Overnight flight to Delhi.

Arrive Delhi. Meeting and assistance by our Novaturient representative on arrival. Then transfer to The Imperial for 2 nights stay. Remainder of the day at leisure.

The Salaam Baalak Trust City Walk is a guided tour taken by ex-street kids of Delhi. The programme has enabled children to re-join mainstream life. Afternoon sightseeing of New Delhi includes the 16th C. Humayun's Tomb, a drive past India Gate, designed by Lutyens and dedicated to 90,000 soldiers of the Indian Army who died in World War I. Move towards central Delhi and visit the interesting Bangla Sahib Sikh Temple whose community kitchen feed thousands of people every day.

Morning drive to Agra. Check in at The ITC Mughal for 2 nights. Afternoon visit Agra Fort a vast complex, once, the capital seat of the Mughal Emperors. The magnificent red sandstone battlements literally hide a small town. The most impressive parts of the Fort are the Dewan-e-Am, where the Emperor dispensed justice to his subjects, and the Dewan-e-Khas, a reception area to receive foreign dignitaries.

Early morning sunrise visit to Taj Mahal, an immortal poem to love. As the sun rises so the Taj appears to come alive as the soft rays embrace the stone! Later watch the practice of kabootarbazi (pigeon flying). An ancient pastime and still carried out by around 200 families in Agra. Climb to the rooftop of a local house and watch the pigeons being released. This is a very authentic, traditional experience and is totally fascinating. Return to hotel for breakfast. After breakfast a guided heritage walk of Agra. This walk takes you through the old market and adjoining areas to feel the pulse of the real Agra. In the evening visit Sheroes Hangout Cafe. Here, women, survivors of heinous acid attacks, find empowerment and the ability to regain their dignity. They've formed a reader's cafe, an activism workshop, community radio hub and an exhibit space where works crafted by Sheores are on display.

After breakfast drive to Gwalior. Check in at Deo Bagh for an overnight stay. Afternoon visit the imposing Gwalior Fort, famously described as `The Pearl amongst Fortresses` in India. Perched on a hilltop the fort is an architectural marvel of the 8th C. In the evening a heritage walk of Gwalior to savour the history and culture.

Morning Shatabdi express train to Bhopal and stay at The Jehan Numa Palace for 2 nights. Afternoon at leisure.

Morning heritage walk of old Bhopal city. The City of Nawabs, Bhopal, is known for its rich historical past. Exploring on foot lets you get close to the city's cultural heritage. Visit includes the Moti Masjid, Iqbal Maidan, Gauhar Mahal, Sadar Manzil and the Shaukat Mahal. Afternoon sightseeing includes Bharat Bhavan for its wonderful collection of contemporary and tribal art and the Tribal Museum - situated in a prehistoric site strewn with numerous prehistoric painted rock shelters.

Morning drive to Dhar. On arrival check in at the Jhira Bagh Palace for 2 nights stay.

A day visit to Mandu, also called 'The City of Joy'. Mandu is an ancient Fort city celebrated for its architecture. The vast 37km of fortified wall is punctuated by 12 gateways. See the Hoshandshah Gori, considered to be the template for the Taj Mahal and the Ship Palace believed to have been constructed to house a harem of 15,000 ladies! Mandu is also famed for the delightful love story of Baz Bahadur and Rupmati.

Morning drive to Maheshwar. Check in at The Ahilya Fort for 3 nights. This heritage Fort has been sympathetically converted into a beautiful character hotel with all the modern amenities and comforts. Afternoon at leisure.

After breakfast sightseeing of Maheshwar - the Temple town - situated on the banks of the River Narmada. It's believed to have been in existence since the very beginning of Indian civilization and was mentioned in the epics of the Mahabharata and Ramayana. Explore the riverside Temples, visit the 16th.C. Fort with its archaeological museum. Finally relax on a sunset boat ride to Baneshwar Temple, considered to be the Centre of the Universe.

After breakfast a boat ride across the Narmada River takes you to the two sleepy villages of Naodatodi and Bothu. Enjoy a pleasant walk through a typical regional village to get a feeling of local life and activities. Afternoon visit the Rehwa Society and The Ahilya School. The not-for-profit Rehwa Society was started in the late '70s by the Holkars, with the objective of reviving the ancient hand weaving craft of Maheshwar - and giving employment to women. Today over 80 weavers are at work and their textiles are famous throughout India. Surplus profit from the sale of textiles supports the adjoining Ahilya School, which was started for weavers' children.

Morning drive to Burhanpur. Check in at MPT Tapti Retreat for an overnight stay. Afternoon sightseeing of Burhanpur founded in 1400 AD on the banks of the Tapti River, and, once the capital of the Mughal Empire. Its importance to the Mughals was due to its strategic location - The Gateway to Southern India. Burhanpur was the original site chosen for the Taj Mahal, but, due to the lack of white marble, Agra was selected.

Morning drive to Aurangabad, stopping enroute to visit the Ajanta caves, dating from around 200 BC to 650 AD. As Buddhism gradually declined, the Ajanta Caves were abandoned and gradually forgotten. In 1819 a British hunting party stumbled upon them and they were rediscovered for the world. Ajanta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On arrival in Aurangabad check in at Vivant By Taj for 2 nights

This morning visit Ellora caves. The incredible 34 rock-cut shrines represent Buddhist, Hindu and Jain art dating from the 4th to 9th C. AD. The most remarkable is the Kailash Temple - a replica of Lord Shivas celestial abode, Kailash. The craftsmanship is outstanding. Rest of the day at leisure.

Morning fly to Mumbai. Stay at The Gordon House for 2 nights. Afternoon sightseeing of Mumbai includes The Gateway of India, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the Marine Drive, Mani Bhavan- a modest two-storied Building which served as Gandhiji's Bombay headquarters for roughly seventeen years. Also see the Dhobi Ghat- an open-air laundry in Mumbai.

Morning walk around Kala Ghoda to see the architectural gems of colonial times. Take time exploring the area including the great fort, fascinating museums and art galleries filled with memories of colonial times. Afternoon at leisure.

Transfer to the airport to board your return flight back home.