Central India Cultural Heritage Tour

Day 1

Delhi arrival

On arrival at New Delhi airport, you will be welcomed by representative of Optima Travels and transferred to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 2

Delhi sightseeing

Have delicious breakfast in the Delhi hotel. Delhi is a metropolis of more than 24 million inhabitants. On a guided sightseeing tour, you will discover on the one hand New Delhi, through its great avenues and gardens, Parliament and the war memorial of India Gate, and on the other hand Old Delhi, with its bazaars and lively streets in Chandani Chowk, as well as the Red Fort and the Friday Mosque or Jama Masjid. Overnight stay is scheduled in New Delhi hotel.

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Day 3

Delhi - Bhopal (by train)

Early in the morning, you will be transferred to New Delhi railway station to board Bhopal-bound Shatabdi Express. Upon arrival, you will be received and transferred to the hotel in Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh. Bhopal was named after Pratihar king Bhoj who developed it to its grandeur. Later on, Muslims invaded & captured Bhopal. After relaxing a bit, in the afternoon, visit the old city and Bharat Bhawan Museum. It will be a unique experience to see exhibition of tribal paintings by Bhils and Gonds artists based on traditions and mythological beliefs. Spend evening in leisure and have overnight stay.

Day 4

Bhopal – Bhimbetka - Bhopal

After breakfast, depart for Bhimbetka. Bhimbetka, about 45 Kms from Bhopal in Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are about 750 caves sprawling over 10 sq km and belong to Paleolithic and Neolithic period. As per mythology, that’s the place where Bhim, one of the five Pandavas, used to sit, thus termed as Bhim Baithaka – seat of Bhim. 500 rock shelters or caves are characterized by prehistoric painting, the earliest ones date back to 30,000 years. Paintings of elephants, bison, deer, peacock, snake, sun, hunting scenes with hunters carrying bows, arrows, swords and shields, and "Nataraj" can be seen on the walls of the caves. Then visit the monumental Bhojeshvara Temple founded in the 11th century and dedicated to Lord Shiva. Temple is though unfinished but not less impressive by its blocks of red sandstone and lingam 2.20 meter high and 5.20 meter in circumference. After visiting Bhimbetka and Bhojeshvara Temple, return to Bhopal to spend evening in leisure and have overnight stay therein.

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Day 5

Bhopal - Sanchi - Udayagiri - Bhopal

Having enjoyed scrumptious breakfast in the hotel, depart for Sanchi. The day is dedicated to visit Sanchi and Udayagiri. Sanchi, about 45 kms from Bhopal, is located in Visdisha district of Madhya Pradesh. Sanchi is the oldest Buddhist sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is renowned for its Buddhist works of art. You will admire the splendid Sanchi Stupa built by Emperor Ashoka Maurya in 3rd century BC.

After visiting Sanchi, continue the drive to the Udayagiri caves. Representing the oldest surviving Hindu temples and iconography in India, these cave dwellings, carved in a sandstone hill and dedicated to Vaishnav, Shaiv and Shakti sects of Hinduism, are fine examples of the Hindu cave paintings, particularly with the bas-relief of Vishnu, Shiva & Shakti. After visiting Sanchi & Udayagiri, return to Bhopal to spend evening in leisure and have overnight stay therein.

Day 6

Bhopal - Ujjain

After enjoying delicious breakfast in Bhopal hotel, depart for Ujjain, one of the seven sacred cities of the Hindus. Ujjain is one of four holy places where Kumbh Mela takes place every 12 years. Like Varanasi, Ujjain is also known as one of the great places dedicated to Lord Shiva. On arrival at Ujjain, first check in at the hotel and getting relaxed for a while, walk on the ghats on the banks of River Shipra where the pilgrims gather. Then visit Mahakaleshwar Temple, containing one of the twelve jyotirlinga (Dwadash Jyotirlingams) of India, manifestation of divine energy. If time permits, visit Kal Bhairav Temple where the statue gulps in alcohol. Later, return to hotel to spend evening in leisure and have overnight stay therein.

