"This popular tour of Madhya Pradesh (THE HEART OF INDIA) allows you to experience and enjoy the essence of spirituality and modernity in its diversity. The largest city Indore is a blissful blend of the past and future and is famous for its architectural splendor, glorious past, splendid historical monuments and acts host to many industries & IT sector. Picturesque cities Mandu – the ruined city of Joy and Dhar the administrative Headquaters are prime attractions for tourists. Significant pilgrim centres are Omkareshwar and Ujjain which has religious significance with the presence of two of the twelve important Jyotirlingas. Ujjain is also popular for the Kumbh Mela and Mahakaleshwar Temple. The Tour leads you to the capital city Bhopal also known as the “Lake city” which is one of the greenest cities in India, a fascinating amalgam of scenic beauty, old historic city and modern urban planning. This city attracted international attention after the Bhopal Disaster (Union Carbide Tragedy)"
Hotels featured or similar :
Indore - Sarovar Portico
Dhar - Jhira Bagh Palace
Maheswar - Ahilya Fort
Bhopal - Noor Us Sabah Palace
Delhi - Mapple Emerald
Itinerary:
Day 1 - London Heathrow to Delhi via Doha by flight
Upon arrival welcome, meet and assist at airport by our representative transfer to restaurant for Breakfast. Transfer to airport to board flight for Indore.
1520 Hrs: Arrive Indore
Upon arrival meet and assist at airport and transfer to Hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at Hotel
Day 2 - Indore
After breakfast enjoy city tour of Indore visiting Rajwada - is the historical palace of the Holkars, Khajrana - is famous for its Ganesha Temple, in which the local people of Indore have great faith. It is said that the temple was built by Ahilya Bai. According to the religious belief of the people, all the wishes of the person who prays here, gets fulfilled.
Bada Ganapati is a worthwhile site at Indore. It consists of a huge statue of Lord Ganesh, perhaps the largest in the world.
The Lalbagh Palace (closed on Monday) is among the prime Indore tourist attractions and one of the wonderful monuments of the city. The magnificent palace was built by the Holkar Kings in three different phase. The final phase was complete in 1921. Overnight stay at Hotel
Day 3 - Indore - Mandu - Dhar
After breakfast drive Dhar visiting Mandu sight seeing of this celebration in stone of life & Joy where the monuments are still singing the glory of this beautiful land. Each of Mandu's structures is an architectural gem; some are outstanding like the massive Jami Masjid and Hoshang Shah's tomb, which provided inspiration to the master builders of the Taj Mahal centuries late. Jahaz Mahal (Ship Palace) :- This ship-like structure was the brainchild of Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din Khilji. The palace served as his harem and was home to 15,000 maidens. Two lakes bound the palace on the eastern and western sides and underpin the illusion of a ship. Taveli Mahal - Located on the south of Jahaz Mahal, this ancient monument was used as a guardhouse and a stable during the Mughal regime. It now acts as a gallery of Archaeological Survey of India and houses various archaeological findings. Hindola Mahal (Swing Palace) - It is located near the Jahaz Mahal and is a large hall that is supported by sloping buttresses. It served as a pleasure palace of the Mughals, who organized their evening parties here during the monsoon season.
Champa Baoli - An elaborately constructed step-well, the place was so named as its waters were believed to smell like the 'Champa' flower. A summer retreat of the emperor,; it houses cool wells, underground rooms (Taikhanas) & subterranean bathrooms. Jami Masjid - This huge edifice, built in 1454, was one of the finest achievements of the Ghauri dynasty. Faced with red sandstone, the monument dominates the village of Mandu and is structured on the 'Omayyed Mosque' in Damascus, Syria. Tomb of Hoshang Shahh - It lies on the south-west of the Jami Masjid and is believed to be the oldest marble building of India. Sheathed completely in white marble, its design and workmanship greatly influenced Shah Jahan, who sent his architects to study it before building the Taj Mahal. Ashrafi Mahal - It was built by Mahmud Shah Khilji. Originally constructed as a Muslim religious school (Madrasa), the place was later extended to become his own mausoleum. The building collapsed due to faulty architecture and now stands amidst ruins. Baz Bahadur's Palace - Located near Rewa Kund, this place was erected in 1509 by Baz Bahadur, the last king of Malwa. It exhibits a skillful blend of Mughal and Rajasthani architectural style, with high terraces, ornate halls and spacious patios. Rupmati's Pavilion - This fort was originally built as an army observation post and offers some enchanting views of the Narmada gurgling through the Nimar plains below. With its striking pavilions, the fort was used as a summer retreat by the queen. Later continue drive to Dhar. Upon arrival check in at Hotel. Overnight stay at Hotel
Day 4 - Dhar - Maheshwar by surface
After breakfast drive to Maheshwar, Upon arrival check in at Hotel.
