Treasures of Central India
Overview
Highlights
- A full on exploration of central India's historical and cultural riches beyond Mumbai
- Bijapur - Visit the vast Gol Gumbaz, the Deccan mausoleum of King Mohammed Adil Shah
- Ajanta and Ellora - Explore the UNESCO-listed painted caves and rock-cut temples
- 20
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Itinerary
Our journey through central India starts in Mumbai. Traditionally known as Bombay, the city is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra - it's also the most populated and richest city in India, so prepare to join the bustle. For those arriving in time, our tou...
Today we'll spend a full day sightseeing with our local guide. One highlight we'll visit is the area where the film 'Slumdog Millionaire' was set, a thriving and industrious quarter called Dharavi. We'll also visit the Mahatma Gandhi Museum where we'll learn about the...
This morning, you're free to explore Mumbai at your own pace. After an early lunch, we'll catch our train to Aurangabad. The journey takes around seven hours and gives us the opportunity to make friends with fellow local passengers and watch the ever-changing landscape roll by.
Meals Provided : Breakfast
This morning we'll make an excursion to the Ajanta Caves, located in a pass in the Vindhya Hills. A UNESCO World Heritage site, these rock-cut Buddhist caves date back to the second century BCE and include intricately cut temples and monasteries that contain a treasur...
This morning, we'll visit the Daulatabad Fort, towering 250m above the surrounding countryside on a volcanic lava rock. Its three main walls use spike-studded doorways as ingenious defences against elephant charges. Nearby are the World Heritage-listed Buddhist cave...
This morning, we'll arrive in Hyderabad and transfer to our hotel before beginning our guided tour. Founded in 1589, the city went on to father some of the richest men in India, due in no small part to the diamond mines around nearby Golconda. In the late morning, w...
Today we'll journey to Bidar, around a five-hour drive away - the roads are poor in this region, so expect a bumpy but leisurely ride. On arrival, we'll visit Bidar's fort with its ruined palaces and tombs of the Bahamani Kings. Large parts of the fort are now in ru...
This morning, we'll leave Bidar and drive to Gulbarga, the founding capital of the Bahmani dynasty. We'll take an orientation tour of the city, touching on the major sights, including the Bala Hissar Citadel, the elegant domed Jami Masjid, and the Tomb of Bahmani Sultans. Finally, we'll depart Gulbarga and continue our journey on to Bijapur.
Meals Provided : Breakfast
We'll start our day with a visit to the Gol Gumbaz, the vast mausoleum of its 17th-century ruler Mohammed Adil Shah. The mausoleum's unsupported dome is second in size only to St Peter's in Rome, an astounding 38 metres in diameter. We'll take a moment to test out the...
This morning, we'll wake up in Badami. Once the capital of the Chalukyan, Badami is now a small village - with a busy bazaar - nestled between sandstone hills. We'll take a short drive to the famous Cave Temples of Badami. A World Heritage Site, the temples were hewn ...
Today will be dedicated to exploring Hampi. The city was once the flourishing capital of the Vijayanagar Kings (14th to 16th centuries), who ruled one of the largest Hindu empires in Indian history. Suddenly destroyed in 1565 after the battle of Talikota, the ancient ...
Leaving Hospet behind, this morning we'll take the early Amaravati Express train to Madgaon, arriving at the palm-fringed shores of Goa in the late afternoon. The Portuguese landed here in the 16th century, under Alfonso de Albuquerque, and captured the Arab trade...
This morning we'll visit Old Goa where our tour leader will give us an orientation tour. The afternoon is then free to discover Goa at your own pace. We'll be based in Panaji, Goa's easy going capital; a friendly, sleepy town of narrow winding streets and whitewashed ...
Our tour of central India ends at our hotel in Goa. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight leaves later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like a hotel transfer, you'll need to depart from Goa's Dabolim Airport (GOI), around a one-and-a-half hour drive from the hotel.
Meals Provided : Breakfast
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Dates & Availability
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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Explore! Reviews & Ratings
Charles
Mar 2024
Treasures of Central India
Hard to pick out one gem amongst so many - every day the tour gave us another gem to see however, the caves and the temples were probably the highlights. The hotel i...
Peter
Feb 2024
Treasures of Central India
Great trip to a part of India not often visited by tourists
Richard
Feb 2024
Treasures of Central India
A very enjoyable and educational holiday with many fantastic sites to see and covering an enormous area. There was a lot of travelling and not much free time which ...
Trusted Customer
Feb 2024
Treasures of Central India
There were so many interesting and varied sites it is difficult to say which one was my favourite. The trip is not for the faint hearted or inexperienced traveller ...
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Tour Operator
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We've been taking small groups on adventure vacations for over 41 years. Our authentic adventure travel experiences explore the sights and culture of a country, with hand-picked accommodation that balances comfort and location. Our average group tour size is just 11; perfect for meeting new people and getting to the heart of our destinations. Explore is one of the world's most trusted adventure travel companies with over 350 trips to more than 100 countries. We are passionate about travel and have developed a wide range of unique activities and adventures which give our customers an unforgettable experience with a team of award-winning Explore leaders. With Explore, you'll get to see your destination from a whole new perspective that takes you away from the typical well-trodden tourist track. You'll have the chance to meet, dine and stay with local people, rest in authentic accommodation with other like-minded explorers and travel to must-see destinations with a unique Explore twist. From family holidays to trips for solo travelers; cycling tours to wildlife safaris; trekking on mountains or exploring miles of scenic coastline, there is something for every kind of traveler with Explore. We will provide our expert knowledge, exciting itineraries and outstanding service as part of our sustainable travel experiences which take you under the skin of the country you're visiting for the adventure of a lifetime.
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