A Voyage Through the Heart of Central India

Day 01 : PARIS / MUMBAI (Bombay).

Welcome on arrival in Mumbai and transfer to hotel.

 

Day 02 : MUMBAI

Morning: Churchgate and Heritage Mile walk: avenues and typical buildings down to the seafront. Dabbawala, a service of providing packed lunches. After lunch.
Dharavi: huge slum and dynamic and lively economic zone.

 

Day 03 : MUMBAI – NASIK  (200 km / 4h)

Nasik, a sacred city on the banks of the Godavari, the "Ganges of Deccan". Visit the Pandu Lena caves with their exquisite sculptures.

 

Day 04 : NASIK – AURANGABAD (185km/ 4h30)

Early, discovery of the main temples of the city, the ghats and the large ablution basin. Departure towards Aurgangabad, visit of the Ellora caves, dug from the 7th to the 11th century. Early, discovery of the main temples of the city, the ghats and the big ablution basin. Departure towards Aurgangabad, visit of the Ellora caves, dug from the 7th to the 11th century.

 

Day 05 : AURANGABAD – AJANTA (106 km/2h) - BURHANPUR (130 km/3h30)

Morning: visit the Bibi-ka-Makbara, the "poor man's Taj Mahal". Then Ajanta, a village with 29 man-made caves. Afternoon: Departure to Bhuranpur.

 

Day 06 : BURHANPUR – OMKARESHWAR  (125 km/3h) – MAHESHWAR  (70 km/2h)

Visit Bhuranpur, its ramparts and fort, its mosque with writings in Sanskrit, Arabic and Urdu and the Gurudwara Bari Sangat, Sikh temple. Drive to Omkareshwar. Visit this pilgrimage centre at the foot of hills forming the mystical syllable "OM". Drive to Maheshwar.

 

Day 07 : MAHESHWAR – MANDU (45 km/1h) – MAHESHWAR

MAHESHWAR. Departure to Mandu. Visit this ancient capital of Malwa with Indo-Muslim inspiration. Return to Maheshwar.

 

Day 08 : MAHESHWAR – INDORE – BHOPAL

Walking tour of the city of Maheshwar, its Ghats at the foot of the fort, its Rani Ahiliya Bai temple and an NGO that teaches weaving to underprivileged youth. Departure to Indore (100 Km/ 2h30m) then train to Bhopal.

 

Day 09 : BHOPAL – SANCHI (50km/1h30) – BHOPAL

Day trip to Sanchi (50 Km/1h30). On arrival, visit Sanchi and its sculptures then visit the Udaigiri site dedicated to Ganesh. Return to Bhopal (1h).

 

Day 10 : BHOPAL – BHIMBEKTA  (50km/1h30) – JHANSI – ORCHHA (21km/30min).

Departure for the visit of Bhimbekta caves and its paintings of more than 12 000 years. Stop at Bhojpur to visit a red sandstone temple dedicated to Shiva then train to Jhansi. Hotel in Orchha.

 

Day 11 : ORCHHA

Visit this romantic medieval city, the Janhangir Mahal, a palace decorated with murals, the Royal Palace and its gardens.

 

Day 12 : ORCHHA – KHAJURAHO

Afternoon: departure for Khajuraho, the religious capital. (180 km/ 4h). Visit the famous Indo-Aryan style temples.

 

Day 13 : KHAJURAHO – GWALIOR (by train).

 

Day 14 : GWALIOR – AGRA (130km/3h30)

Morning: visit Gwalior: discover the fortress with sandstone walls and blue earthenware of the Man Mandir palace and the temples of Sas-Bhau and Teli-Ka-mandir. Visit the museum, the palace of Jai Vilas and the tomb of singer Tansen. Departure to Orcha. On the way, visit the Datia Palace, with its seven floors and frescoes. Afternoon departure to Agra (120 km/3h)

 

Day 15 : AGRA – DELHI (120km/4h)

Morning: Visit the famous Taj Mahal tomb mausoleum and the Red Fort and drive to Delhi. Toilet and dinner, departure on the regular flight.

 

Day 16 : DELHI / PARIS  (Vol international).

 

The Package Includes: Full board, superior hotels, tour guide (myself), air-conditioned bus transport and site visits

Not included: international airfare, visa to enter India, insurance, drinks and tips for driver and guide

Itinerary : Mumbai - Nasik - Aurgangabad - Bhuranpur - Maheshwar - Bhopal - Orcha - Khajuraho -Gwalior - Agra – Delhi

Includes: Full board, superior hotels, tour guide, air-conditioned bus transport and site visits

Not included: international airfare, visa to enter India, insurance, drinks and tips for driver and guide