Across the Heart of India (25 Days)

Across the Heart of India (25 Days)

Travelling across central India from Mumbai on the Arabian Sea to Aurangabad a superb base to visit the breathtaking cave sculptures and carvings at Ellora and Ajanta. Hyderabad bleased with extraordinary wealth of historic monuments. Bodhgaya where Buddha achieved enlightenment while sitting under a bodhi tree. Varanasi the spiritual capital of India, and one of the oldest cities on earth, where you can see bathing and cremations by the sacred River Ganges. Lucknow famous for its manners and hospitality. Khajuraho medieval temple complex decorated with the most eye-popping array of erotica you’ll find on any religious building anywhere.Agra witness the immortal beauty of the Taj Mahal. Jaipur royal Rajput citadel with colorfull bazar. And Delhi bleased with many momuments of Mughals Era.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Mumbai (flight)

Pass By: Mumbai, Mumbai, Maharashtra
On arrival at Mumbai airport assistance and transfer to hotel rest time free and easy for personal activities relax. Dynamic & exhilarating, this vast megalopolis bombards the senses with the extremes of urban India, and is an excellent place to sample some of the country’s finest dining.

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 2: Mumbai

Stop At: Elephanta Caves, Mumbai India
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Gateway of India to board ferry for excursion visit to Elephanta caves. Later city tour of Mumbai visiting Nariman Point, Historical monuments of south Mumbai & Museum.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 3: Mumbai - Aurangabad (flight)

Stop At: Ellora Caves, Ellora Cave Rd Ahead of Hiranya Reosrts, Aurangabad 431005 India
Breakfast at hotel, transfer to airport to board flight for Aurangabad. On arrival assistance & transfer to hotel. Later sightseeing tour of Ellora Caves, Daulatabad Fort and Aurangabad city.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 4: Aurangabad - Ajanta (100kms/ 2hrs approx one way)

Stop At: Ajanta Caves Road, Ajanta 431001 India
Breakfast at hotel, full day excursion to visit Ajanta Caves. Evening back to hotel.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 5: Aurangabad - Hyderabad (flight)

Stop At: Hyderabad, Hyderabad, Hyderabad District, Telangana
Breakfast at hotel, transfer to airport to board flight for Hyderabad. On arrival at Hyderabad airport, meet with our office representative, assistance and transfer to hotel, check in. Rest day free for personal activities, relax etc.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 6: Hyderabad

Stop At: Golconda Fort, Ibrahim Bagh, Hyderabad 500008 India
Breakfast at hotel, explore this wondrous capital, a 400 year-old metropolitan city teeming with bustling-bazaars and Muslim monuments. Visit to Golconda Fort, Qutub Shahi tombs, Charminar Grand Mecca Masjid.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 7: Hyderabad – Bhubaneshwar (flight) / Puri (65kms/ 2hrs approx)

Stop At: Udaygiri Caves, Sanchi India
Breakfast at hotel, transfer to airport to board flight for Bhubaneswar. On arrival at Bhubaneswar airport meet with your driver & guide and proceed for sightseeing. Visit Khandagiri and Udaygiri caves (first century BC). Also visit Dhauli where the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka renounced violence and embraced the teachings of Buddha. After sightseeing drive to Puri check in at beach resort for overnight stay.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: beach resort for overnight stay.

Day 8: Puri

Stop At: Chilika Lake, Satapada Satapada, Puri 752001 India
Breakfast at hotel, excursion to visit Chilika Lake (at Satpada), boat cruise inside the lake, get a chance to see the Dolphins. Chilika Lake is the largest wintering ground for migratory birds on the Indian sub-continent. The lake is home to a number of threatened species of plants and animals.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Konark Sun Temple, Kasia-Tamkuhi Road, Konark India
Further proceed to visit Konark Sun Temple a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple of Sun God was constructed in the 13th century. Rest time to relax on the beach.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 9: Puri – Bhubaneshwar (60kms/ 1.3hrs) / Kolkata (flight)

