The Heart of India Tour

This morning you will begin your journey by discovering the caves of Elephanta Island, a place where you will access by boat.

In the evening you will board your flight to Aurangabad. Assistance upon arrival at Aurangabad airport and transfer to the hotel.

Our day starts with a visit to Ellora's famed rock temples (UNESCO). The Ellora caves, which number around thirty and are carved into a volcanic cliff that rises above the Deccan plain, belong to the three main faiths of India (Buddhism, Brahmanism, and Jainism). They are undoubtedly one of the most wonderful symbols of the religious tolerance that the people of Bharatvarsha (India's Hindi name) seldom abandon.

Ellora is, without a doubt, one of the most exquisite representations of early Middle Ages Indian art, far more than a tribute to this open-mindedness.

Between 737 and 790, Ellora's masterwork, the Kailasha, a monolithic sculpture constituting the Shiva temple, was cut into the hill. Its size is stunning, and the numerous shrines and relief panels, particularly the post sculptures, are excellent. -Gupta. You're certain to like the image of Ravana shaking Kailash Mountain, for example.

Look at the Bibi-Ka-Maqbara tomb, which was created in 1679 as a humble duplicate of the Taj Mahal, which was built during Emperor Aurangzeb's reign in Aurangabad.

Today, the Ajanta caves are home to some of the most extraordinary Buddhist sculptures and paintings, the earliest of which dates from the 2nd century BC. It was a monastery and academic complex with seating for a hundred people. The 29 caverns, carved in basalt, were overgrown and forgotten after the collapse of Buddhism in India in the 7th century until they were discovered by a tiger hunting team at the beginning of the 19th century.

The vibrant colors, fluid shapes, and spiritual warmth of Ajanta's paintings are all part of a long tradition that has impacted temple art throughout India and Southeast Asia. During the course of the next millennium

After that, you'll travel to Burhanpur, which is located near the Tapti River. From this key city, built circa 1400 by Badshah Nasiruddin Faroqui, the Mughals ruled the Indian peninsula's south. The city, which has long been known for its cotton, still has numerous relics from its illustrious history.

This day is dedicated to the exploration of the city and its key attractions, including the magnificent Jama Masjid mosque, the Mughal palace built by Shah Jahan, the Taj Mahal's creator, and the Muslim cemetery Dergarh E Hakimi.

You will go to Maheshwar, a tranquil and spiritual city nestled on the banks of the Narmada, one of India's holiest rivers, which is featured in the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Before arriving at your accommodation, take a walk around the Ghats, a location of effervescence beside this sacred river.

Your day begins with a stroll along the Narmada River, followed by a visit to the weavers' workshops in the ghats. Brocades and silk saris are produced in large quantities throughout the city. The city's superbly made temples, such as the charming marble depiction of the goddess Parvati cradling the child Ganesh in her lap, are particularly interesting.

The discovery of the Lat Masjid continues your trip towards Dhar.

Mandu is an amazing archaeological site and the ancient capital of the Sultanate of Malwa.

With its turbulent history, this city offers testament to Afghanistan's architectural diversity, with an area filled with palaces, monuments, and mosques that you will have the opportunity to visit:

The massive Jama Masjid mosque, which dates back to the 15th century.

The last independent monarch of Mandu, Prince Baz Bahadur's palace.

The Hoshang Shah Mausoleum may be the country's oldest marble structure.

Finally, there's Rupmati's romantic pavilion, romantic because tradition has it that Baz Bahadur created it to entice a lovely Hindu vocalist to come and live with him.

This morning you will drive to Ujjain.

Visit Amla Village, which has been recognized as a "heritage village" due to its diverse architectural history. To meet the residents of rural India, you'll take a stroll through this traditional village and its bazaar.

Ujjain, in Madhya Pradesh, India's heartland, is one of Hinduism's seven holiest towns. With a visit to the Mahakaleshwar temple dedicated to Shiva and the Gopal temple dedicated to Krishna, this program will immerse you in the spiritual ambiance of the city.

You will continue to drive to Indore. Upon arrival check into the hotel.

You will leave after breakfast and go to Bhopal. This lovely and lush city looks out over man-made lakes. Beautiful 19th-century mosques, as well as a lively market, may be found in the city's oldest neighborhoods.

Installation at a castle that overlooks a vast lake and a tour of the ancient town

The Bhil and Gond tribal paintings, as well as a modern art collection, are on display in the Bharat Bhawan Museum.

The Buddhist structures of Sanchi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will be discovered early in the morning. The tallest Buddhist stupa in India stands atop a hill, flanked by porticoes sculpted with exquisite refinement and artistry.

You will visit Bhimbekta a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cave paintings from the Paleolithic and Mesolithic periods may be seen in a lovely teak forest setting, depicting hunting scenes.

On the way back, stop by Bhojpur's unfinished temple, which has a massive monolithic lingam with a circumference of 5.2 meters.

This morning after breakfast you will visit the Tribal Habitat Museum and in the afternoon you will board a train to Jhansi.

Assistance upon arrival at Jhansi railway station and drive to Orchha. Check into the hotel.

This morning you will drive to Shivpuri.

Visit Madhav Vilas' vacation residence, a colonial-era structure. Afternoon jeep drives at Madhav National Park, which has more than 150km2 of forested hills and meadows surrounding Lake Sakya Saga. Crocodiles and pythons live in this lake, and antelopes, nilgauts, leopards, and, very occasionally, tigers can be seen on the shoreline.

You will travel towards Gwalior. During the Sepoy Mutiny, the Scindia family declared it their capital, and English and Indians battled there. The city is home to the magnificent Fortress, which stands on a three-kilometer-long majestic plateau with sandstone walls adorned with blue pottery. There, you will see its palaces and temples.

A museum houses furniture and items accumulated over two centuries in the Scindia family's mansion, Jai Vilas Palace. The market will finish this day after a promenade across the city.