1N/2D

Bhopal - Sanchi - Udaigiri

Tour starts form Bhopal, the city of lakes. You will be picked up from the location of your choice in Bhopal and transferred to the hotel.

A half-day site seen is arranged in Bhopal. Bhopal city is also referred to as the City of Lakes because of the two beautiful lakes. The city has immense archaeological, historical and political importance attached to it. The origin of the city dates back to the eleventh century when Raja Bhoj founded the Bhojpal City. However the Bhopal of today was built during the eighteenth century by Dost Mohammed.

The site seen in Bhopal includes the visit to Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (National Museum of Mankind) and Gauhar Mahal

Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (National Museum of Mankind) is a unique museum situated on a prehistoric site and the only museum in the world scattered with numerous prehistoric painted rock shelters. The cultural diversity and religion of India's tribes is highlighted in the museum. Tribal Habitat is an open-air exhibit; an entire fishing village has been replicated featuring Coastal Village with a Kerala snake boat, Desert Village from Rajasthan as well as a Himalayan Village. The museum is created in about 80 hectares of undulating land on the bank of upper lake of Bhopal.

In the evening you will be visiting Gauhar Mahal, one of the first buildings built by the nawabs of Bhopal in 1816. The Mahal is a magnificent expression of the fusion of Hindu and Mugal architecture. Gauhar Mahal is situated behind Shaukat Mahal on the banks of the Upper Lake. It is an architectural gem built by Kudsia Begum, also known as Gohar Begum.

Later in the evening, you may also opt to visit Chowk bazaar. In the heart of the city, the Chowk is lined with old mosques and havelis are reminders of a bygone era. The shops in its narrow alleys are treasure troves of traditional Bhopal crafts: silver jewelry, exquisitely fashioned beadwork, embroidered and sequined velvet fashioned purses and cushions.

You will be staying in Bhopal tonight.

This morning you will be visiting the Sanchi Stupas. After breakfast, we will hit the road in the morning heading towards Sanchi. On the way to Sanchi, you will pass through the town of Dewanganj, Salamatpur and other small villages.

Sanchi is 46 kms north east of Bhopal. It is unique for having the most perfect and well-preserved Buddhist stupas. The remains of Buddhist saints Sariputra and Mahamodgilya are also preserved here. The holy relics are displayed once a year, particularly, on the last Sunday of November during the annual Chetiyagiri Vihar festival.

Make sure you have enough film roles for the camera and the batteries of your digital cameras are fully charged, as you are about to witness a mesmerizing piece of Buddhist art.

After Sanchi, you will visit Udaygiri caves, about 15 kms from Sanchi, close to the town of Vidisha. Udaygiri caves are rock-cut cave shrines, dating from 320-600 A.D.

You will come back to Bhopal in the evening. Tour concluded in Bhopal.