Central India

Arrival in Delhi

On your arrival at Delhi International Airport you will be welcomed by your tour escort. You can find him easily as he will be there at the arrival lounge holding a placard of your name. After meet & greet transfer to your pre booked hotel. The rest of the day, if any, is at leisure to settle in, and recuperate from your international journey. Overnight stay in Delhi.

Delhi

Early breakfast and begin your city tour of Old Delhi with the Jama Masjid (India’s largest mosque). Take a rickshaw ride and explore the amazing narrow lanes and bazaars, visit Chandni Chowk, stop off at Asia’s biggest Spice market, and drive past the Red Fort. Later visit Raj Ghat, the memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi. Take a drive past India Gate (War Memorial Arch), President's House, Parliament House, and Government Secretariat Buildings. After lunch visit Bangla Sahib Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) and Mahatma Gandhi Museum. End your day with a visit to the Qutub Minar (tallest brick tower in the world). Overnight stay in Delhi.

Delhi to Dharamshala

After breakfast, transfer to Delhi airport to board a direct flight to Dharamshala. This hillside city is home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile. On arrival check-in to your hotel and relax. This evening take a relaxed stroll through Kotwali bazaar, Dharamshala’s busiest area. This bazaar offers all the charms of a small town marketplace with small shops selling local goods and all sorts of people wandering around it. Overnight stay in Dharamshala.

Dharamshala

After breakfast get ready to explore Dharamshala in detail. Begin with a visit to the Tibetan Children’s SOS Village managed by the sister of His Holiness, which is also partly sponsored by Richard Gere. Pay a visit to the fascinating and peaceful Tsug-Lag-Khang (Central Cathedral). Situated opposite the residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tsug-Lag-Khang is known to the local Indians as the Main Temple. Overnight stay in Dharamshala.

Dharamshala

After breakfast continue your tour of Dharamshala. Visit the Buddhist temple complex, linked to the off-limits private residence of the Dalai Lama. A good example of Buddhism's spiritual and artistic traditions. Next on the tour is the Norbulingka Institute. At this institute, you get a firsthand understanding of the techniques (and unbelievable patience) required to produce authentic Tibetan arts and crafts. This afternoon visit the Kangra Art Museum, a treasure trove of the Kangra valley's arts, crafts, and rich past, displays artifacts that date back to the 5th century. Overnight stay in Dharamshala

Dharamshala to Amritsar

Early breakfast and depart by road to Amritsar. On arrival check-in to your hotel and relax. This evening you will visit Sri Harmandir Sahib, the holiest shrine of the Sikh religion, also known as the Golden Temple. After watching the evening service at the temple, return to your hotel for a comfortable overnight stay.

Amritsar

After a leisurely breakfast visit Jallianwala Bagh, the site of one of the many tragedies of the Indian Mutiny of 1857. In the afternoon, you will drive to the Wagah Border (Indo-Pak border) to witness the flag retreat ceremony. Overnight stay in Amritsar.

Amritsar to Varanasi

Early breakfast and then transfer to the domestic airport to board a flight to Varanasi, via Delhi. Upon landing, transfer to your hotel to relax and settle in. In the early evening, start your tour of the Ganges and its many ghats by boat, culminating with the evening ‘aarti’ ceremony. Overnight stay in Varanasi.

Varanasi to Khajuraho

Rise early and return to the Ganges this morning for a sunrise boat ride. After breakfast, return to the airport for your flight to Khajuraho. On arrival check-in to your hotel and begin exploring the temple complex in one of its most beautiful lights; at sunset. The temples are famous for their erotic sculptures and their Nagara style symbolic architecture. The most impressive of the temples is the Kandariya Mahadev Temple. Overnight stay in Khajuraho.

Khajuraho to Orchha to Gwalior

Early breakfast and then depart by road to Orchha, which is situated on the bank of Betwa River. Explore the bustling Orchha Fort and the beautiful temples of this medieval city.  Later today, continue your trip to Gwalior by road. On arrival check-in to your hotel and spend the evening at leisure. Overnight stay in Gwalior.

Gwalior

After breakfast begin your tour of the ancient-iconic Gwalior Fort. Gwalior is dominated by the colourful fort which stands on a steep cliff making it almost impregnable. Among some of the treasures within the fort are awe inspiring Jain sculptures, Jain and Hindu temples and a charming sandstone palace (Man Mandir). Overnight stay in Gwalior.

Gwalior to Bhopal

After breakfast, board the train (Bhopal Shatabdi) to Bhopal, the state capital of Madhya Pradesh. On arrival check-in to your hotel and begin your tour of Bhopal with Bharat Bhavan - a centre for the performing and visual arts, it also houses a museum of arts, an art gallery and library of Indian poetry, classical and folk music. Overnight stay in Bhopal.

Bhopal, excursion to Sanchi

After breakfast, enjoy a full day excursion to Sanchi. This group of stupas and monasteries perched on a peaceful hill are among the most important Buddhist sites in India. Sanchi Stupa is known for its unique architecture and was declared as the World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1989. Later, return to your hotel for a comfortable overnight stay.

Bhopal

Early breakfast and get ready to visit one of the archaeological treasures of this area. The historic Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka are five clusters of natural rock shelters that date back to the Mesolithic age. The well preserved paintings in some of these caves are as old as 30,000 years. Return to the city in the afternoon and spend the evening at leisure. Overnight stay in Bhopal.  

Bhopal to Maheshwar

After breakfast depart by road to Maheshwar. The town is renowned for its bathing ghats and rows of pretty tiered temples, which are distinguished by their overhanging balconies and intricately ornamented doorways. On arrival check-in to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. You will be staying at Ahilya Fort, which has been converted into a heritage hotel. Besides the feeling of a rich lifestyle, you will be proud to look around the palace rooms and courtyard to discover the ancient charm and heritage of the place. You can walk down the riverside and see the temples that belong to the legacy of the region. Overnight stay in Maheshwar.

Maheshwar

After breakfast you will visit Maheshwari, which is famous for its textile, very fine cotton and silk handlooms. The craft was revived by the current members of the royal family and weaver’s community work next door to the fort. You may also like to spend time at the local school built for families of the weavers. In the evening you will take a sunset boat ride along the ghats. Overnight stay in Maheshwar.

Maheshwar to Mandu to Delhi

After breakfast drive to Mandu. In terms of Islamic provincial architecture, Mandu has some of the best examples. Visit Jahaz Mahal, Champa Baoli and Rani Rupmati Pavillion.  Later, drive to Indore airport to board a direct flight to Delhi. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Overnight stay in Delhi. 

Departure from Delhi

The morning is at leisure. Your escort and vehicle are at your disposal. Later, depending on the time of your international flight you are assisted with your transfer to the airport for your homebound journey