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| Duration | Destination | Departure |
|---|---|---|
| 12 days and 11 nights | India (Mumbai, Nasik, Aurangabad, Burhanpur, Maheshwar, Indore, Bhopal) | India (Mumbai) |
Day 1:
Arrive Mumbai
On arrival at Mumbai airport assistance & transfer to hotel (check in/out time 12pm). Mumbai is disciplined by no time frame neither day nor night. Dazzling shopping arcades, exciting sport activity, nightclubs & discotheques, theatre, music & gourmet restaurants offers visitors a heady mix of all this and more. Rest time free for personal activities. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2:
Mumbai (B)
City tour of Mumbai. Drive via Marine Drive one of the most beautifully laid boulevards in the city to reach Gateway of India. Board a ferry from here to reach Elephanta Caves (Monday closed). A flight of 100 steps takes you to the top of the hill where caves are located. Afterwards cruise back to Gateway of India and then city tour. Drive pass CST & Parliament House. Visit Dhobhi Ghat to see the city famous open air laundry in action. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalay, a grade I Heritage Building of the city counted amongst one of the most prominent museums of India. The complex exhibits a myriad collection of ancient artefacts, artwork and sculptors of the country which give a unique insight into our past. Overnight at hotel.
Day 3:
Mumbai - Nashik (170kms) (B)
Drive to Nashik check in at hotel. Excursion to visit Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlingas Temple, constructed by the third Peshwa Balaji Bajirao (1740-1760) at the site of an even older temple at the foot of the Brahmagiri Hill, flanked by the hills of Nilagiri and Kalagiri. Made entirely of black stone, it is a beautiful pilgrimage center for Hindus, dedicated to Lord Shiva. River Godavari originates from Kusavarta, a pond within the temple premises. While you are here, you can also explore the impressive Brahmagiri Fort, and Gangadwar, located in close vicinity to the temple. Overnight at hotel.
Day 4:
Nashik - Aurangabad (170kms) (B)
Nashik the ancient holy city is known for its links to Ramayana the epic poem. Visit Panchavati Temple complex on the bank of Godavari River which include Ram Kund where Lord Rama believed to have bathed in water tank. Shri Kalaram Sansthan Mandir an ancient shrine to Lord Rama, and Sita Gufaa caves. Also visit Sundarnarayan Temple, ISKCON Temple & millennium old Pandavleni Caves.
Later drive to Aurangabad via visiting Shirdi known as home of revered spiritual leader Sai Baba. The Samadhi Mandir shrine has an ornate marble statue of Sai Baba, alongside his tomb. Close by are Dwarkamai, a mosque where Sai Baba once lived, and tree-lined Lendi Garden.
Arrive Aurangabad check in & overnight at hotel.
Day 5:
Aurangabad (36kms one way) (B)
Excursion to visit the Ellora Caves (Tuesday closed), a UNESCO World Heritage Site from about 200 BC. to 650 AD. There are 34 monasteries and temples at Ellora, belonging to the three different religions Buddhism, Hinduism & Jainism. Grishneshwar Temple one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines mentioned in the Shiva Purana. On way back visit Daulatabad Fort one of the most powerful forts of the medieval Deccan. Later visit Bibi ka Maqbara built in 1678 is a sons loving tribute to his mother, Panchakki which discharged water on the wheel to power the flourmill and grind grain for the pilgrims & Aurangabad Caves artificial caves that were dug out of soft rock during the 6th & 7th century. Overnight at hotel.
Day 6:
Aurangabad - Burhanpur (220kms) (B)
Drive to Burhanpur enroute visit Ajanta (Monday closed). The Buddhist Caves of Ajanta were discovered by the British officers in 1819 while hunting tiger. Ajanta Caves were first mentioned in the writings of the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang who visited India between AD 629 and 645. The Caves at Ajanta are older than those at Ellora which date from about 200 BC to 650 AD. Thirty beautiful Buddhist Caves with mesmerizing sculptures and paintings depicting Buddha`s life as well the lives of the Buddha in his previous births. Five of these Caves are Chaityas (Place of worship) while the other twenty-five are Viharas (monasteries). Ajanta Caves are divided in two categories based on two schools of Buddhist thought - Hinayana Caves and Mahayana Caves.
