Heart Of India

This journey encompasses lesser known but historically important sites through the central part of India, such as the ancient caves in Bhimbhetka, Mandu known as the ‘City of Joy’, Aurangubad a now modern city with a medieval past and Khajuraho, a World Heritage Site known for its temples and carvings which depict scenes of the daily life in India 1000 years ago, finishing in Delhi the ancient capital of the Mughal Empire.

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1: Australia to Mumbai

Fly to Mumbai with Singapore Airlines. Upon arrival we will be welcomed by our National Escort and transferred to our hotel.

Day 2: Mumbai

Today enjoy a city tour of Mumbai. Drive past the Gateway of India, Mumbai’s principle landmark, along the Marine Drive fondly known as the ‘Queen’s Necklace’ and see Juhu beach. Visit the Mani Bhawan where Mahatma Gandi stayed, the Hanging Garden and the Kamla Nehru Garden as well as Chowpatty, which gives you a fantastic view of one of the most happening beaches in Mumbai.

Day 3: Mumbai to Aurangabad

This morning visit the Elephanta Caves, characterised by its four rock temples carved out of two hills that emerge from the centre of the island. We will see the cave shrine to Lord Shiva and a large three-headed sculpture representing Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver and Shiva the destroyer and other impressive sculptures. Later this afternoon we fly to Aurangabad.

Day 4: Aurangabad - Ajanta

Today we visit the World Heritage listed caves of Ajanta, which date from 200 BC to 650 AD and are particulary related to Buddhism. Located deep within the Sahyadri hills, the thirty rock-hewn caves are adorned with sculptures and frescoes portraying the religious and secular life through eight centuries.

Day 5: Aurangabad - Ellora

After breakfast visit another World Heritage listed site, the Ellora caves. Housing 34 monasteries and temples, the caves dating from the 4th to the 5th Century AD were carved into a basaltic hill 30km from Aurangabad by generations of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monks. With temples dedicated to Brahmanism, Jainism and Buddhism these caves also have stonework depicting the legends related to Lord Shiva.

Day 6: Aurangabad to Mandu

Drive to Mandu, also known as the ‘City of Joy’. This city was once used as a monsoon retreat by the Mughal Emperors and as such it features many palaces, pavilions and reservoirs. Now a ghost city, the hilltop fort of Mandu features some of the best Afghan architecture in India.

Day 7: Mandu

Enjoy a full day walking tour of the city taking in its turbulent history and the monuments which reveal the royal’s luxurious lifestyle.  See the Champa Baoli, the former baths and the 15th Century Jami Masjid. See the Jahaz Mahal (Ship Palace), the most famous building in Mandu. Continue to visit the Hindola Mahal (Swing Palace), the Baz Bahadur’s Palace, Roopmati’s Pavilion and Hoshang Shah’s Tomb, the final resting place of the founder of the Ghuri Dynasty.

Day 8: Mandu to Indore

This morning drive to Indore. Planned and built by the brave Holkar queen, the city of Indore is today also known as the city of the Holkars. This afternoon visit the Lal Baag Palace, one of the grandest monuments built during the Holkar dynasty reflecting the taste, grandeur and lifestyle of the dynasty. Also see the Bada Ganpati and the Kanch Mandir, a Jain temple entirely inlaid with glass.

Day 9: Indore

Visit the temples of Omkareshwar and Maheswar. Omkareshwar, a sacred island shaped like the holiest of all Hindu symbols ‘Om’, has drawn pilgrims for centuries to kneel before the Jyotirlinga (one of the twelve most important shrines to Lord Shiva in India) . Later this afternoon visit Maheshwar, a temple town on the banks of the Narmada River.

Day 10: Indore - Ujjain

This morning visit Ujjain, located on the banks of the river Shipra and regarded as sacred since times immemorial. The belief in the sacredness of Shipra has its origin in the ancient Hindu mythological tale of the churning of the ocean by Gods and Demons.

Day 11: Indore to Bhopal via Sanchi

Today we drive to Bhopal, stopping en route at Sanchi, known for its stupas and monasteries dating from the 3rd Century BC to the 12th Century AD. Arrive in Bhopal this afternoon. Bhopal, also known as ‘City of Lakes’, is a laid back and charming city with a number of beautiful mosques enclosed within the old city boundaries. It is also the gateway to the Neolithic caves of Bhimbetka.

Day 12: Bhopal to Orchha via Jhansi

This morning visit the Bhimbetka Caves. With over 600 rock shelters belonging to the Neolithic age, more than half of these caves contain prehistoric paintings. Later this afternoon catch the train to Jhansi and transfer to Orchha. Orchha rises out of the hills and the green countryside surrounding it. The historical monuments of Orchha still retain their pristine charm and narrate stories of war and peace, of love and destruction.

Day 13: Orchha to Khajuraho

We continue our drive southeast to the temple town of Khajuraho one of India’s major attractions. Khajuraho is a small town of exquisite Hindu and Jain temples located amidst the forested plains of Bundelkhand in north-central Madhya Pradesh.

Day 14: Khajuraho to Delhi

This morning tour the Western temples of Khajuraho. Built from around 950AD by the Chandella Dynsasty, the temples depict intimate scenes of human emotions and relationships and many aspects of Indian life over 1,000 years ago. This afternoon we fly to Delhi, the capital of India. With a population of 13 million people. The city is made up of the New and Old city with most of the sights in old Delhi.

Day 15: Delhi

Today visit the Red Fort and Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India which can hold 25,000 people in its courtyard. The next stop is the Raj Ghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi. Enjoy a walking tour in ‘Chandni Chowk’ before lunch at a downtown restaurant. Later this afternoon visit the Lakshmi Narayan Temple (Birla Mandir), built in 1938 the main temple is dedicated to Lakshmi the goddess of wealth and Connaught Place, a busy shopping centre.

Day 16: Depart Delhi

Enjoy a half day tour visiting Qutab Minar, the tallest stone tower in India, Humayun’s Tomb, built in the mid 16th Century and have a photo stop at India Gate. Drive past the President’s house, Parliament house and the Government secretariat buildings. This afternoon is at leisure until our late checkout and dinner before transferring to the airport to board our flight home.

Day 17: Arrive Australia

Arrive home in Australia.

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Images from Heart Of India