Heartland of India.

This tour combines great sights and some well-kept secrets of North - Central India that surprised even us! The overland route cuts across the very heart of India, a huge region which has witnessed all the major influences that have borne fruit in India's diverse culture and possesses great unspoilt tracts and the largest concentration of India's tribal peoples. From magnificent forts of Gwalior and Orchha which saw many fierce battles to the legends of love in the city of joy - Mandu along with Bhopal and Indore- cities remind you all the glamour of the lives led by the Nawabs and Begums at yore and Holkar dynasty. Yet for all that, it remains off the beaten track.

Tour Itinerary:

Day 01: Arrive Delhi.
Upon arrival at Delhi, our Executive will meet you at the Airport followed by transfer from Airport to Hotel. Overnight: at hotel.

Day 02: Delhi.
Morning sightseeing of Old & New Delhi including Raj Ghat, Red fort (closed on Monday), Chandini Chowk, Jama Masjid, India Gate, President House, Rajpath, Qutab Minar and Humayun's Tomb. Overnight at Hotel in New Delhi.

Day 03: DELHI - JAIPUR (260 KMS / 06 HRS).
Breakfast at Hotel in New Delhi.After breakfast drive to pink city - Jaipur. On arrival check into the Hotel. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight: at hotel.

Day 04: JAIPUR.
Breakfast at Hotel in Jaipur. Full day city tour of Jaipur including excursion to Amber fort. At Amber fort you can visit Sheesh Mahal, Ganesh Pol, Shila Devi Temple, Kesar Kyari Bagh. Climb up the fort on elephant's back like the Maharajas and visit the Amber Palace of the Kuchchawa rulers. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Jaipur city visiting Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), The City Palace, Jantar Mantar etc. Overnight stay at Hotel in Jaipur.

Day 05: JAIPUR - AGRA (230 KMS / 05 HRS).
Breakfast at Hotel in Jaipur. Morning after breakfast drive to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri, built to commemorate the birth of Akbar's son. The complex was completed in 1574, but 14 years later the city was abandoned. On arrival transfer and check into the Hotel. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight: at hotel.

Day 06: AGRA.
Morning half day sightseeing of Agra visiting Agra fort which has been the seats of the Mughal rulers for several years, Taj Mahal which is the symbol of love, and one of the wonders of the world, followed by visit to local market. Overnight at hotel in Agra.

Day 07: AGRA - GWALIOR.
Morning driven to Gwalior and check-in at hotel. Afternoon: sightseeing of Gwalior. Steeped in the splendour of its past, the ancient capital of Gwalior has yet made a successful transition into a modern Indian city, vibrant and bustling. A multitude of reigning dynasties, of the great Rajput clans of the Pratiharas, Kacchwahas and Tomars have left indelible etchings of their rule in this city of palaces, temples and monuments. Gwalior's tradition as a royal capital continued until the formation of present day India, with the Scindias having their dynastic seat here. The magnificent mementoes of a glorious past have been preserved with care, giving Gwalior an appeal unique and timeless. This, then, is Gwalior : where a rich cultural tradition has been interwoven into the fabric of modern life. Where a princely past lives on in great palaces and their museums. Where a multitude of images merge and mix to present to the visitor a city of enduring greatness. Overnight: at hotel.

Day 08: GWALIOR - ORCHHA (130 Kms / 03 HRS).
Morning driven to Orchha (via Shivpuri) and check-in at hotel. Afternoon sightseeing Shivpuri. Shivpuri is steeped in the royal legacy of its past, when it was the summer capital of the Scindia rulers of Gwalior. And earlier, its dense forests were the hunting grounds of the Mughal emperors when great herds of elephants were captured by emperor Akbar. Much later, it was the Tiger that roamed the wooded hills and many a magnificent beast was 'bagged' by royal Shikaris. Today Shivpuri is a sanctuary for rare wildlife and avifauna. Its royal past has thus been transformed into a vibrant, hopeful present. Overnight: at hotel.

Day 09: ORCHHA - BHOPAL (315 Kms, 6-8 hrs).
Morning driven to Bhopal and check-in at hotel. Afternoon: sightseeing of Bhopal visiting Taj-ul-Masjid, which is the largest mosque in India. The Jama Masjid and the Moti Masjid are other important mosques built by the local Begums in the 19th century. Shaukat Mahal and Sadar Manzil, located in the chowk area, in the heart of the old walled city, are other important tourist attractions. While Shaukat Mahal is a strange mixture of Indo-Islamic and European style of architecture, Sadar Manzil is a hall used by the local rulers for public audience. Bhopal is famous for Bharat Bhavan, a marvel of modern architecture and a museum of tribal and contemporary art forms and breeding ground for traditional dance, music and drama. The Tribal Habitat or Manav Sangrahalaya (the Museum of Man), located on Shamala hills, is an open-air museum depicting tribal dwellings, from all parts of India. The tranquil Upper Lake and the Lower Lake are important tourist spots with boating and sailing facilities. The Government Archeological Museum near the Lower Lake, the chowk at the heart of the old city, Van Vihar local safari park near the Upper Lake, and the Aquarium are other places worth visiting within the city limits. The Lakshmi Narayan Temple (or the Birla Mandir).

