Delhi → Agra → Gwalior → Orchha → Khajuraho → Varanasi → Bhopal → Ujjain → Indore → Mandu → Omkareshwar → Maheshwar → Delhi
← All journeys · Photograph credit
A 21-day cultural journey through Central India, linking the palace towns of Gwalior and Orchha with Khajuraho, Bhopal and the Narmada’s sacred river towns. Delhi, Agra and Varanasi complete a route rich in temple art, historic cities and riverfront traditions, with separate days for Omkareshwar and Maheshwar.
Gwalior, Datia, Orchha and Mandu’s hilltop monuments.
Khajuraho’s temple sculpture and Bhimbetka’s rock shelters.
Varanasi, Ujjain, Omkareshwar and Maheshwar.
Lakes, historic neighbourhoods and Buddhist monuments.
Meet your representative at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Rest before the journey begins.
Overnight: Delhi
Visit Laxminarayan Temple, India Gate and Qutub Minar, then explore Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk. Enjoy a rickshaw ride, a Red Fort exterior stop and Raj Ghat, with a drive past New Delhi’s government buildings.
Overnight: Delhi
Drive to Agra and check in. Explore Agra Fort and its Mughal palace architecture.
Overnight: Agra
Visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise before continuing to Gwalior. Explore Gwalior Fort and the Jai Vilas Palace museum, subject to arrival and opening times.
Overnight: Gwalior
Stop at Datia’s palace and temple landscape before continuing to Orchha on the Betwa River. Check in and settle into the medieval town.
Overnight: Orchha
Visit Jahangir Mahal, Raja Mahal, the riverfront cenotaphs and Ram Raja Temple. Time permitting, explore the Betwa landscape; optional boating or a sanctuary visit can be discussed with your guide.
Overnight: Orchha
Drive to Khajuraho and check into your hotel. Enjoy time to settle in before the following day’s temple visits.
Overnight: Khajuraho
Explore the western and eastern temple groups, including Kandariya Mahadeva, Devi Jagadambi, Chitragupta and the Jain temples. Learn about the sculpture and architecture of the Chandela period.
Overnight: Khajuraho
Transfer to the station for your rail journey to Varanasi, with the service confirmed for your travel dates. Meet your representative on arrival and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight: Varanasi
Take an early morning boat ride on the Ganges, then explore the ghats and Kashi Vishwanath area where entry is permitted. Visit Bharat Mata and Durga temples and discover the city’s spiritual and craft traditions.
Overnight: Varanasi
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Bhopal, with connections as required. Meet your representative and check into the hotel.
Overnight: Bhopal
Explore Bhopal’s lakes, Birla Temple and museum, Taj-ul-Masajid, Moti Masjid and historic neighbourhoods. Continue to Sanchi’s Buddhist monuments, with the day’s order arranged around opening times.
Overnight: Bhopal
Visit the painted rock shelters at Bhimbetka and the monumental Shiva temple at Bhojpur. Return to Bhopal after a day tracing Central India’s long cultural history.
Overnight: Bhopal
Drive to Ujjain and visit Mahakaleshwar Temple where access permits. Explore the city’s sacred setting and Jantar Mantar observatory.
Overnight: Ujjain
Continue to Indore and check in. Enjoy a relaxed introduction to the city.
Overnight: Indore
Visit Lal Bagh Palace, the city’s palace heritage and Kanch Mandir. Discover the Holkar legacy and the Jain temple’s mirror-work interiors.
Overnight: Indore
Drive to Mandu and settle into your accommodation. Take in the hilltop landscape before the following day’s monument visits.
Overnight: Mandu
Explore Jahaz Mahal, Hindola Mahal, Hoshang Shah’s Tomb and Jama Masjid. Continue to Baz Bahadur’s Palace and Rani Rupmati’s Pavilion for views across the surrounding landscape.
Overnight: Mandu
Spend the day exploring Omkareshwar’s sacred island, temples and river setting. A boat ride is arranged subject to local conditions before returning to Mandu.
Overnight: Mandu
Visit Maheshwar’s fort, temples and Narmada ghats. Discover its handwoven Maheshwari textiles and enjoy a river boat ride where conditions permit, then return to Mandu.
Overnight: Mandu
Transfer to Indore airport for the flight to Delhi and your onward journey. Flight connections and a suitable transfer allowance are confirmed before booking.
Accommodation is selected for your preferences and confirmed in your personalised quote.
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