Overview
Embark on a captivating journey with our "Ancient Caves, Forts, Taj & Temples Expedition" tour, delving into the rich tapestry of India's cultural and historical wonders. Begin your exploration in the vibrant city of Mumbai, where the bustling markets and iconic landmarks set the stage for an unforgettable adventure.
Traverse to Aurangabad to marvel at the rock-cut wonders of Ellora and Ajanta Caves, showcasing ancient Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain artistry. Fly to Delhi and then to the Pink City of Jaipur, where the majestic forts and palaces narrate tales of royal grandeur.
Witness the eternal beauty of the Taj Mahal at sunrise in Agra and continue your journey to Orchha, Khajuraho, and Varanasi, each brimming with architectural marvels and spiritual resonance. Conclude your odyssey in the bustling metropolis of Mumbai or the historic charm of Delhi, enriched with memories of a diverse and enchanting India.
- Recommended by 98% of travelers
- Badge of Excellence
- Free cancellation up to 6 days before
- Mobile ticket
What's included
Private AC car/van for airport transfers, sightseeing, and excursions as per the program.
13 Nights' accommodation (if option selected) in selected price category hotels.
Government taxes.
Bottled drinking water in the car.
Breakfast
Monument entrances and activity charges mentioned in the itinerary.
English speaking tour guide on sightseeing days (local guide in each city), as per the program
Assistance on arrival at the airport.
Any flight ticket.
Camera charges at monuments if any.
Meals other than mentioned in inclusions.
Expenses of personal nature like liquor, laundry, tips, telephone, fax, internet, etc.
Gratuities and optional activities.
Anything not mentioned in the inclusions.
Meeting and pickup
Pickup is offered for all travelers.
Good to know
Hotels used or similar
Mumbai x 2 nights
3* - Hotel Suba Palace/ BW Hotel Sahil
4* - Sun-N-Sand Hotel/ Fariyas Hotel
5* - Trident Hotel/ ITC Grand Central
Aurangabad x 2 nights
3* - 7 Apple Hotel Aurangabad / Ginger Aurangabad
4* - Ambassador Ajanta / VITS Hotel
5* - WelcomHotel Rama International / Lemon Tree Hotel
Delhi x 1 nights
3* - Madhuban Hotel/ Meridian Plaza
4* - The Royal Plaza/ Country Inn & Suite Saket
5* - Le Meridien/ The Claridges
Jaipur x 2 nights
3* - Redfox Hotel/ Park Ocean
4* - Fortune Select Metropolitan/ Lemon Tree Premier
5* - ITC Rajputana/ Hilton Jaipur
Agra x 1 nights
3* - Howard Plaza the Fern/ Atulyaa Taj
4* - Four Point by Sheraton/ Crystal Sarovar Premier
5* - Mansion Grand/ Courtyard by Marriott
Orchha x 1 night
3* & 4* - Orchha Resort/ Amar Mahal
5* - Orchha Palace and Convention Centrerchha x 1 night
Khajuraho x 1 night
3* - Ramada/Clarks Hotel
4* - Ramada/Clarks Hotel
5* - Radisson Hotel/ Hotel Chandela
Varanasi x 2 nights
3* - Meraden Grand/ Amaya Hotel
4* - Rivatas by Ideal/ Palace On Ganges
5* - Radisson Hotel/ Gateway Hotel Taj
Mumbai x 1 nights
3* - Hotel Suba Palace/ BW Hotel Sahil
4* - Sun-N-Sand Hotel/ Fariyas Hotel
5* - Trident Hotel/ ITC Grand Central
What to expect
Day 1 Mumbai
-
Mumbai
On arrival at Mumbai airport meet with our office executive assistance and transfer to hotel (hotels check in time 1200hr afternoon, early check in subject to rooms availability). Rest time free for personal activities relax.
Day 2 Mumbai
-
Elephanta Caves
2 hours Admission ticket included
Breakfast at hotel. Excursion to Elephanta Island located 10kms away from the Gateway of India. Motorboats take passengers from Gateway of India to Elephanta Island. These caves house rock cut temples dating back to the 5th century BC.
