Day 1: Indore-
You arrive in Indore today. This afternoon you will be visiting the Indore city. Indore is known as the city of the Holkars. The city was built by a Holkar Rani AhilyaBai, one of the famous queens of India. Here you will be visiting some of the famous historical monuments and religious centers – Rajwada, KanchMandir and BadaGanapati
The Rajwada or the Old Palace is located in the old city; the building is a blend of French, Mughal and Maratha architecture. This 200 year old palace belonged to the Holkar dynasty.
The KanchMandir (Glass Temple), which is a Jain mandir (temple), is a marvel in glass. The walls, ceiling, floor, pillars, doors are entirely inlaid with glass creating a stunning kaleidoscope of reflections.
BadaGanapati, better known for its size than antiquity, this temple houses perhaps the largest Ganesh idol in the world measuring 25 feet from crown to foot. It was built in 1875.
You will be staying in Indore tonight.
Day 2: Indore – Mandu+
This morning you will be driving to Mandu. The grandiose and remarkable architecture of Mandu makes it one of the places having the most impressive collection of Afghan art in India. Mandu is located in an evergreen plateau in the middle of lusting vegetation, surrounded everywhere by lakes and splendorous monuments.
You will be staying in Mandu tonight.
Day 3: Mandu+
Continue to explore the town of Mandu today. Mandu is covered with architectonic gems widely spread in the whole perimeter.
You will be staying overnight in Mandu.
Day 4: Mandu - Maheshwar - Omkareshwar – Ujjain +
This morning you will be visiting Maheshwar. Maheshwar is a historical town on the banks of river Narmada known for temples, mighty fort-complex standing in quiet beauty, mirrored in the river below and distinctive hand woven sarees called Maheshwari.
Later, drive to Omkareshwar to visit the sacred island, shaped like the holiest of all Hindu symbols, ‘Om’. Omkareshwar is situated on the banks of river Narmada, and is one of the 12 revered Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva.
The significance of this linga is that the linga is not situated below the cupola. The idol of Lord Shiva is situated on the top of the temple. The temple can be reached by ferry from the banks of the river.
In the evening proceed towards Ujjain where you will be staying overnight.
Day 5: Ujjain – Bhopal+
Ujjain is a venerated pilgrimage center enshrining Mahakaleshwara, one of the Jyotirlinga manifestations of Shiva. Situated on the banks of the sacred river Shipra, Ujjain which is the modern name of Ujjaini. It is one of the sacred places of the Hindus, and the KumbhMela (religious fair) is held here every twelve years.
There are many great mythological legends about Ujjain city. Apart from mythological legends, the city has a long distinguished history. It was governed by the likes of Vikramaditya and Ashoka. Kalidas wrote his souls stirring poetry here.
Visit Mahakaleshwara temple for the darshan of Shree Mahakaleshwara. One of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India, the lingam at the Mahakala is believed to be born of itself (swayambhu) deriving currents of power (shakti) from within itself as oppose to the other images and lingams which are ritually established and invested with the mantra-shakti. Later in the afternoon we will be driving to Bhopal. Overnight stay in Bhopal.
Day 6: Bhimbetka - Sanchi+
This morning you will be visiting Bhimbetka. Bhimbetka is a World Heritage Site and is situated south of Bhopal. This is the site of the second oldest cave paintings in the world. The location is beautiful, along the Satpura range of mountains. The area around the caves is forested, which adds to the natural beauty. The Bhimbetka rock shelters exhibit the earliest traces of human life in India; its Stone Age rock paintings are approximately 9,000 years old, making them among the world’s oldest.
Our next stop will be at the SanchiStupas. On the way to Sanchi, you will pass through several towns and small villages. Sanchi is 46 kms north east of Bhopal. It is unique for having the most perfect and well-preserved Buddhist stupas. The remains of Buddhist saints Sariputra and Mahamodgilya are also preserved here. The holy relics are displayed once a year, particularly, on the last Sunday of November during the annual ChetiyagiriVihar festival.
You will be witnessing a mesmerizing piece of Buddhist art.