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Day 7

Ujjain - Maheshwar

Having taken scrumptious breakfast in Ujjain hotel, depart for another historical, cultural and religious town of Maheshwar, on the banks of River Narmada. On arrival, check in at the hotel. The guests who prefer staying in palace hotel, Ahilya Fort Palace complex, now turned into a luxury hotel, can be a good option. The palace dates from the reign of Queen Ahilyabai Holkar (1767-1795). This fort palace complex turned heritage hotel is an exceptional site with an atmosphere of charm and refinement. Visit the fort which overlooks the city and offers a breathtaking view of the Narmada, one of the seven sacred rivers in India and its ghats which have something similar to a small Varanasi with the Pujas in the evening. Visit the small town of Maheshwar, 4000 years old. Since the dawn of time, silk and cotton saris have been made with delicate transparency, the beauty of which is renowned throughout India. Later, return to hotel to spend evening in leisure and have overnight stay therein.

Day 8

Maheshwar - Mandu - Maheshwar

Have breakfast a bit early in the morning to proceed for Mandu. Mandu, fortified site since the 6th century, perched 600 meters in the Vindhya Mountains, has not yet received distinction of being a world heritage site, though its historical past and architectural beauty make it a deserving cluster of monuments for the same. This abandoned natural fortress has preserved a beautiful collection of its Afghan architecture. Its original name is Mandav but was nicknamed by the Muslims "the city of joy".

You will admire the palaces, mosques and mausoleums left in heritage by the rulers of the time: the huge Jama Masjid dating from 15th century, the mausoleum of Hoshang Shah, the palace of Prince Baz Bahadur and the romantic pavilion of Rupmati. Fossil Museum and Neelkanth Mahadev Temple are other tourist attractions in Mandu to be visited. Having explored Mandu, return to Maheshwar hotel to spend evening in leisure and have overnight stay therein.

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Day 9

Maheswar - Omkareshwar - Burhanpur

Drive to Burhanpur, with a stop at Omkareshwar, a sacred island whose shape represents the Hindu symbol 'OM'. A venerated Shivaite pilgrimage center, Omkareshwar lies at the confluence of the Narmada and the Kaveri rivers. Both of the rivers are part of the seven sacred rivers of India. Visit of the temples built above the ghats, where numerous pilgrims gather to worship Lord Shiva. Then walk through the streets of the island and the bazaars.

After visiting Omkareshwar, continue your drive to Burhanpur, located on the Tapti River. This town was often frequented by the Mughal ruler Shah Jahan where his wife Mumtaj Mahal died during giving birth to 13th child. Overnight stay is planned in Burhanpur hotel.

Day 10

Burhanpur - Ajanta - Aurangabad

After breakfast in the hotel, depart for Aurangabad. On the way, discover one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites - the Ajanta caves. There are 29 caves carved into the volcanic rock of the Deccan Plateau, and decorated with sculptures narrating the life of Buddha. This site is one of the jewels of the Buddhist religious art of the Gupta period which allowed follow the architectural evolution between the 2nd century BC and the 7th century AD of our era. Having explored Ajanta caves, continue your drive to Aurangabad. On arrival at Aurangabad, check in at the hotel. Relaxing a bit, visit the mausoleum Bibi-Ka-Maqbara, built in 1679, a modest replica of the Taj Mahal. Overnight stay is planned in Burhanpur hotel.

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Day 11

Aurangabad - Ellora - Mumbai (flight)

After relishing breakfast, drive to the Ellora caves, UNESCO World Heritage sites. Ellora cave temples, & chapels are exceptional architectural achievement. Ellora includes 34 monasteries and temples dug in the cliff: 12 Buddhist caves, 17 Hindu caves and 5 Jain caves. These cave temples delineate five centuries of religious history. You will find extraordinary reliefs and sculptures, testimony of the dexterity of the artists of ancient India. Later, in the afternoon, board flight to Mumbai. On arrival, you will be received and transferred to Mumbai hotel for overnight stay.

Day 12

Mumbai sightseeing - Departure

Mumbai is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra on the shores of the Arabian Sea. Mumbai is said to be commercial capital of India. The most populous city of India, Mumbai is home to Bollywood cinema. It is nicknamed "the city that never sleeps".

After breakfast, a guided boat trip to Elephanta Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site, will take place. It’s again a spectacular monument representing one of the highest degree of the Shaivite rock art. You will admire the perfection of the sculpture (6th-7th centuries), the beauty of the bas-reliefs and the size of the statues.

In the afternoon, visit other major attractions of Mumbai – Gateway of India, Victoria Terminus, Prince of Wales Museum, Mani Bhawan, Crawford Market & Dhobi Ghat. Dhobi Ghat is a large open-air laundry where washer men wash tons of clothes by striking on the stone. Soon after the sightseeing, you will be transferred to Mumbai airport to board flight for your onward destination.

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