Madhya Pradesh tailor made holiday, India
The cost range is budget to five-star heritage.
Description of Madhya Pradesh tailor made holiday, India
Madhya Pradesh, affectionately known as the soul of the Indian subcontinent, offers some of the richest and most varied historic architectural and experiences in the country, and on this tailor made holiday you’ll discover a region of India that is entirely unique. You'll visit prehistoric caves dating back to 10,000 BC as well as fascinating ancient temple architecture, including the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Bhimbetka and Khajuraho. With its bold sculpture depictions of erotica and sensuality, Khajuraho paved the way for emboldened architectural expression as early as 9th century AD, and is still thought of today as among the best examples of temple architecture in India.
This trip also offers the chance to go in search of the tiger! You'll delve deep into the National Parks of Bandavgarh and Kanha on private jeep safaris and stay in remote jungle lodges in tree-top huts. Madhya Pradesh offers some of country's finest wilderness areas, which are home not just to big cats, but to plentiful other wildlife and birds.
There's no better way to cap this experience off than to finish in the urban jungle of Mumbai. While in Mumbai, we'll not only walk you through the unique and rich history of the Colaba, we'll offer you unique experiences such as visiting the lively Dhobi Ghat (Washerman's village), sampling the local street food and visiting historic Irani Cafes.
Itinerary
| Days 1-2 | Bhopal with Sanchi & Bimbetka Caves - You begin this odyssey by flying into the town of Bhopal from Mumbai where you arrive. Bhopal will be your base to allow us to showcase the vast cave complex of Bhimbetka, with cave paintings that date back to the Paleolithic Era right up to the medieval periods of our civilization and the ancient Stupas at Sanchi. |
| Days 3-4 | Gwalior’s Impregnable Fortress - You take a day train north to the fortress city of Gwalior where we’ll explore the extravagance and architectural prowess of the Scindia Maharajas of Gwalior. |
| Days 5-6 | The Temples and Cenotaphs of Orchha - You proceed overland on a journey south-east across the state to the small riverside temple town of Orchha. We’ll take you through this ancient 11th-century capital town of the Bundela Kings of the Gangetic Plains to explore their fascinating Mahals, their family temples and the grand Cenotaphs built in their memory. |
| Days 7-8 | Sensuality in Stone at Khajuraho - We proceed further south to the experience one of India’s only medieval Hindu and Jain temple complexes that expresses sensuality and eroticism in it’s fascinatingly carved series of stone sculptures. |
| Days 9-11 | The Heart of the Tiger, Bandavgarh - You’ll find yourselves immersed in all things wild and Tiger as you scour the jungle of Bandavgarh in the hopes to spot the elusive Big Cat. |
| Day 12 | Mumbai’s Heritage and Street Food walking trail - Returning to Mumbai, we’ll cap the trip with a uniquely guided walking trail through Mumbai’s historic Colaba where apart from history, we’ll also showcase some amazing culinary landmarks and street food favourites. |
| Day 13 | International Departure - You depart from Mumbai for your flight back home. |
Price information
The cost range is budget to five-star heritage.
Departure information
Travel guides
Responsible Travel
Planet
Jungle Eco-AccommodationWe ensure we always try and use properties such as Bagh Sarai situated next to the Bandavgarh Tiger Park for our travelers to Madhya Pradesh.
We strongly support their style of construction of their guest cottages on the property as we believe that they are done with the local ecology in mind. One of their style of accommodation called the Jhopri are designed to reflect the style of the local tribal village homes. Constructed using four layers, beginning with local thatch, then bamboo, with a structure of raft and wood blocks which is finally lined on the inside with a fine cotton liner, these jhopri cottages are the perfect insulators - being cool in the summer and warm in the cooler winter months in the jungle. With an open design it ensures no energy consumption in the day and with light khaki colours on the outside, it makes these cottages very efficient and in harmony with it's surroundings.
For the more eco-conscious the property also offers plain cotton tented accommodation on the property, setup though with all the basic amenities for a comfortable stay, yet retaining all natural elements of building construction.
People
Local Village staffWe encourage properties such as Bagh Sarai at Bandavgarh because of their policy of using local village staff entirely for their property. Tribal boys and men employed from the local village communities in Bandavgarh today have become long term serving staff on the property who not only have a sense of being empowered but also share a strong sense of responsibility to showcase the Tiger park in a manner that's responsible.
Medical care for the local villages
A portion of the revenue earned from travelers and guest stay on the property initially went toward land purchased for a local dispensary for the villages and tribal communities that are situated near the property. Given the distance to the nearest hospital, the property aided the construction of this local dispensary that is now partly run from the revenue earned.
Tribal artifact Shop
With a local tribal-owned and run shop on the property, we encourage our guests to shop locally for authentic tribal artifacts directly sold by the Tribals on the property. All profits earned from the sale of these artifacts goes directly back to the tribal families and their direct welfare.
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