Heritage of India by Satabdi Train

Day 1: Arrive in Delhi

On arrival at Delhi airport assistance & transfer to hotel (check-in/out time 12pm). Later city tour of Delhi. In Old, Delhi visits the majestic Red Fort (closed on Monday) the residence of the Mughal emperor for nearly 200 years until 1857. Jama Masjid is one of the largest mosques in the world built by Shah Jahan. Cycle Rickshaw ride in Chandni chowk & Khari Baoli Spice Market a busy shopping area with markets full of spices, dried fruit, silver jewelry, and vivid saris, while the narrow side streets are crowded with tiny shops selling essential oils, stationery, and traditional Indian sweets. Raj Gath the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi where he was cremated after his assassination.
In New Delhi visit Humayun Tomb the first garden-tomb in the Indian subcontinent and an early example of Mughal architecture commissioned by Humayun`s first wife Empress Bega Begum in 1569-70. Qutab Minar a 73-meter tall minaret that forms part of the Qutb complex fine examples of Afghan architecture. Lotus Temple a Bahai House of Worship notable for its flower-like shape. Also, drive and pass President House, Parliament & India Gate, etc. Overnight at the hotel.

🏚️ Hotel Option: The Royal Plaza/ Country Inn & Suite Saket or similar. (5-Star hotel is available on request.)

Day 2: Delhi – Gwalior (B) (0600/ 0925hrs, Satabdi Train) / Gwalior – Orchha (125kms)

Transfer to the railway station to board the train for Gwalior. On arrival at Gwalior railway station meet your guide & driver and proceed to visit Gwalior Fort, situated on top of a hill is one of the best fortresses of India, known for its great architecture and rich past. The fort complex includes several temples, palaces, and water tanks. Siddhachal Caves and Gopachal rock-cut Jain monuments are the two areas, complete with thousands of Jain Tirthankar idols defaced during the Mughal invasion. Teli Ka Mandir and Sas-Bahu Ka Mandir are the two architecturally rich Hindu temples here. Gurudwara Data Bandi Chhor is another holy place built inside the fort complex. Man Mandir Palace, Gujari Mahal, Assi Khamba Ki Baoli, and Suraj Kund are other important monuments found in the complex. Jai Vilas Palace has the largest carpet in the world and the two most massive chandeliers in the world that weigh close to 3.5 tonnes.
After sightseeing drive to Orchha check-in at the hotel. Later City tour of Orchha a historical town known for its grand palaces, intricately carved temples adorned with classic mural paintings, frescos, and cenotaphs that were constructed to commemorate the Bundela rulers. Visit the Orchha Fort complex, which houses a large number of ancient monuments. These are Raja Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Jahangir Mahal, a temple, gardens, and pavilions. Chaturbhuj Temple is a multi-storied structure noted for having one of the tallest Vimana among Hindu temples. Chatteris (Cenotaphs) situated on the banks of the Betwa river are magnificent royal tombs of the Maharajas, placed on a platform and supported by the pillars. Overnight at the hotel.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Orchha Resort/ Amar Mahal or similar.

Day 3: Orchha – Jhansi (12kms) (B)/ Jhansi – Bhopal (1045/ 1355hrs, Satabdi Train)

Transfer to Jhansi railway station to board the train for Bhopal. On arrival at Bhopal railway station assistance & transfer to hotel. later visit two historic mosques the Jama Masjid a classic Islamic architecture with two tall minarets & Moti Masjid an architectural marvel. Only Muslims can enter Taj-Ul-Masjid a stunning and elegant architecture with enormous domes, a spectacular hallway, and elegant minarets. Also visit the arts center in Bharat Bhawan a center of performing arts, a unique institution with unparalleled and impactful architecture. Evening boat ride in Upper Lake. Overnight at the hotel.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Noor Us Sabha Palace/ Sayaji Bhopal or similar.

Day 4: Bhopal (B)

Excursion to visit Bhimbetka rock shelters an archaeological site dating back to the Paleolithic age inhabited by the homo Erectus more than 100,000 years ago. Bhimbetka is a world heritage site and houses one of the oldest cave paintings in the world, a must-visit site for all history enthusiasts. Next, visit Bhojpur an incomplete 11th CE Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The construction was abandoned for unknown reasons, with the architectural plans engraved on the surrounding rocks. It houses a 7.5 feet high lingam in its sanctum, considered to be one of the finest examples of temple architecture in the region. Drive back to Bhopal for an Overnight stay at the hotel.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Noor Us Sabha Palace/ Sayaji Bhopal or similar.

Day 5: Bhopal (B)

Early morning visit Bhoj Wetland a Ramsar site consists of two lakes Upper and & Lower Lake a man-made reservoir and home to diverse flora & fauna. 179 species of birds, 43 species of fishes, over a dozen species of reptiles and amphibians (including five species of tortoise), 206 species of phytoplankton, and 98 species of insects, all of which add up to a vibrant and thriving ecosystem. over a hundred sarus cranes (India’s largest avian species) have been observed congregating here. Other species sighted at this birders paradise are Eurasian wrynecks, Rufous-tailed finch larks, white-throated kingfishers, white-bellied drongoes, black-headed orioles, western reef herons, grey-headed canary-flycatchers, Egyptian vultures, and bay-backed shrikes.
Later excursion to visit Sanchi a serene hill crowned by a group of stupas, monasteries, temples, and pillars dating from 3rd BCE to 12th CE. Sanchi Stupa, a UNESCO world heritage site is home to the relics of Buddha and his followers. Built by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE, it is a remarkable specimen of Buddhist art and architecture. Sanchi’s uniqueness lies in the fact that Buddha isn’t represented by figures but through symbols. Next visit Udayagiri Caves, an early Hindu ritual site, extensively carved and reworked under the command of Chandragupta II, Emperor of the Gupta Empire, in the late 4th & 5th CE. Udayagiri has a series of rock shelters and petroglyphs, ruined buildings, inscriptions, water systems, fortifications, and habitation mounds, all of which have been only partially excavated. Drive back to Bhopal for an Overnight at the hotel.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Noor Us Sabha Palace/ Sayaji Bhopal or similar.

Day 6: Bhopal – Agra (B) (1515/ 2111hrs Satabdi Train)

Early morning visit Bhoj Wetland a Ramsar site consists of two lakes Upper and & Lower Lake a man-made reservoir and home to diverse flora & fauna. 179 species of birds, 43 species of fishes, over a dozen species of reptiles and amphibians (including five species of tortoise), 206 species of phytoplankton, and 98 species of insects, all of which add up to a vibrant and thriving ecosystem. over a hundred sarus cranes (India’s largest avian species) have been observed congregating here. Other species sighted at this birders paradise are Eurasian wrynecks, Rufous-tailed finch larks, white-throated kingfishers, white-bellied drongoes, black-headed orioles, western reef herons, grey-headed canary-flycatchers, Egyptian vultures, and bay-backed shrikes. Later transfer to the railway station to board the train for Agra. On arrival at Agra assistance & transfer to hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Holiday Inn/ Radisson Hotel or similar.

Day 7: Agra – Delhi (B) (Satabdi Train)

Sunrise visit Taj Mahal an ivory-white marble mausoleum commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal, it also houses the tomb of Shah Jahan himself. Agra Fort was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638. And Itmad-ud-Daula Tomb commissioned by Nur Jahan for her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg. Evening transfer to the railway station to board the train for Delhi. On arrival assistance & transfer to hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

🏚️ Hotel The Royal Plaza/ Country Inn & Suite Saket or similar.

Day 8: Delhi – Departure (B)

As per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.