The other face of India: Madhya Pradesh is little touched by tourism and offers a multitude of sites of breathtaking beauty and places immersed in the purest Hindu mysticism. It is a region of exceptional interest for enthusiasts and connoisseurs of India, but it can also offer a new visitor a strong impression of the magic of this land. Gujarat is a land where you will find fantastic people, always kind and helpful, and a truly vast ethnic-cultural variety: tribal villages, Muslim cities, Jainist temples, desert, sea, in short, everything and more…

Day 01: ARRIVAL DELHI

Upon arrival Meeting with our representative at the airport, assist, and transfer to the hotel. Immediate accommodation in the rooms available from the previous evening. In the afternoon, visit the Akshardham Hindu temple, the largest Hindu complex in Delhi, also known as Swaminarayan Akshardham, named after an Indian culture guide. The temple, recently built as it was inaugurated in 2005, is the ideal place to experience the tradition, culture, spirituality, heritage and architecture of India: its construction is based on different popular architectural styles Indians, which mirror different parts of the country. Embellished with sculpted figures of deities, animals and dancers on each wall of the monument, the temple was built without the use of concrete and steel, but only with pink Rajasthani sandstone, marble and wood. One of the most important halls is the Hall of Values, also called Sahajanand Pradarshan, in which numerous productions can be seen, portraying the events of Swaminarayan’s life and his message of peace and humanity. Return to the hotel and overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel and departure at 06.15 with the Shatabadi Express fast train, one of the fastest trains in India, for Gwalior (arrival scheduled for 09.30), a chaotic town in the North of Madhya Pradesh, located in its most arid, between the plateau and a rocky hill, on which the majestic fortress is perched. An inscription located inside the fort testifies that a temple dedicated to Surya, the sun, was erected here during the Hun reign of Mihiragula in the 5th century AD: it was therefore a place venerated since ancient times, perhaps also thanks to the presence of natural springs of water, so rare in the rest of the area. Gwalior, after having been the domain of the Rajput Prathiara and Kacchavaha clans, became a vassal of the Chandella of Khajuraho in the early 11th century. These were followed by the Paramaras, remained in power until 1232, when the city fell under the rule of the Delhi Sultans. In the 14th century the Tomara dynasty took possession of the area, and with their ruler, Raja Man Singh (1486-1516), Gwalior reached its peak. It returned to independence in 1732, with the Scindia clan, of Maratha ethnicity, becoming the capital of their powerful state. Visit the Mausoleum of Muhammad Ghaus, a monument of considerable importance influenced by the Mughal style of the Muslim court of Delhi. Built in the 16th century, it houses the extremely refined cenotaph of one of Emperor Akbar’s spiritual masters, surmounted by an elegant dome, while next to it is the tomb of the great 16th-century musician Mian Tansen, one of the precious jewels of Akbar’s court. Great. In the afternoon we visit the Citadel, on top of which you can see the Man Mandir fort, which is due to the Raja of the Tomara Man Singh dynasty and is one of the oldest examples of Hindu palatine architecture, which has come down to us unaltered, and the Sas temples Bahu, two buildings from the second half of the 11th century, the larger of which consists of a two-story portico and a three-story central body with a 12-edge plan. This will be followed by a visit to the Telika Mandir temple, the temple of the Teli, caste of oil sellers, which was dedicated by the Prathiaras in the 9th century to Shakti, the divine feminine energy, and is a massive square construction adorned with side niches, framed by cornices and surmounted by horseshoe gables. Return to the hotel and overnight. which is due to the Raja of the Tomara Man Singh dynasty and is one of the oldest examples of Hindu palatine architecture, which has come down to us unmanipulated, and the Sas Bahu temples, two buildings from the second half of the 11th century, the largest of which is made up of a two-story portico and a three-story central body, with a 12-edge plan. This will be followed by a visit to the Telika Mandir temple, the temple of the Teli, caste of oil sellers, which was dedicated by the Prathiaras in the 9th century to Shakti, the divine feminine energy, and is a massive square construction adorned with side niches, framed by cornices and surmounted by horseshoe gables. Return to the hotel and overnight. which is due to the Raja of the Tomara Man Singh dynasty and is one of the oldest examples of Hindu palatine architecture, which has come down to us unmanipulated, and the Sas Bahu temples, two buildings from the second half of the 11th century, the largest of which is made up of a two-story portico and a three-story central body, with a 12-edge plan. This will be followed by a visit to the Telika Mandir temple, the temple of the Teli, caste of oil sellers, which was dedicated by the Prathiaras in the 9th century to Shakti, the divine feminine energy, and is a massive square construction adorned with side niches, framed by cornices and surmounted by horseshoe gables. Return to the hotel and overnight. and the Sas Bahu temples, two buildings from the second half of the 11th century, the larger of which consists of a two-story portico and a three-story central body with a 12-edge plan. This will be followed by a visit to the Telika Mandir temple, the temple of the Teli, caste of oil sellers, which was dedicated by the Prathiaras in the 9th century to Shakti, the divine feminine energy, and is a massive square construction adorned with side niches, framed by cornices and surmounted by horseshoe gables. Return to the hotel and overnight. and the Sas Bahu temples, two buildings from the second half of the 11th century, the larger of which consists of a two-story portico and a three-story central body with a 12-edge plan. This will be followed by a visit to the Telika Mandir temple, the temple of the Teli, caste of oil sellers, which was dedicated by the Prathiaras in the 9th century to Shakti, the divine feminine energy, and is a massive square construction adorned with side niches, framed by cornices and surmounted by horseshoe gables. Return to the hotel and overnight. which was dedicated by the Prathiara in the 9th century to Shakti, the divine feminine energy, and is a massive square construction decorated with lateral niches, framed by cornices and surmounted by horseshoe-shaped tympanums. Return to the hotel and overnight. which was dedicated by the Prathiara in the 9th century to Shakti, the divine feminine energy, and is a massive square construction decorated with lateral niches, framed by cornices and surmounted by horseshoe-shaped tympanums. Return to the hotel and overnight.

