This wonderful tour of 15 days takes you on a sojourn of the unexplored, not so known yet beautiful India. From the important Hindu pilgrimage sites of Varanasi and Ujjain to the ruined forts and fortresses lined with folk tales of Orchha and Mandu; from the modern cities of Bhopal and Indore to the exotic architecture of the Khajuraho temples, this tour will give you an insight on the India that dwelt in this part some few hundred years back.
Day 1: Delhi
Our representative will receive you upon arrival at the DELHI AIRPORT and transfer to your hotel. DELHI, the capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis with a fascinating blend of the past and the present. It is a perfect introduction to the composite culture of an ancient land. A window to the kaleidoscope - that is India. Overnight Stay at the hotel of your choice.
Day 2: Delhi
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer for sightseeing of the city.
Visit the <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'RGH','DEL','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Raj Ghat</a>, where the soul of the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, rests in peace. Later visit the Jama masjid and take a photostop at the <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'A7J','DEL','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Red Fort</a>. In the afternoon visit the <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'A7K','DEL','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Qutub Minar</a>, the tallest man made brick structure in the world aslo a world heritage site. Also visit the beautiful <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'LTE','DEL','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Lotus Temple</a>, worshipping point of the Bahai sect.A drive along the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'A7M','DEL','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">India Gate</a>, <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'PTH','DEL','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Parliament House</a>, the President's Residence and would give you the idea of the British style buildings in Delhi.
Evening free to visit the local markets. Overnight stay at the hotel in Delhi.
Day 3: Delhi - Varanasi
Post breakfast transfer to the doemstic airport to take the flight to Varanasi.
Varanasi is one of the oldest living cities of the world. A spiritual site and once an education centre, Varanasi enthralls one by its sheer charm.
Upon arrival transfer to the hotel and check in. Later you can go to visit <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'AUC','VNS','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Saranath</a>. <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'AUC','VNS','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Saranath</a> is a small hamlet on the outskirts of the city and is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site. This was the place where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon after attaining enlightenment.
Evening back to the city and time free to go around the local shops.
Overnight stay at Varanasi.
Day 4: Varanasi
The great river Ganges runs through Varanasi. The rituals performed on this river is a mesmerizing site to watch.
Today wakeup even before sunrise and transfer to the river to take a boat ride on the river. From here you can witness the sun rising from the waters. A beutiful site indeed! At the same time you can Hindu people performing their morning rituals at the River.
Back to hotel for breakfast. Post some rest, you may go to visit the Benares Hindu Universirty, one of the oldest universities of India. You can also visit some of the temples, famous smongst them is the Bharatmata temple, dedicated to our motherland, India.
In the evening, there is an opportunity to witness one of the most fascinating rituals that is performed at virtually every bank of the Ganges, the Ganga Aarati. It is a form of worship, when small oil lit lamps are sailed in to the waters.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 5: Varanasi
After breakfast assistance and transfer to airport to board flight to Khajuraho.Upon arrival at Khajuraho, transfer to the hotel.
Khajuraho is famous for its temples called as exotic temples. but once you see the carvings you realise, what the exotica is all about. Its an ode to womanhood. You can find beautifully carved surfaces of the wall in perfect anatomy ... most of them women. Women as maidens, women in seductive postures, women reading, women with child, women dressing up and all possible postures a woman can have.
Visit the temple and later back to the hotel for an overnight stay.
After some rest visit by 9W-723 Dep 1220 Hrs / Arr 1300 Hrs.On arrival assistance and transfer to Hotel. later sightseeing of Khajuarho. Overnight stay.
Day 6: Varanasi - Khajuraho
Post breakfast in the morning at the hotel, visit the eastern temples and later transfer to <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'AV8','HJR','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Orchha</a>. Upon arrival check in at the hotel. Later sightseeing of <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'AV8','HJR','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Orchha</a>.
Around 170 kms from the erotic temples of Khajuraho this small village must once have been a flourishing empire. The lost empire has left many of its impressions on this village. Situated on the banks of Betwa River, <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'AV8','HJR','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Orchha</a> remained the capital of the locally powerful Rajput Kingdom. The subsequent rulers added many structures here which only enhanced the beauty of the previous ones. All that remains today is the fort of <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'AV8','HJR','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Orchha</a> in ruins, but one can well imagine the beauty of the massive structure in its hay days.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 7: Khajuraho
Post breakfast drive to Gwalior via Jhansi. Jhansi is famous for its queen, Rani Lakshmibai, who fought the british to retain her independence. The massive fort still stands testimony to her valour.
Arrive at Gwalior post noon and check in at hotel.
There is an interesting story behind the name Gwalior. It is said that once a Prince of the Kacchawa dynasty came here and was thirsty. He asked water to a hermit who took him to a pond. The Prince drank the water and to his surprise was cured of leprosy which he was suffering from. The name of the hermit was Gwalipa and in his honour the city founded by the Prince, Suraj Sen was named Gwalior.
Later visit <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'A9Z','GWL','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">The Fort</a> of Gwalior, while some part of <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'A9Z','GWL','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">The Fort</a> are still occupied by the erstwhile rulers, most of it is open for the public.
overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 8: Khajuraho - Orchha
After breakfast drive to <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'A9Y','GWL','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Shivpuri</a>. Just 110kms form the city of Gwalior is <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'A9Y','GWL','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Shivpuri</a>, the royal summer retreat of the past. Its dense forests and luxuriant hills made it a perfect summer capital and the vegetation full of variety of species of fauna made it a perfect hunting ground as well. Today <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'A9Y','GWL','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Shivpuri</a> has been transformed into a protected forest area and a sanctuary for rare wild life. The pink summer palace built by the Scindias called as the Madhav Vilas Palace is an excellent example of the colonial impression on architecture in the late 19th century.
