5N Bhopal - Sanchi - Bhimbetka - Jabalpur Tour

Pick up from Bhopal Airport / Railway station. Transfer to Hotel. Check in to the Hotel & relax. Later proceed to visit Local Bhopal Sightseeing. Visit Gohar Mahal, Shaukat Mahal, Bharat Bhavan, Mankind Museum and Tribal Museum. Evening Spend time at Upper Bhopal Lake. Night stay in Bhopal.

Gohar Mahal is a unique amalgamation of Hindu and Mughal architecture, Gohar Mahal was built by Qudisiya Begum or Gohar Begum, the ruler of Bhopal. It was constructed in 1821 and boasts a spacious hall overlooking a beautiful lake in the vicinity.

Shaukat Mahal was constructed in the 1830s as a wedding gift for Sikander Jehan Begum, the first full-fledged female ruler of Bhopal. It is an integral part of the famous royal quadrangle of Bhopal around the Iqbal Maidan, earlier known as Khirniwala Maidan.

Bharat Bhavan is an autonomous multi-arts complex and museum. Its have architect of the Bharat Bhavan is Charles Correa. Opened in 1982. it houses multiple art galleries, a graphic printing workshop, a ceramics workshop, an open-air amphitheatre, a studio theatre, an auditorium, a museum of tribal & folk art, and libraries of Indian poetry, classical music & folk music.

Mankind Museum or Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS) is an anthropology museum to present an integrated story of the evolution of man and culture with special reference to India.

The Tribal Museum was designed by Revathi Kamath. It was inaugurated in 2013. The museum is divided into six different themes galleries showcasing traditional art, craft and culture of various tribes of Madhya Pradesh like Gonds, Bhils, Bharias, Sahariya, Korku, Kol, and Baiga.

Upper Lake is The lake is also known as Bada Talab ("Big Pond") until March 2011 it was renamed to Bhojtaal in honour of the Great King Raja Bhoj who built it. A huge statue of Raja Bhoj, standing with sword, was also installed on a pillar on one corner of the lake to cement the name of Bhopal as the city of lakes.

Note: Bharat Bhawan, Tribal Museum and Mankind Museum remain closed on Mondays.

Activities : Sightseeing

After breakfast, proceed to Sanchi. Visit Sanchi Stupas (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Udaigiri Caves. Later proceed to Gyaraspur and Visit Maladevi, Hindola torna and Bajramath Temple. Later You will come back to Bhopal in the evening. Overnight stay at Bhopal.
Tip: Guide recommended for Sanchi.
Guests can do Early morning Bhopal Heritage walk with Guide with an Extra Cost.

Sanchi Stupas was originally commissioned by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka the Great in the 3rd century BCE. Its nucleus was a simple hemispherical brick structure built over the relics of the Buddha. It was crowned by the chatra, a parasol-like structure symbolising high rank, which was intended to honour and shelter the relics. The original construction work of this stupa was overseen by Ashoka, whose wife Devi was the daughter of a merchant of nearby Vidisha. Sanchi was also her birthplace as well as the venue of her and Ashoka's wedding.

Gyaraspur was of considerable importance in medieval India. The place has several ruins of several old Hindu, Jain and Buddhist places of worship. These include Maladevi Temple, Hindola Torna and the Bajramath Surya Temple

Maladevi temple is in fact imposing and stupendous building. It comprise an entrance-porch, a hall and a shrine surrounded by a circumambulatory passage and crowned with a lofty Shikara all covered with rich carving.

Hindola Torna is a large temple either of Vishnu or of Trimurti. The four sides of the two lofty pillars are carved into panels with insets of the ten incarnations of Vishnu.

Bajramath Temple is a fine example of a very rare class of temples with three shrines. The carving of the doorway is exceptionally fine and vigorous.

Activities : Sightseeing

After Breakfast proceed to Pachmarhi. En-route visit the Bhojpur Temple and Bhimbetka (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Check in to the Pachmarhi Hotel & relax. Night stay at Pachmarhi.
Tip: Guide recommended for Bhimbetka.

Bhimbetka is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that consists of seven hills and over 750 rock shelters which were inhabited more than 100,000 years ago. The rock shelters and caves provide evidence of human settlement and the cultural evolution from hunter-gatherers to agriculture, and expressions of prehistoric spirituality. Some of the Bhimbetka rock shelters feature prehistoric cave paintings and the earliest are about 10,000 years old corresponding to the Indian Mesolithic. These cave paintings show themes such as animals, early evidence of dance and hunting from the Stone Age as well as of warriors on horseback from a later time. The Bhimbetka site has the oldest-known rock art in India, as well as is one of the largest prehistoric complexes.

