II033 Scenic Madhya Pradesh - 10 Days Greetings from WPS Holidays. It gives us immense pleasure to provide you with detailed itinerary and quote for your upcoming holiday to Madhya Pradesh. Cities Covered ✓ Gwalior : 2 Nights ✓ Chanderi : 1 Night ✓ Orchha : 1 Night ✓ Khajuraho : 2 Nights ✓ Panna : 1 Night ✓ Bandhavgarh : 2 Nights Highlights: ✓ Gwalior City Tour with Hilltop Fort ✓ Chausath Yogini Temple in Mitawali, Padavali Fortress & Bateshwar Temples ✓ Chanderi Sightseeing with Hills and Lakes ✓ Orchha Tour with Datia Palace, Betwa River Sound and Light Show ✓ Jhansi Sightseeing ✓ Khajuraho Sightseeing with Hindu and Jain Temples and Sound & Light Show ✓ Panna Tour with Panna National Park and Panna Hills ✓ Bandhavgarh National Park Meals: ✓ 09 Breakfast at Hotel ✓ 03 Lunches at Hotel ✓ 09 Dinner at Hotel Day 1:- Arrive Gwalior. Hilltop Fort & Local Sightseeing. (Dinner) ▪ Welcome to Gwalior, Gwalior is a cultural, industrial, and political centre and takes its name from the historic rock fortress that forms the centre of the city. ▪ On Arrival, transfer to hotel and check in. ▪ Later proceed for some local sightseeing, Gwalior is best known for its imposing hilltop fort, which was famously described as ‘the pearl amongst fortresses in India’. Historically, the city has been the cradle of a number of dynasties that ruled it over the years. Their influence is clearly seen in the many regal structures that dominate the cityscape. In a sense, Gwalior continues to retain a medieval majesty. ▪ In the evening, back to hotel. ▪ Dinner and Overnight in Gwalior. Day 2:- Chausath Yogini Temple in Mitawali, Padavali Fortress & Bateshwar Temples. (Breakfast & Dinner) ▪ Today after Breakfast proceed to visit the Mitawali. ▪ Mitawali is a village where the popular Chausath Yogini Temple lies - The temple is perched atop a hill surrounded by the lush greenery. ▪ The Chausath Yogini Temple, Morena, also known as Ekattarso Mahadeva Temple, is an 11th-century temple located in Morena district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the few well- preserved Yogini temples in the country. ▪ Proceed to Padavali, visit the notable Padavali fortress the fort also has a temple that once served as a divine place to worship Lord Shiva. Every stone used in the fortification and in the making of the temple has something to convey about the ancient era through its inscription and detailing! ▪ Later Visit Bateshwar, the site is not just about one temple; the Bateshwar temples are a cluster of almost 200 mini grandeurs made of sandstone, devoted to lords Shiva and Vishnu. Spread over 25 acres, these shrines were built across slanted hills near Padavali. Interestingly, the jungle nearby is full of beautiful birds like peacocks, parakeets and kingfishers. ▪ You may spot the national bird perching and posing on the rooftop of the temples. ▪ Dinner and Overnight in Gwalior. Day 3:- Depart Gwalior / Arrive Chanderi. Local Sightseeing. (Breakfast & Dinner) ▪ After breakfast, checkout from hotel and proceed to Chanderi. ▪ It is blessed with scenic beauty in and around it. While picturesque hills, lakes and forts sit surrounding it. On arrival, transfer to hotel, and relax. ▪ Later indulge in some local sightseeing with some shopping of the exquisite hand-woven Chanderi saris adorn this historic town. These saris are adored around the globe for the artistry behind their creation. The elegance of this matchless intricate art of embellishing silk and cotton fabric with zari weaving resides in harmony with the towering forts and palaces. It is a beautiful contrast rare to be found anywhere else. ▪ Dinner and Overnight in Chanderi. Day 4:- Depart Chanderi / Arrive Orchha. Datia Palace & Jhansi. (80 kms | 1.5 hrs) (Breakfast & Dinner) ▪ After breakfast, check out from hotel and proceed for Datia. ▪ An astonishing confluence of Mughal and Rajput architecture, the 7 storey Datia Palace stands tall in the historic city of Datia. While its exterior is adorned with arches, chhatris and oriel windows, the Bundela paintings beautify the interior. ▪ Mentioned as Daityavakra in Mahabharata, the city of Datia is blessed with history as well as divinity. Numerous temples, some even dating back to pre-historic times, give this city its second name - ‘Laghu Vrindavan’ or ‘Small Vrindavan’. The city of Datia might be nicknamed ‘Small Vrindavan’ but it holds stories, countless and ancient, that very few libraries can. Stories that take you back in time, and to the childhood moments of wonder. ▪ Later, proceed for Jhansi. One of the most important venues of India’s first war of independence in 1857 and the erstwhile capital of Rani Lakshmibai’s kingdom. Jhansi serves as the gateway to Bundelkhand region. ▪ The artistic grandeur of the Chandelas is still evident in the monuments and other ancient structures standing in the city. Apart from the historic fort of Jhansi, magnificent temples, churches the Government Museum and the Rani Mahal, Jhansi is also home to a military aviation base. ▪ Later, proceed for Orchha, on arrival transfer to hotel and check