India · Archaeology

Ancient Caves, Forts, Taj & Temples Expedition

14 Days Round trip from Pickup service provided in Mumbai. Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Visit the Elephanta Caves, Ajanta Caves, and Ellora Caves
  • 02 See the Taj Mahal at sunrise in Agra
  • 03 Explore Old and New Delhi, including Jama Masjid, Qutab Minar, and India Gate
  • 04 Discover Jaipur’s forts, palaces, bazaars, and Birla Temple
  • 05 Tour Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Gwalior Fort, and Orchha Fort
  • 06 Visit the Khajuraho temple groups and attend a light and sound show
  • 07 Experience Varanasi’s ghats, Ganga Aarti, and a morning boat ride
  • 08 Private transport, guided sightseeing, breakfast, and monument entries included

Discover India through a richly layered 14-day journey that brings together ancient cave complexes, grand forts, sacred temples, royal cities, and some of the country’s most iconic monuments. From Mumbai and the Elephanta Caves to the remarkable heritage of Aurangabad, Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Orchha, Khajuraho, and Varanasi, this itinerary blends history, architecture, spirituality, and local culture in one sweeping expedition.

Explore UNESCO-listed cave sites at Ajanta and Ellora, admire the grandeur of Amber Fort and Jaipur’s palaces, witness the Taj Mahal at sunrise, and experience the spiritual atmosphere of Varanasi with a boat ride on the Ganges and evening Ganga Aarti. With private transport, guided sightseeing, monument entries, and breakfast included, this tour offers a comprehensive way to experience many of India’s most celebrated highlights.

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.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 14 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Delhi, Gwalior, Mumbai, Aurangabad, Jaipur, Agra, Varanasi, Khajuraho, Orchha, Fatehpur Sikri, Sarnath
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

MumbaiOn 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.Overnight at hotel.

2
Day 02

MumbaiBreakfast 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.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.Overnight at hotel.

3
Day 03

Mumbai - Aurangabad (flight)Breakfast at hotel transfer to airport to board flight for Aurangabad.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.Overnight at hotel.

4
Day 04

Aurangabad - Ajanta - Aurangabad (104kms/ 2hrs approx one way)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.Evening back to hotel in Aurangabad for overnight stay.

5
Day 05

Aurangabad - Delhi (flight)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, 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).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.Later transfer to airport to board flight for Delhi. On arrival at Delhi airport assistance and transfer to hotel check in & overnight at hotel.Overnight at hotel.

6
Day 06

Delhi – Jaipur (265kms/ 5hrs approx)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.Sightseeing of New Delhi which includes Qutab Minar, Humayun Tomb, Lotus Temple & VVIP areas President House, Parliament & India Gate.Later afternoon drive to Jaipur check in & overnight at hotel.Overnight at hotel.

7
Day 07

JaipurBreakfast at hotel. Visit the majestic Amer Fort and Jaigarh Fort. Enjoy Jeep ride at Amber Fort.Later city tour visiting City Palace, Observatory, Palace of Winds, Albert Hall Museum and Birla Temple.Evening visit the colorful bazaars. As per your interest wrap up your day by watching Bollywood movie at the opulent Rajmandir Cinema.Overnight at hotel.

8
Day 08

Jaipur – Agra (245kms/ 5hrs approx)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.Overnight at hotel.

9
Day 09

Agra – Orchha (220kms/ 5hrs approx)Sunrise visit Taj Mahal. Breakfast at hotel visit Agra Fort and Itmad-ud-Daula Tomb.Drive to Orchha enroute visit Gwalior Fort.Continue drive to Orchha check in & overnight at hotel.Overnight at hotel.

10
Day 10

Orchha – Khajuraho (178kms/ 4hrs approx)Breakfast at hotel. Visit wonderful Orchha Fort, Temples and graceful Chhatris.Afternoon drive to Khajuraho check in at hotel. Evening light & sound show.Overnight at hotel.

11
Day 11

Khajuraho – Varanasi (Flight 9W-2424, 1405 / 1455hrs)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.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.Overnight at hotel.

12
Day 12

VaranasiBreakfast 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.City tour of Varanasi visit World famous Benaras Hindu Universit, The Ramnagar Fort Palace & Many Temples.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.Overnight at hotel.

13
Day 13

Varanasi – Mumbai or Delhi (Flight)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.Overnight at hotel.

14
Day 14

Mumbai or Delhi – DepartureBreakfast at hotel. As per your flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for your onward destination.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Pickup service provided in Mumbai. 11 cities · 14 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Breakfast
  • Assistance on arrival at the airport.
  • 13 Nights' accommodation (if option selected) in selected price category hotels.
  • Private AC car/van for airport transfers, sightseeing, and excursions as per the program.
  • English speaking tour guide on sightseeing days (local guide in each city), as per the program
  • Monument entrances and activity charges mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Bottled drinking water in the car.
  • Government taxes.

What's Not Included

  • Any flight ticket.
  • Camera charges at monuments if any.
  • Expenses of personal nature like liquor, laundry, tips, telephone, fax, internet, etc.
  • Gratuities and optional activities.

Know before you go

  • STROLLER OR PRAM ACCESSIBLE
  • PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION NEARBY
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not suitable for pets
  • Infants must not sit on laps
  • Infant seats unavailable
  • 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

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Pickup service provided in Mumbai.
Tour start
Pickup service provided in Mumbai.
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 14 days finish where they began, in Pickup service provided in Mumbai..

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