Cultural Highlights of Central India

Day 1 - Welcome to Delhi. An Active India Holiday representative will greet you at the arrivals hall at the Delhi International Airport. As you drive to the hotel in comfort, enjoy the sights along the way while our representative briefs you about the experience that awaits you. Check in at the hotel and freshen up. Rest of the day is free to explore the national capital with its many attractions, be it monuments, museums, galleries or bazaars. You may also choose to visit Lodi Gardens, a tranquil green space where you can take a stroll and discover historic tombs and monuments. Overnight stay in Delhi.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 2 - Today we discover the history and heritage of Old Delhi and New Delhi. Old Delhi is crowded, busy and still bears remnants of the great Mughals who once ruled from the ramparts of the majestic Red Fort. First we drive past the Red Fort, the palace of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan who also built the Taj Mahal. We then reach Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, built in the 17th Century. We take a rickshaw ride through the bustling bazaars of ’Chandni Chowk‘and Asia’s largest spice market. Our next stop is the Raj Ghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, where a simple black marble platform marks the spot of his cremation. We take a break for lunch. Then we head to British Delhi (New Delhi area) to visit India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhawan, the official residence of the President of India, the Parliament House, and some other colonial buildings built during the British era and designed by a British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens in the first half of the 20th Century. Our next stop is the Humayun’s Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the mausoleum of the second Mughal emperor Humayun and was built by his widow Haji Begum in 1564 during the reign of her son Akbar. Overnight stay in Delhi.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 3 - After an early breakfast, we drive to the railway station and board the train to Gwalior at 8:10 AM. Gwalior, famous for its hilltop fort, is lined with palaces, including a 15th Century palace and magnificent temples that lend the town a majestic beauty and speak volumes of its glory. We arrive in Gwalior by 11:10 AM and get a transfer to hotel. In the afternoon, we explore the city visiting the ancient Gwalior Fort - ‘the pearl amongst fortresses in India’. Built in 8th Century, the hill fort has a defensive structure and two main palaces - the Man Mandir and the 15th-century Gujari Mahal Palace. Now an archaeological museum has also come up inside the fort's high walls. Next, we visit Sas bahu ka Mandir. Our tour ends with a visit to the tombs of Tansen and Ghias Mohammed. Return to the hotel for a night stay.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 4 - Today we travel to Orchha. A hidden treasure in Madhya Pradesh's Tikamgarh district, it is built on the banks of the Betwa river and is famous for its cenotaphs, temples and palace. Upon arrival we check-in at the hotel. First we visit the Ram Raja Temple, an iconic place since it is the only place where Lord Ram is worshiped as a king. A popular Hindu pilgrimage spot, devotees come here in huge numbers. Next, we go to the Chaturbhuj Temple, an amazing architectural structure built to hold the idols that are currently housed within the Ram Raja Temple. It now houses the images of Radha and Krishna. We conclude the sightseeing tour with the Jahangir Palace, followed by a visit to some cenotaphs built by the royals and affluent families for their dead. Overnight stay in Orchha.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 5 - Today, we drive to Khajuraho, a city known for Hindu and Jain temples with amazing sculptures and carvings. Upon arrival we check-in at the hotel. Rest of the day is free to bask in the earthy charm of this historic destination. Originally, there were nearly 100 separate temples built by the Chandela kings between 950 and 1050 CE, each dedicated to a different deity. Now just 20 of them exist, and are considered as the finest in India for their unmatched workmanship. Overnight stay in Khajuraho.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 6 - After breakfast we head out to explore the Khajuraho temple complex. The Khajuraho temple complex is divided into three parts: the Eastern, Southern and Western groups of temples. It took 200 years to build this UNESCO World Heritage Site. These temples are world-renowned for the exotic figures that adorn the walls, such as couples in sensual poses, mystical animals, dancers etc. Some of the temples that we will be visiting include: the Chausath Yogini Temple dedicated to Goddess 'Kali,' the Mahadev Temple, Chitragupta or Bharatji Temple with a lovely portrait of 11 headed Vishnu, Vishwanath and Nandi Temples, Lakshmana Temple and Visha Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Afterwards we visit the Archaeological Museum which houses the Ashoka Pillar. Overnight stay in Khajuraho.