Later visit the historical monuments including the fort. Maheshwar was a glorious city at the dawn of Indian civilization when it was Mahishmati, capital of king Kartivarjun. This temple town on the banks of the river Narmada finds mention in the epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata. Revived to its ancient position of importance by the Holkar queen Rani Ahilyabai of Indore. Maheshwar's temples and mighty fort-complex stand in quiet beauty, mirrored in the river below.
Temples of Maheshwar - Temples of Maheshwar are famous for the unique overhanging balconies. Like temples of olden times in many parts of India, temples here also have intricately crafted walls. And the one thing that will capture your attention will be the exceptionally carved doorway that welcomes you to the world of history. Kaleshwara Temple, Rajarajeshwara Temple, Akhileshwara Temple and Vithaleshwara Temple are the most known temples of the area. Overnight stay at Hotel
Day 5 - Maheshwar – Omkareshwar – Maheshwar:
After breakfast excursion to Omkareshwar, the sacred island, shaped like the holiest of all Hindu symbols, 'Om', has drawn to it hundreds of generations of pilgrims. Here, at the confluence of the rivers Narmada and Kaveri, the devout gather to kneel before the Jyotirlinga (one of the twelve throughout India) at the temple of Shri Omkar Mandhata. And here, as in so many of Madhya Pradesh's sacred shrines, the works of Nature complement those of man to provide a setting awe-inspiring in its magnificence. Overnight stay at Hotel
Day 6 - Maheshwar - Ujjain - Bhopal
After breakfast drive straight to Bhopal and en-route visit Ujjain. At Ujjain visit the historical sacred temples and experience the spiritual essence of this place also enjoy the awesome spectacle rituals at the holy river Shipra. After checking-in the hotel at Bhopal proceed to witness the fascinating amalgam of scenic beauty, historicity and modern urban planning of the historic city of Bhopal.
Later continue drive to Bhopal. Upon arrival check in at Hotel. Overnight stay at Hotel
Day 7 - Bhopal
After breakfast excursion to Sanchi is 68 kilometers north of Bhopal in the state of Madhya Pradesh. It is unique, not only for having the most perfect and well preserved stupas, but also for offering the visitor a chance to see, in one location, the genesis, flowering, and decay of Buddhist art and architecture during a period of about 1500 years -- almost covering the entire range of Indian Buddhism. This is surprising since Sanchi was not hallowed by any incident in Buddha's life nor was it the focus of any significant event in the history of Buddhism. Return to Bhopal. Overnight stay at Hotel
Day 8 - Bhopal to Delhi by Shatabadi express: 1440-2230 Hrs
After early breakfast enjoy city tour of Bhopal visiting Laxmi Narayan Temple - Also known as Birla Temple, Laxmi Narayan temple was built by the Birlas and is commemorated to the Hindu deities, Laxmi & Vishnu. This sandy-yellow edifice, embellished with idols of many Hindu Gods and Goddesses, poses a magnificent sight. Taj-ul Masjid - One of the largest and most beautiful mosques in India, Taj-ul-Masjid literally means 'The Crown of Mosques' and is an imposing landmark of Bhopal. Its pink façade, coroneted with white-domed minarets, soars to the skyline and stands as a stunning ovation to the rule of Begums in Bhopal. Shaukat Mahal - Shaukat Mahal exhibits Gothic and post-Renaissance architectural patterns and is a beautiful amalgamation of both oriental and occidental architectural styles. Sadar Manzil - Sadar Manzil is located near Shaukat Mahal and is an equally attractive site. Moti Masjid - Moti Masjid of Bhopal bears a prominent resemblance to the Jama Masjid of New Delhi. Built by Sikandar Jahan, the daughter of Kudsia Begum, in 1860, this staggering mosque brilliantly displays the heights attained by Islamic art and architecture during the Nawabi era. Fabricated with red sandstone, the highly stylized structure of the mosque is typical of Muslim architecture. Upper and Lower Lakes - These lakes highly contribute towards beautifying the landscape of Bhopal and are credited as the artwork of Raja Bhoj.
Transfer to railway station in time to board train for Delhi.
Arrive Delhi. Upon arrival meet and assist at railway station and transfer to Hotel. Overnight stay at Hotel
Day 9 - Delhi to London Heathrow via Doha by flight
Transfer to airport in time to board flight for London Heathrow via Doha
Offer Includes:
- Flights with Qatar Airways from London Heathrow
- Domestic flight from Delhi to Indore
- Airport taxes
- 2 nights accommodation on full board basis in Maheswar
- 6 nights accommodation on bed & breakfast basis in Delhi
- Entrance fees to the monuments and services of local english speaking guides
- Train fare for the sector Bhopal/Delhi in air-conditioned chair car
- Assistance during arrival, departure and transfers
