Itinerary Ideas: Central India

4 Nights / 5 Days. 

As the name suggests means 'a great nation'. Maharashtra is the third largest and one of the most prosperous states of India. Its beaches, hill stations, temples and forts are a tourist's delight. Nature has been very kind to this region giving Maharashtra its most beautiful picturesque natural sites, at the same time man- made architecture is also a work of sheer brilliance. Once in Maharashtra you will be awed by its vibrancy, spirit of celebration and colourful ambience. It is said that Maharashtra is a place where dreams are fulfilled! 

Attractions of Maharashtra. 

Mumbai. 

Bhandardara. 

Elephanta Caves. 

Ajanta Caves. 

Ellora Caves. 

Aurangabad. 

Ganpatipule. 

Nashik. 

Kolhapur. 

Deccan Odyssey. 

Aurangabad & Mumbai. 

Day 01: Mumbai/Aurangabad. 

Arrive: Mumbai International airport. You will be met by our representative at the airport and escorted till your check in at Hotel. 

Aurangabad city was founded as a vice regal capital in the Deccan by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. The fort wall surrounding the city is a poignant reminder of its ancient history. Though the splendor of the 16th and 17th centuries found its finest expressions in the royal monuments of Delhi and Agra, there is enough in Aurangabad to reward the curious visitor. 

Overnight at hotel. 

Day 02: In Aurangabad. 

Full day excursion to Ajanta caves. (Closed on Monday). 

The Ajanta caves survived hundreds of years in the Sahyadri hills to tell the story of a rich and glorious past from 200 BC to 650 AD. These 30 caves were built to offer seclusion to the Buddhist monks who lived, taught and performed rituals in the Chaityas and Viharas, which were the seats of learning and cultural movement. Inspired by faith and devotion, each figure has been carved by the monks using just hammer and chisel. 

Ajanta offers a rich tapestry of images that speak of places, royalty, culture and tales of everyday life of ancient India. Many of the Ajanta caves hold panels that illustrate stories from the Jatakas - a large repertoire of tales of incarnations of the Buddha to nymphs and princesses and various other characters. 

Ajanta engravings are an unmatched visual treat. To name a few, the flying apsara in cave: 17, the preaching Buddha in cave 16 or the sculpted Nagaraja in a sitting posture with his consort and a female attendant. These enigmatic caves set deep in the hills still illuminate with natural light during some part of the day. 

Evening at leisure & Overnight at hotel. 

Day 03: Aurangabad/Mumbai. 

Morning visit the Ellora caves. 

The finest examples of cave temples, these 34 caves have intricate interiors and ornamental facades. Carved during the 350 AD and 700 AD the rock temples and monasteries represent three faiths - Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. 

The Vishvakarma cave of the Buddhists, the Kailasa Hindu temple and the Jain Indrasabha present a captivating sight. These were carved out of a solid rock to provide sanctuaries to Buddhist monks. The Kailasa Temple in cave 16 is a masterpiece in itself. The entire structure was etched out of a monolith and took over 100 years to complete. The temple itself is decorated with themes and incidents from the puranas in a manner that leaves one in rapturous delight. 

Vishvakarma cave is both a Chaitya and a Vihara with a seated Buddha in the stupa. Its double - storied structure has dwarfs, dancing playing musical instruments. 

The Rameswara cave has figurines of river goddesses adorning its entrance. The Dumar Lena cave resembles the great cave shrine at Elephanta and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. 

Cave 32: belonging to the Jain faith, is a beautiful shrine with exquisite carvings of a lotus flower on the ceiling and an imposing yakshi seated on her lion under a mango tree laden with fruit. The ceilings of this double - storied cave are also decorated with paintings. 

Afternoon in time transfer to airport to connect flight to Mumbai. 

The area occupied by Mumbai three hundred years ago was 7 islands inhabited by Koli fisherman and their families. With land reclamation the islands were connected, so that now Mumbai occupies a thin isthmus. The British acquired these marshy islands for a pittance. Mumbadevi or Mumbai was part of Catherine of Braganza's marriage dowry when she married Charles II in 1661. Four years later, the British took possession of the remaining islands and neighboring mainland area and in 1668 the East India Company leased the whole area for 10 pounds per year. 

You will be met by our representative at the airport and escorted till your check in at Hotel. 

Overnight at hotel. 

Day 04: In Mumbai. 

Morning excursion to Elephanta caves. 

An hour's boat ride from the Gateway, the tranquil forested island of Elephanta is one of the most atmospheric places in Mumbai. Populated only by a small fishing community it makes a wonderful contrast to the seething claustrophobia of the city, even when crowded with day-trippers at weekends. Originally known as Gharapuri, the island was renamed in the sixteenth century by the Portuguese in honor of the carved elephant they found at the port. Its chief attraction is the unique cave temple whose massive Trimurti Shiva sculpture is a fine example of Hindu architecture. The cave temples were excavated between the 5th and 8th centuries. The island is just an hour away by motor launch and the caves are reached by a stairway up the hillside from the ferry landing. 

