Day 1 Depart the UKToday depart the UK on the British Airways flight to Mumbai. (N)
Day 2 MumbaiArrive into Mumbai in the early hours and transfer to your
accommodation. Later today meet your guide and head out into the city, starting at the
Gateway of India, which was built to commemorate the visit of King George V in 1911,
and the Prince of Wales Museum. From here continue on foot on a leisurely walk
through the historic Colaba district taking time to admire the impressive Gothic Victorian
architecture before continuing to Malabar Hill for views of the city. End the day at the
colourful Dhobi ghats where traditional laundryman collect, wash and return the city's
linen. (N)
Accommodation in Mumbai: Abode Mumbai
Upgrade option: Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel, Tower Wing
Alternative upgrade option: Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Palace Wing
Day 3 Mumbai to Aurangabad – by airThis morning transfer to the airport and fly to
Aurangabad. Established in 1610 AD as Khadke, the city later changed its name to
Aurangabad in honour of last great Mughal ruler Aurangzeb who built a new citadel in
the town in 1692. A popular base from which to visit the extraordinary cave temples of
Ellora and Ajanta, this afternoon visit the city. Places of interest include the Jama Masjid
and the Bibi-Ka-Maqbara mausoleum – a late 17th century monument inspired by the
Taj Mahal. (B)
Accommodation in Aurangabad: Vivanta by Taj - Aurangabad Hotel
Day 4 Aurangabad – Visit the Ellora CavesCloser to Aurangabad than Ajanta, the Ellora
caves are located on an ancient trade route between Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh and the
western coast of India. Set into the base of a hill the caves contain elaborate carvings of
gods and goddesses and represent three of the main faiths of ancient India - Buddhism,
Hinduism and Jainism. On the return to Aurangabad visit the 11th century Daulatabad
Fort to explore the formidable defenses and take in the far-reaching views. (B)
Accommodation in Aurangabad: Vivanta by Taj - Aurangabad Hotel
Day 5 Aurangabad to Burhanpur – 220kmsThis morning leave Aurangabad and drive to
the Ajanta Caves which pre-date those at Ellora. Re-discovered in 1819, these
predominately Buddhist caves contain some of the finest examples of Indian painting

and have been compared to the frescoes of Assisi, Sienna and Florence. Later continue
to the small town of Burhanpur where you will stay overnight. (B)
Accommodation in Burhanpur: Ambar Hotel
Day 6 Burhanpur to Maheshwar – 180kmsToday drive to the small riverside town of
Maheshwar for a three night stay at historic Ahilya Fort. Dating to the late 1600s, Ahilya
Fort is a wonderful place to relax for a few days and experience rural India at its very
best. Overlooking the holy Narmada River, life in Maheshwar is slow-paced and has
changed little over the centuries which further adds to the town’s charm. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Maheshwar: Ahilya Fort
Day 7 MaheshwarAt leisure. Explore the fort, spend time at the beautiful ghats and
witness the timeless religious rituals that have taken place beside the Narmada River
for centuries. Maheshwar is also revered as a holy town by followers of Lord Shiva and
there are numerous temples and shrines dedicated to this important deity beside the
river. The town is also known for the manufacture of fine saris which is a thriving local
cottage industry. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Maheshwar: Ahilya Fort
Day 8 Maheshwar – visit ManduAfter breakfast drive to Mandu for a full-day visit of this
important historical site. Set in the Vindhya hills, Mandu’s collection of Islamic buildings
are some of the finest in India. There is evidence that the area around Mandu had been
occupied from the early 6th century AD, however, the city’s heydey was under the
Pathan sultans where a period of peace and prosperity led to the construction of a
number of architectural masterpieces. Mandu is rightly famed for its Islamic architecture
and, after exploring the palaces, mosques and mausoleums, return to Maheshwar.
(B/L/D)
Accommodation in Maheshwar: Ahilya Fort
Day 9 Maheshwar to Bhopal – 270kmsAfter breakfast drive to Bhopal. Capital of
Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal's mix of parks and palaces is in direct contrast to the frenetic
old city's large mosques and bustling narrow alleyways. Over the centuries Bhopal was
ruled by a succession of progressive Muslim women which resulted in the city becoming
one of the most modern and forward-thinking in the country. (B)
Accommodation in Bhopal: Jehan Numa Palace Hotel
Upgrade option: Jehan Numa Retreat
Day 10 Bhopal – visit SanchiToday visit Sanchi – an important Buddhist sanctuary and
a principal centre for the religion in the country. Sanchi is known for its Great Stupa
which is arguably India's finest Buddhist structure and one of the oldest religious
monuments of the subcontinent. The Great Stupa is at the centre of an impressive
complex of temples, shrines and monasteries and is a fascinating place to explore. In
the afternoon return to Bhopal. (B)
Accommodation in Bhopal: Jehan Numa Palace Hotel
Upgrade option: Jehan Numa Retreat
Day 11 Bhopal to Jhansi – by train / Jhansi to Orchha – 15kmsMorning sightseeing in
Bhopal in an around Imam Square, the heart of royal Bhopal. Highlights include the Taj-
ul-Masjid mosque, Moti Masjid and Shaukat Mahal. Later travel by train to Jhansi and
then the short distance by road to Orchha. A deserted medieval town but now a sleepy
village, Orchha is home to numerous ruined palaces, temples and chhatris. (B/D)
Accommodation in Orchha: Amar Mahal

