Ancient Caves, Temples, Beach & Hills 20 days

Day 1 Mumbai

On arrival at Mumbai airport assistance & transfer to the hotel (check-in/out time noon).

Mumbai is disciplined by no time frame neither day nor night. Dazzling shopping arcades, exciting sports activities, nightclubs & discotheques, theatre, music & gourmet restaurants offer visitors a heady mix of all this and more. Rest time is 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 a city tour. Drive past CST & Parliament House. Visit Dhobhi Ghat to see the city's famous open-air laundry in action. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalay, a grade I Heritage Building of the city, is one of India's most prominent museums. 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 (170km) (B)

Drive to Nashik and check in at the hotel. Nashik the ancient holy city is known for its links to Ramayana the epic poem. Visit the Panchavati Temple complex on the bank of Godavari River which includes Ram Kund where Lord Rama is believed to have bathed in a water tank. Shri Kalaram Sansthan Mandir is an ancient shrine to Lord Rama and Sita Gufaa caves. Also visit Sundarnarayan Temple, ISKCON Temple & millennium old Pandavleni Caves.

Day 4 Nashik - Aurangabad (200km) (B)

Drive to Aurangabad via visiting Shirdi, known as the 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 the tree-lined Lendi Garden.

Arrive in Aurangabad and check in at the hotel. Later visit Bibi ka Maqbara built in 1678 is a son-loving tribute to his mother, Panchakki which discharged water on the wheel to power the flour mill and grind grain for the pilgrims & Aurangabad Caves artificial caves that were dug out of soft rock during the 6th & 7th century.

Day 5 Aurangabad (B)

Excursion to visit Ellora Caves 34 monasteries & temples from 600 to 1000 AD, Grishneshwar Temple & Daulatabad Fort. Later visit Bibi ka Maqbara built in 1678 is a son-loving tribute to his mother, Panchakki which discharged water on the wheel to power the flour mill and grind grain for the pilgrims & Aurangabad Caves artificial caves that were dug out of soft rock during the 6th & 7th century.

Day 6 Aurangabad (B)

Excursion to Ajanta (Monday closed). The Buddhist Caves of Ajanta were discovered by British officers in 1819 while hunting tigers. 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 (Places of worship) while the other twenty-five are Viharas (monasteries). Ajanta Caves are divided into two categories based on two schools of Buddhist thought - Hinayana Caves and Mahayana Caves. Drive back to Aurangabad for an overnight stay.

Day 7 Aurangabad - Nanded (260km) (B)

Drive to Nanded by visiting Aundha Nagnath (Nageshwaram Temple) built by the Seuna dynasty in the 13th century. The first temple is said to be from the time of the Mahabharata and is believed to have been constructed by Yudhishthira, the eldest of the Pandavas. The Temple building of seven-storeyed before it was sacked by Aurangzeb. Arrive at Nanded and check in at a hotel. Later visit Hazur Sahib Gurudwara one of the five takhts in Sikhism built at the place where Guru Gobind Singh Ji left his earthly life. The inner room of the gurdwara Angitha Sahib is built over the place where Guru Gobind Singh was cremated. Overnight at hotel.

Day 8 Nanded - Hyderabad (260km) (B)

Drive to Hyderabad and check in at the hotel. Rest time free & easy to relax. Overnight at hotel.

Day 9 Hyderabad (B)

City tour of Hyderabad, explore the 400-year-old metropolitan city teeming with bustling bazaars & Muslim monuments. Visit Golconda Fort renowned for its diamond mines that have given the world-famous Kohinoor and Darya-i-noor diamonds. The ancient fort complex of Golconda will charm you with its history, tinged with legends and anecdotes. Qutub Shahi Tombs are a group of small and big mosques and tombs built by the rulers of the Qutub Shah dynasty on a raised platform and have a dome-shaped structure. Charminar built in 1591 by Quli Qutub Shah is an identifying landmark of Hyderabad. It is also famous for the market that sprawls around it called Laad Bazaar. Salar Jung Museum (Friday closed) is a treat for tourists famous for being the third largest museum in the country, having the largest antiques collection dating back to the first century. Chowmahalla Palace (Friday closed) was the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty where the Nizams entertained their official guests and royal visitors. Birla Mandir made of pure white Rajasthani marble the temple beauty leaves you awestruck. Also, drive past Hussain Sagar Lake one of the largest man-made lakes renowned for its monolith of Lord Buddha placed right at the centre of the lake. Overnight at hotel.

