Madhya Pradesh - A trip to the heart of India!

Day 1 - Welcome to India! 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. The rest of the day is free to explore the national capital with its many attractions such as monuments, museums, galleries and bazaars. You may also choose to visit Lodi Gardens, a tranquil green space where you can take a strolls and discover historic tombs and monuments. Overnight stay in Delhi.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 2 - After breakfast we leave for the airport to catch our flight to Bhopal. We arrive in Bhopal, the state capital of Madhya Pradesh, in the afternoon. 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. Upon arrival we check-in at the hotel. The evening is free to relax at the hotel.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 3 - We begin the day with a trip to the massive Stupas and 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 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 from the Buddhist Jataka tales. Next we head to the Bhimbetka rock caves, which are famous for prehistoric paintings and sketches. The art here depicts early man's philosophy of life and death. Finally, we make our way back to Bhopal for an overnight stay.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 4 - Post breakfast we make our way to the hill station of Panchmarhi, the summer capital of the central region under the British Raj. Located in the heart of the Satpura Hills, the area around the town offers biodiversity and has an array of bird-life not commonly seen elsewhere in central India. This small village of Madhya Pradesh is a treasure and is surrounded by stunning waterfalls, meandering rivers, densely forested national parks, ancient caves of the Buddhist era and historic monuments. Upon arrival we check-in at the hotel. Later we visit the local attractions of Panchmarhi including Handi Khoh and Bee Fall, a magnificent waterfall gushing from the height of 35 metres, and in the evening we enjoy a panoramic view from the top of Priyadarshini point.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 5 - Today we go on a sightseeing tour of Panchmarhi. We start with a guided morning trek starting from the Duchess Falls up to Mount Rosa. Crossing waterfalls and rock-paintings, this is an excellent opportunity to learn about the flora and fauna of the Pachmarhi region. It's not uncommon to sight tiger and leopard tracks, as well as a variety of bird life, including the black eagle and honey buzzard. In the afternoon, we explore the man-made Pandav Caves, protected monuments dating back to the reign of Emperor Ashoka, and we finish the day in Dhupgarh to watching the sunset. During the tour we may even encounter tribals - the Gonds and the Korkus - as they gather firewood. These are the native inhabitants, who live in small huts or basic rock shelters. Post the tour we return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 6 - After a leisurely breakfast, we drive to the Satpura National Park. Upon arrival we check-in at the resort/hotel. Satpura is the only reserve in India where a variety of safari options are available. In addition to regular jeep safari, canoeing and boating safaris as well as walking safaris in the park's main region are available. In the evening we enjoy a walking safari and explore the Tawa reservoir by boat.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 7 - Today we wake up early and proceed to the first jeep safari to spot deer and the striking Indian Bison. The fauna of the area also includes other wildlife such as leopards, tigers, wild boar, sloth bear, wild dogs (known locally as Dholes), blackbuck, four-horned antelopes, porcupine, sambhar, otters, crocodile, langur, Malabar squirrels, and other wildlife. Satpura National Park is known for the white bison and the Indian giant squirrel. During the months of November through March, the sanctuary is also home to a variety of migratory birds. In the afternoon we head for another safari in search of wildlife. You also have the option to go on a walking safari with a naturalist, which is only available in Satpura National Park. In the evening we return to the hotel and stay overnight at the resort. (Note: The park remains closed for evening safari on every Wednesday)

Overnight - Hotel

Day 8 - After breakfast we drive towards Maheshwar, a famous temple town located on the banks of river Narmada. Upon arrival we check-in at hotel. The banks of the gently flowing river are lined with colourful shrines and there is a peaceful buzz of activity in the early morning as people come to bathe, wash clothes, and trade stories. In the evening the scene changes as people worship the sacred river. We visit the Ghats and the Maheshwar temples, which are remarkable for their carved overhanging balconies and beautifully carved doorways.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 9 - In the morning we leave explore the Maheswar Fort, also known as the Ahilya Fort (Holkar Fort). The majestic 250-year-old Fort stands high above the mighty Narmada river, surrounded by the picturesque and unexplored village of Maheshwar. The personal quarters of Ahilya are open to public view, but a portion of the Fort has been transformed into a heritage hotel. In the evening we walk down to the riverside along the beautiful ghats as we witness the timeless daily rituals of local villagers. We stop here to watch the sun sets as the small town winds down for the day. Overnight stay in Maheswar.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 10 - After breakfast we drive to Omkareshwar, a temple town located at the confluence of the rivers Narmada and Kaveri. A Shiva temple is located on an island between these rivers And this island is said to be shaped like the Devnagari letter ’Om’. Smaller temples devoted to different gods of the Hindu pantheon are seen all around. After this stop we continue onto Indore and catch a late afternoon flight to Delhi. Upon arrive in Delhi we check-in at the hotel. Depending on how much time we have, we may have the option of visiting Delhi's lively local bazaars for last-minute shopping. Overnight stay in Delhi.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 11 - Our tour 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 international airport or any point of convenience in Delhi for onward travel.

Tour Ends