Back to Gwalior and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 9: Orchha
After breakfast transfer to Bhopal by the fastest train, the shatabdi. Upon arrival check in at hotel and rest.
The city founded by Raja Bhojpal was named after him which eventually came to be known as Bhopal. A unique blend of old with new, Bhopal is often termed as the city of lakes due to the two beautiful lakes situated right in the centre of the city. The large lake on the banks of which Bhopal is situated provides this earlier small sleepy town a most picturesque environment in the plains.
Visit the lakes and the mosque, which actually is the largest in India.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 10: Orchha - Jhansi
Post breakfast at the hotel in the morning, transfer by road to Indore. Indore is termed as the commercial capital of the state of Madhya pradesh. Once the seat of the princely Holkar, Indore still retains its charm and is bubbling with activities.
Upon arrival check in at the hotel and have some rest. Later transfer to visit the <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'AX1','IDR','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Rajwada</a> (palace) and the famous <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'AB2','IDR','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Kanch Mandir</a>.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 11: Jhansi - Gwalior
POst breakfast in the morning, take a day excursion to <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'AV1','IDR','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Ujjain</a>, one of the most holi cities of India. Known as Avantika or Avantipur in the past, the name was changed to <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'AV1','IDR','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Ujjain</a> to commemorate the victory of the King of Avantipur over Tripuri. However, <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'AV1','IDR','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Ujjain</a> finds a mention in the ancient Hindu scriptures like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. One of the four most revered Hindu Pilgrimage sites, <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'AV1','IDR','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Ujjain</a> is located on t he banks of River Kshipra. It traces its origin to the very dawn of Indian history. According Hindu astronomy the Tropic of Cancer is supposed to pass through <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'AV1','IDR','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Ujjain</a>. It is also the first meridian of longitude thus making it the Greenwich of India.
Visit the various temples of <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'AV1','IDR','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Ujjain</a>. Later back to Indore. Evevning free to visit the local food market, for which Indore is famous for. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 12: Gwalior
Pot breakfast at the hotel, drive to <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'AS1','IDR','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Mandu</a> via <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'AW1','IDR','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Omkareshwar</a> & <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'AR1','IDR','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Maheshwar</a>. Around 80 kms form Indore is the sacred land of <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'AW1','IDR','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Omkareshwar</a>, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas reside here. Located on a tiny island on the confluence of the Narmada and the Kaveri Rivers, the island has two hills divided by a valley which resemble the ultimate symbol of the Hindus, the Om, hence the name of <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'AW1','IDR','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Omkareshwar</a>, the Lord who resides in The Om.
Transfer ahead by road to <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'AR1','IDR','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Maheshwar</a>, which is situated on the banks of river Narmada. It was from here that Ahilyabai holkar ruled the whole Malwa region with great skill. The fort still stands tall on the banks. Today the sarees of this place are famous and worth a souvenir.
Proceed further to <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'AS1','IDR','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Mandu</a>. Upon arrival check in and overnight stay at the hotel.
Maheswar was a glorious city in the dawn of Indian civilisation when it was known as Mahishmati, capital of King Kartvirarjun. This temple town on the banks of the river Narmada finds mention in the epics: Ramayana and Mahabharata." <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'AR1','IDR','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Maheshwar</a>i saris: a popular craft in <a class="PIInfosoft-placeName" onclick="openAttractionDescriptionPopup('en', 'AR1','IDR','IND','India');" data-target="#PopUp5" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="modal">Maheshwar</a>.
Day 13: Gwalior - Shivpuri
Mandu, around 100 kms form the city of Indore till date sings the lore of the romantic Afghan King Baz Bahadur and the his love for Rupamati. It is a love in stone reminding you of the glorious past of the place. Originally founded by the Raja Bhoj of Parmar in the 10th century it eventually went to the Afghan rulers and then to the Mughals. Everyone added a building or two to the fort only to enhance the beauty of the place. Emperor Jehangir, a die hard lover of Kashmir, once proclaimed that no other palaces in India look so beautiful after the rains. Such is the beauty of this ancient land. The Jahaz Mahal and the Hindola Palace are the two most beautiful monuments inside the fort that are to be seen.
Post breakfast at the hotel, transfer for the sightseeing of the beautiful fort palace.
Overnight stay at Mandu.
Day 14: Shivpuri - Gwalior
Morning post an early breakfast, transfer by road to Bhopal. Upon arrival, check in at hotel and have rest. Later transfer to visit the ancient town of Bhojpur on the outskirts of the city. Bhojpur today is famous for its ancient unfinished Shiva temple, which is known as the Somnath of the East. This temple and its architecture date back to the 13th century and still remains mysteriously unfinished. In the evening back to the city. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 15: Gwalior
This last day in India can be made memorable with two choices of sightseeing. You may visit the pre historic caves of Bhimbetka or the Buddhist Sanchi Stupa. Both are equi-distant from Bhopal but in opposite directions, hence only one can be covered in a day.
After an early breakfast transfer for sightseeing. By late afternoon back to Bhopal and direct transfer to the railway station to take the Shatabdi train to Delhi.
Upon arrival at Delhi, you shall be directly driven to the international airport to take the flight back home.