Continue drive to Burhanpur check in & overnight at hotel.
Day 7:
Burhanpur - Maheshwar (175kms) (B)
Burhanpur founded in 1400 AD was once the capital of the Mughal Kingdom, ruled by Shah Jahan for a long period. It is one of the most beautiful symbols of Mughal architecture and Mughal grandeur. The magnificent mosques, tombs and palaces give you a sense of what Mughal life at its peak was like. Visit The Badshahi Qila, Dargah-e-Hakimi, Jama Masjid. Then drive to Maheshwar via visiting Asirgarh Fort constructed by Asa Ahir, in the Satpura Range on the apex of Satpura Mountain. Its height is about 259.1 meter from the base, formed in 3 parts with specific name. Asirgarh`s is the first part, second part is Kamargarh`s and last third part is called Malaygarh. Fort expands more than 60 acres area, There is a lord Shiva temple, a gurudwara & a mosque inside the grand fort. If we go by records, the fort was never conquered by force. Further drive and visit Omkareshwar one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, nestled in the Omkar mountain, an island in the middle of River Narmada. The five storeys temple has a large sabha mandap (prayer hall) standing on 60 brown huge stone pillars. Taking a dip in the Narmada river before going inside the temple is considered auspicious.
Continue drive to Maheshwar check in & overnight at hotel.
Day 8:
Maheshwar – Indore (125kms) (B)
Visit Fort of Maheshwar built during 4th to 5th century, the best example of ancient Indian material construction, war tactics & defense policy. The present structure belongs to 17th to 18th century. There are five main entrance & several rooms for watching soldiers. It also has a five feet wide footpath to supervise the area around it. The monuments inside the fort are Rajwada Palace, having golden jhula & Rajrajeshwar temple.
Drive to Indore via visiting Mandu an ancient fort city dotted with gateways, adorned with spell-binding Afghan architecture, surrounded by baobab trees, native to Africa. The grand palaces are still alive with royal romance while the gateways speak of a history of imperial conquests. Landmark buildings include Hoshang Shah`s Tomb, a domed marble mausoleum, the vast Jami Masjid mosque, with courtyards framed by colonnades and the imposing centuries-old Jahaz. Floating over it`s own reflection, the Jahaz Mahal looks like a ship that`s about to sail. However, for centuries this ship made of stone and mortar never did. Instead, it stood floating over the twin lakes, bearing a silent witness to Mandu`s long, rich and varied history.
Continue drive to Indore check in & overnight at hotel.
Day 9:
Indore - Bhopal (255kms) (B)
Drive to Bhopal via visiting Mahakaleshwar Temple one of the 12 jyotirlingas in Ujjain, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Built in Bhumija, Chalukya and Maratha styles of architecture, the temple is an architectural marvel. Three floors of the building are occupied by lingams of Mahakalesvara, Omkaresvara and Nagachandresvara, respectively. There is also a kunda (tank) in the premises called Koti Tirtha that has been built in the sarvatobhadra style. On the path from the stairs of the kunda to the temple you will come across several images of the original structure of the temple, reflecting its grandeur during the period of the Paramaras (9th and 14th centuries). After sightseeing drive to Bhopal check in & overnight at hotel.
Day 10:
Bhopal (B)
Excursion to visit Bhimbetka rock shelters an archaeological site dating back to the Paleolithic age inhabited by the homo erectus more than 100,000 years ago. Bhimbetka is a world heritage site and houses one of the oldest cave paintings in the world, a must-visit site for all history enthusiasts. Next visit Bhojpur an incomplete 11th CE Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The construction was abandoned for unknown reasons, with the architectural plans engraved on the surrounding rocks. It houses a 7.5 feet high lingam in its sanctum, considered to be one of the finest examples of temple architecture in the region.
On return city tour of Bhopal. Visit Jama Masjid, Moti Masjid, Taj ul Masjid and the arts centre in Bharat Bhawan. Overnight at hotel.