After breakfast, departure by coach for 70 km south of Gwalior. Continuation to Datia, a small rural town and municipality in the district of the same name, where you can visit a beautiful sixteenth-century palace of Rajput architecture. In the afternoon, excursion to visit Metavali and Bateshwar temples, a 1,300 year old temple complex. Stylistically, the temples belong to the post-Gupta period and to that dating back to the Prathiara dynasty, around the eighth and tenth centuries AD, when it encouraged the construction of buildings for the development of art, architecture and knowledge. About 200 sandstone temples, concentrated on about ten hectares, dedicated to Vishnu and mostly to Shiva: in fact it is said that the name of the place, Bateshwar, derives from Bhuteswar, one of the local appellations of Shiva.
Return to the hotel and overnight.

After breakfast, transfer to Gwalior railway station, where you take the same train to Bhopal, departing around 09.40 am. Arrival around 14:05, transfer to the Noor-us-Sabah Palace hotel, one of the palaces of the nabob of Bhopal. Bhopal, a city in central India and capital of the district of the same name, was founded by the king of Parmara, Bhoj (1000-1055). Originally called Bhojpal, from the name of the ruler and from the Indian word “pal” which means dam, it was built on the site where King Bhoj created an artificial lake by damming the course of the Kolans River with an earth dam. During the seventeenth century the city was part of the Mughal empire, which extended to a large part of India and was led by a ruling class with moderate and tolerant ideas, while during the eighteenth century the city was enriched with magnificent palaces and mosques. In 1724 the city became the heart of a Muslim kingdom created by the Afghan general Dost Mohammed Khan, later destroyed by British colonization, under which Bhopal was distinguished by its rich Muslim culture, traditions of tolerance and progressive institutions: all this happened thanks to the government of four Muslim women (Begum, 1819-1926), who had imposed free primary education for all and also favored the emancipation of women. Literature, poetry, painting and music thus had a strong development. In the afternoon visit the most significant places and monuments of Bhopal: the Taj-Ul-Masjid mosque, one of the largest mosques in India, a gigantic pink building surmounted by three white domes and flanked by two mighty white domed minarets. This will be followed by a visit to the Jama Masjid mosque, which is located in the heart of the bazaar, and a mosque with several dark red minarets, ending in golden spiers. Visit the temple of Lakshmi Narayan, also called Birla Mandir, from which you can enjoy a splendid view of the lakes and the old city. Return to the hotel and overnight.

