Classic India

Assistance on arrival at Indira Gandhi International airport

Arrive Delhi, the Political Capital of India. Delhi is history, and the monuments are tablets on which the history is written. Every conqueror did his best to possess Delhi and make it his capital. It is not a single city but a combination of eight cities that have been established here from as early as 900 BC to 1930 when the British completed the construction of New Delhi as the capital of Imperial India. It is therefore not surprising that the monuments of Delhi successfully mirror the development of the architectural styles in the country. On arrival, once you have completed the Immigration formalities and collected your baggage, please proceed to the arrival lounge where you will be welcomed by the TOTAL HOLIDAY OPTIONS executive holding a placard who will assist you with a transfer.

Full day city tour of Old and New Delhi, visiting Spice Market with Rickshaw ride, Jama Masjid, Qutub Minar, followed by a drive-past tour of New Delhi

Proceed for a full day city tour, begin with Old Delhi with a drive past Red Fort to reach Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India built in red sandstone. Between the mosque and Chandni Chowk is a narrow shop-lined street along which you will be transported by cycle rickshaws on your most exhilarating journey of the tour. A rickshaw ride will take you through markets buzzing with people going about their daily chores, vendors selling their wares and shops decorated and ready for business. The rickshaw tour is a great way to discover a different aspect of Delhi and experience the energy of the city. Also visit Khari Baoli, a street in Old Delhi, known for its wholesale groceries and Asia's largest wholesale spice market selling all kinds of spices, nuts, herbs and other food products. Conclude your day with a visit to Qutab Minar; being one of the most important landmarks of Delhi, with calligraphy decorated interiors as well as inscriptions of verses of the Holy Quran.

Flight to Indore

After an early breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport to board the flight to Indore. Known as the Commercial Capital of Madhya Pradesh, Indore was the capital of the Holkars. The largest and most densely populated city in central India. Indore is also an important educational hub and the only city in India to have both Indian Institute of Management (IIM) and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT).

Assistance on arrival at Indore airport and travel to Maheshwar

Assistance on arrival at Indore airport and travel to Maheshwar - situated on the banks of the sacred Narmada River. The town holds significant historical importance as it served as the capital of the Holkar dynasty during the 18th century. It was under the reign of Queen Ahilyabai Holkar, a prominent ruler known for her administrative skills and devotion to the welfare of her people, that Maheshwar flourished and witnessed remarkable growth.

On arrival check in to your accommodation

On arrival check in to your accommodation with rest of the day at leisure.

City tour of Mandu and Maheshwar

Enjoy full day city tour of Mandu and Maheswar. Visit the ancient hill city of Mandu, once known as the `City of Joy' and noted for its fine Hindu and Muslim architecture. Jahaz Mahal, situated between two lakes is an architectural marvel as it looks like a ship floating in the water; Hindola Mahal, Baz Bahadura's Palace are some of the worth visiting sights at Mandu. Thereafter continue your journey to Maheshwar, which was a glorious city at the dawn of Indian civilisation when it was Mahishmati, capital of King Kartiviryarjun. Today, Maheshwar is also known for its distinctive hand-woven sarees called Maheshwari. Also visit the Maheshwari textile weavers; the shop next to the workshop is great for souvenirs. The Ghats here is the other characteristic features that give Maheshwar a distinctive look. Evening enjoy a boat ride at River Narmada before returning to your accommodation.

Travel to Bhopal

Travel to Bhopal, known as the City of Lakes for its various natural and artificial lakes and for being one of the greenest cities in India. After formation of Madhya Pradesh, the state capital Bhopal was a part of the Sehore district. Bhopal was formerly a part of Bhopal princely state, which was founded in 1723 by Dost Mohammad Khan, an Afghan warrior, and was the second largest Muslim principality of the British Empire. It was later ruled by the descendants of Dost Mohammad Khan known as the Nawabs and Begums (The female nawabs).

Check in at hotel

Assistance on arrival and check in at hotel.

Sanchi, Udaigiri and Vidisha Excursion

Morning embark on a full-day excursion visit to Sanchi, Udaigiri and Vidisha. “Sanchi” is a serene hill crowned by a group of stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars dating from the 3rd century BC to the 12th century AD. Later visit Vidisha or Besnagar as it is called in the pali sculptures which contain some remarkable antiquates that throw light on the considerable architectural development of the period.

Excursion to Bhimbetka and train to Umaria

After breakfast checkout and embark on an excursion to Bhimbetka, which lies 46 km south of Bhopal. In this rocky terrain of dense forest and craggy cliffs, over 600 rock shelters belonging to the Neolithic age were recently discovered. Here in vivid panoramic detail, paintings in over 500 caves depict the life of the prehistoric cave-dwellers. Evening in time transfer to the railway station to board overnight train for Umaria.

Assistance on arrival at railway station

Assistance on arrival at railway station and travel to Bandhavgarh.

Arrive Bandhavgarh and check in at Hotel

On arrival check-in at your accommodation.

Morning and afternoon jeep safari

Enjoy morning and afternoon game drive at most visited and tremendously famed Bandhavgarh National Park located in the Vindhya Hills of Umaria. Explore the Tiger Reserve mainly by following a network of jeep tracks that will lead us into the forested zones. Safari team will look for pugmarks and chase alarm calls to locate the elusive cats, while the herbivores are busy grazing in canopies and grasslands. Various birds like Sirkeer malkoha, Coppersmith barbet, long-tailed Drongo, Blue-throated bee-eater and King vultures are among the most priced avian treasures of Bandhavgarh. We will have periods of relaxation back at your lodge between the game drives. Relax in the comfort of your wildlife resort.