-
Gateway of India
2 hours Admission ticket included
Later Mumbai city tour. Visit the Gateway of India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (museum). Marine Drive which runs along the shoreline, starting at Nariman Point and up to Malabar Hill. Hanging Gardens laid out in 1881 these formally laid out gardens have a notable collection of hedges shaped like animals.
Day 3 Mumbai - Aurangabad (flight)
-
Aurangabad
Breakfast at hotel transfer to airport to board flight for Aurangabad.
-
Bibi Ka Maqbara
2 hours Admission ticket included
On arrival at Aurangabad airport assistance and transfer to hotel. Later city tour visit the Aurangabad Caves, which are artificial caves that were dug out of soft rock during the 6th and 7th century. Then, visit the Bibi Ka Maqbara - the burial place of Aurangzeb's first wife. Also visit a small archeological museum nearby.
Day 4 Aurangabad - Ajanta - Aurangabad (104kms/ 2hrs approx one way)
-
Ajanta Caves
4 hours Admission ticket included
Breakfast at hotel.Full day excursion to Ajanta Caves (Monday closed). The Buddhist Caves of Ajanta were discovered by the British officers in 1819 while tiger hunting. Ajanta Caves were first mentioned in the writings of the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang who visited India between A.D 629 and 645. The Caves at Ajanta are older than those at Ellora , which date from about 200 B.C to 650 A.D. Thirty beautiful Buddhist Caves with mesmerizing sculptures and paintings depicting Buddha's life as well the lives of the Buddha in his previous births. Five of these Caves are Chaityas (Place of worship) while the other twenty-five are Viharas (monasteries). Ajanta Caves are divided in two categories based on two schools of Buddhist thought - Hinayana Caves and Mahayana Caves.
Day 5 Aurangabad - Delhi (flight)
-
Ellora Caves
1 hour Admission ticket included
Breakfast at hotel.Excursion to visit the Ellora Caves (Tuesday closed), a UNESCO World Heritage Site from about 200 B.C. to 650 A.D. There are a total of 34 monasteries and temples at Ellora, belonging to the three different religions, namely - Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism.
-
Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple
1 hour Admission ticket included
Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga, one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines mentioned in the Shiva Purana. The temple is an important pilgrimage site in Shaivism tradition of Hinduism, which considers it as the last or twelfth Jyotirlinga (linga of light).
-
Daulatabad Fort
1 hour Admission ticket included
On way back visit Daulatabad Fort one of the most powerful forts of the medieval Deccan. The defence system that made Daulatabad virtually impregnable comprises fortifications with double and even triple rows of massive walls.
-
New Delhi
Later transfer to airport to board flight for Delhi. On arrival at Delhi airport assistance and transfer to hotel check in & overnight at hotel.
Day 6 Delhi – Jaipur (265kms/ 5hrs approx)
-
Red Fort
4 hours Admission ticket included
Breakfast at hotel followed by city tour of Delhi, visiting landmark of Old Delhi which include Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandni chowk & Khari Baoli Spice Market. Cycle Rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk.
-
Qutub Minar
3 hours Admission ticket included
Sightseeing of New Delhi which includes Qutab Minar, Humayun Tomb, Lotus Temple & VVIP areas President House, Parliament & India Gate.
-
Jaipur
Later afternoon drive to Jaipur check in & overnight at hotel.
Day 7 Jaipur
-
Amber Palace
2 hours Admission ticket included
Breakfast at hotel. Visit the majestic Amer Fort and Jaigarh Fort. Enjoy Jeep ride at Amber Fort.
-
Hawa Mahal - Palace of Wind
2 hours Admission ticket included
Later city tour visiting City Palace, Observatory, Palace of Winds, Albert Hall Museum and Birla Temple.
-
Jaipur
2 hours
Evening visit the colorful bazaars. As per your interest wrap up your day by watching Bollywood movie at the opulent Rajmandir Cinema.
Day 8 Jaipur – Agra (245kms/ 5hrs approx)
-
Fatehpur Sikri
2 hours
Breakfast at hotel drive to Agra enroute visit Abhaneri a small village popular for the amazing step wells and Temple. Also visit Fatehpur Sikri the 16th century ghost town. Further drive to Agra check in & overnight at hotel.
