CENTRAL INDIA - Off the beaten tracks

The Buddhist caves of Ajanta are situated 100km northeast of Ellora. These magnificent caves containing carvings that depict the life of Buddha. They date from around 200 B.C. and their carvings and sculptures are considered to be the beginning of classical Indian art. Emperor Ashoka began his career from Ujjain. Major portion of Central India formed part of the Gupta Empire (300-550 AD). In the light and shadow of stone is writ the history of empires and kingdoms, warriors and builders, saints and philosophers. A giant fort of Gwalior evokes memories of a momentous past. Orchha…. where a legacy of temples and forts touches life with a medieval wand. Mandu recalls the time when the Afghans marched in and crafted its stone in a 'City of Joy'. At Khajuraho , there is poetry in stone created by warrior race of Chandella Rajputs. The oldest Buddhist shrines at Sanchi reflect the serenity and glory of Ashokan times.

Day 1 ARRIVE IN MUMBAI   We arrive into the great port city, which is the financial and commercial heart of India, where Victorian Gothic buildings from the British Raj era mingle with modern skyscrapers and office towers.   Day 2 BOMBAY TO AURANGABAD   We take the first flight to Aurangabad - the most convenient place to visit the world famous Ajanta and Ellora caves, which are situated on the outskirts of the city.   Day 3 AURANGABAD (ELLORA CAVES)   Drive 30 Kms to visit ELLORA CAVES - the site of finest examples of rock-cut caves in all India. It is the meeting point of three faiths, Jain and Hindu structures having risen alongside each other as the original Buddhist impetus slowly tailed off.   Day 4 AURANGABAD TO JALGAON via AJANTA CAVES   Drive to Jalgaon enroute stop at AJANTA CAVES - 102 kms away Ajanta was ideal- peaceful and remote from civilisation. The setting was spectacular a sharp, wide horse-shaped gorge that fell steeply to a wild mountain stream flowing through the jungle below. The Ajanta caves are like chapters of a splendid epic in visual form.   Day 5 JALGAON TO MANDU (275 Kms)   Drive to Mandu - if there is a place in India that captures the magical moments of Romance, it is MANDU. The silence here evoke the memories of yesteryears, of the love of Baz Bahadur for his queen Rani Rupmati. The queen so loved the land of her birth and the river that flowed through it, and the emperor had a special 'pleasure' pavilion created for her.   Day 6 IN MANDU   The Palaces of Mandu are built around the water tanks. Here the delight is the Jahaz Mahal - an elegant ship palace built between two artificial lakes. Hindola Mahal , Hoshang's Shahs tomb, Jama Masjid - inspired by mosque of damascus is India's first marble monument, built in 1432.   Day 7 MANDU TO INDORE via OMKARESHWAR & MAHESHWAR (225 Kms) Drive to Indore enroute visiting Omkareshwar & Maheshwar. Indore is the countries fourth largest textile centre. Day 8 INDORE TO SANCHI via UJJAIN (235 Kms)   Drive to Sanchi enroute visiting Ujjain - major Hindu pilgrim centre, visiting temples, observatory, palaces & ruins. Sanchi is a short drive - where 84 stupas are existing. Presently only 3 are existing. The great stupa is the by the Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century B.C. It was later enlarged and the original brick stupa enclosed with a stone one. In the front it stands 16 meter high and 37 meter in diameter.   Day 9 SANCHI TO BHOPAL   Drive to Bhopal. Half hidden among mountains and nestling in rich foliage, it lies in the heart of Malwa and is the capital of Madhya Pradesh. It was also renowned as a prominent centre of Buddhist culture. It is famous for its Palaces, forts, gardens, and lakes.   Day 10 BHOPAL TO KHAJURAHO via JHANSI   We take afternoon train to Jhansi from where we will drive for 4 hours to Khajuraho - world famous for its magnificent temples built by the rich and powerful Chandela emperors. The temples present the best examples of Indian art and architecture.   Day 11 KHAJURAHO   Visit the temples where forthright sculptures celebrate the joy of life and love for which there is no equivalent in the world.   Day 12 KHAJURAHO TO ORCHA (180 Kms)   Drive to Orcha - was once a capital of the region, here an old fort on an island in the river contains several exquisite palaces.   Day 13 ORCHA TO GWALIOR   Drive to Gwalior noted for its very old and a large fort which is said to be finest in India. Within the walls of the fort you will find many interesting temples and palaces.   Day 14 GWALIOR TO AGRA (120 Kms)   Drive to Agra, strategically located on the river Yamuna, it was once the capital of Moghul India and the centre of great power & glory. Moghuls built many beautiful monuments here - Taj Mahal , an incredible 20,000 workman laboured on it, day and night, for over 20 years. Agra Fort with its superb views of the Taj across the Yamuna river and the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula a masterpiece of refined craftsmanship.   Day 15 AGRA TO JAIPUR via FATEHPUR SIKRI (240 Kms)   Drive to the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri (45 Kms). Empror Akbar, tiring of Agra, built a new capital here only to abandon it a few years later due to shortage of Water. Continue drive to the intriguing 'Pink City' of Jaipur, enclosed in battlemented walls built from local rose-pink coloured stone. Jaipur is noted for its arts, crafts & handicrafts. It is the Gem capital of India.   Day 16 JAIPUR   Drive out to the hills beyond the city to Amber the ancestral hill fortress of Jai Singh. Take an elephant ride up to the fort which is well known for its lavish architecture. Return to Jaipur to see the City Palace, a blend of Mughal & Rajasthani design, it now contains many treasures from Jaipur's princely past. Nearby is the ornate Hawa Mahal - decorated with delicate screens carved from pink stone and Jantar Mantar observatory containing immense brick and mortar instruments.   Day 17 JAIPUR TO DELHI (260 Kms)   Drive to Delhi - the capital of India or 'Hindoostan'. Enroute stopping at the beautiful hamlet of Neemrana Fort.   Day 18 DELHI   It is also known as Lutyens Delhi here we will drive past the stately government buildings of the British Era designed by Lutyens, including the India Gate & the Presidential Palace. The city is divide into two parts Old & New Delhi - here we have some great monuments from 8th to 11th Century and also some great Moghul masterpieces. In the evening we transfer you to the airport to connect your flight back home. End of our services.