After breakfast, excursion to Sanchi (50 km), a small town in India where numerous Buddhist monuments can be found and inhabited from the 3rd century BC to the 12th century BC. It was not the scene of any episode in the life of Buddha, but it is related to the son of the great Mauryan emperor Ashoka, Mahendra, patron of Buddhism. The city began to expand under the Gupta dynasty starting from the 5th century AD, and then stopped in the 13th century, with the end of the great kingdoms that had promoted the expansion of commerce and urban settlements, favoring the development of a small mercantile bourgeoisie town that carried trade, so much so that numerous monasteries arose along the caravan routes, places of hospitality for travellers. With the Islamic invasion and the destruction of these centers, Sanchi had a steep decline, until it was rediscovered by English officers during the 1800s. We will visit an archaeological complex unique in the world, the largest Buddhist sanctuary in India, built between the 3rd century BC and the 7th century AD There are no links between this place and the life of the Buddha, but it was the great emperor Ashoka, the second founder of Buddhism, who had the first stupas erected in the 3rd century BC, to which numerous other religious buildings would be added over the centuries. The myth tells that after the cremation, the Buddha’s remains were divided among the major warrior clans, who had participated in the funeral and to which both the Buddha and Ashoka belonged: on these sacred relics the first 10 stupas. The impressive stupa, with four access portals called “Torana” which open to the four cardinal points, entirely sculpted, it represents one of the finest examples of Buddhist art in India and incorporates a smaller fired brick construction attributed to Ashoka. During the second century BC it was rebuilt by enlarging it and adding a terrace with a double access stairway, balustrades, an ambulatory and the harmika, a square balustrade that surmounts the building, in the shape of a reliquary. The sculptures are of very fine quality and date from around the 3rd and 1st century BC. Nearby, there are also ruins of temples, monasteries, and a small archaeological museum. Continuation with departure by coach for the visit of Bhojpur (62 km), for the visit of a great 13th century Shiva temple, built by Raja Bhoj, a Rajput prince. The temple contains the Lingam, the life force symbol of India’s largest God Shiva, 2.3m high and 5.3m in circumference. followed by a visit to a monolithic Jain shrine which houses an imposing statue of Mahavira more than 6 m high. Traveling another 20 km, you will visit the prehistoric site of Bhimbetka (46 km from Bhopal) with caves containing interesting prehistoric paintings, of which the oldest probably date back more than 12,000 years, while the more recent ones, which represent simple geometric figures, could be from medieval times. About 600 caves with interesting paintings have been discovered and almost half have ancient paintings depicting the daily life of the various populations that have lived in these places. Return to the hotel and overnight. The temple contains the Lingam, the life force symbol of India’s largest God Shiva, 2.3m high and 5.3m in circumference. followed by a visit to a monolithic Jain shrine which houses an imposing statue of Mahavira more than 6 m high. Traveling another 20 km, you will visit the prehistoric site of Bhimbetka (46 km from Bhopal) with caves containing interesting prehistoric paintings, of which the oldest probably date back more than 12,000 years, while the more recent ones, which represent simple geometric figures, could be from medieval times. About 600 caves with interesting paintings have been discovered and almost half have ancient paintings depicting the daily life of the various populations that have lived in these places. Return to the hotel and overnight. The temple contains the Lingam, the life force symbol of India’s largest God Shiva, 2.3m high and 5.3m in circumference. followed by a visit to a monolithic Jain shrine which houses an imposing statue of Mahavira more than 6 m high. Traveling another 20 km, you will visit the prehistoric site of Bhimbetka (46 km from Bhopal) with caves containing interesting prehistoric paintings, of which the oldest probably date back more than 12,000 years, while the more recent ones, which represent simple geometric figures, could be from medieval times. About 600 caves with interesting paintings have been discovered and almost half have ancient paintings depicting the daily life of the various populations that have lived in these places. Return to the hotel and overnight.

