Passage through Central India Tour

Arrive in Delhi and receive a warm welcome before transferring to your elegant hotel in Lutyens’ Delhi, an area known for its broad boulevards and colonial architecture. Settle into your stylish period hotel ready to begin your journey through Central India.

Accommodation: The Claridges, a period hotel in the heart of Delhi, blending heritage elegance with modern day luxury.

Leave Delhi and travel deep into the Chambal Valley, a remote region offering a rare glimpse of untouched rural landscapes. Stay at an eco-conscious heritage lodge set within a private estate, where native trees and birdsong create a serene atmosphere.

Over two days, explore riverside villages where life moves slowly and traditions endure. Walk through mud-brick hamlets with a local guide and visit Bhikampura, a potters’ village where artisans craft clay using time-honoured techniques.

Accommodation: Mela Kothi Chambal Safari Lodge, heritage lodge run by a conservation-focused family, blending rustic charm with comfort in a serene, natural setting.

Travel to Gwalior, a city rich in history and royal grandeur. Your heritage hotel features calm courtyards and carved balconies that recall India’s regal past. In the evening, enjoy the Sound and Light Show at Gwalior Fort, where the city’s stories come alive. The next day, explore the fort’s impressive ramparts, the beautiful Man Mandir Palace, the Gujari Mahal museum and its archaeological finds.

Visit Jai Vilas Palace, once home to the Scindia family, and admire the grand Durbar Hall with its sparkling crystal chandeliers. End the day at the quiet tombs of Muhammad Ghaus and Tansen, important spiritual and musical figures.

Accommodation: Taj Usha Kiran Palace, a regal retreat set within lush gardens, offering refined luxury and heritage charm.

Travel to Khajuraho, a tranquil town known for its extraordinary medieval temples featuring intricate Nagara-style architecture. Begin with an atmospheric Sound and Light Show at the Western Group of Temples, where history and legend come alive after dark.

The next day, explore the temple complex, including the famous Kandariya Mahadev Temple, Parshvanatha Jain Temple, and Chaturbhuj Temple. Admire intricate carvings depicting gods, scenes of daily life, and a few famously sensual moments that celebrate human creativity.

Accommodation: Sarai at Toria, riverside eco-retreat offering simple luxury, sustainable practices, and meaningful connection with the local community.

Drive to the riverside town of Orchha, a historic former capital with a serene atmosphere and architectural marvels. Explore the fort complex, home to grand palaces such as Jahangir Mahal and Raj Mahal, adorned with murals depicting scenes from mythology and royal life.

Visit the unique Ram Raja Temple and stroll along the Betwa River to view the chhatris, domed cenotaphs built in memory of Orchha’s kings, reflecting in the calm waters.

Accommodation: Amar Mahal, a hotel in traditional regional Bundelkhandi design, offers charm and comfort.

Board a scenic train from Jhansi to Bhopal, a lakeside city known for its grand mosques, elegant palaces, and Indo-Islamic architecture. Settle into a heritage hotel that reflects the city’s colonial past before a short orientation tour through Bhopal’s atmospheric old quarters and grand boulevards.

The next day, take a guided tour of Sanchi, home to the Great Stupa, an ancient Buddhist monument built to house sacred relics. Walk among its intricately carved gateways and explore nearby monastery ruins that tell stories of faith and art dating back over two thousand years.

Accommodation: Jehan Numa Palace, former royal residence, combines colonial elegance with warm, understated luxury.

Travel to Maheshwar, a serene town on the sacred Narmada River, once ruled by Ahilyabai Holkar, an 18th-century leader known for her wisdom and support of the arts. Stay within her former palace grounds, where stone courtyards overlook the ghats where daily rituals still unfold.

Explore the Ahilyeshwar Temple complex and visit the Rehwa Society, a women-led organisation preserving the intricate craft of Maheshwari weaving. Watch artisans create elegant handloom textiles using skills passed down through generations.

Take a day trip to Mandu, a deserted hilltop citadel known for its romantic legends and striking Afghan-style architecture. Highlights include the ethereal Jahaz Mahal, built to resemble a ship between two lakes; the echoing pavilions of Baz Bahadur and Roopmati, once home to the sultan and his beloved singer; and striking Afghan-style architecture set amid lush surroundings.

Accommodation: Ahilya Fort, a heritage residence offering elegant simplicity, riverside views, and heartfelt hospitality in an unforgettable setting.

Travel to Aurangabad and settle into a peaceful countryside retreat, an ideal base to explore two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Begin with the Ellora Caves, a remarkable complex of 34 rock-cut shrines dedicated to Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain faiths. Marvel at the Kailasa Temple, carved from a single rock and famed for its size and intricate sculptures.

The next day, visit the secluded Ajanta Caves, hidden in a forested gorge. These ancient Buddhist sanctuaries are renowned for their vivid murals and serene chaityas and viharas, offering a rare glimpse into spiritual life and art from over two thousand years ago.

Accommodation: Dhyaana Farms, a tranquil farm retreat near Ellora surrounded by nature, offering comfort, simplicity, and soulful connection to the land.

Fly to Mumbai, India’s bustling cultural and financial hub. Spend a restful evening at your hotel near the airport, enjoying modern comforts and a chance to relax before your onward journey.

Accommodation: The Leela Mumbai, a deluxe-grade modern hotel near the airport.

At your scheduled time, transfer to Mumbai International Airport for your onward flight, taking with you unforgettable memories of Central India tour’s artistry, history, landscapes, and living traditions.