Day 1

Airport pickup, transfer and spend night in hotel.
Day 2

boat trip
Leave for a boat trip to Elephanta island off the coast of Mumbai. (NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE). The island is named after the large stone elephant which used to stand near the shore. Visit caves and cave-temples whose origin is lost in the mists of time. Return to Mumbai and spend night in hotel.
Day 3

flight
Morning flight to Aurangabad, named after Aurangzeb, the last of the great Moghuls. Airport pickup and check into hotel. In the afternoon we set off for Ellora to visit the Buddhist, Hindu and Jain caves, the pinnacle of Deccan rock-cut architecture. Short trip to Daulatabad and option of climbing up to the top of the fortress for a panoramic view. Overnight in hotel.
Day 4

160 km - 4 hours by road
Leave for Ajanta, a magnificent site with 29 Buddhist caves, dating from the second century BC to the 7th century AD. It is one of the most beautiful examples of cave architecture in India, especially those parts dating from the end of the Gupta period, one of the golden ages of Indian art. Continue on to Jalgaon. Check into and spend night in hotel.
Day 5

300km - 7 hours by road
Long journey to Mandu, through superb countryside which becomes increasingly undulated as we approach the town. Check into and spend night in hotel.
Day 6

80 km - 2 hours by road
Visit the ghost town of Mandu, surrounded by ramparts and clinging to the top of a hill. Tour the ruins which bear witness to the reputation and refinement of this former capital of Malwa before it was abandoned: the Royal Enclave, Jama Masjid with its Afghan architecture, the remains of temples and palaces which line the roads. Then leave for Maheshwar. Overnight in hotel.
Day 7

170 km - 4 to 5 hours by road
Early morning visit of Maheshwar, famous for its silk saris. Visit the fortress which overlooks the town and offers a stunning view over the Narmada, one of India’s seven holy rivers, and its ghats. Continue on to Omkareswhar, an island at the confluence of the Narmada and the Keveri and an important place of pilgrimage. Visit Shri Omkar Mandhata and other temples such as the Brahmanic Siddhnath temple which dates back to the beginning of the Middle Ages, as well as the Jain temples. Potter through the warren of alley ways and bazaars. Set off for Indore. Arrive and spend night in hotel.
Day 8

55km - 1 hour by road
Visit Lal Bagh Palace with its mix of Moghul and European architectural styles. Set off for Ujjain. Check into and spend night in hotel.
Day 9

night train
Visit the temples at your own pace. These include the Mahakaleswhar Mandir which has another of India’s twelve jyoti linga (Shiva temples) , Harsiddi Mandir and Gopal Mandir. Stroll along the ghats, preferably at dawn or dusk and observe the Hindu rituals. Transfer to station for night train to Jhansi.
Day 10

20 km - 30 minutes by road
Pickup at Jhansi station and transfer to the small holy town of Orchha. Visit the Raja Mahal and Jehangir Mahal, masterpieces of Indian architecture. Walk along the banks of the Betwa river. Check into and spend night in hotel.
Day 11

5 hours - 190km
Drive to Khajuraho. Check into hotel. Visit the temples, renowned for their erotic sculpture and set in lush countryside. Overnight in hotel.
Day 12

one hour flight
Transfer to airport. Flight to Varanasi. Airport pickup and transfer to hotel.
Day 13

Visit the town which is famous for the ghats which line the banks of the Ganges, the holiest river in Hinduism. Option of a dawn boat trip on the Ganges, when all the pilgrims are performing their purifying ablutions. Excursion to Sarnath (20 km from Varanasi), the legendary Buddhist village. Overnight in hotel.
Day 14

night train
Continue visit of Varanasi. Evening transfer to station and night train to Agra.
Day 15

Last day in Delhi (sightseeing or shopping). Transfer to airport in evening. Shanti travel says ’au revoir’.
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