Total Holiday Options - Specialist in the travel of Art

The city conceals within its bosom the remains of civilisation that flourished over the last three thousand years. Standing along the West End of Gangetic Plain, the capital city, Delhi, unwinds a picture rich with culture, architecture and human diversity, deep in history, monuments, museums, galleries, gardens and exotic shows. Comprising of two contrasting yet harmonious parts, the Old Delhi and New Delhi. Enjoy city sightseeing tour and visit Qutub Minar; this 73 meters high monument that testifies the defeat of the last Hindu kingdom in the 1190s will charm you with its splendor, the magnificent red tomb of Humayun with the dashing double-dome and the char bagh style is a grand affair, Jama Masjid; the largest mosque in India that was the concluding architectural achievement of Shahjehan will welcome you with its three gateways, four towers and two minarets, Gandhi Memorial; the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi and travel through India Gate, Red Fort, the Parliament and President House. It generates a mesmerizing charm reflecting well-composed and spacious streets under the shade of beautifully lined avenues of trees and tall and imposing government buildings. Stay overnight at Delhi. (B,D)
Included Meals Indication: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, E=Evening Tea, D=Dinner

Agra has a rich historical background, which is amply evident from the numerous historical monuments in and around the city. In the mid 16th century and early 17th century, Agra witnessed a frenzy of building activity, including the Taj Mahal, and structures build during this era were purely in the contemporary Mughal style and of very high quality which is still reflected in the monuments remaining today. Though the heritage of Agra city is linked with the Mughal dynasty, numerous other rulers also contributed to the rich past of this city. Modern Agra was founded by Sikandar Lodhi (Lodhi dynasty; Delhi Sultanate) in the 16th century. Babar (founder of the Mughal dynasty) also stayed for sometime in Agra and introduced the concept of square Persian-styled gardens here. Enjoy guided sightseeing tour of Agra fort, built by Emperor Akbar in 1565, Itimad-Ud-Daulah, constructed by Nur Jahan between 1622 and 1628. Conclude your day with sunset visit to the symbol of everlasting love and best example of Islamic architecture in India the Taj Mahal, built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his queen Mumtaz Mahal. Apart from its stunning design balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen. One of the wonders of the world, from 1631 A.D it took 22 years in making and an estimate 20,000 people worked to complete the enchanting mausoleum, on the banks of the Yamuna.Stay overnight at Agra. (B,D)
Included Meals Indication: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, E=Evening Tea, D=Dinner

Travel to Gwalior and enjoy guided sightseeing tour. According to legend in 8 A.D, Gwalior derived its name from a sage Gwalipa who cured the chief of the Kachwaha clan, Suraj Sen, from leprosy and as gratitude the chieftan founded this city and named it after the sage. Gwalior has been under the patronage of many dynasties of the great Rajput clans of the Pratiharas, Kachwahas and Tomars. The Mughal emperor Babar referred to the Gwalior Fort built in 15th century as “the pearl amongst fortresses in India” and although you may beg to differ, you will probably agree that this, the dominating feature of Gwalior’s skyline, is definitely a citadel worth seeing. It has been a scene of momentous events: imprisonments, battles and jauhars. A city rich in cultural heritage as well as architectural marvels, renowned for its old and colossal fort and palaces, giving it, its inimitable regal flavour. The city boasts of its glorious past and its present modern outlook. Stay overnight at Gwalior. (B,D)
Included Meals Indication: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, E=Evening Tea, D=Dinner

Enjoy leisurely breakfast and travel to Orchha. Once the capital of the Bundelas, Orchha is now just a village set amidst a complex of well preserved temples and palaces. It was built by Bir Singh Deo in 1531. Orchha means “hidden place” and it certainly lives up to its name by languishing amid a tangle of scrubby dhak forest, 18 km southeast of Jhansi. Orchha’s legacy has been captured in stone and frozen in time, a rich legacy to all ages. The city gained prominence in the field of art and architecture. Rest of the day is free to take a stroll in the narrow streets of this beautiful small town, clustered around the foot of the ruins, with neatly painted houses and market stalls. Strewn around the area are little shrines and memorials, each with its own poignant history, contributing to the nostalgic beauty of Orchha. Stay overnight at Orchha. (B,D)
Included Meals Indication: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, E=Evening Tea, D=Dinner

Proceed for guided sightseeing tour and visit Jehangir Mahal; the largest of the palaces, with an ornate gateway and the frontage is encrusted with turquoise tiles and two statues of bowed elephants right at the entrance, its strong lines are counterbalanced by delicate chhatries and treillies work, the whole conveying an effect of extraordinary richness, Raj Mahal; with two sensational rectangular courtyards inside and known for its murals or wall painting depicting religious themes, Rai Praveen Mahal; dedicated to the 17th century poetess-musician, is a two storied brick apartment, set amidst the lawns of the Anand Mahal Gardens. The remarkable proportions of the exteriors are matched by the grandeur of the interior-rich repositories of Bundela art. The richness of its palaces, temples and cenotaphs is reflected in the gently flowing water of the Betwa River. Evening free for your own activities while you stay overnight at Orchha. (B,D)
Included Meals Indication: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, E=Evening Tea, D=Dinner

