatabad the magnificent fort on a hill is one of the very well built forts. PM. Excursion to Ellora Caves : Whereas the Ajanta caves are famous for its paintings the caves at Ellora are famous for its sculptures which is remarkable. In all there are 34 caves ; 12 Buddhist, 17 Hindu and the rest are Jain. Roughly the Buddhist caves are thought to date from 600 to 800 AD, the Hindus are around 900 AD while the Jain caves were not commenced until about 800 and were completed by 1000 AD. Caves 1 to 5 are Viharas and are simpler and less preserved. 6 to 8 are having large seated Buddha in the shrine. Hindu caves are the most dramatic and impressive of the Ellora cave temples. In size design and energy Hindu caves are in a totally different league to the Buddhist or Jain caves. Overnight at hotel.
Day 15 : AURANGABAD / AJANTA / AURANGABAD
After breakfast full day excursion to Ajanta caves. The Ajanta caves were before the Ellora caves and are all Buddhist. Their isolation has contributed the fine state of preservation in which some of the paintings remain to this day. Five of the caves are Chaityas or temples while the others are Viharas or monasteries. The caves date from 250 to 650 AD. The cave paintings initially suffered some deterioration. After their rediscovery some heavy-handed artists conducted a meticulous restoration and they are carefully preserved since then. Overnight at hotel.
Day 16 : AURANGABAD / BOMBAY
After breakfast transfer to airport for flight to Bombay. On arrival transfer to hotel. PM. At leisure or for shopping. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 17 : BOMBAY
Early morning transfer to airport for flight to Europe.