Central India tour takes you to some of the less explored destinations of India. Though they have been less explored they are equally fascinating - rich in history, culture, and architectural grandeur to their popular counterparts. This tour covers most of the important destinations of Central India which is referred to as the ‘Heart of India’. The historical city of Gwalior boasts a magnificent fort, extravagant palaces, and captivating Jain caves. Datia which houses a seven-story palace, Orchha architectural brilliance of the Bundelas, and Khajuraho which is famous for its temple architecture and craftsmanship. You will also explore Bhopal the capital of Madhya Pradesh and visit prehistoric caves and one of the oldest Buddhist sites in India.
A visit to the Taj Mahal will be the icing on the cake and Delhi the capital of India will be added attraction.
Day 01 - Arrive Delhi
Arrive IGI airport Delhi. Met by our representative upon arrival at the international airport and transfer to hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 02 – Delhi
Proceed on a full-day sightseeing tour of Delhi. Capital of India where history has seamlessly given space to modernity without losing its presence. One of the largest cities in the world, it is dotted with imposing monuments from the Hindu, Mughal, and colonial eras.
Visit Jama Masjid (a Mughal-era Mosque) the largest mosque in India which can accommodate 25000 people at a time for offering prayer. Qutab Minar, having a height of 72 meters is one of the tallest break minarets in the world. Humayun Tomb is considered to be one of the forerunners of the Taj Mahal. Drive pass India Gate and other government buildings. A visit to Raj Ghat (Mahatma Gandhi Memorial) will be a part of the sightseeing.
Apart from visiting historic buildings taking a cycle rickshaw ride through the colourful narrow alleyways of bustling Chandni Chowk is an experience in itself. Once a flamboyant bazaar (marketplace) for the novels of the Mughal era, it today is the largest wholesale market in Asia.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 03 – Agra to Gwalior
Morning transfer to railway station to board the train for Gwalior. Arrive Gwalior late in the morning and drive a short distance to visit Tansen Makbara or Tomb of Tansen. Tansen was a great musician (one of the nine jewels) in Emperor Akbar’s court. He was an exponent of the Dhrupad style of Indian classical singing and took it to its zenith. Also, visit the nearby tomb of Mohammad Ghaus who was Tansen’s teacher.
Check-in at the hotel finishing the visit.
Afternoon, visit Gwalior Fort and Jain Caves. A historic city, Gwalior has seen the reign of many dynasties as its rulers controlling on it. At least a thousand years old, this majestic fort built atop a hill is the crown of the city. Covering an area of 3 square kilometers, an eleven feet wall rising from the edge of the hill with six bulwarks encircles the fort. Today the fort houses impressive palaces, imposing temples, a museum, and a very famous school. Some of the highlights inside the fort complex are Man Mandir Palace, Sas Bahu Temple, Teli ka Mandir, and Gujari Mahal Archaeological Museum.
A little below the fort on the Gopachal Hill lies the rock-hewn Jain caves with intricately carved idols of Jain Tirthankaras belonging to 14th –15th Century.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 04 – Gwalior to Datia and Orchha
Morning, visit the Jai Vilas Palace. Jai Vilas Palace or Gwalior Palace as it is popularly called is a 19th-century palace built by Sindia ruler Maharaja Jayajirao Scindia of Gwalior. The architecture of the palace is inspired by the Tuscan, Italian-Doric, and Corinthian styles. Though a small portion of the palace is still the residence of the present royal family, a large portion of it has been converted into a fine museum. Some of the highlights of the visit here are a massive Durbar Hall where its walls are elegantly decorated with gold plates, gold furnishings with massive Persian carpets, and gigantic chandeliers on its high ceiling. The other attractions here are huge banquet halls kept intact like there were in the days of Sinidas, textiles, royal carriages, palanquins, royal kitchen, and other artifacts.
Early afternoon, depart Gwalior by road for Orchha (125 Km) stopping by en route to visit the impressive Datia Palace. About 75 kilometers from Gwalior lies Datia, a state during the reign of Bundelas. The highlight of this small state is the imposing Datia palace. Built during the early 17th century, the unique feature of this palace is that it is a seven-story building built only with stones and bricks. The palace is a fine example of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. Balconies with intricate latticework, walls adorned with murals, and fine craftsmanship on the pillars, angles, and panels make the visit here every worth.
Arrive Orchha by late afternoon or early evening and check-in at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 05 – Orchha
Fullday, sightseeing tour of Orchha visiting Jehangir Mahal – a part of Orcha palace complex, this 17th-century palace built by Raja Bir Singh Deo to commemorate the visit of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, has delicate chhatris (canopies) and lattice-work reflecting extraordinary excellence. Also, visit other palaces in the vicinity. Rai Praveen Mahal, was built for a beautiful paramour of Raja Indramani. A poetess and musician, her beauty has even impressed Emperor Akbar. Chaturbhuj Temple - built upon a massive stone platform, one has to climb a flight of steps to reach the temple gate. Constructed specially to enshrine the idol of Lord Rama that incidentally remained in the Ram Raja Temple nearby. A colossal structure adjacent to Ram Raja Temple, lotus emblems, and other religious symbols provides the temple’s delicate exterior ornamentation. Laxminarayan Temple - a unique piece of architecture, the Laxminarayan temple is a mixture of temple and fort architecture. The walls and ceilings of the interior of the temple are covered with vibrant Orcha paintings (Bundel art) that depict spiritual and social themes and they are in an amazing state of preservation. Chhatris (Cenotaphs) - the 14 Chhatris or Memorials to the rulers of Orchha, grouped along the Kanchan Ghat of the river Betwa are the emblem of Orchha. It is a surreal sight to view these monuments during sunset.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 06 – Orchha to Khajuraho
Morning, drive to Khajuraho (180 Km). Arrive Khajuraho and check in at the hotel with rest of the day at leisure or free for optional activities.
