Temples and Caves Tour in India

Duration : 12 Nights / 13 Days
Destinations Covered : Bombay - Aurangabad - Bhopal - Jhansi - Orcha - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Delhi

Day 1 Arrive Bombay
Arrive Bombay and transfer to hotel. (Check in time 12 noon). Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 2 Bombay - Aurangabad
Morning excursion across the harbor is the world famous Elephanta Caves, built almost 1200 years ago, dedicated to lord Shiva. The famous Sculptures signify the trinity of Creator, the Preserver and the Destroyer. Afternoon city tour of Gateway Of India, which was built to commemorate the arrival of King George and Queen Mary in 1911, Kamla Nehru Park, Hanging Gardens situated on the slopes of Malabar hills, Prince of Wales Museum, Jehangir art Gallery, Chowpatty Beach and the drive on the panoramic Marine Drive, Mani Bhawan, Crawfort market and Flora Fountain. Evening transfer to airport for flight to Aurangabad. Upon arrival meeting assistance and transfer to hotel for overnight.

Day 3 In Aurangabad
Full day excursion to Ajanta Caves. (106 kms) dating back to the 2nd century BC. The 30 rock hawn caves are adorned with Bhuddist sculpture and fresco paintings in epic form the religious and secular life through eight centuries visiting Jain temples, Fort, Saib Mosque and Music Gallery. Overnight at hotel.

Day 4 Aurangabad - Bombay
Morning excursion to Ellora caves (29 Kms) which encompasses 34 rock cut shrines representing Bhuddist, Hindu and Jain art dating from 4th to 9th century AD. The most remarkable among them is the Kailash Temple, meant to be replica of the celestial abode, Mount Kailash. It is the best example of rock cut architecture and an engineering marvel. Half day city tour of Bibi ka Makbara, built by Aurangzeb as a tomb for his wife, an imitation of the Taj Mahal of Agra, A Himroo factory where beautiful cotton and silk fabrics are produced, Panchakki-A watermill within which there is a tomb of a Muslim saint. Transfer to airport for flight to Bombay. Arrive Bombay and transfer to hotel for overnight.

Day 5 Bombay - Bhopal
Morning transfer to airport for flight to Bhopal. Upon arrival, meeting assistance and transfer to hotel. Afternoon city sight seeing of Taj -ul- Masjid, built by Shah Jehan in 1868, Upper and Lower lake, Laxmi Narayan Temple, Birla Museum, Kilol Park, Kamla Park and Sardar Manzil. Drive past Vidhan Sabha, Tagore Memorial and the National Archive of India. Overnight at hotel.

Day 6 Bhopal
Excursion to Sanchi (68 kms), which has the distinction of having the finest specimen of almost all Bhuddist Architectural forms, Stupas, Chaitya. Temples and monasteries dating from the 3rd century BC. Visit the three most important Stupas with circular domes and railing around them. Also visit Ashoka Pillar. Gupta Temple built in 4th century and great bowl carved of one piece of stone. The museum displays number of sculpture found in the area. Return to Bhopal for overnight.

Day 7 Bhopal - Jhansi - Orcha Train
Morning at leisure. Afternoon transfer to railway station to board train for Jhansi. Arrive Jhansi and transfer to Orcha hotel. Evening visit Orcha's splendor has been captured in stone, frozen in time and a rich legacy to the ages. On this medieval city, the hand of time has rested lightly and the palaces and the temples built by its Bundela rulers in the 16th and the 17th century still retains their pristine perfection. Jehangir Mahal, a tiered palace crowned by graceful Chatteries has a spectacular view of soaring temple spires and cenotaphs. Overnight at hotel.

Day 8 Orcha - Khajuraho
Morning drive to Khajuraho. Built by the warrior dynasty of Chandela between 10th-11 century. Arrive Khajuraho and transfer to hotel. Afternoon visit to the famous temples of Khajuraho which displays different facets of life, including sensual. These erotic carvings on some panels have given rise to speculation since Khajurao's re-discovery by a British officer in 1838. The most important are the Chaunset Yogini temple dedicated to Goddess Kali, the Mahadeva temple, the Chitragupta temple, with a lovely image of lord Vishnu with 11 heads, Vishvanath and Nandi temples Visha temple dedicated to lord Shiva are in the western group. Overnight at hotel.

Day 9 Khajuraho - Varanasi
Morning transfer to airport for flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival meeting assistance and transfer to hotel. Afternoon excursion to Sarnath, the buried Bhuddist city where lord Bhuddha gave his first sermon. Sarnath was a renowned school of learning from the 6th till the 12th century AD. Visit the ruins, the stupa, the bhuddist temple and the museum (museum closed on Fridays). Overnight at hotel.

Day 10 Varanasi
Early morning boat ride on river Ganges to see the Bathing Ghats and the Burning Ghats. Burning Ghats are the cremation places for the Hindus, and as myth goes that turning to ashes in Varanasi with open doors of heaven. At the bathing ghats watch people bathing and worshipping at the ghats is one of the most extra ordinary experience of a visit to India. Afternoon city tour visiting Bharat Mata Mandir, with a big relief map of India in marble, Durga temple, Tulsi Manas temple, Benaras Hindu University, which has an art gallery and the mosque of Moughal Emperor Aurangzeb built on the side of an ancient Hindu temple. Overnight at hotel.

Day 11Varanasi - Delhi
Afternoon transfer to airport for flight to Delhi. Arrive and transfer to hotel. Evening witness Indian Classical dances. Overnight at hotel.

Day 12 Delhi
Morning city sight seeing of Old Delhi to see Red fort built in 1648 by moughla emperor Shahjehan, Jama Masjid, one of the largest Mosque in India, Raj Ghat and chandni Chowk. Afternoon sight seeing of New Delhi comprises of Qutab Minar built in 1199, Humayun's Tomb, India Gate, President House, Parliament House (Photo Stop), Birla Mandir. Overnight at hotel.

Day 13 Delhi - Out
Transfer to International airport for onward flight.