Ancient Caves, Forts, Taj & Temples 14 days

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 offer visitors a heady mix of all this and more. Rest time free for personal activities. O/n at hotel.

Day 2 Mumbai (B)

Morning excursion to Elephanta caves (Monday closed). Later city tour visiting CST, Prince of Wales Museum, Mani Bhawan & Dhobhi Ghat. O/n at hotel.

Day 3 Mumbai - Aurangabad (B)

Transfer to airport to board the flight for Aurangabad.

Arrival transfer to hotel. 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.

Day 4 Aurangabad (B)

Excursion to 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. Drive back to Aurangabad for overnight stay.

Day 5 Aurangabad - Ellora (36km) / Flight to Delhi (B)

Excursion to visit Ellora Caves. It houses 34 monasteries and temples with some exclusive uninterrupted sequence of monuments that date back from 600 to 1000 AD. 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. Also visit Bibi ka Maqbara a sons loving tribute to his mother.

Later transfer to airport to board flight for Delhi. On arrival at Delhi airport assistance & transfer to the hotel. O/n at hotel.

Day 6 Delhi - Jaipur (265km) (B)

City tour of Delhi. In Old Delhi visit the majestic Red Fort (closed on Monday) the residence of the Mughal emperor for nearly 200 years until 1857. Jama Masjid one of the largest mosques in the world built by Shah Jahan. Cycle Rickshaw ride in Chandni chowk & Khari Baoli Spice Market a busy shopping area with markets full of spices, dried fruit, silver jewelry and vivid saris, while the narrow side streets are crowded with tiny shops selling essential oils, stationery and traditional Indian sweets. Raj Gath the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi where he was cremated after his assassination.

In New Delhi visit Humayun Tomb the first garden-tomb in Indian subcontinent and an early example of Mughal architecture commissioned by Humayun`s first wife Empress Bega Begum in 1569-70. Qutab Minar a 73-metres tall minaret that forms part of the Qutb complex a fine examples of Afghan architecture. Lotus Temple a Bahai House of Worship notable for its flowerlike shape. Also drive pass President House, Parliament & India Gate etc.

Later drive to Jaipur check in & O/n at hotel.

Day 7 Jaipur (B)

Visit Amber Fort, Jaigarh Fort, Sisodia Rani Garden, City Palace, Observatory, Hawa Mahal & Birla temple. Further explore local market of Pink City. O/n at hotel.

Day 8 Jaipur - Agra (245km) (B)

Drive to Jaipur enroute visit Abhaneri step wells & Fatehpur Sikri Fort & Palace complex. Arrive Agra check in at hotel. O/n at hotel.

Day 9 Agra - Orchha (220km) (B)

Sunrise visit Taj Mahal, Agra & Baby Taj.

Drive to Orchha enroute visit Gwalior Fort, situated on top of a hill is one of the best fortresses of India, known for its great architecture and rich past. The fort complex includes several temples, palaces and water tanks. Siddhachal Caves and Gopachal rock-cut Jain monuments are the two areas, complete with thousands of Jain Tirthankar idols defaced during the Mughal invasion. Teli Ka Mandir and Sas-Bahu Ka Mandir are the two architecturally rich Hindu temples here. Gurudwara Data Bandi Chhor is another holy place built inside the fort complex. Man Mandir Palace, Gujari Mahal, Assi Khamba Ki Baoli, and Suraj Kund are other important monuments found in the complex. Jai Vilas Palace has the largest carpet in the world and two most massive chandeliers in the world that weight close to 3.5 tonnes.

Arrive Orchha check in & O/n at hotel.

Day 10 Orchha - Khajuraho (178km) (B)

City tour of Orchha a historical town known for its grand palaces, intricately carved temples adorned with classic mural paintings, frescos and cenotaphs that were constructed to commemorate the Bundela rulers. Visit the Orchha Fort complex, which houses a large number of ancient monuments. These are Raja Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Jahangir Mahal, a temple, gardens and pavilions. Chaturbhuj Temple a multi-storied structure noted for having one of the tallest Vimana among Hindu temples. Chattris (Cenotaphs) situated on the banks of Betwa river, are magnificent royal tombs of the Maharajas, placed on a platform and supported by the pillars.

After sightseeing drive to Khajuraho check in at hotel. Evening light & sound show. O/n at hotel.

Day 11 Khajuraho - Varanasi (B)

Visit well maintained UNESCO World Heritage Site, exploring eastern, western & southern group of temples adorned by erotic and sensuous carvings. The architecture of these temples depict the erotic forms of love, the carvings on the walls display passion in the most sensuous yet aesthetic ways. Built between 950 to 1050 AD by Chandela dynasty the temples of Khajuraho are India`s unique gift to the world, representing, as they do, a paean to life, to love, to joy, perfect in execution and sublime in expression. Of the 85 original temples, 22 have survived till today to constitute one of the world`s great artistic wonders.

Transfer to airport to board flight for Varanasi. On arrival transfer to hotel. Evening attend Holy Ganga Aarti, a magical ritual held every evening at sunset on the banks of the Holy Ganges. The entire Ghat gets illuminated with a divine light that can be felt strongly. The magnificent ritual involves huge brass lamps lit with oil and the priests chant the holy mantras that reverberate in the entire location. The entire Ghat gets illuminated with a divine light that can be felt strongly. The magnificent ritual involves huge brass lamps lit with oil and the priests chant the holy mantras that reverberate in the entire location. O/n at hotel.

Day 12 Varanasi (B)

Early morning boat ride & Ghat visit along the Ganges and catch the scene of devotees bathing and praying in the sacred water.

Later city tour visit Banaras Hindu University. With 5.3 sq kms campus and 30,000 residing students it is the largest residential university in the continent. Bharat Mata Temple built in 1936 houses a relief map of undivided India, carved out of marble. Tulsi Manas Mandir one of the most famous temples in Varanasi. The temple has beautiful images of Lord Rama, Mother Sita, Lakshman and Lord Hanuman. The walls of temple are adorned with verses from Ramcharitmanas, the Hindi version of the epic Ramayana. Continue to Sarnath, it was here Lord Buddha preached his first sermon after attaining the Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. The great Dhamekh Stupa and glistening pillar established by Emperor Ashoka in 273-232 B.C. stand testimony to the importance the place enjoyed at that time.

If time permit visit Ram Nagar Fort located on the eastern bank of River Ganga. The Fort includes an eccentric museum boasting a royal collection of vintage cars, swords, palanquins, ivory works, an old weaponry section and an extremely unusual astrological clock. O/n at hotel.

Day 13 Varanasi - Mumbai (B)

As per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for Mumbai.

On arrival assistance and transfer to hotel. Rest time free and easy to relax. O/n at hotel.

Day 14 Mumbai - Departure (B)

As per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.