Central India…

Delhi-Agra-Gwalior-Bhopal-Satpura-Indore-Maheshwar-Burhanpur-Aurangabad

Day 01

Arrive Delhi International . Met and transferred to your chosen hotel.

Hotels : We recommend the colonial styled The Imperial New Delhi, one of the finest luxury colonial hotels in Asia, spread over eight acres of sprawling peaceful gardens and centrally located with excellent swimming pool & Spa..

Or – We also recommend the The Oberoi New Delhi, a luxury 5 star hotel, centrally located, overlooking the 18 hole golf course.

Or – The Manor, an oasis away from the centre of the sprawling bustling city. The Manor is a 2-storey, 16-room boutique hotel set in landscaped gardens.

Or – Hotel Palace Heights, a very central medium priced hotel.

Or, The Lutyen’s Bungalow, also known as Nath Guest House, a sprawling heritage property, built in 1937, excellently located in the plush green heritage zone of central Delhi.

Another alternative is Tikli Bottom Guesthouse, a private 4 bed room luxury guest house which is run by Martin and Annie Howard, just outside Delhi.”

Day 02

Full day sight seeing of Delhi with your car/driver & guide
Stay a second night at your chosen hotel.

Day 03

After breakfast, at your leisure, be driven 5 hours to Agra. (car/driver available to Day 12)
PM: Half Day sight seeing of the massive Agra Fort, with fine palace apartments, the small white marble mausoleum of Itmad-ud-Daula and of course, the awe-inspiring Taj Mahal. (Taj Mahal closed on Fridays)
Overnight Hotel : We recommend the Trident Agra.
Or – the The Gateway Hotel Agra (formerly known as Hotel Taj View).
Or – the ultra luxurious Oberoi’s Amar Vilas, with a view of the Taj Mahal from every room.

Day 04

AM driven 1 hour to Fatehpur Sikri (guide joins). After S/S, guide departs.
Onto Bharatpur to visit Keoladeo National Park (Bird Sanctuary).
In the evening back to Agra. Stay a second night at your chosen hotel.

Day 05

AM driven (2 hours) to Gwalior. Stay at Taj Usha Kiran Palace (a 120-year-old palace, which has played host to the King of England and is now a heritage hotel run by the Taj Group. Set amidst 9 acres of beautifully landscaped lawns, this regal palace, rich in history, is outfitted with artistic stone carvings and delicate filigree work).
PM visit Jai Vilas Palace Evening Son et Lumiere.

Day 06

After Breakfast, visit Gwalior Fort and Man Mandir Palace
Stay a second night at Taj Usha Kiran Palace.

Day 07
Transfer to Shatabdi Express Gwalior to Bhopal, 0935 to 1405hrs. In Bhopal, met by car/driver & transferred (10kms) to Jehan Numa Palace (A 19th century Palace, Jehan Numa nestled on the slopes of Shamla Hill is set in five acres of lush green lawns & splashes of colorful bougainvillea. It is a superb example of a medley of British Colonial, Italian Renaissance & Classical Greek Architecture . The culinary arts are an integral element of the experience at Jehan Numa. They aim to provide authentic home cooked flavors, using only the freshest ingredients available. An extravagant range of restaurants and bars excite the most adventurous and discerning gourmet, from an Indian curry to succulent bar-be-que to Italian Cuisine. They have 4 restaurants and 2 bars each providing a unique gastronomical experience)

Day 08

Day Visit to Sanchi (47 kms) Buddhist stupas
Stay a second night at Jehan Numa Palace

Day 09

Driven 3 ½ hours to Satpura National Park. Stay at Forsyth’s Lodge. (One of the pioneering lodges closest to the Satpura National park, and is spread over 44 acres of rehabilitated forest that is thriving in wildlife. This lodge is set between the park, very pretty villages and the reserve forests)

Activities:-

The lodge organizes some great birding walks which take in a variety of habitats – dense forest, scrub; open fields and meadows, water. The lodge is well-equipped with binoculars and telescopes so guests have a great time birding and looking out for wildlife.

Apart from the extensive and varied wildlife programme the lodge can also arrange day long excursions combining jeep and walking, picnic meals along the beautiful Denwa River along the forest’s edge with the magnificent backdrop of the Pachmarhi plateau and Sonbhadra Valley, Evening drives through the forests and even the edge of fields can sometimes be extremely productive. )

Day 10

Game drive by jeep and boat?
Stay a second night at Forsyth’s Lodge.

Day 11

Walk in sanctuary with naturalist
Stay a third night at Forsyth’s Lodge.

Day 12

Driven 3 ½ hours to Bhopal airport (car/driver departs) to connect flight to Indore . In Indore, met and transferred to Rashid Kothi .
( a family home built in he 1930’s surrounded by lush forest. Here you will be treated as an honoured guest. (Vegetarian food and no alcohol served)

Day 13

Driven 2 hours to Maheshwar. Stay at Ahilya Fort …..A family fortress in a unique site, where your reception is so personal you feel at home. A refined and charming atmosphere with many intimate corners. … Situated high above the banks of the sacred Narmada River, 18th Century Ahilya Fort was the capital of one of India’s celebrated women rulers-Ahilya Bai Holkar.

Day 14

Stay at Ahilya Fort
Visit weaving centre & River Temple

Day 15

Day visit with car/driver to Mandu –the ruined city (60kms drive) . (Mandu is said to have been founded in the 6th century and became famous as the 14th–15th-century capital of the Muslim Malwa Kingdom)
O/N at Ahilya Fort

Day 16

PM driven 3 hours to Burhanpur. Stay at Hotel Ambar & Holiday Resort
(This simple hotel is suggested by Ahilya Fort & Daily Telegraph!)

Day 17

Driven 5 hours to Aurangabad via Ajanta, rock cut temples (29 caves). These caves are full of magical frescos and wall paintings made between 2 BC to 1 AD. (Ajanta Caves CLOSED on MONDAYS)
Stay at Taj Residency..the palace-styled hotel set amidst five acres of landscaped gardens offers spacious comfort and rich warm, hospitable service. Conveniently located, Taj Residency is a gateway to the World Heritage Sites of Ellora and Ajanta Caves.

Day 18

Visit Daulatabad (hilltop fortress) and Ellora Caves, Hindu, Jain and Buddhist caves. (Ellora Caves CLOSED on TUESDAYS)
Stay a second night at Taj Residency.

Day 19

Transferred to Aurangabad airport to connect with flight Aurangabad to Delhi or Mumbai to catch your flight home.