in. Freshen up. ▪ Later proceed to Orchha fort complex. In the evening enjoy the “Light & Sound show”. It covers the history of Orchha and its glory in an interesting audio visual medium. ▪ Dinner and Overnight in Orchha. Day 5:- City Tour of Orchha. Depart Orchha / Arrive Khajuraho. (Breakfast & Dinner) ▪ After breakfast, check out from the hotel, proceed to explore Orchha. The historic town of Orchha, nestled on the banks of river Betwa, was founded in the 16th century by the Bundela Rajput Chief, Rudra Pratap. Here, the river Betwa splits into seven channels, also called the Satdhara. Legend goes that this is in honour of the seven erstwhile Chiefs of Orchha. ▪ The ancient town seems frozen in time, with its many monuments continuing to retain their original grandeur even to this day. Here you will find some of the most fascinating temples and palaces. ▪ Later, proceed for Khajuraho (175 kms | 3.5 hrs). Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh is famous for groups of Hindu and Jain temples. These temples are a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their beautiful and erotic rock carvings. ▪ On arrival transfer to hotel and check in. Rest of the day is free for leisure. ▪ Dinner and Overnight in Khajuraho. Day 6:- Khajuraho Sightseeing. Explore Hindu and Jain Temples. (Breakfast & Dinner) ▪ After Breakfast at the hotel, visit the “Western Group of Temples”. ▪ Built between 950-1050 AD by the Chandela Dynasty, these temples depict various forms like meditation, spiritual teachings, kinship, wrestling, royalty and most significantly, erotic art. The temples consist of stunning displays of fine sculptures and exceptional architectural skill, making them one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. ▪ Based on their geographical location, the temples are categorized into three groups: Eastern, Western and Southern. Beautiful, intricate and expressive, the sculptures of the Khajuraho temples will leave you in awe and wonder. ▪ End the day with a magnificent & spectacular “Light & Sound” show at the premises of the temples. ▪ Dinner and Overnight in Khajuraho. Day 7:- Depart Khajuraho / Arrive Panna National Park. Evening Free for leisure. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) ▪ After Breakfast check out from Hotel and proceed to Panna. The Panna Tiger Reserve is just 25 km from Khajuraho-a mere half an hour drive. ▪ Arrive Panna and Check in Hotel. Day at leisure. ▪ Tiger sighting is always a matter of chance but regular sightings are reported. Cheetah, Sambar, Nilgai, Chinkara, Chowsingha, Langoor, Wildboar, Jackal, are frequently sighted. Gorges and falls along the course of the Ken River in the Reserve are beholding. Relics of Gondwana period (rule of the tribal people of Central India) are scattered all over the Reserve. ▪ Besides the wildlife watchers (around core area + Ken Ghariyal Sanctuary 20,000 annually), Panna gets visitors (around 35000 annually) who exclusively visit the famous Pandav Fall. ▪ Dinner and Overnight in Panna National Park. Day 8:- Excursion to National Park. Depart Panna / Arrive Bandhavgarh National Park. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) ▪ After Breakfast, excursion at Panna National Park. We pick from & drop you to your resort. ▪ Mines shining with diamonds within a national park that's home to some of the biggest predators and waterfalls of dizzying heights; Panna has the amazing superpower to, both, calm you and thrill you! ▪ The city's royal past dates back to mid of 17th Centuary AD, when it became the capital of Maharaja Chhatrasal’s kingdom. ▪ On the other hand, with Ken River passing through Panna hills, the city has a wildlife-friendly present. You can spot the majestic tiger, the ghariyal - a huge reptile found only in the Indian subcontinent, and a variety of flora and fauna. ▪ Later check out from Hotel and drive to Bandhavgarh National Park (190 kms | 4.2 hrs) ▪ Arrive Bandhavgarh hotel and check in. Rest of the evening is free for leisure. ▪ Dinner and Overnight in Bandhavgarh National Park. Day 9:- Bandhavgarh National Park Sightseeing. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) ▪ Enjoy your morning & afternoon excursion at Bandhavgarh National Park. ▪ Bandhavgarh is a place of mythological and legendary significance. The ancient Bandhavgarh Fort is of great importance as it is believed to have been gifted by Lord Rama to his younger brother Lakshmana. 'Bandhav' in English means brother and ‘Garh’ means fort. Hence the name, Bandhavgarh. Bandhavgarh dates back to 2000 years ago and you will find several man-made caves with inscriptions and rock paintings. ▪ Bandhavgarh is also the land of tigers. This is the place to visit if you want to spot the big cat. India’s top dwelling for tigers, Bandhavgarh National Park has the highest density of Royal Bengal tigers in the world. The sight of the majestic tiger, up close and personal, is said to trigger a sense of awe in you. ▪ Lunch and Dinner at the hotel. ▪ Overnight in Bandhavgarh National Park. Day 10:- Depart Bandhavgarh / Arrive Home.