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 7 - We leave early morning for Jhansi railway station, where we will board the Shatabdhi Express train for Bhopal at 10:35 AM. We arrive in Bhopal, the state capital of Madhya Pradesh by 13:55 PM. Bhopal is replete with grand mosques that reflect traditional Mughal architecture, such as the Taj-Ul-Masjid (one of India's biggest), and Moti Masjid. On arrival we check-in at the hotel. Rest of the day is free to relax at the hotel.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 8 - We begin the day with a trip to the massive stupas and the museum of Sanchi. Home to various Buddhist monuments ranging from the 3rd Century BCE to the 12th Century CE, Sanchi is regarded as an important Buddhist pilgrimage site. After redistributing Lord Buddha's mortal remains for the purpose of establishing various stupas around the land in order to propagate Buddhism, Emperor Ashoka constructed the Great Stupa here. The austere majesty of the Great Stupas of Sanchi is reflected in the magnificent carvings of the gateway, which show in detail major events and miracles from Lord Buddha's life as well as events portrayed in the Buddhist Jataka tales. We head next to the Bhimbetka rock caves, which are famed for its prehistoric paintings and sketches, depicting wonderful sceneries based on early man's philosophy of life and death. Finally, we make our way back to Bhopal for an overnight stay.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 9 - Today we drive to Indore, the commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh. On the way we stop at Ujjain and visit Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple, one of the most profound 12 Jyotirlingas (devotional representation) of Shiva. In reality, inspired by the Bhumija, Maratha and Chalukya style of architecture, this temple is adorned with magnificent lingams of god and goddesses. We also visit other temples such as Ganeshji Ka Mandir, Kal Bhairava, Kaliadeh Palace, Navagarha Mandir, Gopal Mandir, including the Mahakaleshwar Temple. Arrive in Indore and check-in at the hotel.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 10 - In the morning we leave for Mandu, a fortified city, the ruins of which still echo the love story of the last Sultan of Malwa Sultanate, Baz Bahadur and his companion Rani Roopmati. Upon arrival, we explore the magnificent palaces, mosques and mausoleums of Mandu, which are well-known for its Islamic architecture. We first visit the Hoshang’s Tomb, the finest specimen of Afghan art and architecture. Next we visit the Jahaz Mahal, built during the reign of Ghiyas-ud-din Khilji, this medieval edifice palace is an amalgam of Afghan, Mughal and Hindu architectural styles. Finally we head to the Baz Bahadur Palace, a beautiful blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture. The day ends with a visit to the massive Jami Masjid and Hindola Mahal. Overnight stay in Mandu.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 11 - After breakfast we drive towards Maheshwar, a famous temple town located on the banks of river Narmada. Upon arrival we check-in at hotel and freshen up. We then leave for the Maheswar Fort, also famous as the Ahilya Fort (Holkar Fort). The majestic 250-year-old Ahilya Fort stands high above the mighty Narmada River, surrounded by the picturesque and unexplored village of Maheshwar. The personal quarters of Ahilya are available to the public, but a section of the Ahilya Fort has been transformed into a heritage hotel. We walk down to the riverside and beautiful ghats before sundown to witness the timeless daily rituals of local villagers and stop by to watch the as the sun set. Overnight stay in Maheshwar.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 12 - In the morning we drive to Indore. We visit the Rajwada Palace, an amalgamation of Maratha, Mughal, and French architecture, and the Kanch Mandir, an entirely glass structure, before heading to Indore airport to catch a late afternoon flight to Delhi. Upon arrival, check-in at hotel in Delhi. Depending upon the time we arrive in Delhi, we may have the option of visiting Delhi's lively local bazaars for last-minute shopping before packing for our flight the next day. Overnight stay in Delhi.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 13 - Our tour of Central India comes to an end and it’s time to pack our bags and head back with the memories of a lifetime. We check out from the hotel and get a transfer to the Delhi international airport for onward journey.

Tour Ends