Day 2:
Mumbai
In the morning, after breakfast at the hotel, proceed for
a full day sightseeing tour of Mumbai city. Visit St John's
Church at Mumbai Fort; drive on the classic Marine Drive,
click a photograph at the Gateway of India, and snack at the
Chowpatty Beach. overnight stay in Mumbai.
Day 3:
Mumbai - Aurangabad
After breakfast at the hotel, the morning is free for you
to spend at leisure. Post lunch transfer to the airport for
a short flight to Aurangabad on Indian Airlines plane. This
17th century city has been seen the rise and fall of many
mighty empires that ran the length and breath of India especially
the Deccan Plateau. Today it is one of the most prominent
places in Maharashtra that serves as the ideal base camp to
explore the nearby World Heritage Sites of Ajanta and Ellora
Caves.
On arrival,
check in at the hotel, refresh and proceed for an excursion
to the Ellora Caves (World Heritage Site), 12th century Daulatabad
Fort and the lesser known Aurangabad Caves (Buddhist monasteries
showcasing influence of Tantric art and architectural style
from the 2nd and 6th centuries) . At Ellora, visit the 34
Buddhist monasteries, Hindu temples, and Jainism shrines carved
from solid rock. These caves date back to the 4th and 9th
century and the magnificent Kailash Temple marks the highlight
of the day trip. Later in the evening, return to the hotel
for dinner and overnight stay in Aurangabad.
Day 4:Aurangabad
Today, after an early morning breakfast, proceed for a full
day excursion to the 2000-year-old Ajanta Caves, another World
Heritage Site in Maharashtra. Rock cut on the horse-shoe shaped
cliff of the Sahyardi Hills, this set of 30 Buddhist rock-cut
caves for monasteries and chapels are a must visit for their
cave paintings and Buddhist art. Return to the hotel for dinner
and overnight stay in Aurangabad.
Day 5:
Back to Mumbai OR we can further explore caves and sites as
per booking.
OPTIONS:
LONAR CRATER I
Trimbakeshwar
Temple : This temple situated in Trimbak, 30 km West
of Nasik, contains one of the twelve Jyotirlingas (naturally
occuring Lingas) in India. The temple has beautiful carvings.
There is a belief that anybody who visits Trimbakeshwar attains
salvation. It is considered to be the holiest place to perform
Shraddha ceremony as mentioned in 'Nirnaya Sindhu' - a religious
book of Hindus. Non Hindus are not allowed inside the temple
but one can get a clear view from outside.
