Heart of the Nation The road less travelled Central India
18 Days / 17 Nights
Within each nation beats a heart. India’s heart lies within the core of Central India.
The surprisingly least explored region of this majestic nation has a profusion of the past within its median. The copiousness of the past with its grand ancient temples, monumental forts, national parks abound with wildlife and rural villages that allows a glimpse into a bygone era. Central India will leave you with a ravenous travel hunger for wanting more. Your senses will be overloaded nothing else will ever compare.
Essence and highlights of itinerary:
- The experience to travel on an Indian train.
- Rich cultural experience.
- See the true soul of rural India.
- Visit UNESCO world heritage listed sites.
- Experience the culinary splendour of the morphing legendary night food bazar.
- The honour felt in travelling the road less travelled for a unique and pure journey that will embrace your heart and soul.
Delhi - Agra - Gwalior- Orchha - Khajuraho - Jabalpur - Pachmarhi - BhojpurBhopal - Sanchi - Udaigiri - Gyraspur - Maheshwar - Mandu - Burhanpur - Indore - Delhi
Day 01: Arrive in Delhi
Our representative will be waiting at the airport to greet you holding a placard easily visible. You will be transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay in the capital.
Day 02: Delhi sightseeing
After breakfast at the hotel,dive into a cultural overload with an Old Delhi heritage walking tour. Visit of Jama mosque built by Mughal emperor Shahjahan in 1656 AD. The courtyard can accommodate about 25,000 people during the prayers. Try some of Delhi’s delectable famous street cuisine for lunch and explore the Old Delhi market by rickshaw. We will also take a stroll through Food Street and the Spice market. Delve into the antiquated maze of organised chaos of Chandni chowk. Explore ParantheWaliGali. The atmosphere here in the old part of Delhi is filled with high pitched shouts of shop owners articulated bartering and chaos from the maze of busy alleyways as porters carrying sacks and boxes to the roads to await transport. Later visit of Humayu's tomb and Qutab Minar. Both are classified as world heritage sites by UNESCO.
Overnight in Delhi.
Day 03: Delhi - Agra [The Gatiman express is the fast train to Agra]
This morning a Transfer to the railway station. Take Gatiman express headed to Agra. On arrival your driver will be waiting and will transfer you to the hotel. Later a visit of the Baby Taj [Tomb of I'timÄd-ud-Daulah], Agra fort, Mehtab Garden where you will get your first glimpse of the Mother of all mausoleums The Taj Mahal.
Overnight in Agra.
Day 04: Agra- Gwalior
Early morning sunrise visit of Taj Mahal. The astonishing Taj at her finest as the sun rises and sets the rays of golden glow over the most romantic burial site in the world. Return to the hotel for breakfast and a shower then drive to Gwalior.
Visit of Gwalior. You will see Gwalior Fort, Jai Vilas Palace, sun Temple and Teli ka Mandir.
[Optional activity: Experience the spectacular sound and light show at Gwalior Fort].
Overnight in Gwalior.
Day 05: Gwalior to Orchha, enroute visit Datia
After breakfast drive to Orchha, on the way visit Datia Fort “Datia Palace, also known as Bir Singh Deo Palace. The monumental 7 story palace is a sight to behold. The Palace is purely made of stone and brick having four octagonal towers. Its crowned with ornate ribbed domes and breathtakingly majestic. Continue drive to Orchha.
Overnight in Orchha.
Day 06: Visit Orchha
After breakfast, exploration of the medieval ambience of the historic town of Orchha. Nestled on the banks of river Betwa, with its fascinating temples and palaces that revel tales of ravenous battles between kings. It is as if time stood still in natures preservation of this town. It is a rare opportunity to step back in time and experience the past as if it were yesterday.Visit Jehangiri Mahal, The Raj Mahal, Ram Raja Temple and the Laxminarayan Temple, Rai Parveen Mahal, The Royal Chhatris at Bank of Betwa River.
Overnight in Orchha.
Day 07: Orchha to Khajuraho
After breakfast drive to Khajuraho, Along the way a stop to visit Alipura Palace.
Also visit the nearby Mastani Mahal. This palace was built by Maharaja Chhatrasal around 1696 AD for his daughter Mastani known by her beauty braveness and dance. She went on to marry Bajirao Peshwa. The Bollywood film “Bajirao Mastani “portrays the story of this incredible woman. On arrival in Khajuraho check into the hotel. This evenings enchantment outing will be to enjoy a spectacular 50-minute sound & light show conducted at the temples. The light and sound show mesmerises and astounds with the life and times of the creative Chandela rulers. It depicts the history, significance and craftmanship of these unique temples of Khajuraho and the profuse patronage by the Chandela kings to art and history.
Overnight at Khajuraho.
Day 08: Khajuraho
After breakfast it’s onward for local sightseeing of the UNESCO world heritage site temples famous for their nagara style architecture symbolising their erotic amorous sculptures. Western Group, Kandariyamahadeo, the largest and most typical temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Chaunsath Yogini is the only granite temple and the oldest surviving shrine of the group. Eastern Group, Parsvanath, Ghantai temple, Adinath temple etc.
Overnight at Khajuraho.
Day 09: Khajuraho to Jabalpur
Today a drive to Jabalpur. Heading southwards towards the heart to Jabalpur. Driving along the roads in central India you will witness the daily lives of how the people live. A changing landscape of civilisation. Arrive and check into your hotel in Jabalpur. The rest of the day free to relax.
Overnight at Jabalpur.
