Highlights of West India (Mumbai – Aurangabad – Udaipur – Ahmedabad & Statue of Unity)

• On arrival at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, meet and greet by our representative.
• Private transfer to your hotel. Standard check-in time is 12:00 PM.
• Rest of the day is free to relax or explore the local neighborhood at leisure.
• Overnight in Mumbai.

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Morning excursion to Elephanta Caves (closed on Mondays), located on Elephanta Island, an hour’s ferry ride from the Gateway of India. These 5th–8th century caves are famous for their intricately carved sculptures, especially the three-headed Shiva (Trimurti).
• Return by boat to the city and visit Gateway of India, built in 1924 to commemorate the landing of King George V and Queen Mary.
• Explore Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalay (formerly Prince of Wales Museum), housing ancient Indian artifacts, textiles, and weaponry.
• Drive past Marine Drive, Mumbai’s famous palm-lined arc-shaped boulevard.
• Stop at Kala Ghoda Art Precinct, a cultural district with colonial architecture and galleries.
• Visit Dhobi Ghat, Mumbai’s iconic open-air laundry where hundreds of washermen scrub clothes by hand.
• Overnight in Mumbai.

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Transfer to airport and fly to Aurangabad.
• On arrival, meet and transfer to hotel.
• Proceed to Ellora Caves (closed on Tuesdays), a complex of 34 monasteries and temples carved into a cliff face, representing Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. Don’t miss the awe-inspiring Kailasa Temple, carved from a single rock.
• Visit Grishneshwar Temple, a revered Jyotirlinga shrine mentioned in the Shiva Purana.
• Enroute back, stop at Daulatabad Fort, a 12th-century fort with ingenious defense mechanisms, a maze-like entrance, and panoramic views.
• Visit Bibi ka Maqbara, known as the "Taj of the Deccan", built in 1678 by Aurangzeb’s son in memory of his mother.
• See Panchakki, a 17th-century water mill that once powered grain mills for pilgrims.
• Explore Aurangabad Caves, rock-cut Buddhist shrines carved in the 6th–7th centuries with detailed sculptures and iconography.
• Overnight in Aurangabad.

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Full-day guided excursion to the Ajanta Caves (closed on Mondays), a marvel of Indian art dating back to 200 BCE.
• These 30 Buddhist rock-cut caves are adorned with murals and frescoes illustrating Jataka tales and the life of the Buddha.
• Divided into Chaityas (prayer halls) and Viharas (monasteries), they represent both Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhist traditions.
• Admire masterpieces like the Bodhisattva Padmapani and the dying princess scenes.
• Drive back to Aurangabad.
• Overnight in Aurangabad.

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Transfer to airport for flight to Udaipur.
• Assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel.
• Evening boat ride on Lake Pichola, offering breathtaking views of the Lake Palace, City Palace, and ghats.
• Overnight in Udaipur.

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Morning visit to City Palace, a sprawling royal residence with courtyards, balconies, and museums.
• See Jagdish Temple, a 17th-century Indo-Aryan style temple dedicated to Vishnu.
• Stroll through Saheliyon Ki Bari, with lotus pools and fountains built for royal ladies.
• Visit Bada Mahal, a garden palace within the City Palace complex.
• Drive up to Sajjangarh (Monsoon Palace), for panoramic views over the Aravalli Hills and Fatehsagar Lake.
• Visit Ahar Cenotaphs, the royal cremation ground with 250 cenotaphs of the Mewar rulers.
• Explore Bharatiya Lok Kala Museum, showcasing Rajasthani folk art, masks, and puppetry.
• Walk through bustling local markets including Hathi Pol, Chetak Circle, and Shilpgram (a craftsman’s village).
• Evening attend the Dharohar folk dance show at Bagore Ki Haveli.
• Overnight in Udaipur.

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Drive to Ahmedabad and check in at hotel.
• City tour begins with Hatheesing Jain Temple, known for its fine marble carvings.
• Explore Bhadra Fort, a 15th-century citadel named after the Bhadrakali Temple it houses.
• Visit Sabarmati Ashram, home to Mahatma Gandhi during India’s freedom struggle.
• See the Shaking Minarets of Sidi Bashir Mosque, a unique mystery of resonance.
• Explore Swaminarayan Temple Kalupur, the first temple of the Swaminarayan sect.
• Visit the Kite Museum, displaying vibrant and artistic kites from across India.
• Overnight in Ahmedabad.

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Drive to Adalaj Stepwell, a 15th-century water reservoir known for its Indo-Islamic architecture and spiritual symbolism.
• Continue to Modhera Sun Temple, built in the 11th century by Solanki ruler Bhima I, famous for its sanctum, mandapas, and Surya Kund.
• Proceed to Rani ki Vav, a majestic 11th-century stepwell in Patan with seven levels and over 500 sculptures.
• Visit Panchasara Jain Temples, a group of richly carved marble temples built in 746 CE.
• Return to Ahmedabad.
• Overnight in Ahmedabad.

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Drive to Kevadia, enroute visiting Vadodara.
• Visit Lakshmi Vilas Palace, once four times the size of Buckingham Palace and still a royal residence.
• See Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum, housing royal portraits and European art.
• Visit Kirti Mandir, a cenotaph and memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.
• Continue to Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park (UNESCO site), with Islamic, Hindu, and Jain monuments including mosques, temples, stepwells, and palaces.
• Arrive in Kevadia and check-in at tent city/hotel.
• Evening enjoy Light and Sound Show at the Statue of Unity complex.
• Lunch, dinner, and overnight in Kevadia.

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Visit the Statue of Unity, the world’s tallest statue at 182 meters, dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
• Take the high-speed lift to the observation gallery for panoramic views of the Sardar Sarovar Dam and Narmada Valley.
• Explore the Museum, Valley of Flowers, and Laser Show exhibits.
• Later drive to Vadodara airport or hotel for onward travel.
• Tour Ends.