Arrive Delhi. Met at the airport and transfer to the hotel.

After breakfast transfer to the airport to connect flight to Khajuraho. PM Sightseeing of the western group of temples.

The small sleepy town of Khajuraho was once the religious capital of the mighty Chandela dynasty, which built 85 magnificent temples here during their reign which lasted until the end of the 10th century. 22 of these highly erotic sandstone temples remain, in homage to the most prolific period of Hindu temple sculpture. The importance of eroticism in these temples is still a mystery.

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast drive to Orchha. PM: sightseeing of the city.Like something straight out of an Indiana Jones film, this sleepy village has much to show of its glorious past. Huge crumbling temples and palaces rise out of the surrounding jungle, overlooking the undulating hills and the wide boulder-strewn Betwa river. A small village can be found amongst the ruins of this once mighty city which was capital of the Bundela kingdom from 1531 to 1783.

Overnight at the hotel in Orchha.

After breakfast drive to Datia.

Datia is mentioned in the Mahabharat as �Datiyavakra�. The seven storey palace of Raja Bir Singh Deo built a top of a hill, is a great example of 17th century Hindu architecture. There is a profusion of arches, chhattris, ornamental jali screens, coloured tiling, balconies and oriel windows that open up delightful views.

A few km north of Datia, just off the main road is Sonagiri, 77 white Jain temples on a hill reached by a paved path dating back to the 17th century. Late afternoon arrive Gwalior. Check-in in the hotel.

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast visit the majestic hill fort of Gwalior standing on a sandstone precipice 100 m high, 2.8 km long and 200 to 850 m wide.

Gujari Mahal (15th century) on the foot of the fort, today a archaeological museum with rich Hindu and jain sculptures. The palace was built by Raja Mansingh Tomar for his loving wife Mrignayani. Pass by Sas Bahu (Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law) Temple dedicated to Vishnu the 11th century. The old city has the Jama Masjid (1661) with the tomb of Mohammad Ghaus, an Afghani saint and teacher of Tansen. Tansen was the famous musician and one of the nine gems at the court of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. One can also see the tomb of Tansen close by.

Next visit the Jai Vilas Palace, the residence of the Scindia Family. About 35 rooms of the palace have been converted into a museum. In the Durbar Hall approached by a crystal staircase in it hang the world�s largest Crystal Chandeliers in the world, each weighing three and a half tons. The rooms are furnished with golden walls, huge Persian carpets, antique furniture from France and Italy. The battery operated silver train set transported cigars, dry fruit and drinks round the table after dinner.

Overnight at the hotel.

Early morning transfer to railway station to connect Shatabdi Express train to Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh state founded in the 11th century by Raja Bhoj.

It was ruled by women from 1857 to 1926, first by Sikander Begum (1857-1901) and then by Shah Jahan Begum (1901-1926).

Afternoon visit the pink Taj-ud-Masjid (10th century), built by the Empress Shah Jahan Begum, is one of the largest mosques of India, but was left unfinished for over a century. It has three white domes , two massive minarets and an impressive hall with attractive pillars. The Moti Masjid (1860) built by the daughter Sikander Begum, based on the Jama Masjid in Delhi. The Shaukat Mahal, built in Renaissance and Gothic style by a Frenchman. The Sadar Manzil, the �hall of public audience� of the former rulers of Bhopal. The City Museum houses sculptures, antiquities and tribal handicrafts, stone sculptures and an interesting collection of 87 small Jain bronzes of the 12th century .

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast an excursion to Sanchi, a peaceful hill crowned by a group of abandoned stupas and monasteries together, is one of the most important Buddhist sites in India. The first stupa was built under King Ashoka in the 3 century BC, using bricks and mud mortar. Over a century later it was doubled in size with a balcony and railing added. The gateways were added 75 years later, and finally in 450 AD four images of Buddha were placed facing each of the gateways. The Great Stupa (37 m in diameter and 16 m high. The stone carving work describes the life of Lord Buddha and Buddhist mythology in a fascinating way. One can see more stupas around. The Monastery reached by steps opposite the west gateway is well preserved with thick stone walls. The Gupta Temple (5th century) built of stone slabs with a flat roof. Temple 18 (7th century) has only nine of the 12 pillars which resemble those found in the Buddhist cave temples of western India. The Museum exhibits from the site (caskets, pottery, parts of gateways, images) dating from the Ashokan period.

