Central India and Ahilya Fort

Board the Shatabdi Express train to Gwalior, a magical destination once the seat of power of several major Rajput kingdoms and famed for its magnificent fort. In the afternoon, enjoy a heritage walk through Kasera Oli, an old settlement that dates back nearly 200 years and is home to some of the oldest temples in Gwalior. Your tour includes a visit to the Chaturbhuj Nath temple, where you will also have the chance to see artisans crafting utensils using traditional techniques passed down through the generations.

Spend the morning exploring the imposing fort that towers above the city. Commanding a spectacular view of Gwalior, the majestic 8th-century fort once had a reputation as India’s most invincible fort, inspiring Babur to describe it as the pearl amongst the ‘fortresses of Hind’. The fort, which changed hands several times between the Mughals, Rajput and Afghans, was taken over by the British after the 1857 mutiny and houses the impressive Man Mandir Palace and the splendid Jain temples. Later, visit the Scindia Museum within the opulent Jai Vilas Palace.

Board the Shatabdi Express train to Bhopal this morning. Then, continue to Satpura National Park, a picturesque wildlife reserve and one of India’s best-kept secrets. Named after the Satpura Hill Ranges, the park’s rugged hills are covered in dense forests of teak and sal, while the broad meadows on its borders and the seasonal streams that run through the park add to the variety of habitats. The park provides shelter to wild dogs, hyenas, sloth bears, leopards, elusive tiger and Indian Bison, among other wildlife, and nearly 250 species of birds.

Rise early, cross the Denwa River by boat (shared basis), and witness the Satpura wildlife reserve come alive as dawn breaks. Listen to alarm calls and observe animals that stop by the river to drink and mugger crocodiles sunning themselves along the banks. Combine an elephant back safari with a walking safari for exhilarating up-close wildlife encounters in the afternoon.

Return to the park one final time for a jeep safari. In the afternoon, travel back in time as you discover the pre-historic cave paintings at Bhimbetka, regarded as India’s oldest site of human habitation. The paintings show striking similarities to Australia’s aboriginal rock paintings and depict the cave dwellers’ lifestyle and mundane everyday chores. Then, continue to the lake city of Bhopal, home to nearly 400 mosques.

Set off this morning to Sanchi, an import Buddhist pilgrimage centre and a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site renowned for its Buddhist stupa built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BC. Your guided tour of the ancient monasteries and temples at Sanchi narrates the rise and fall of Buddhist art and architecture and how these monuments were lost to obscurity and rediscovered by the British in the 19th century. Later this afternoon, discover the fascinating Muslim-dominated old city of Bhopal on foot. Visit the pink-washed Taj-ul-Masjid, one of India’s largest mosques and Jami Masjid, famed for its gold-spiked minarets. Enjoy a stroll through the colourful and crowded bazaar before returning to your hotel.

Drive through small towns and thriving villages will bring you to Maheshwar, a fabled town known as the ‘Varanasi of Central India’. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax and enjoy the facilities at your hotel.

Drive to Mandu, an ancient fortified town with a rich history and monuments showcasing distinct Afghan-style architecture. A guided tour of Mandu’s picturesque abandoned ruins reveals palaces, mosques and 14th-century temples. It includes a visit to the striking Hoshan Shah’s tomb, which is believed to have inspired the construction of the Taj Mahal. On returning to Ahilya Fort later this afternoon, enjoy a relaxing sunset cruise on the Narmada River and observe life as it unfolds along the river.

A short drive through rural central India will bring you to an ‘Om’ shaped island called Omkareshwar that has drawn Hindu pilgrims for centuries. Here, explore the atmospheric temples on the island and learn about a unique custom where devotees collect stones from the river and pile them along the bank with prayers to the goddess of the river. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Visit the weaving school for women at Maheshwar, which was established by Rani Ahilya Bhai nearly 250 years ago and still trains and employs women. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax and enjoy the facilities at your hotel. Alternatively, explore the markets independently.

Set off this morning to Indore, where you will visit the ancestral palace of the Holkars and the astonishing Kanch Mandir, a Jain Temple with intricate glass inlay work. Then, fly to Mumbai.

Today, you will be transferred from your hotel to Mumbai International Airport. On arrival, check in for your onward flight.