Ancient Caves, Forts, Taj & Temples Expedition

Mumbai

On arrival at Mumbai airport meet with our office executive assistance and transfer to hotel (hotels check in time 1200hr afternoon, early check in subject to rooms availability). Rest time free for personal activities relax.

Overnight at hotel.

Mumbai

Excursion to Elephanta Island located 10kms away from the Gateway of India. Motorboats take passengers from Gateway of India to Elephanta Island. These caves house rock cut temples dating back to the 5th century BC.

Visit the Gateway of India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (museum). Marine Drive which runs along the shoreline, starting at Nariman Point and up to Malabar Hill. Hanging Gardens laid out in 1881 these formally laid out gardens have a notable collection of hedges shaped like animals.

Overnight at hotel.

Mumbai - Aurangabad (flight)

Breakfast at hotel transfer to airport to board flight for Aurangabad.

On arrival at Aurangabad airport assistance and transfer to hotel. Later city tour visit the Aurangabad Caves, which are artificial caves that were dug out of soft rock during the 6th and 7th century. Then, visit the Bibi Ka Maqbara - the burial place of Aurangzeb's first wife. Also visit a small archeological museum nearby.

Overnight at hotel.

Aurangabad - Ajanta - Aurangabad (104kms/ 2hrs approx one way)

Breakfast at hotel.Full day excursion to Ajanta Caves (Monday closed). The Buddhist Caves of Ajanta were discovered by the British officers in 1819 while tiger hunting. Ajanta Caves were first mentioned in the writings of the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang who visited India between A.D 629 and 645. The Caves at Ajanta are older than those at Ellora , which date from about 200 B.C to 650 A.D. Thirty beautiful Buddhist Caves with mesmerizing sculptures and paintings depicting Buddha's life as well the lives of the Buddha in his previous births. Five of these Caves are Chaityas (Place of worship) while the other twenty-five are Viharas (monasteries). Ajanta Caves are divided in two categories based on two schools of Buddhist thought - Hinayana Caves and Mahayana Caves.

Evening back to hotel in Aurangabad for overnight stay.

Aurangabad - Delhi (flight)

Breakfast at hotel.Excursion to visit the Ellora Caves (Tuesday closed), a UNESCO World Heritage Site from about 200 B.C. to 650 A.D. There are a total of 34 monasteries and temples at Ellora, belonging to the three different religions, namely - Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism.

one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines mentioned in the Shiva Purana. The temple is an important pilgrimage site in Shaivism tradition of Hinduism, which considers it as the last or twelfth Jyotirlinga (linga of light).

On way back visit Daulatabad Fort one of the most powerful forts of the medieval Deccan. The defence system that made Daulatabad virtually impregnable comprises fortifications with double and even triple rows of massive walls.

Later transfer to airport to board flight for Delhi. On arrival at Delhi airport assistance and transfer to hotel check in & overnight at hotel.

Overnight at hotel.

Delhi – Jaipur (265kms/ 5hrs approx)

Breakfast at hotel followed by 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 afternoon drive to Jaipur check in & overnight at hotel.

Overnight at hotel.

Jaipur

Visit the majestic Amer Fort and Jaigarh Fort. Enjoy Jeep ride at Amber Fort.

Observatory, Palace of Winds, Albert Hall Museum and Birla Temple.

As per your interest wrap up your day by watching Bollywood movie at the opulent Rajmandir Cinema.

Overnight at hotel.

Jaipur – Agra (245kms/ 5hrs approx)

Breakfast at hotel drive to Agra enroute visit Abhaneri a small village popular for the amazing step wells and Temple. Also visit Fatehpur Sikri the 16th century ghost town. Further drive to Agra check in & overnight at hotel.

Overnight at hotel.

Agra – Orchha (220kms/ 5hrs approx)

Breakfast at hotel visit Agra Fort and Itmad-ud-Daula Tomb.

Drive to Orchha enroute visit Gwalior Fort.Continue drive to Orchha check in & overnight at hotel.

Overnight at hotel.

Orchha – Khajuraho (178kms/ 4hrs approx)

Visit wonderful Orchha Fort, Temples and graceful Chhatris.

Afternoon drive to Khajuraho check in at hotel. Evening light & sound show.

Overnight at hotel.

Khajuraho – Varanasi (Flight 9W-2424, 1405 / 1455hrs)

Visit eastern, western & southern group of temples. 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 on account of their remarkable erotic sculptures.

Later transfer to airport to board flight for Varanasi. Arrive Varanasi assistance and transfer to hotel. Evening Ghats’s & temples visit, attend Holy Ganga Aarti.

Overnight at hotel.

Varanasi

Early morning boat ride and Ghat visit along the Ganges and catch the scene of devotees bathing and praying in the sacred water.

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.

Overnight at hotel.

Varanasi – Mumbai or Delhi (Flight)

Time to relax and explore the city with your driver. Later as per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for Mumbai or Delhi. Arrive Mumbai or Delhi assistance and transfer to hotel. Rest time free and easy to relax or explore the city with your driver.

Overnight at hotel.