Pass By: Kolkata (Calcutta), Kolkata (Calcutta), Kolkata District, West Bengal
Breakfast at hotel, morning free. Afternoon transfer to Bhubaneswar airport to board flight for Kolkata. On arrival at Kolkata airport meet with our office representative, assistance and transfer to hotel.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 10: Kolkata

Stop At: Howrah Bridge, Jagganath Ghat 1, Strand Road, Kolkata (Calcutta) 700001 India
Breakfast at hotel ciy tour of Kolkata visiting historical landmarks the magnificent Fort William, Victoria Memorial, Howrah Bridge & Zoological Gardens.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 11: Kolkata – Patna (flight) / Nalanda – Rajgir – Bodhgaya (175kms/ 4hrs approx)

Stop At: Nalanda, Nalanda, Nalanda District, Bihar
On arrival at Patna airport meet with your driver & proceed to Bodhgaya via visiting Nalanda a hot seat of knowledge and learning established in the 5th century. Also visit visit Vishwa Shanti Stupa built of marble on a 400m high hill at Rajgir. Continue drive to Bodhgaya check in at hotel.
Duration: 6 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 12: Bodhgaya

Stop At: Mahabodhi Temple, Bihar 824231, Bodh Gaya 824231 India
Breakfast at hotel visit Mahabodhi Temple an UNESCO World Heritage Site, this 54mts tall temple has been renovated over the years. It enshrines a large golden Buddha, and is encompassed by an ancient railing, dating back to 100 BC. Bodhi Tree: where Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment, and the Vajrasana or throne, where Buddha sat. Tibetan Monastery, housing the Maitreya Buddha (future Buddha). Also see the Burmese Temple, Chinese Temple and Monastery, Buddhist Monastery of Bhutan, Thai Temple and Monastery, and many more. Rest time to relax, evening attend temple aarti.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 13: Bodhgaya – Varanasi (250kms/ 5hrs approx)

Stop At: Dashashwamedh Ghat Road, Dashashwamedh Ghat Rd, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India
Breakfast at hotel, drive to Varanasi check in at hotel. Evening walking tour of Ghats’s temples & mosque on ghats. Also attend Holy Ganga Aarti in evening, a magical aarti is performed at Dasashwamedh Ghat. Halt your boat right at the steps for the best view.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 14: Varanasi

Stop At: Ramnagar Fort, Kila Road Ramnagar Crossing, Varanasi 221008 India
Early morning boat ride and Ghat visit along the Ganges and catch the scene of devotees bathing and praying in the sacred water.
Breakfast at hotel. City tour of Varanasi visit World famous Benaras Hindu Universit, The Ramnagar Fort Palace & Many Temples. Afternoon excursion to Sarnath one of the three holiest sites for Buddhists where the Buddha delivered his first sermon in 528 BC. There are many temples here, representing the many cultures where Buddhism is the dominant religious philosophy.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 15: Varanasi – Lucknow (300kms/ 6hrs approx)

Stop At: Begum Hazrat Mahal Park, Lucknow India
Breakfast at hotel drive to Lucknow check in at hotel. Evening Walking tour of Hazrat Ganj.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 16: Lucknow

Stop At: Bara Imambara, Lucknow 226003 India
Breakfast at hotel, city tour visit Bara Imambara built in the year 1784 by the fourth Nawab of Awadh known as Asaf-ud-Daula. British Residency a famous historical landmark. Chattar Manzil one of the imposing structures built by the Nawabs of Lucknow. Jama Masjid built by Sultan Ahmed Shah in 1423AD entirely with yellow sandstone. Rumi Darwaza one of the most impressive architectural structures built in the year 1784 by Nawab Asaf-ud-daula.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 17: Lucknow – Khajuraho (310kms/ 6hrs approx)

Stop At: Lucknow, Lucknow, Lucknow District, Uttar Pradesh
Breakfast at hotel drive to Lucknow check in at hotel. Rest time free and easy to relax in the hotel. Watch light & sound show or Kandariya Dance show live performance.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 18: Khajuraho - Panna National Park (55kms/ 1hrs approx)