Day 10: Jabalpur to Pachmarhi
After breakfast, a drive to Pachmarhi. On the way visit ofthe picturesque Dhuandhar waterfall, with its off spray that resembles smoke rising out of the water and therefore how it got its name as "Dhuan (smoke)-dhar (flow of water)". Afterwards a visit to Madan Mahal Fort it stands testament to the lives and the rulers who ruled Jabalpur for many years in the 11th century.Continue to Pachmarhi.
Overnight in Pachmarhi.
Day 11: Gypsy vehicle on a sharing basis to visit Bee Fall, DhoopGarh.
(Carry spare clothes and a towel while travelling to Bee Fall as the tempting water will call your name). After breakfast, an exhilarating adventure awaits with a gypsy drive to visit places like, Jatashankar, Bee Fall, VanikiSangrahalaya, NokaVihar, Pandav Caves and finishing with a spectacular sun set at Dhoopgarh in the evening.
Overnight in Pachmarhi.
Day 12:Pachmarhi to Bhopal
Enroute - visit Bhimbetka rock shelters and Bhojpur.
After breakfast start the drive to Bhopal. Stopping along the way to visit Bhimbetka rock shelters and Bhojpur. Bhimbetka rock shelters is an archaeological prehistoric site depicting life of the paleolithic and mesolithic periods. It exhibits the earliest traces of life on the Indian subcontinent and evidence of stone age starting at the site in Acheulian times. This is a UNESCO world heritage site that consists of over 750 rock shelters sprawled over 10kilometers.
Onwards to Bhojpur, and the world heritage site of the temple that houses one the largest shivling in the world indicating the all-pervading and luminous nature of Lord Shiva. It is believed to have abundant healing powers that stabilises spiritual and vital energy. The enormous linga-s stands 18 ft high and has a circumference of 7.5 ft and remarkably crafted out of one single piece of rock.Still unknown the reason why the temple was never completed remains a mystery. The earthen ramp behind the temple which shows how medieval craftsmen raised the large blocks of stone into position gives us a clue on how they made these monumental masterpieces.
Overnight at Bhopal.
Day 13: Visit Sanchi, Udaigiri, Gyraspur
After breakfast drive to Sanchi. The renowned structures of Sanchi are a Buddhist pilgrimage. The Great stupa it is one of the oldest Buddhist monuments in the country and the largest stupa at the site. The UNESCO World Heritage site boasts monasteries and temples dating back to the reign of the Mughal Emperor Ashoka in 300 BC.
The Udayagiri Caves are a group of rock cut cave sanctuaries which date back to the early 5th century. The massive scale sculpture depicts the myth of Vishnu and Varaha, the boar recuing the goddess Bhudevi, the earth, from the waters. They are the only site that can be verifiably associated with a Gupta period monarch from its inscriptions.
Gyaraspur, the medieval complex the Athakhambe (eight pillars) and Chaukhambe (four pillars), the remains of the two temples dating back to the 10th century reflect the medieval art of India. The craftmanship of the period expressed in the delicately crafted carvings are truly remarkable.
Overnight at Bhopal.
Day 14: Bhopal to Maheshwar
After breakfast drive to Maheshwar. Arrive and check into your hotel. An Exploration of Maheshwar. With visits toRajwada, Ahilyabai Ghatswhere legend tales the story of King Sahasrarjun and his 500 wives would picnic and play at the Ghats. Visit the areas temples. Spend the rest of the day Strolling the local bazar or relax at your hotel.
Overnight in Maheshwar.
Day 15: Day tour to Mandu
After breakfast, a day trip to Mandu the ancient stone walled fort city dotted with darwazas (gateways). Renowned for its Afghan influenced architecture. Visit Jahaz Mahal, Jami Masjid, Rupmati’s Pavilion and Hindola Mahal. In the evening return to Maheshwar.
Overnight in Maheshwar.
Day 16: Maheshwar to Burhanpur
Drive to Burhanpur,visit the first resting place after death of the Queen Mumtaz Mahal before laying to place in her final permanent home in the monumental world renown structure the Taj Mahal. Visit of Burhanpur. You will visit Asirgarh fort, Jama mosque, Royal bath, Tapti Ghats.
Overnight in Burhanpur.
Day 17: Burhanpur to Indore
After breakfast drive to Indore. Arrive and visit of Rajwada Palace, Lalagh Palace. This evening a stroll through foodie heaven at the Sarafa night market. Of a day the market is dedicated to the Jewellery trade and at 8pm it morphs into a tantalisingly titillating journey for the tastebuds leaving you contented and fulfilled. The cheerful chaotic ambience on the streets is quite mesmerising and an evident demonstration of Indore’s culinary inclination.
Overnight in Indore.
Day 18: Transfer to Indore Airport - Fly to Delhi or Mumbai
Today you will be transferred to Indore airport to board a flight back to Delhi or Mumbai to connect with your outbound flight. An extra night can be added to suite flight schedules if preferred.
Your preferences are possibilities. We are more than happy to customise any of our itineraries to complement your wishes because it is your journey. We can tailor make an itinerary to your preferences. A personalised itinerary will give you the opportunity to make the most of your experience.
Tamilnadu and Kerala Tour 
India Golden Triangle Tour 
North India with Rajasthan 
North and Central India 
South India Private Tour 
The Golden Triangle and Spiritual Varanasi 
Golden Triangle with Amritsar 
Honeymoon Tour India 
Rajasthan and Gujarat Wanderlust & Wildlife 
Heart of the Nation The road less travelled Central India 
Extensive Rajasthan Private Tour 
Untouched North Kerala 
Sri Lanka Classic Tour