Afternoon city tour of Mumbai. 

Start with a stop at the Gateway of India -a Indo - Sarcenic style of architecture (1927), designed by George Wittet to commemorate the visit of George V and Queen Mary in 1911, drive, past the Victoria Terminus the most remarkable example of Victorian Gothic architecture in India opened during Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee Year, Marine Drive and visit the Hanging Gardens so named since they are located on top of a series of tanks that supply water to Mumbai. Visit the Jain Temple built of marble and dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankara. Much of the decoration depicts the lives of the tirthankaras. And last but not the least; make a brief photo stop at "Dhobi Ghat" the Indian laundry system. 

Overnight at hotel. 

Day 05: Leave Mumbai or extend tour to other regions of India. 

Transfer to international airport. 

9 Nights / 10 Days. 

DAY 01: Arrive DELHI. Welcome & assist at airport. Transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel. 

DAY 02: Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport FOR ONWARD FLGHT TO BHUBANESHWAR. On arrival Sightseeing of Bhubaneshwar, visit to Lingaraja Temple (Outside), Bindusagar, Rajrani Temple, Tribal Museum etc. Transfer to Hotel. Dinner and overnight at hotel. 

DAY 03: Breakfast at hotel. Depart by coach to Gopalpur enroute visit Konarak Temple (Sun temple). Continue to PURI. On arrival Sightseeing of Puri, visit to Jaganath Temple. Arrive in GOPALPUR ON SEA. On arrival transfer to hotel and Dinner. 

DAY 04: Breakfast at hotel Depart GOPALPUR ON SEA. Drive to Rayagada VIA TAPTAPANI. Enroute visit to South Orissan Villages and continue to Taptapani, see Sulphur springs, Ikat Textile weaving village, visit to Semi Tribal Villages of Soura. Arrive RAYAGADA. On arrival transfer to hotel and Dinner. 

DAY 05: Breakfast at hotel. Depart RAYAGADA. Drive to Jeypore VIA CHAITIKONA enroute Visit to Weekly WEDNESDAY Dongaria Kondh tribal Market etc. Continue travelling VIA KORAPUT and enroute visit to tribal villages of Mali & Desia Kondh communities. Arrive JEYPORE. On arrival transfer to hotel. Dinner and overnight at hotel. 

DAY 06: IN JEYPORE - Breakfast at hotel (ONKADELLI) Drive 70 km to witness the most primitive, interesting & unique THURDAY tribal weekly market of the BONDA TRIBE. It is being considered that at present Bonda is the most primitive tribe of India or otherwise known as the naked tribes of the mountains. (Photography of this Tribe is restricted) Lunch enroute Carry Box. Drive to nearby Kumbhar & Gadaba Tribal villages and mix around with different tribal communities. Dinner and overnight at hotel. 

DAY 07: Breakfast at hotel. Visit to the Tribal village of Bada Paroja tribes and also visit to a weekly FRIDAY market of Sanaparoja & Mali tribal & visit to Jagarnath temple in Koraput. Lunch enroute. Depart JEYPORE. Drive to Jagdalpur (160km). On arrival Dinner and overnight at hotel. 

DAY 08: Breakfast at hotel IN JAGDALPUR. Drive to Chitrakut, enroute visit to Muria Trival village. On arrival visit to Weekly Market. Sightseeing of Waterfall, some villages. Drive back to Jagdalpur. On arrival visit to Trival Museum. Dinner & Overnight at hotel. 

DAY 09: After breakfast depart JAGDALPUR. Drive to Kanker, enroute VIA. NARAYANPUR and KONDAGAON. Visit to Maria Tribal art and wooden work. Lunch at hotel or local restaurant. Arrive KANKER by evening. On arrival transfer to hotel and Dinner. 

DAY 10: Breakfast. Depart KANKER for Raipur. On arrival transfer to airport for connecting flight to Delhi. On arrival transfer to hotel and dinner. 

DAY 11: Breakfast at hotel. Morning at leisure. Transfer to international airport in time for return flight to London. 

11 Nights / 12 Days. 

Day 1: Arrive Delhi. 

Day 2: Full day sightseeing in Delhi. 

Day 3: Train to Gwalior. Afternoon sightseeing. 

Day 4: Drive to Orccha. Afternoon sightseeing. 

Day 5: Train to Ujjain. Afternoon sightseeing. 

Day 6: Drive to Sanchi. 

Day 7: Sightseeing in Sanchi. 

Day 8: Drive to Kanha Tiger Reserve. 

Day 9: Full day safari. 

Day 10: Drive to Khajuraho. 

Day 11: Full day sightseeing with Light & Sound Show in the evening. 

Day 12: Flight to Delhi. Transfer to Intl airport for onward flight to London.