The very heart of India is home to some of the architectural
wonders. Tour begins with Orchha frozen in time with a rich legacy of
palaces and temples built in the 16th and 17th century. Bhopal – the
capital of the modern state of Madhya Pradesh, it houses Asia’s one of
the largest Mosques and represents a harmonic symphony of the old and
the new. Explore the world’s largest group of rock shelters belonging
to the Neolithic age at Bhimbetka with pre-historic paintings. The
tour covers masterpieces of Buddhist art visiting the oldest Buddhist
stupa at Sanchi built in 3rd century BC. Tour ends at Agra – the city
of Taj Mahal.
Detailed Tour Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Delhi
Met upon arrival in Delhi and transfer to your hotel. Rest of
the afternoon at leisure.
Day 2 - Delhi / Jhansi / Orchha
Early morning train to Jhansi (4 ? hrs). Upon arrival transfer
to your hotel in Orchha (18 km). Afternoon visit Orchha - set
amongst a complex of well preserved palaces, cenotaphs and temples.
Built in 16th century by a King of Bundela dynasty and discarded in
the late 18th century, it has some of the most exquisite medieval
wall paintings of the Bundela style.
Day 3 - Orchha /Jhansi / Bhopal
Late morning proceed from Jhansi by Express Train to Bhopal (3.5
hours). Transfer from Railway station to Hotel upon arrival. Rest of
the day free at Bhopal – a pleasant city situated around the 2
artificial lakes and along gently rolling hills.
Day 4 - Bhopal : Bhimbetka and Bhojpur
Morning drive through fields of wheat and vegetables, and
orchards scattered across the flat land to the grassy slopes and
rocky ravines of Bhimbetka (46 km). Here, in vivid panoramic detail,
paintings in over 500 caves depict the life of the pre-historic
cave-dwellers making the Bhimbetka group an archaeological treasure,
an invaluable chronicle in the history of man. Return to Bhopal,
visiting the unfinished 11th century Siva temple and its 4 meter
high Shiva Lingam carved from one block of stone at Bhojpur enroute.
Day 5 - Bhopal : Sanchi
Morning excursion to Sanchi (45 kms) - the imposing hilltop site
with commanding views of the surrounding countryside. Visit the
stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars dating from the 3rd century
BC to the 12th century AD. Its four brilliantly carved nine metre
high gateways (Toranas) represent the finest example of Buddhist art
in India. Sanchi remained buried and deserted for over 6 centuries
and was rediscovered by General Taylor in 1818. Sir John Marshall –
Director General of Archaeology from 1912-1919, ordered the
restoration of the site, which is now a World Heritage Monument.
Day 6 - Bhopal / Agra
Morning take a short tour of Bhopal before taking the super fast
train to Agra (5.5 hrs). Met upon arrival at Agra and transfer to
Hotel.
Day 7 - Agra / Delhi
Morning visit Taj Mahal. Afternoon visit Agra Fort and Tomb of
Itmad-ud-Daulah also called Baby Taj. Late evening train to Delhi
(2.5 hours). Transfer to hotel upon arrival in Delhi.
Day 8 - Depart Delhi
Transfer to Airport for your onward flight.