After breakfast, departure by coach for Indore, and along the way visit Ujjain (Km. 190 about 4:30 hours), located along an ancient road traveled by merchants and caravans. The town saw the first historical references to the times of the historical Buddha, when it was the capital of the kingdom of Avantī. Under the Magadha Kingdom, especially under the father of the emperor Ashoka, Ujjain experienced a period of strong development, so much so that during the sixth and seventh centuries, it became an important center for the development of mathematical and astronomical sciences. With the end of the Gupta dynasty and the rise of the Parmara dynasty, Ujjain found itself at the center of numerous turmoil and invasions, which led to the decline of the city, which today is part of the administrative region of Madhya Pradesh. Ujjain is one of the seven holy cities of Hinduism, a pilgrimage destination of the importance of Varanasi. Every 12 years an oceanic religious gathering, the Kumbh mela, is held, which draws millions of worshipers for the ritual bathing of the Shipra River. Visit the Mahakaleshwar temple, dedicated to Shiva, considered a sacred place by Hindus as it houses one of India’s 12 jyoti lingams, the twelve sacred temples that house the phallic symbol of Shiva. The glory of this magnificent temple has been described in various Puranas (ancient sacred texts) and extolled by various poets. The temple is located near the lake and is spread over five different levels. The structure, located within a very large courtyard, is surrounded on all sides by massive walls and lit by brass lamps in its underground level. Next to the temple, there is an impressive statue of Ganesha. Later you will visit Harsiddhi temple, built by Marathas, and dedicated to Goddess Annapurna. Continue to Indore(60 km approximately 1h30) . Upon arrival check-in at the hotel and overnight.

After breakfast, departure by coach for Dhar (Km. 240 about 7 hours). On the way, stop and visit Omkareshwar (Km. 80), an island located at the confluence of the two rivers Kaveri and Narmada and an important destination for Hindu pilgrimages. Visit Shri Omkar Mandhata temple dedicated to Shiva, built using an easily workable local stone, which enabled the craftsmen to make meticulously carved decorations, especially on the top of the building. Then visit Maheshwar (km. 60), known above all for the cotton and silk saris woven here. Also mentioned in many Indian epics, such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, Maheshwar was in the past a real hotbed of culture, religion and politics, as evidenced by most of the temples and fortresses of the eighteenth century, mostly built by Rani Ahilya Bai, a ruler loved and revered by the people. Of strong impact are certainly the fortress, which dominates the landscape of Maheshwar, the temples of Kaleshwara, Rajaraheshwara, Vithaleshwara and Ahileshwara of several floors, with finely worked doors and balconies, and the archaeological site of Navdatoli, discovered in 1950, with finds also dating back to the Paleolithic. Continuation to Dhar and the archaeological site of Navdatoli, discovered in 1950, with finds also dating back to the Paleolithic. Continuation to Dhar and the archaeological site of Navdatoli, discovered in 1950, with finds also dating back to the Paleolithic. Continuation to Dhar(Km. 88) , where there will be accommodation in a suggestive period building converted into a hotel and overnight stay.