Afternoon, sightseeing tour of Khajuraho visiting the Western Group of temples. Khajuraho derives its name from the palm tree (Khajur) found in abundance in the area. Constructed between 950 and 1050 A.D. during the reign of the Chandel Empire, Khajuraho Temples (UNESCO World Heritage Site) are considered the "high point" of Indian architectural genius in the Medieval period. Exquisitely carved sculptures on the temple walls depict scenes of daily life to erotic carvings parting lessons on the art of love-making. Of 85 temples originally built only 22 stands today. Hindu and Jain temples here are divided into two groups western and eastern.
Some of the famous temples in the Western group are Lakshamana, Kandariya Mahadeo, Durga, Vishwanath, Nandi Temple etc.
Evening, witness sound and light show.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 07 – Khajuraho to Jhansi and Bhopal
Morning, visit the Eastern Group of temples. A little distance from the western group of temples in the village lies the eastern group of temples. In this group one will see some impressive Hindu and Jain temples. Some of the prominent temples in the Eastern Group are Parsavanatha Temple, Adinath, Ghantai Temple, Adinatha Temple, Brahma Temple, Vamana, and Javari Temple.
Drive to Jhansi railway station (200 Km) to catch the evening train for Bhopal. Arrive Bhopal by late evening and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 08 – Bhopal
Morning, proceed on an excursion to visit Bhimbetka (55 Km one way). A cluster of rock shelters at Bhimbetka reveals the earliest traces of human existence on the Indian subcontinent. The cave paintings here belong to the pre-historic from the Old Stone Age era as early as 30,000 years to New Stone Age. The paintings in these caves derive the themes of people, animals, and activities from daily life like dancing, hunting, etc. The caves here throw some light on the lifestyle then, such as community living.
Return to Bhopal on finishing the visit stopping by en route to visit Bhojpur temple. Raja Bhoj a king from the Parmar dynasty of Dhar has said to have commissioned to build this temple during 11th century. However, it remained incomplete due to reasons unknown (many legends are attached to the story but to historical evidence). The architecture of the temple is very impressive and the main highlight of the visit here is a huge Shivalinga cut from a single stone.
Afternoon, explore the old city area of Bhopal. Though Bhopal is the bustling capital of Madhya Pradesh today, the old city area of Bhopal still holds its old-world charm. Wandering around the streets here gives the feel of the glory that it holds during the reign of giving an idea of the glory of its Nawabs and Begums. A visit to the Taj-ul-Masjid the largest mosque in India and one of the largest in the world is the highlight of the visit.
Day 09 – Bhopal to Agra
Morning, proceed on an excursion to Sanchi (55 Km one way). Sanchi has one of the oldest stone monuments of India in the form of Buddhist stupas, viharas, temples, and stambha (pillar). Dating back from the 3rd century BC to the 10th century AD these monuments tell the tales of how Buddhism has influenced the lives of the rulers and the people in India. Though some of them have gone into ruins, many of them stand here in quite a remarkable state of preservation.
Afternoon transfer to the railway station to board the train for Agra. Arrive Agra in the late evening and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10 - Agra
Afternoon, proceed on an excursion to Fatehpur Sikri (44 Km/ 1 ½ Hrs. approx.). Fatehpur Sikri briefly served as the capital of the Mughal empire during the reign of Emperor Akbar, however, it was quickly abandoned due to lack of potable water. Palaces, meeting halls, and courtyards all built in red sandstone inside the complex are in a remarkable state of preservation.
Afternoon, visit Itmad-ud-daulah Tomb, considered to be one of the forerunners of the Taj Mahal. Built primarily in red sandstone, this monument elegantly displays intricate white marble and pietra dura inlay work on its walls and floor. Later drive a short distance to Mehtab Bagh. Mehtab Bagh or the Moonlit Garden lies on the opposite bank of the River Yamuna where the Taj Mahal is built. It is one of the most strategic points to view the monument during sunset.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 11 – Agra to Delhi and Depart
Early morning, visit the Taj Mahal to see the monument changing its mood with changing lights of the rising sun. This ultimate tribute of love built by a grieving emperor for his wife is actually flawless to its conception and execution. It is aptly said that the beauty of the Taj Mahal has to be experienced, it cannot be described in words.
Later in the morning visit the Agra Fort from where four of the mighty Mughal rulers controlled their vast empire. Built by successive emperors, the fort consists of residential palaces, courts, social areas, and private mosques that represent the excellence of Mughal architecture. Fort also is a vantage point to view the Taj Mahal from a distance.
Afternoon, drive to Delhi (200 Km). Arrive Delhi international airport in time for connecting flight for onward destination.
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