Unique tour of thousands of years of culture and nature
Many roads have already been walked in India. But this trip will lead you to a rarely visited area. After a kickstart in metropolis Mumbai, travel inland. The flight to Aurangabad takes travelers on the trail of the Ajanta and Ellora caves. For a thousand years they were hidden in the jungles of India, until they were rediscovered and declared world heritage sites. History can also be found in the cities of Bhopal and Maheshwar,located on the sacred River Narmada. This meanders right through the landscape as well as the road you take deep into the Indian countryside during this journey. The jungle is in Satpura National Park. With a five-night stay, there is plenty of time to discover all the wonders of this wilderness.
Tips & tops of The Unknown India:
- A visit to the Dharavi slum (seen in Slumdog Millionaire) is possible in Mumbai
- The Elephant Caves are located on an island off the coast near Mumbai, an archaeological highlight with many ancient religious sculptures and temples for the gods
- The city of Aurangabad is named after the Mughal emperor who ruled here. The tomb (Bibi Ka Maqbara) he built for his wife is a mini version of the Taj Mahal
- Aurangabad is a perfect base for a visit to the Ellora and Ajanta caves but also the Daulatab Fort is well worth a visit
- The Ellora and Ajanta caves have more differences than similarities, but both are on Unesco's World Heritage List
- On the way to Maheshwar, make a stop over in Burhanpur, in this city from 1400 many battles have taken place: a guide takes you more through the city and its history
- Muslim pilgrims visit the tomb of Saint Saiyedi Abdul Qadir Hakimuddin in Burhanpur, even for non-religious visitors, the gardens and mosques are beautiful
- The 4,000-year-old Maheshwar lies on the banks of the sacredNarmada River, according to legend created by a drop of sweat from the forehead of the god Shiva
- Spend a day on the ghats, the steps along the Narmada River: the daily laundry, trade, children playing and sacrifices for the gods - this is where everyday life takes place
- At the annual Sacred River Festival in February, the setting on the Narmada River is fairytale; three nights on the steps along the river, singing, dancing and making music. A must for stay is the Ahilya Fort
- Visit the temple on the island of Baneshwar by boat or take a walk along the banks of the Narmada (unlike many other rivers, the water quality of the Narmada is fine)
- Silk, cotton or linen, the tradition of weaving is linked to Maheswar: buy hand-woven fabrics at the local weaving plants of the Rehwa Society
- Bhopal is unknown to the general public but the Ahmedabad Palace (with Art Deco influences) and the Taj-ul-Masajid mosque (one of asia's largest) justify a stopover here
- From the Shamla hills you have a beautiful view over the city of Bhopal
- The landscape in Satpura National Park consists of sandstone hills, ravines, waterfalls, mountain streams and dense forests overgrown with Sal trees and Teak wood
- Animals that inhabit Satpura are the lip bear, leopards, giant squirrel, antelopes, muntjaks, barking deer and many other species of deer. Rarer are the wild dogs and the tiger
- Unique to Satpura is that guided walking tours take place in this park and canoe tours on the Denwa River are also possible
- To reach Satpura, cross the Denwa River by boat, a safari vehicle awaits you across the road
- Special is the Chhurna Camp excursion: you stay deep in the Bori reserve in a camp of forest management, where no other people live
- We can offer this trip in different classes of accommodations