Day 10 Hyderabad - Gulbarga (280km) (B)

Drive to Gulbarga via visiting Bidar Fort one of the magnificent forts rebuilt by Sultan Ahmed Shah Wali of Bahmani Dynasty, when his capital was moved from Gulbarga to Bidar in 1430 AD along with several Islamic monuments. The Bidar fort is a specimen of Persian architecture, surrounded by three miles long walls and comprising 37 bastions, a triple moat & seven gates. Bahmani Tombs The 12 tombs of Bahmani Sultans are huge structures with beautiful arches, niches and lofty domes. The Rangeen Mahal was built in the mid-16th century, the tile work and the granite with mother-of-pearl inlay work are the exclusive features of the citadel walls. Narasimha Jhira is a wonderful cave temple situated on the outskirts of Bidar town dedicated to the lion god Narasimha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The Temple is known for its natural beauty and is considered to be very sacred.

Continue to drive to Gulbarga check in & overnight at the hotel.

Day 11 Gulbarga - Hampi (280km) (B)

Visit Gulbarga Fort a leftover of the Brahmani era, was originally built by Raja Gulchand. Later 15 towers were added by Allah-ud-din Bahmani to the existing structure of the fort. The fort contained 15 towers and 26 guns of which one was 8 metres long. Jama Masjid a 14th-century mosque in Fort complex marks the establishment of the Bahmani Kingdom in the Deccan. Jama Masjid's interior is similar to the Great Cathedral-Mosque of Cordoba in Spain. Sharana Basaveshwara Temple was built in the twelfth century, this temple is a marvel of Hindu stone carvings. The pillars, walls and towers of the site are covered with intricate carvings of Hindu gods, goddesses, demigods, damsels, animals and events from local lore. The tomb of Sufi mystic Khwaja Bande Nawaz is a unique confluence of religious diversity. The Persian, Indo-Saracenic and Arabic influences on the building are evident from the dome and towers that surround the tomb.

Continue to drive to Hampi check in & overnight at the hotel.

Day 12 Hampi (B)

City tour of Hampi a UNESCO World Heritage site dotted with numerous ruined temple complexes from the Vijayanagara Empire on the bank of the River Tungabhadra. Although the city was destroyed by marauding Moghul invaders in the 16th century, much of it remains today. The vast site of monuments and ruins is a mute witness to an ear of glories, triumphs and tragedies. The ruins of Hampi are so majestic and imposing that they leave the visitor dumbfounded, awestruck and humbled. Visit Hazara Rama Temple, Kings Balance, Mahanavami Dibba, Royal enclosures, Statue of Ugra Narasimha Temple, Virupaksha Temple, Vithala Temple Complex, Lotus Mahal & ASI Museum. Overnight at hotel.

Day 13 Hampi - Badami (180km) (B)

Drive to Badami. En route visit Lakkundi heaven of ancient temples ruins and step wells. It is a place of antiquarian interest with more than 50 ancient temples scattered all over the village & 101 stepped wells built during the rule of the Chalukyas, Seuna, Kalachuris and Hoysalas. These temples are most famous for their ornate and elaborate furnishing. And Gadag is a place of historical importance, famous for its ancient Hindu & Jain temples and medieval architecture. Constructed between the 10th to 12th CE by the Kings of Chalukyan Empire, the Trikuteshewara Temple is famous for its style of architecture and the temple has three Shivalingas carved out of a single rock. Arrive at Badami check-in & overnight at the hotel.