Stop At: Khajuraho Temples, Khajuraho India
Breakfast at hotel, sightseeing in Khajuraho, visit eastern, western & southern group of temples. Khajuraho, home to most famous of India’s temples on account of their remarkable erotic sculptures, lies in a rich, well watered plain. The temple of Khajuraho are india’s unique gift to the world, representing, as they do, a paean to life, to love, to joy ; perfect in execution and sublime in expression.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Panna National Park, Madla India
Later drive to Panna National Park checks in at hotel. Rest time to relax and enjoy the facilities available at resort/ jungle lodge. Dinner & overnight at Lodge/ resort.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: overnight at Lodge/ resort.

Day 19: Panna National Park

Stop At: Panna National Park, Madla India
Breakfast at hotel morning & afternoon jeep safari the national park. The park is known worldwide for its wild cats, including tigers as well as deer and antelope. Tiger, the king of the jungle, roams freely in this secure, though a bit small habitat along with his fellow beings - leopard, wild dog, wolf, hyaena, caracal and other smaller cats. Sloth bear has his most favorite home in the rock escarpments and undisturbed vales. The wooded areas are dotted with sambar, the largest of Indian deers, chital and chowsingha. Lunch, dinner & overnight at Lodge/ resort.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: overnight at Lodge/ resort.

Day 20: Panna National Park – Orchha (200kms/ 4hrs approx)

Stop At: Orchha Fort, Orchha India
Breakfast at hotel drive to Orchha check in at hotel. Later visit Orchha Fort a wonderful example of a medieval fort palace.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 21: Orchha – Gwalior – Agra (220kms/ 5hrs approx)

Stop At: Gwalior Fort, Gwalior India
Breakfast at ahotel drive to Agra en route visit Gwalior Fort standing on a steep mass of sandstone. This imposing structure inspired Emperor Babar to describe it "the pearl amongst the fortresses of Hind." Continue drive to Agra check in at hotel.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Itmad-ud-Daula, Moti Bagh, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282006, India
Later visit Agra Fort build by the famed Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1565AD, the fort is predominantly of red sandstone. Also visit Itmad-ud-daulah's Tomb built between 1622 and 1628 by Empress Nur Jahan for her father.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 22: Agra – Fatehpur Sikri – Abhaneri – Jaipur (245kms/ 5hrs approx)

Stop At: Taj Mahal, Dharmapuri, Forest Colony, Tajganj, Agra 282001 India
Breakfast at hotel. Sunrise visit Taj Mahal one of the Seven Wonder of the World was build by Shah Jahan in 1631 AD and was completed in 1651.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Harshat Mata Temple, Opposite the Chand Baori, Abhaneri India
Late drive to Jaipur, En route visit to Fatehpur Sikri built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned after 15yrs Due to scarcity of water. En route also visit Abhaneri is a small village popular for the amazing 'Baoris' (step wells) and Harshat Mata Temple.
Continue drive to Jaipur, on arrival check in at hotel. Evening free to scroll the market.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 23: Jaipur

Stop At: Jaigarh Fort, Cheel ka Teela, Jaipur 302013 India
Breakfast at hotel. Visit the majestic Amer Fort and Jaigarh Fort. Enjoy Jeep ride at Amber Fort. Later city tour visiting City Palace, Observatory, Palace of Winds, Albert Hall Museum and Birla Temple.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 24: Jaipur - Delhi (265kms/ 5hrs approx)

Pass By: New Delhi, New Delhi, National Capital Territory of Delhi
Breakfast at hotel drive to Delhi check in at hotel. Rest time free and easy to relax.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 25: Delhi - Departure

Stop At: Red Fort, Netaji Subhash Marg, New Delhi 110002 India
Breakfast at hotel city tour of Delhi, visiting landmark of Old Delhi which include Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandni chowk & Khari Baoli Spice Market. Cycle Rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk. Sightseeing of New Delhi which includes Qutab Minar, Humayun Tomb, Lotus Temple & VVIP areas President House, Parliament & India Gate.
Later as per flight schedule transfer to airport to board fligght for onward destination.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.