Travel to Khajuraho

Today proceed to Khajuraho, famous for its ancient temples that depict some of the finest art in the world. These temples depict various forms like meditation, spiritual teachings, kinship, wrestling, royalty and most significantly, erotic art.

Assistance on arrival and afternoon visit Khajuraho Temples

Assistance on arrival and transfer to your accommodation. Afternoon explore the Chandella temples, which are an excellent example of Indo-Aryan architecture and famed for their erotic sculptures. The temples depict an exquisite detail of the everyday life of people during that era. Built on high platforms, several meters off the ground, the stone used throughout is either granite or a combination of light sandstone and granite. Each of these temples has an entrance hall or mandapa, and a sanctum sanctorum or garbhagriha. The porch and hall have pyramidal roofs made of several horizontal layers. The inner sanctum's roof is a conical tower - a colossal pile of stone (often 30m high) made of an arrangement of miniature towers called Shikharas. The Khajuraho temples represent a happy and almost unique coincidence of religious emotion, abundant patronage, artistic genius, and aesthetic sensibility.

Travel to Gwalior, enroute visit Orchha

Assistance on departure and travel to Gwalior. En-route visit the Orchha Palace and Fort. The Raja Mahal inside the fort It is a fine example of Mughal architecture with typical latticework and arches. Continue your drive to Gwalior.

Check in at hotel

On arrival check in at hotel and evening free to relax or go shopping. Gwalior is famous for its Chandari, Maheshwari Silks and Handicraft.

Full day city tour visiting Gwalior fort, Gujari Mahal and Man Singh Palace

Morning after breakfast visit Gwalior Fort, located onto an isolated rock. The defensive structure of the fort comprises two main Palaces, temples and water tanks. Amongst it, the most acknowledged is the Teli-Ka-Mandir and Man Singh Palace. The former one was built in the Dravidian style shrine and its generously sculpted exteriors are highly appreciated. Quite a watch are the two pillared Saas-Bahu temples in the fort complex as well. Then there is the Mansingh palace, built by the king Man Singh in the 15th century. The reputed Palace has an amazing design. With blue ceramic tiles at the front facade and an impressive structure.

Travel to Agra

Morning travel to Agra, home to India's most famous landmark, the Taj Mahal. A poem of white marble, the Taj is described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love. On arrival, you will be assisted with a transfer. Rest of the day is free to relax.

Assistance on arrival, afternoon visit Agra fort and marble workshop

On arrival, you will be assisted with a transfer. Afternoon, begin your city tour with a drive pass traditional houses, local schools, British Raj Colonies to Mughal Era Architectures till you reach Agra Fort, built by Emperor Akbar, made with red sandstone, exhibits a fascinating mixture of Islamic and Hindu styles of artistry. The splendid structures within the fort, the ramparts and majestic gateways signify the immense power, wealth and confidence of the Mughal empire. While returning visit Marble factory to witness artisans creating beautiful marble handicrafts whose ancestors had worked during the construction of the Taj.

Morning visit Taj Mahal and travel to Jaipur

Early morning visit India’s most iconic landmark, the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The epitome of love, standing majestically on the banks of the river Yamuna, was built in the 17th century by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in loving memory of his queen. Made in pure white marble, ornated with semi-precious stones and built around a beautiful four gardens plan, it is universally admired as the greatest achievement in the whole range of Indo-Islamic architecture. Later assistant on departure and travel to Jaipur, the first planned city of India, is a treasure-trove of culture, art and history, famous for its color, lifestyle and Rajasthani cuisine.

Assistance on arrival and afternoon enjoy High tea at Rambagh Palace, evening is free

Assistance on arrival and check in at hotel. Later in the afternoon experience High tea at Taj Rambagh Palace. Savour the best teas of the world with an exquisite array of exotic canapés and pastries while watching the resident peacocks strut in the gardens. A platter of traditional high tea and snacks will be served with an array of sweets and savouries varies, which often includes scones with clotted Devon cream, light pastries, sandwiches and more. Rest of the evening is free to explore and indulge in shopping at the colourful bazaars of Jaipur.

Full day city tour visiting Amber fort with Jeep ride, en-route photo stop at Hawa Mahal and Jal Mahal; also visit to City Palace museum and Jantar Mantar

Morning tour of Jaipur starts with a drive to Amber fort. En-route photo stop at Hawa Mahal (Wind Palace). The fort complex built of red sandstone and marble boasts of various edifices of prominence like the diwan-i-Aam, Sheesh Mahal, Shila Devi Temple and ‘Ganesh Pol’ gate that leads to private palaces of the royal. The fort presents a beautiful blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture. Next photo stop at Jal Mahal, built in the mid of the lake. Visit City Palace which boasts to have some of the priceless handwritten Hindu scriptures, miniature delicate paintings, preserved painted ceilings and the elephant saddles, also registered in the Guinness Book of Records to contain the biggest silver objects in the world. The day ends with a visit to Jantar Mantar; the famed observatory is a complex of astronomical instruments chiselled out of stone which provides fairly accurate information to the day.

Assistance on departure to Jaipur Airport

In time assisted departure transfer to Jaipur airport to board your flight to onward destination.