Caves and Ruins of Central India

After breakfast, head out for a half-day Mumbai city tour (5 hours). Visit Gateway of India, the most popular tourist attraction, it is the unofficial icon of the city of Mumbai and is a reminder of its rich colonial history as Bombay.

Afterward visit the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, followed by Victoria Terminus station, a former name for the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST). It is a historic railway station built in 1887 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The marvelous structure is an awesome illustration of the Victorian-Gothic style of architecture in India.

Then, visit other attractions of Mumbai like Marine Drive, Girgaun Chowpatty, Hanging Garden, Gandhiji’s House Of Mumbai, Colaba Causeway – Street shopping of souvenirs for friends, Crowford Market – Spice Market, Pets Market & Dry-fruits Market.

Reach back at the hotel by late afternoon. The evening will be at your leisure.

Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Mumbai.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast check out from the hotel. A private car will drop you at Mumbai airport. Board your flight for Aurangabad. Welcome to Aurangabad, which was declared by the Government as the Tourism Capital of Maharashtra back in 2010. It is a famous tourist hub that greets its visitors with a richly woven tapestry of sights and sounds. From UNESCO World Heritage Sites to bustling markets brimming with delicate silk items and exquisite hand-woven garments, Aurangabad promises all tourists an exciting holiday experience.

A Private car will pick you up from Aurangabad Airport and drop you at the hotel. Check-in at the hotel on arrival. In the evening visit the local market area.

Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Aurangabad.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast head out for sightseeing. Visit Ellora Caves, Another World Heritage Site that the town boasts of, are the Ellora caves, that one must not miss while in Aurangabad. The sculptures here, represent elements of three religions and do so grandly and beautifully. Visit The Kailasha or Kailashanatha Temple, the largest monolithic rock-cut structure in the world located in Cave 16 of Ellora Caves.  Carved out of single basalt rock from Charanandri Hills, it is one of the exceptional temples of India owing to its massive size, amazing architecture, and fascinating carvings.

Afterwards, visit Ajanta Caves. Located around 99 km from the town of Aurangabad, lie the Ajanta Caves now included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Ajanta caves depict the Buddhist culture and their stories through various sculptures and paintings. It also takes you to the world of Jatakas. Situated in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, the Ajanta caves are a set of 30 rock-cut Buddhist caves that date back to the period between the 2nd century BC and 650 CE.

Reach back at the hotel by evening. Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Aurangabad.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast check-out from the hotel and transfer to Aurangabad airport. Take flight for Goa. Welcome to the "Miami of India"! A potpourri of Indian and Portuguese cultures, sweetened with sun, sea, sand, seafood, susegad, and spirituality, Goa is India's small little paradise and one of the most favorite weekend getaways. This former Portuguese enclave is the ultimate Party Zone of India. It is a lazy, hazy paradise and attracts tourists from all over India and a very large number of travelers from all over the world. The biggest draw of Goa is undoubtedly its virtually uninterrupted string of golden-sand beaches.

A Private car will pick you up from Goa airport and transfer you to the hotel. Check-in at the hotel. The evening will be at your leisure.

Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Goa.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, head out to explore the charms & attractions of inland Goa. The private car will pick you up from the hotel and take you to Old Goa for the “Old Goa Walking Tour”. A walk through the remains of Goa’s former capital city provides the historical link from pre-Portuguese times to the present day where Old Goa is a World Heritage site, housing the best churches in all Asia.

In the late afternoon enjoy “Fontainhas Heritage Walk tour”. A walk through the old Latin quarter of Panjim - a satiating treat for photographers and history buffs as the place maintains to this day its Portuguese influence. Get access to heritage homes, appreciate Portuguese architecture, meet wonderful people, and experience the cultural side of Goa like never before.

Reach back to the hotel by evening.  Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Goa.

Meals: Breakfast

This will be a free day. After breakfast, the entire day will be at your leisure.

This day is for relaxing on the beach. Goa has a vast stretch of shorelines which forms a variety of beaches. The white sand beaches of Goa are a huge draw for tourists from all over India and around the world. You will find everything here from Golden sand, swaying palm groves, picturesque sunsets, water sports, shacks on the beach, seafood and drinks, parties, massage & yoga. Some beaches are peaceful, laid-back, and perfect for relaxation, while others are more happening places.

From north to south, there are more than 30 beaches to choose from in Goa. Most of them have their own reputation and character.

Overnight stays will be at the hotel in Goa.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast check out from the hotel and head towards Badami. Once the capital of the mighty Chalukya empire, today Badami is famous for its magnificent rock-cut cave temples, and red sandstone cliffs that resemble the Wild West. While the dusty main road is an eyesore that will have you wanting to get the hell out of there, its backstreets are a lovely area to explore with old houses, carved wooden doorways, and the occasional Chalukyan ruin.

Reach Badami by late afternoon. Check-in at the hotel on arrival. Evening will be at your leisure.

Dinner & overnight stay will be at the hotel in Badami.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and Visit Badami Cave Temples, have a simple exterior but their interiors have very ornate finishing. The entrance leads through a pillared verandah – mukha mandapa, pillars have a square form in sections. Three caves are adorned with a lavish frieze below the columns. The main hall of each temple – maha mandapa – is standing on massive columns.

Afterwards, visit The Bhutanatha group of temples. Located on the banks of Lake Agastya, Bhutanatha group of temples were built from local sandstone that is seen in the South Indian style of architecture. These temples are dedicated to Bhutanatha, an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Then visit Agastya Lake. The lake is situated just below the cave temples. It is believed in the local folklore that the lake has elements that have strange healing powers. 

After that head towards Hampi. Reach Hampi by evening. Check-in at the hotel on arrival and relax.

Dinner & overnight stay will be at the hotel in Hampi.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

After breakfast, set out for local sightseeing. Visit Hampi Group of Monuments. It became the centre of the Hindu Vijayanagara Empire capital in the 14th century. Chronicles left by Persian and European travelers, particularly the Portuguese, state Hampi was a prosperous, wealthy, and grand city near the Tungabhadra River, with numerous temples, farms, and trading markets.

Visit Virupaksha Temple in the group of monuments. Built during the 7th century, the beautiful architecture and history of the temple have made it a UNESCO World Heritage site. Afterwards visit Vijaya Vithala Temple, an ancient monument that is well-known for its exceptional architecture and unmatched craftsmanship. It is considered to be one of the largest and most famous structures in Hampi. The temple is located in the northeastern part of Hampi.

Reach back at the hotel by evening. Dinner & overnight stay will be at the hotel in Hampi.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

After breakfast check out from the hotel. A Private car will drop you at Hubli Airport. Board your flight for Mumbai. A Private car will pick you up from Mumbai airport and transfer you to the hotel.

Check-in at the hotel on arrival and relax. The evening will be at your leisure. Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Mumbai.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, check out from the hotel. A private car will drop you at Mumbai Airport.

Bid farewell with the memories of an amazing fun-filled 12-day trip through central India worth remembering for a lifetime!

Meals: Breakfast