This tour takes you on an unforgettable exploration of the culture and architecture of central India. We journey to ancient temples and caves that reveal the region's fascinating history. We also experience daily life on our wanderings through colorful city bazaars and charming rural villages. Finally we end our tour on the beautiful beaches of Goa. It truly is a fascinating introduction to some of India's treasures.

Days 1 & 2 Mumbai (Bombay) You are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Our stay in Mumbai includes visits to: Kamla Nehru Park, which offers a panoramic view of Marine drive and Chowpatty Beach; the Gateway of India; and an evening promenade at Chowpatty beach, a favorite of courting couples. We also take a day trip by boat to Elephanta Island to see the mysterious rock-cut temples. They are thought to have been created between 450 and 750 AD. Although the Portuguese damaged the sculptures they are still majestic and beautiful.

Days 3 - 5 Aurangabad From Mumbai we travel by train to Aurangabad. This will be our base for exploring Ajanta and Ellora. The Thirty-four Ellora caves contain an amazing array of sculpture. The site's most famous attraction is the enormous Kailash temple. The assembly of interconnecting halls and shrines is carved out of a vast lump of solid basalt. In the arid hills of the Deccan the rock cut caves of Ajanta are hewn in the near vertical sides of a ravine. Less than two centuries ago the caves were known only to the local tribespeople. They were ‘rediscovered' in 1819 by the British in one of the most sensational archeological finds of all time. Ajanta consists of 28 caves chiseled out of the basalt cliffs and more remarkable, the immaculately preserved paintings on their surfaces dating back as early as 200 BC. These paintings are truly among India's most beautiful treasures. On our last day we travel by overnight train on to Hyderabad.

Day 6 Hyderabad In Hyderabad we visit Tirumala's Venkateshwara Temple, said to be the world's busiest holy site! Afterwards we take a picnic lunch atop the ruins o f the impressive 16th century Golcondo Fort.

Day 7 & 8 Bijapur We continue our journey by road to Bijapur. Bijapur is famous for its Muslim architecture. It is dotted with mosques, mausoleums, palaces and fortifications. Among them we visit the famous Golgumbaz with the second largest dome in the world. We also see the Ibrahim Roza mausoleum, considered to be one of the most finely proportioned Islamic monuments in India.

Day 9 Badami From Bijapur we continue on to the small rural town of Badami. Badami (as well as Pattadakal and Aihole) contain some of the earliest and finest examples of Dravidian temples and rock cut caves in India.

Days 10 & 11 Hampi We continue on to the village of Hampi by road. On the way we visit Pattadakal and Aihole to see their famous temples. The ruins of Vijayanagar near the village of Hampi are one of the most interesting historical sites in South India. They are set amidst an oddly beautiful rocky landscape. We take a day to explore the fascinating area.

Days 12 – 14 Goa We drive to Goa by road and then have two days to relax on the beautiful beaches. Goa was a former Portuguese colony and still retains a very different feel from the rest of India. We enjoy its fantastic palm fringed beaches and also take a half day tour to visit old Goa's magnificent Portuguese cathedrals.

Day 15 Mumbai We return to Mumbai by air and transfer to our hotel. The rest of the time here is free for last minute shopping or relaxing.

Our tour ends today with breakfast and transfer to the airport for international departure.