Day 12 OrchhaToday explore Orchha. The ruins here spread from the pretty Betwa
River and cover a large area. Visit palaces in different states of repair, tumbledown
temples, derelict havelis and imposing cenotaphs. Largely constructed during the 16th
and 17th centuries, the finest buildings here were erected under the rule of Bir Singh
Deo with highlights including the Raj Mahal, Rai Praveen Mahal and Jahangir Mahal.
(B/D)
Accommodation in Orchha: Amar Mahal
Day 13 Orchha to Gwalior – 120kms via DatiaLeaving Orchha, drive to nearby Datia to
visit its fine Rajput palace then continue north to Gwalior. On arrival stay for two nights
at the charming Usha Kiran Palace which is a former guesthouse of the Maharaja.
Gwalior is best known for its vast fort which towers above the city and in the afternoon
visit the nearby Jai Vilas Palace which is still the ancestral home of Scindia royal family.
(B)
Accommodation in Gwalior: Usha Kiran Palace
Day 14 Gwalior to Agra – 120kmsThis morning climb high above the town to the
spectacularly-sited fort. Over the centuries Gwalior Fort was passed between a
succession of Muslim, Rajput, Mughal and Afghan rulers, however, after the events of
1857 it was taken under British control. The fort covers a vast area and houses a
number of interesting temples as well as the impressive is the Man Mandir Palace. Later
continue on to Agra, one of Uttar Pradesh's largest cities and home to three magnificent
buildings – Agra Fort, the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula and the Taj Mahal. (B)
Accommodation in Agra: ITC Mughal Hotel (or similar)
Day 15 AgraAgra was once one of the world's most important cities and this morning
visit the 16th century Agra Fort and tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula which is better known as
the ‘Baby Taj’. No stay in Agra is complete without a visit to the Taj Mahal, arguably the
greatest monument to love, and built by Shah Jahan as a memorial to his wife Mumtaz.
The Taj Mahal is a building world renowned for its beauty and the craftsmanship of the
structure is outstanding. (B)
 Accommodation in Agra: ITC Mughal Hotel (or similar)
Day 16 Agra to Delhi – 200kms via SikandraToday leave Agra and continue by road to
Delhi stopping en-route at Sikandra which is the location of Akbar's tomb. Arriving in
Delhi later this afternoon, stay for two nights in the Indian capital. A city of two distinct
halves, historic Old Delhi was the epicentre of Mughal India between the 17th and 19th
centuries whilst New Delhi was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in the 1930s and
remains the heart of Indian political power. (B)
Accommodation in Delhi: Claridges Hotel
Upgrade option: Taj Mahal Hotel
Alternative upgrade option: Imperial Hotel
Day 17 Delhi After breakfast explore the city with your guide. Begin the day in Old Delhi
– an historic district of mosques, forts, markets and monuments. Walk through the
area’s dense network of alleyways, visit the famous markets of Chandni Chowk,
beautiful Jama Masjid, Red Fort and Rajghat. In the afternoon continue to New Delhi.
With its wide tree-lined avenues, white-washed bungalows and government buildings,
highlights include Rashtrapati Bhawan, the official residence of the Indian President,
Rajpath and India Gate. (B)
Accommodation in Delhi: Claridges Hotel

Upgrade option: Taj Mahal Hotel
Alternative upgrade option: Imperial Hotel
Day 18 Delhi to the UKToday transfer back to Delhi Airport to catch the British Airways
flight non-stop to the UK. (B)