Bhojpur Temple’s construction is believed to have started in the 11th century, during the reign of the Paramara king Bhoja. The construction was abandoned for unknown reasons, with the architectural plans engraved on the surrounding rocks. The unfinished materials abandoned at the site, the architectural drawings carved on the rocks, and the mason's marks have helped scholars understand the temple construction techniques of 11th-century India.

Activities : Sightseeing

After breakfast, proceed for sightseeing by Gypsy, Visit Bison Museum, Pandav Caves, Bee Fall, ReechGarh and Dhoopgarh. Night stay in Pachmarhi.

Tip: Local Gypsy need to book in advance for sightseeing to avoid walking.
Wednesday -second half sightseeing is closed for maintenance.

Pachmarhi: The name Pachmarhi is believed to be derived from the Hindi words Panch ("five") and Marhi ("caves"). According to a legend, these caves were built by five Pandava brothers of Mahabharatha era during their thirteen years of exile. The caves are situated on a hilltop and provide an excellent vantage point. Pachmarhi, also known as Satpura ki Rani, is a hill station in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.

Bison Museum : Small museum dedicated to animals & plants featuring life-sized sculptures depicting local wildlife. It is a lovely museum exhibiting paintings / photos of the bio-diversity of Pachmarhi . The exhibits are housed in two bungalows . It depicts the history of Pachmarhi . It is quite informative.

Pandav Caves: 5 hilltop caves believed to have been carved more than 1,000 years ago, with a formal garden below. The Pandav Caves were cut into a low hill. Buddhist monks created the caves anytime from the first century AD to the 10th century AD.

Bee Fall: This is a waterfall in Pachmarhi. It is so named because from a distance the waterfall sounds like a bee. Bee Falls takes its name from bees since this place is famous for honey bees.

Reechgarh - one of the biggest natural cave in Pachmarhi. Reech stands for Bear and the cave is said be the place for bears. Quite a massive cave and very interesting inside. The place is very picturesque and a rough terrain.

Dhoopgarh is the highest point in the Mahadeo Hills (Satpura Range). it has an elevation of 1,352 metres (4,429 ft). The top of the hill is a popular area to watch sunsets.

Activities : Museums

After breakfast, proceed for sightseeing at Handi Khoh, Priyadarshini, GuptMahadev, Lake and Rajendra Giri. Night stay in Pachmarhi.

Tip: Wednesday -second half sightseeing is closed for maintenance.

Handi Khoh is Pachmarhi’s most impressive ravine. It has a 300 ft high precipice, which dramatically cuts down deep into the bowels of the earth. This is a lonely place where water flows far below with an incessant mumuring sound. Overhanging crags shelter huge, undisturbed beehives to the sheer rock face. The ravine is said to be named after an eccentric Englishman who set out to explore the ravines in a state of drunkenness lost balance and fell to his death.

Priyadarshini Point is the hilltop from where you get an eagle's eye view of the entire town. This is the place from where Captain James Forsyth discovered Pachmarhi in the year 1857. One can get a beautiful view of the entire Pachmarhi valley and especially Handi Khoh from here. The entire place has hills rolling on each other and surrounded by clouds and mist, the entire scenery is worth enjoying. Also, it is an ideal place to see the sunset in the majestic Satpura Range.

Gupt Mahadev is a 40 feet long cave dedicated to Lord Shiva. Snuggled cozily amidst the Mahadeo Hills, this temple houses a Shivalinga, and Lord Ganesha. With a Lord Hanuman Statue at the entrance, the path is narrow and meandering where only 7 to 8 people can get inside at a time. One has to literally squeeze or move sideways to go inside. The place is quite an interesting and mysterious spot near Pachmarhi where spirituality meets adventure.

Pachmarhi Lake is a man made water-body, but its serene and scenic surroundings along a vast expanse makes you feel like you are floating in a natural paradise. Pachmarhi lake is an ideal venue for boating as well as food stalls are also available for visitors.

Rajendragiri park - this gives another view of the Satpura range of hills. This is a sunset point. Importantly, one gets to see the highest point - Chauragarh from there.This is named after Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India.

Activities : Sightseeing

After breakfast, check out and Proceed to Bhopal Airport for your onward Journey.

Tour End

Activities : Sightseeing