Afternoon excursion to Bhimbetka Hill, surrounded by thick jungle. These were rock shelters of the stone age men. To prove their presence they left behind marvellous paintings on the rock surfaces generally depicting war scenes, animals, men and women. The area extends over 20 sq. km. To see same of the best paintings follow the drawing. One can follow the innumerable paths leading to different shelters and discover the old of the lost world.

Overnight at hotel in Bhopal.

Today after breakfast drive to Indore via Ujjain. One of the best known cities of ancient India and one of Hinduism�s seven sacred cities, and one of the four centers of the Kumbh Mela attracting about three million pilgrims every 12 years. Situated on the bank of Shipras river, there are 7 holy Hindu temples. You will visit the Mahakaleshwar Temple dedicated to God Shiva. The temple lingam is one of the 12 jyotirlingas believed to be swayambhu � born of itself. The Vedha Shala Observatory built by the founder of Jaipur Maharaja Jai Singh II around the 17th century. Continue drive to Indore.

Check-in to the hotel.

Overnight at hotel.

Morning drive for 6-7 hours to Aurangabad. On arrival check in at the hotel.

Overnight at the hotel.

Fullday sightseeing of Ajanta caves.

Located near the city of Aurangabad in Maharashtra, the famous Ajanta and Ellora are cave shrines cut out of rock, by hand, and rank amongst some of the most outstanding specimens of ancient Indian architectural heritage. The 34 caves at Ellora and the 29 caves at Ajanta, were remained shrouded in obscurity for over a millennium, till John Smith, a British Army Officer, accidentally stumbled upon them while on a hunting expedition in 1819. Ajanta has been designated as a World Heritage Site, to be preserved as an artistic legacy that will come to inspire and enrich the lives of generations to come.

Ajanta Caves

It was only in the 19th century, that the Ajanta group of caves, lying deep within the Sahyadri hills, cut into the curved mountain side, above the Waghora river, were discovered. They depict the story of Buddhism, spanning a period from 200 BC to 650 AD.

The 29 caves were built as secluded retreats of the Buddhist monks, who taught and performed rituals in the Chaityas and Viharas, the ancient seats of learning, and nerve - centers of the Buddhist cultural movement. Using simple tools like hammer and chisel, the monks carved out the impressive figures adorning the walls of these structures. Many of the caves house panels depicting stories from the Jatakas, a rich mine of tales of the several incarnations of the Buddha. Images of nymphs and princesses amongst others, are also elaborately portrayed.

Overnight in hotel

Morning sightseeing of the Ellora caves. Late afternoon fly to Mumbai.

Ellora Caves

The Ellora caves, 34 in number, are carved into the sides of a basaltic hill, 30 kms from Aurangabad. The finest specimens of cave - temple architecture, they house elaborate facades and exquisitely adorned interiors. These structures representing the three faiths of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, were carved during the 350 AD to 700 AD period. The 12 caves to the south are Buddhist, the 17 in the centre dedicated to Hinduism, and the 5 caves to the north are Jain.

The sculpture in the Buddhist caves accurately convey the nobility, grace and serenity inherent in the Buddha. Caves 6 and 10 house images from the Buddhist and Hindu faith, under the same roof, the latter dedicated to Vishwakarma, the patron saint of Indian craftsmen. The Vishvakarma cave is both a Chaitya and a Vihara, with a seated Buddha placed in the stupa. Its two - storied structure sports a colourful pageant of dwarfs, dancing and making music.

Met upon arrival and transfer to the international airport to connect with flight to International Destination.