After breakfast, visit Dhar, which was the capital of the Malwa dynasty until the 12th century. Visit the fort, which offers a beautiful view of the landscape, and visit the Bhojshala mosque, an imposing stone building that preserves ancient Sanskrit inscriptions, the Lat masjid mosque and the tomb of the famous Muslim saint Kamal Maula. After the visit continue to Mandu (35 km), one of the largest fortified cities in the world. It is one of the most interesting and fascinating destinations of central India, an important fortress city with 75 km of wall, a true fairyland. After the visit continue to Dhar. Overnight at Hotel.

After breakfast, departure by coach for Baroda (Km. 270 about 7 hours). Along the way, stop at Champaner- Pavagadh, an archaeological park included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2004. It is the only Islamic city dating back to the era before the advent of the Great Mogul and remained unchanged in its original state. Visit the Jami Masjid mosque, whose construction began in 1523 and was financed with the loot from the various conquests. Richly decorated on the outside with 172 columns, it has two minarets of about 30 meters and an impressive façade, characterized by tall minarets flanking the entrance to the nave, perpendicular to the “gibla” which indicates the direction towards Mecca. The mosque has a three-level structure and ends with a dome supported by two orders of columns, surrounded by other smaller columns, which guarantee the lighting of the prayer hall. We will also visit the 15th-16th century Islamic monuments of the highest quality and the Pavagadh hill, which means “quarter hill”, with the ruins of an impressive three-story fortress with several Hindu shrines. Continuation to Baroda. Arrival and accommodation in hotel and overnight.

After breakfast, visit of Baroda, where the Lakshmi Vilas palace stands, residence of the Maharajahs (closed to the public), with architectural influences not only from Rajput and Gujrati, but even from Venice and Gothic. Visit the Naulakhi Well, a refined baoli, the typical multi-level well, characteristic of western India, and visit the Maharajah Fateh Singh museum. The museum exhibits a rich art collection of Maharajah Fateh Singh, as well as reproductions of works by Raphael, Titian and Murillo, as well as some Greco-Roman, Chinese, Japanese and Indian works of art. The Baroda Museum, which stands inside the Sayaji Bagh Park and is surrounded by a mini toy railway, was founded in 1887 by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III and finished in 1894, when it was opened to the public. The construction of the art gallery began in 1908, completed in 1914, but opened only after the end of the First World War, due to the late transfer of the art pieces intended for the gallery from Europe. In the afternoon departure by bus to Bhavnagar (250 km. Approximately 6 hours), with a stop in Lothal, an archaeological site of great interest discovered in 1954: more than 4,500 years ago there was a city that had contacts with the Indus valley civilization , with the centers of Harappa and Mohenjodero, and had trade relations with Mesopotamia, Egypt and Persia. Continue to Bhavnagar. Arrival and accommodation in hotel and overnight. due to the late transfer of the art pieces destined for the gallery from Europe. In the afternoon departure by bus to Bhavnagar (250 km. Approximately 6 hours), with a stop in Lothal, an archaeological site of great interest discovered in 1954: more than 4,500 years ago there was a city that had contacts with the Indus valley civilization , with the centers of Harappa and Mohenjodero, and had trade relations with Mesopotamia, Egypt and Persia. Continue to Bhavnagar. Arrival and accommodation in hotel and overnight. due to the late transfer of the art pieces destined for the gallery from Europe. In the afternoon departure by bus to Bhavnagar (250 km. Approximately 6 hours), with a stop in Lothal, an archaeological site of great interest discovered in 1954: more than 4,500 years ago there was a city that had contacts with the Indus valley civilization , with the centers of Harappa and Mohenjodero, and had trade relations with Mesopotamia, Egypt and Persia. Continue to Bhavnagar. Arrival and accommodation in hotel and overnight. and had trade relations with Mesopotamia, Egypt and Persia. Continue to Bhavnagar. Arrival and accommodation in hotel and overnight. and had trade relations with Mesopotamia, Egypt and Persia. Continue to Bhavnagar. Arrival and accommodation in hotel and overnight.