You will be staying overnight in Sanchi.
Day 7: Sanchi - Gwalior +
You can opt for Sanchi sightseeing again in the early morning and then after breakfast move to Gwalior.
You will be reaching Gwalior in the evening where you will be staying overnight.
Day 8: Gwalior +
Gwalior is famous for one of the finest living forts in India. Within the fort walls are interesting temples, museums and palaces. The museum collection includes several royal memorabilia like three-and-a-half ton chandeliers, not to mention a carpet the size of a couple of tennis courts and a silver model train, which once chugged on miniature rails round the royal dinner table laden with decanters and cigars.
You will be staying in Gwalior tonight.
Day 9: Gwalior - Sonagiri - Datia – Orchha +
Depart for Orchha today early morning. On the way to Orchha, we will stopover at Sonagiri and Datia.
Sonagiri (literally, the golden peak) is 65 Kms from Gwalior and a place sacred to Digambar Jains. There are several white Jain temples scattered around Sonagiri.
Datia is famous for the seven storied palace built by RahaBir Singh Dev in 1614. It is the representative of one of the finest architectures of the Bundela period. The place also houses the Bundela mural paintings.
You will be staying in Orchha tonight.
Day 10: Orchha – Khajuraho +
Orchha is a small town on the bank of river Betwa and is famous for temples that are built by its Bundela rulers in the 16th and 17th centuries and still retain much of their pristine perfection.
In the afternoon, you will depart for Khajuraho. You will reach Khajuraho in the evening. Enjoy the light show in Khajuraho.
You will be staying overnight in Khajuraho.
Day 11: Khajuraho - Ajaygarh – Bandhavgarh +
This morning visit western and eastern group of temples in Khajuraho. The Western group of temples is the best known, because it is to this group that the largest and most typical Khajuraho temple belongs. KandariyaMahadeo, Chaunsat Yogini, Chitragupta Temple, Vishwanath Temple and Lakshamana Temple belong to the western group.
In the eastern group, the temples are the Brahma temple, which has a four-faced lingam, The Vamana temple which is embellished with images of ravishing apsaras at their alluring best; and finally the Javari temple, with its ornate gateway and lavish carvings.
Depart for Bandhavgarh today. On the way, we will briefly stop to visit the Ajaygarh fort. You will be staying in Bandhavgarh tonight.
Day 12: Bandhavgarh +
Have a full day of jungle activities and enter the woods for an exciting jungle safari. Accompanied by expert naturalists you will advance deep inside the jungle in a jeep. Situated at the foothills of the Vindhya ranges, Bandhavgarh National Park is the habitat of tiger, spotted deer, barking deer, sambar, chausingha, nilgai, guar, chinkara, wild boar, sloth bear, jackal, leopard, and a wide variety of bird life. Wildlife enthusiasts will surely have the time of their life here for the park constitutes of highest population of tigers in India. If you are granted permission by the Rewa's royal family, you can visit the fort. The wonderful carvings in the fort and the fabulous view from the top cannot be described, rather only experienced.
Overnight at Bandhavgarh
Day 13: Bandhavgarh – Jabalpur +
Enjoy your day in Bandhavgarh visiting the Bandhavgarh National Park and surroundings. Experience the thrill of coming across a tiger roaming freely in the wilderness of its natural habitat. Witness, experience and appreciate the natural beauty and fascinating landscape of Bandhavgarh National Park.
Depart for Jabalpur in the afternoon. You will be staying overnight in Jabalpur.
Day 14: Jabalpur +
The wonder of Jabalpur lies in its Marble Rocks canyon and the torrential waterfall called Dhuandhar (Fumes of water). Soaring in their glittering splendor, the rocks at Bhedaghat rise to a hundred feet on either side of the Narmada river. Enjoy the enticing sight of Marble rocks in the small and old canoe-type ferryboats.
You will be staying overnight in Jabalpur.
Day 15: Jabalpur +
After breakfast, checkout from the hotel. You will be transferred to the Airport or Railway station for the onward journey.
Tour concluded today.