Following breakfast, travel to Khajuraho, world famous for the Khajuraho Temples built by the Chandellas, 85 temples, magnificent in form and richly carved, came up on one site. A wall with eight gates encloses the entire area and two golden palm trees flank each of them. Khajuraho oozes with passion, eroticism, dance, music and other finesses of creative arts depicted in sculpture and images of the temples. The temples celebrate Hindu religious thought in its mystifying variety of scope and inclusion, stand distinguished from rest of the Hindu temples. They highlight the existential ethos in religion that venerates 'Yoga' and 'Bhoga'. 'Yoga' is union of the self with the Almighty, while 'Bhoga' is the path to God through physical pleasure and are dedicated to physical love and pleasure, a testimony to this philosophy which is etched on its walls in the form of sculptures. Remaining of the day is free to explore this fascinating village with no more than 3000 residents, with a quaint rural ambience and a rich cultural heritage. Optionally you can enjoy the fascinating Son-et-Lumiere (sound and light show) spectacle at the temples, which evokes the life and times of the great Chandella kings and traces the story of the unique temples from the 10th century to the present day. Stay overnight at Khajuraho. (B,D)
Included Meals Indication: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, E=Evening Tea, D=Dinner

Visit the world famous Khajuraho temples constructed in a span of 100 years, between 950 and 1050 A.D. The temples have a very interesting legend behind them that connects them to the origin of Chandella dynasty, it is said that in fit of passion and lust, the Moon God seduced and ravaged a beautiful Brahmin girl known as Hemvati, resulting in birth of Chandravarma (founder of the Chandella dynasty). Later, he had a dream where his mother requested him to make a temple, which would reveal all aspects of the treasure of passion and erotic fantasy to the world. These temples are considered the "high point" of Indian architectural genius in the medieval period. Life, in every form and mood, has been captured in these stones. Today out of the original 85 temples, only 22 have survived the ravages of time; these remain as a collective paean to life, joy and creativity; to the ultimate fusion of man with his creator. They are fine examples that have gained popularity due to their salacious depiction of the traditional way of life during medieval times. Stay overnight at Khajuraho. (B,D)
Included Meals Indication: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, E=Evening Tea, D=Dinner

Bandhavgarh National park is closed from 01 July until 30th September every year. During this period instead of Bandhavgarh, day 9 to 11 will be replaced by Varanasi.

Travel to Bandhavgarh National Park, the crown in the wildlife legacy of Madhya Pradesh and is the natural habitat to a wide range of flora and fauna. The park is nested in the foothills of undulating Vindhya mountain range of Central India and features hills and ravines. It is undoubtedly a gift of nature. The finest of these hills is Bandhavgarh, sided with great cliffs and eroded rocks and on its highest point stands Bandhavgarh fort, thought to be some 2,000 years old. Scattered throughout the park, and particularly around the fort, are numerous caves containing shrines and ancient Sanskrit inscriptions. Bandhavgarh flaunts a very deep-seated significance of its own in the history and mythology of India. The Bandhavgarh fort dates back to the legendary era of Rama and Hanuman from the famous Hindu epic Ramayana. Rama and Hanuman used this fort on their journey back to their kingdom from Lanka. At present the Maharaja of Rewa owns the fort. Formerly a leisure resort of the Maharaja, Bandhavgarh got the status of a National Park in the year 1968 with an area of 105 sq. km which was later extended to incorporate two adjoining forests in the year 1986. Remaining of the day is free to take long walk in and around the jungle. Stay overnight at Bandhavgarh. (B,D)
Included Meals Indication: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, E=Evening Tea, D=Dinner

This morning go for wildlife safari in the home to the famous White Tigers of Rewa. This is the place where the first white tiger, called MOHAN was found in 1951, who supposedly fathered several offspring now found in zoos the world over. This White tiger, Mohan, is now stuffed and on display in the Palace of the Maharajahs of Rewa. The chances of seeing a tiger in this national park is much higher than in any other national park in the region. Bandhavgarh is also densely populated with other species: the great gaur, or Indian bison, can be seen with ease, as they come onto the meadows to graze at dusk; sambar and barking deer are a common sight and nigai are to be seen in the more open areas of the park. The park also attracts many migratory birds that include the steppe eagle and a variety of wild fowl. Reptilian fauna include cobra, krait, python, turtle and a variety of lizards. The Bandhavgarh National Park has excellent game and bird viewing to offer, coupled with a fascinating historical element to it, thus satiating those adventurous at heart, completely. Stay overnight at Bandhavgarh. (B,D)
Included Meals Indication: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, E=Evening Tea, D=Dinner