Day 9 Agra – Orchha (220kms/ 5hrs approx)
-
Agra Fort
4 hours Admission ticket included
Sunrise visit Taj Mahal. Breakfast at hotel visit Agra Fort and Itmad-ud-Daula Tomb.
-
Gwalior Fort
2 hours Admission ticket included
Drive to Orchha enroute visit Gwalior Fort.Continue drive to Orchha check in & overnight at hotel.
Day 10 Orchha – Khajuraho (178kms/ 4hrs approx)
-
Orchha Fort
1 hour Admission ticket included
Breakfast at hotel. Visit wonderful Orchha Fort, Temples and graceful Chhatris.
-
Khajuraho
Afternoon drive to Khajuraho check in at hotel. Evening light & sound show.
Day 11 Khajuraho – Varanasi (Flight 9W-2424, 1405 / 1455hrs)
-
Khajuraho Temples
1 hour Admission ticket included
Breakfast at hotel. Visit eastern, western & southern group of temples. The temple of Khajuraho are India’s unique gift to the world, representing, as they do, a paean to life, to love, to joy, perfect in execution and sublime in expression on account of their remarkable erotic sculptures.
-
Varanasi
2 hours
Later transfer to airport to board flight for Varanasi. Arrive Varanasi assistance and transfer to hotel. Evening Ghats’s & temples visit, attend Holy Ganga Aarti.
Day 12 Varanasi
-
Dasaswamedh Ghat
1 hour Admission ticket included
Breakfast at hotel. Early morning boat ride and Ghat visit along the Ganges and catch the scene of devotees bathing and praying in the sacred water.
-
Ramnagar Fort
2 hours Admission ticket included
City tour of Varanasi visit World famous Benaras Hindu Universit, The Ramnagar Fort Palace & Many Temples.
-
Sarnath
1 hour Admission ticket included
Afternoon excursion to Sarnath one of the three holiest sites for Buddhists where the Buddha delivered his first sermon in 528 BC. There are many temples here, representing the many cultures where Buddhism is the dominant religious philosophy.
Day 13 Varanasi – Mumbai or Delhi (Flight)
-
Mumbai
Breakfast at hotel. Time to relax and explore the city with your driver. Later as per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for Mumbai or Delhi. Arrive Mumbai or Delhi assistance and transfer to hotel. Rest time free and easy to relax or explore the city with your driver.
Day 14 Mumbai or Delhi – Departure
-
New Delhi
Breakfast at hotel. As per your flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for your onward destination.
Cancellation Policy
Cancel at least 6 full days before the start time: 100% refund.
Cancel between 2 and 6 days before the start time: 50% refund.
Cancel within 2 days of the start time: 0% refund.
Times are local to the experience (Asia/Kolkata).
Additional Information
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Each booking must include at least one adult.
FAQs about Ancient Caves, Forts, Taj & Temples Expedition
How long does Ancient Caves, Forts, Taj & Temples Expedition take?
It takes about 14 days.
Is pickup offered?
Pickup is offered for all travelers.
What's included?
- Private AC car/van for airport transfers, sightseeing, and excursions as per the program.
- 13 Nights' accommodation (if option selected) in selected price category hotels.
- Bottled drinking water in the car.
- Breakfast
- Monument entrances and activity charges mentioned in the itinerary.
- English speaking tour guide on sightseeing days (local guide in each city), as per the program
- Assistance on arrival at the airport.
What's not included?
- Any flight ticket.
- Camera charges at monuments if any.
- Meals other than mentioned in inclusions.
- Expenses of personal nature like liquor, laundry, tips, telephone, fax, internet, etc.
- Gratuities and optional activities.
- Anything not mentioned in the inclusions.
Which places does it visit?
It visits Elephanta Caves, Gateway of India, Aurangabad, Bibi Ka Maqbara, Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, Daulatabad Fort.
Which languages is it offered in?
It is offered in English.
What fitness level is needed?
It is suitable for all physical fitness levels.
Is it suitable for children?
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Operated by Agora Voyages OPC Pvt. Ltd.