After breakfast, departure by coach for the sight of Palitana (50 km) a wonder of India, the sacred city for Jains on the hill of Shatrunjaya, also known as the place of victory. Pilgrimage destination and symbol of asceticism, it houses more than eight hundred marble temples (863 to be precise) built over 900 years, which are distributed on the two tops of the hill within a series of “Tuks”, powerful defensive walls built for the more around the 9th and 10th centuries, destroyed by the Muslims and rebuilt from the 15th century onwards. You go up on foot along a stairway about 2 km long, with more than 3,000 steps, but not difficult to deal with. Typical of Palitana, and very rare elsewhere in India, is the temple on two or more floors with open cells on four, as hosting a four-faced Tirthankara image. The whole day is entirely dedicated to the religious visit. After the visit proceed to Ahmedabad(Km 220 about 4 hours) . Upon arrival, accommodation and overnight.

After breakfast, departure by coach for excursions to Modhera and Patan (Km. 325 about 8 hours in total round trip). Visit the temple of the Sun of Modhera, one of the most beautiful expressions of Indian architecture, wanted in the 11th century by King Bhimdeva I of the Solanki dynasty, where you can admire complex and refined decorative sculptures. Two separate structures stand on a high base, the Sabhamandapa, pavilion of the assemblies, and the actual sanctuary divided into Gudhamandapa, or covered pavilion, preceded by the portico, and Garbhagriha, the cell surrounded by an ambulatory, once covered by a pyramid, the first and from the Shikhara, the nagara-style tower, the second. A series of earthquakes over the centuries have partially destroyed these superstructures. The outer walls are decorated with images of Surya in the seven-horse chariot, celestial deities and nymphs, animals, mythical figures and objects of exquisite workmanship. Numerous pairs of lovers, Mithuna, always associated with sun worship and fertility. The Sabhamandapa, perhaps used for dancing, is open on all four sides with stairways leading to as many polylobed access arches. Another 30 km. and visit of Patan, where the most sumptuous baoli “stepwell” of Gujrat is located. Patan is also famous for its beautiful patola silk sarees. Visit Rani-ki-vav, a recently restored well-palace built in 1050, featuring steps, offering some of the finest sculpture in Gujrat. The grandeur of the well is truly a sight not to be missed. If there is time, on the way back, visit the 15th-16th century Adalaj Wav well-palace, one of the most beautiful wells in Gujrat. Return to Ahmedabad. Overnight at Hotel.

After breakfast, city tour of Ahmedabad, the largest city of Gujrat and one of the major industrial centers of India. In the past the city was an important trade center with the West, facilitated by maritime traffic: this led to the construction of mosques and prestigious buildings. Most of the ancient city walls, which boasted 12 entrance gates and 139 towers, have been destroyed, but fortunately some beautiful Islamic monuments are still preserved in the old city, built between 1430 and 1540, when the city was the capital of the wealthy Sultan of Gujrat. The fortified Bhadram citadel, built in 1411 by the Dada city founder Hari Vav, formed a rectangle along the river, today between Nerhu Bridge and Ellis Bridge. Also visit the stepped well called Baoli, an incredible well-palace with 7 levels of statues, and the Jama Masjid mosque, built with material obtained from the demolition of Hindu and Jain temples. Continuation to the tomb of Ahmed Shah and his wives, known above all for the beautiful openwork marble windows, to the Sidi Bashir mosque, famous above all for its swinging minarets. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for flight to Bombay. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. In the evening, transfer to the airport in good time for the night flight back to Italy. Continuation to the tomb of Ahmed Shah and his wives, known above all for the beautiful openwork marble windows, to the Sidi Bashir mosque, famous above all for its swinging minarets. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for flight to Bombay. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. In the evening, transfer to the airport in good time for the night flight back to Italy. Continuation to the tomb of Ahmed Shah and his wives, known above all for the beautiful openwork marble windows, to the Sidi Bashir mosque, famous above all for its swinging minarets. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for flight to Bombay. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. In the evening, transfer to the airport in good time for the night flight back to Italy.