Caves and Temples Of Central India

Overview
Explore the mysticism of Central India by visiting the historical cave temples that reveals amazing sculptures and art of the ancients. The journey starts at Mumbai and ends Delhi covering important sites such as Elephanta caves, Kanhari caves, Ajanta caves, Ellora Caves, Khajuraho Temple, Fatehpur Sikri and more. Most of the destination covered in the tour has been registered as UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cave temple tours take you through the serene plateaus crowned by stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars.

Inclusions
Accommodation, meal, transport, services of local guides for sightseeing tours.

Exclusions
Shopping and meals apart from breakfast, lunch and dinner included in itinerary.

Day 01: Arrive Mumbai
Arrival at Mumbai airport and check in at airport hotel for overnight stay.

Day 02: Mumbai
Full day excursion to Mumbai. Visit Gateway of India to board the boat for Elephanta Cave, a World Heritage Site. Thereafter, enjoy the guided city tour of Mumbai, which includes visiting Prince of Wales Museum and "Dhobighats" to watch washermen in action at the unique outdoor laundry. Later on the day, drive to the Malabar hill to visit lovely Hanging Gardens and Kamla Nehru Park.
Day 03: Mumbai (Full Day Excursion to Kanhari Caves)
Full day excursion to Kanhari caves, a rock cut caves situated amidst lush green forest of Borivali National Park in the heart of Mumbai. These caves were built during 2nd to 9th century AD. It is one of the biggest monastic establishment with a huge statue of Budha.

Day 04: Mumbai to Pune (157 Km Approx.)
Depart for Pune by road. Visit Karla and Bhaja Caves en route, which are one of the best Buddhist Cave monasteries built in 2nd century BC. Check in the hotel at Pune to spend rest of the day at leisure.

Day 05: Pune to Aurangabad (214 Km Approx.)
Depart for Aurangabad by road. Arrive Aurangabad and check in the hotel. Proceed for visit to mausoleum Bibi-ka-maqbara, popularly known as "Poor Man's Taj Mahal." The architectural marvel is mausoleum of Rabia-ul-Daurani alias Dilras Banu Begum, the wife of the Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb (1658-1707 AD).

Day 06: Aurangabad (Full Day Excursion to Ajanta)
Full day excursion to Ajanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The caves are cut from the volcanic lava of the Deccan are set in beautiful sylvan surroundings of the Sahyadri Hills. Ajanta caves provide a unique combination of architecture, sculpture and painting.

Day 07: Aurangabad (Full Day Excursion to Ellora) (15 Km Approx)
Enjoy the full day excursion to Ellora Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built during 5th and 11th century AD, Ellora Caves are amongst earliest marvels of ancient Indian architecture. Also see Kailash Temple at cave, which is the 19th largest monolithic structure in the world.

Day 08: Aurangabad to Indore (320 Km/12 hrs Approx)
Early morning drive to Indore. Arrive Indore and check in hotel to spend rest of the day at leisure.
Day 09: Indore to Bhopal (167 Km/3hrs Approx)
Depart Indore for Bhopal en route Ujjain. In the ancient city of Ujjain, visit Temple of Mahakaleshwar, Jantar Mantar, Ghats of Shipra river, Gopal Mandir and much more. Arrive Bhopal and check in the hotel to spend rest of the day at leisure.

Day 10: Bhopal (Full Day Excursion to Sanchi & Bhimbetka)
Depart for the full day excursion to Sanchi and Bhimbetka. One can witness the serene plateaus crowned by stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars in Sanchi. The holy place was an ancient pilgrimage, which can still be experienced with many Buddhist legends that found expression in the rich sculpture. After Sanchi proceed to Bhimbetka, UNESCO world heritage site. The rock walls of Bhimbetka display some of the most fascinating paintings dating back to Paleolithic times.

Day 11: Bhopal to Jhansi and Orcha (255 Km Approx)
Visit the upper lake and other important places of tourist attraction in Bhopal. Afternoon transfer to railway station to board Shatabdi Express. Arrive Jhansi and transfer to Orcha.

Day 12: Orcha to Khajuraho (140 Km/4hrs Approx)
Visit the marvelous palaces and temples of Orchha built during the Bundela reign in 16th and 17th centuries. By afternoon, depart Orcha for Khajuraho by road. Arrive Khajuraho and check in the hotel. Enjoy the evening sound and light show at the temples of Khajuraho.

Day 13: Khajuraho
Full day excursion of western and eastern group of temples at Khajuraho, which consists of over 85 temples. The temple of love oozes with passion, eroticism, dance & music and other finesses of creative arts depicted in sculptures and images of the temple. Also, visit newly excavated Chandela temple built in 10th century.

Day 14: Khajuraho to Jhansi and Agra (395 Km/ 7 hrs Approx)
Board Shatabdi Express at Jhansi. Arrive Agra and check in the hotel.
Day 15: Agra to Delhi (203 km/5hrs Approx)
Visit Fatehpur Sikri, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and erstwhile capital of Mughal Empire. By afternoon, explore Agra Fort and Taj Mahal. Later in the evening, transfer to railway station to board Shatabdi Express for Delhi. Arrive Delhi and transfer to hotel.

Day 16: Depart Delhi
Full day sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi. Visit Qutab Minar, Humayun Tomb, Lotus Temple, India Gate, Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk and Raj Ghat. Transfer to international airport to take onward journey.