Day 11:
Bhopal (B)
Visit Bhoj Wetland a Ramsar site consists of two lakes Upper and & Lower Lake a man-made reservoir and home to diverse flora & fauna. 179 species of birds, 43 species of fishes, over a dozen species of reptiles and amphibians (including five species of tortoise), 206 species of phytoplankton and 98 species of insects, all of which add up to a vibrant and thriving ecosystem. over a hundred sarus cranes (India’s largest avian species) have been observed congregating here. Other species sighted at this birders paradise are Eurasian wrynecks, roufous-tailed finch larks, white-throated kingfishers, white-bellied drongoes, black-headed orioles, western reef herons, grey-headed canary-flycatchers, Egyptian vultures and bay-backed shrikes. Next Excursion to visit Sanchi a serene hill crowned by a group of stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars dating from 3rd BCE to 12th CE. Sanchi Stupa, a UNESCO world heritage site is home to the relics of Buddha and his followers. Built by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE, it is a remarkable specimen of Buddhist art and architecture. Sanchi’s uniqueness lies in the fact that Buddha isn’t represented by figures but through symbols. Next visit Udayagiri Caves, early Hindu ritual site, extensively carved and reworked under the command of Chandragupta II, Emperor of the Gupta Empire, in the late 4th & 5th CE. Udayagiri has a series of rock-shelters and petroglyphs, ruined buildings, inscriptions, water systems, fortifications and habitation mounds, all of which have been only partially excavated. Drive back to Bhopal for overnight stay at hotel.
Day 12:
Bhopal - Departure (B)
As per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.
• Assistance on arrival at airport.
• 11 Nights accommodation in selected price category hotels.
• Meal as per day plan (B- Breakfast, L- Lunch, D- Dinner)
• Private air conditioned deluxe car for airport transfer, sightseeing and excursion as per program.
• English speaking tour guide on sightseeing days (local guide in each city), as per program.
• Monuments entrances and activities charges mentioned in the itinerary.
• Bottled drinking water in car.
• Government taxes.
• Bhopal - Mumbai flight fare approx INR 6,500 per person in economy class.
• Camera charges at monuments.
• Meals other than mentioned in day plan.
• Expenses of personal nature like liquor, laundry, tips, telephone, fax, internet etc.
• Gratuities & optional activities.
• Anything not mentioned in inclusions.
| Day | Overnight | Itinerary highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mumbai | Mumbai - Mumbai Airport or your hotel in the city |
| 2 | Mumbai | |
| 3 | Nashik | |
| 4 | Aurangabad | |
| 5 | Aurangabad | |
| 6 | Burhanpur | |
| 7 | Maheshwar | |
| 8 | Indore | |
| 9 | Bhopal | |
| 10 | Bhopal | |
| 11 | Bhopal | |
| 12 | Bhopal - Bhopal Airport |
| Place | 3 star hotels | 4 star hotels | 5 star hotels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai | Hotel Suba Palace/ BW Hotel Sahil or similar | Sun-N-Sand Hotel/ Fariyas Hotel or similar | Trident Hotel/ ITC Grand Central or similar |
| Nashik | Lily Sarovar Portico/ Ibis Nashik - An AccorHotels or similar | Regenta Resort Soma Village/ Express Inn or similar | The Gateway Hotel Ambad/ Beyond By Sula or similar |
| Aurangabad | Amarpreet Hotel/ Key Hotel The Aures or similar | Ambassador Ajanta / VITS Hotel or similar | WelcomHotel Rama International/ Lemon Tree Hotel or similar |
| Burhanpur | Hotel Grand Shivam/ MPT Tapti Retreat or similar | ||
| Maheshwar | MPT Narmada Resort/ Aamantran At Fort Maheshwar or similar | Ahilya Fort or similar | |
| Indore | Citrus Hotels/ Hotel Nahargarh Palace or similar | Lemon Tree Hotel/ Pride Hotel or similar | Indore Marriott Hotel/ Sheraton Grand Palace or similar |
| Bhopal | Lake View Ashok/ The Fern Residency or similar | Noor Us Sabha Palace/ Sayaji Bhopal or similar | Jehan Numa Palace/ Courtyard by Marriott or similar |
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