Day 14 Badami (B)

Excursion to visit Aihole a historical site & home to over 125 beautiful Chalukyan temples and monuments from the 6th to 12th centuries. A few important monuments in Aihole include the Durga Temple, Lad Khan Temple, Ravanaphadi Cave Temples, Huchimalli Temple, Meganagudi Group Temple, Gowda Temple and the Huchappayyagudi Temple amongst numerous others. And Pattadakal is a treasure trove of Hindu and Jain temple complex built in the 7th and 8th centuries CE. The various temples that one must visit are Virupaksha Temple, Jain Temple, Papanatha Temple, Galaganath Temple, and Sangameshwara Temple. Also, visit Badami Cave consists of four separate temples, each holding intricate carvings & depictions. Badami Fort is perched on the top of a cliff accompanied by two Shivalaya complexes dating back to the 5th century & watchtower atop the hill. And Agastya Lake is surrounded by red sandstone temples. Overnight at hotel.

Day 15 Badami - Goa (250km) (B)

Drive to Goa and check in at the hotel. Rest time is free and easy to relax on the beach. Overnight at hotel.

Day 16 Goa (B)

City tour of Goa. Visit Old Goa monument the Basilica of Bom Jesus a 16th century church dedicated to infant Jesus housing the tomb of St. Francis Xavier. The other Churches in the same area are St. Cathedral, Church of Our Lady of Miracles, Church of Our Lady of Rosary and Nunnery of St. Monica. The Aguada Fort was built by the Portuguese on the mouth of the Mondovi River and is a 4-storey Portuguese lighthouse oldest of its kind in Asia. In South Goa visit Mangueshi Temple, Shanta Durga Temple & Margao the headquarters of South Goa. Drive Pass charming beaches such as Calangute, Dona Paula, Miramar and Baga Beach. Overnight at hotel.

Day 17 Goa - Chiplun (340km) (B)

Drive to Chiplun. En route, you visit Sindhudurg Fort, an ancient fortress occupying an islet in the Arabian Sea off the coast. This imposing construction is spread over an area of 48 acres, with its massive walls standing tall against the crashing waves of the sea. The main entrance of the fort is hidden away in such a manner that no one can identify it from the outside. The Sindhudurg Fort is a tangible example of the Maratha foresight and resourcefulness. Built by Chhatrapati Shivaji, Fort has 42 bastions, which still stand tall and is surrounded by several smaller forts such as the Padmagad, Rajkot and Sarjekot Fort. A small temple dedicated to the Chhatrapati also finds a place within the bounds of the fort.

Arrive at Chiplun and check in at the hotel. Rest time to explore the surroundings. Overnight at hotel.

Day 18 Chiplun - Lonavala (210km) (B)

Chiplun is a hill station in the forested Western Ghats. Visit Lord Parashurama Temple, a 300-year-old active temple surrounded by stone walls. Behind the temple is another shrine built for Goddess Renuka, Parashuram`s mother. SawatSada Waterfall, located close to the Parashuram temple, can only be enjoyed during the monsoon season. Almost white, its rippling sound and gushing scene make it a delight for photographers and nature enthusiasts alike. Gowalkot Fort, built in 1690, offers a pleasant experience for trekkers who, at the top can get heart-stopping views of the river and area as a whole. This fort is guarded by the river on three sides and a trench on the fourth side.

Continue to drive to Lonavala check in & overnight at the hotel.

Day 19 Lonavala (B)

Visit The Karla Caves and the Bhaja Caves the ancient Buddhist shrines in Lonavala. These caves were carved from solid granite rocks around 160 BC. It has an Ashoka stamp at the entrance. The caves have rooms for the monks who resided there a prayer hall and a huge stupa. It also has the temple of Ek Veera the goddess of the Koli flock who are the original residents of Mumbai. They feature massive pillars and intricate relief sculptures. South of the Bhaja Caves sits the imposing Lohagad Fort with its 4 gates. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj used this edifice to keep all his treasures safe. This mighty structure of the Maratha empire is interlinked with the Visapur Fort and is one of the best hill fortresses in the region. West of here is Bhushi Dam, where water overflows onto a set of steps during the rainy season. Overnight at hotel.

Day 20 Lonavala - Mumbai (80km) (B)

Drive to Mumbai to board the evening flight for your onward destination.