Day 10: BHOPAL - SANCHI - BHOPAL.
Morning day excursion to Sanchi which is just 50 kms from Bhopal. Sightseeing of Sanchi. Sanchi is known for its Stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars dating from the 3rd century B.C. to the 12th century A.D. The most famous of these monuments, the Sanchi Stupa 1, was originally built by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka, the then governor of Ujjayini, whose wife Devi was the daughter of a merchant from adjacent Vidisha. Their son Mahindra and daughter Sanghamitra were born in Ujjayini and sent to Sri Lanka, where they converted the King, the Queen and their people to Buddhism. Overnight: at hotel.

Day 11: BHOPAL - INDORE (190 Kms / 05 HRS).
Morning driven to Indore and check-in at hotel. Afternoon: sightseeing of Indore Planned and built by Rani Ahilyabai, the brave Holkar queen, Indore lies to the extreme west of Madhya Pradesh on the banks of the rivers Saraswati and Khan which unite at the centre of the city. The bustling and vibrant city, 186 km from Bhopal, derives its name from the 18th century Indreshwar temple. The history of Indore is inseparable from the history of the Holkar State. The founder of the House of Holkars was Malhar Rao Holkar, born in 1693 AD. His soldierly qualities brought him to the forefront under the Peshwa and he was rewarded with the gift of territories comprising the Indore region. Malhar Rao was succeeded by his grandson, on whose death, without issue, his mother, Maharani Devi Ahilya Bai ascended the throne. Overnight: at hotel.

Day 12: INDORE - MANDU - INDORE.
Morning taken for day trip to Mandu (100 kms, one way). Return to Indore by evening time. Perched along the Vindhya ranges at an altitude of 2,000 feet, Mandu, with its natural defenses, was originally the fort capital of the Parmar rulers of Malwa. Towards the end of the 13th century, it came under the sway of the Sultans of Malwa, the first of whom named it Shadiabad - 'city of joy'. And indeed the pervading spirit of Mandu was of gaiety; and its rulers built exquisite palaces like the Jahaz and Hindola Mahals, ornamental canals, baths and pavilions, as graceful and refined as those times of peace and plenty. Each of Mandu's structures is an architectural gem; some are outstanding like the massive Jami Masjid and Hoshang Shah's tomb, which provided inspiration to the master builders of the Taj Mahal centuries later. Overnight: at hotel.

Day 13: INDORE-MUMBAI BY 9W 382 AT 0755 / 0905 HRS.
Morning transferred to Indore airport to connect flight to Mumbai. Upon arrival at Mumbai, met and transferred to hotel. Afternoon leave for half day city tour visiting Mani Bhawan, Hanging Garden, Prince of Whales Museum, and Dhobi Ghat. Rest day free. Overnight at hotel.

Day 14: MUMBAI.
Morning at leisure. Vacate room by 1200 hrs. In time transferred to Mumbai international airport to connect your onward international flight.

(End of Service)

TOUR PACKAGE INCLUDES:

-	Accommodation on twin sharing basis.
-	Daily Buffet Breakfast.
-	Dance and dinner at Chor – Bazaar in Delhi.
-	Elephant ride at Amber Fort.
-	Transportation by Air Conditioned Vehicle.
-	Return airport transfers.
-	Sightseeing as per package details.
-	Services of English speaking Guide as per tour program.
-	All applicable taxes.

Note: Airfare is subject to availability and change.
TOUR PRICE:	Please contact us for prices.

Tour Code

NI-05-015

Tour Length

14 Nights/15 Days

Visit

DELHI(ARRIVAL) - JAIPUR - AGRA - GWALIOR - ORCHHA - BHOPAL - INDORE - MUMBAI(DEPART).

Prices

Please contact us for prices.

Dance and dinner at chor-Bazaar in Delhi.
Elephant ride at Amber Fort, Jaipur.

Place	Superior Hotel	Deluxe Hotels
NewDelhi	The Connaught	Taj Palace
Jaipur	Holiday Inn	Trident Hilton
Agra	Holiday Inn	Jaypee Palace
Gwalior	Gwalior Regency	Usha Kiran Palace
Orchha	Amar Mahal	Amar Mahal
Bhopal	Noor-Us-Sabha Palace	Noor-Us-Sabha Palace
Indore	Sayaji Hotel	Sayaji Hotel
Mumbai	Ramee Guestline	Taj President