Madhya Pradesh is a land of diversity. On one side, you experience the abundance of historical temples and sites, while on another, you can soak into the essence of the lush green forest, Ghats and waterfalls.
Being located in the heart of the country, Madhya Pradesh's cities boast of rich cultural heritage, the forts, the food, and the perfect amalgamation of Hindu and Muslim culture enrich every traveller's experience.
Bhimbetka Caves and Sanchi Stupa are located in this state of historical glory and attract maximum tourists to the spot. A short tour of these sites is a must, so let's have a look at a perfect pocket-friendly itinerary for these places.
Bhimbetka Sanchi Tour
Bhimbetka: A UNESCO World Heritage Site: - An archaeological treasure, Bhimbetka has around 243 rock shelters. The paintings found in the rock shelters here have a striking resemblance to the ones discovered in Kakadu National Park in Australia; to the cave paintings of Bushmen in Kalahari Desert and Upper Palaeolithic Lascaux cave paintings in France. A walk through these ancient naturally carved rocks surrounded by dense forests of Bhimbetka will bring alive child-like wonder in you.
Sanchi Stupa: The town of Sanchi is synonymous with Buddhist Stupas – hemispherical structures typically containing relics of the Buddha or his followers. The Stupas of Sanchi were constructed on the orders of Emperor Ashoka to preserve and spread the Buddhist philosophy. Sanchi has been protecting these beautiful and sacred architectural wonders, just the way these wonders have been safeguarding ancient history and art of the Mauryan period. The numerous stupas, temples, monasteries and an Ashokan pillar have been the focus of interest and awe for global audiences as well. In fact, UNESCO has given the status of ‘World Heritage Site’ to the Mahastupa.
Bhimbetka Sanchi Tour Itinerary
A glimpse of how a four-day trip can be planned to explore this spectacular place. If our dates don't suit you, we can always customize one. So here we go:
Three Nights Four Days from Mumbai, Maharashtra
Day 1: Overnight journey to Bhopal via Train. The train details are emailed once your participation is confirmed. Most trains depart from Dadar and Kalyan.
Day 2: Early morning, we reach Bhopal Station and head to our hotel for check-in. Freshen up, have breakfast, and lead to Bhojeshwar Shivlinga and Bhimbetka. A one-hour journey through a Tempo Traveller will take you to Bhojeshwar Shiva Linga Temple first, post that. We head to the most sought after Bhimbetka Rock Shelters and spend 2 hours exploring the site.
While returning to Bhopal, we stop by to have Lunch at a suitable place. We reach Bhopal and explore the famous Gohar Mahal and the Upper Lake by evening. The upper lake is a sight to view when it's well-lit.
After witnessing this beautiful lake's shimmering, we head for dinner at a local joint. We call it a day as we return and relax at our hotel.
Day 3: The day starts a bit early. Post the delicious breakfast prepared by the hotel chef; we head to Sanchi Stupa. It's about one and half an hour's drive. Post the drive, it takes another one and half hours to two hours to explore this beautiful heritage site. You discover more about King Ashoka as you visit the site. Post this, we head to Uadaygiri Caves of Vidisha, not a clichés tourist spot but a boon for the photographers.
Post getting mesmerized by this site, we head back to Bhopal and relish some local cuisines for Lunch. Then we leave for our Hotel, pack up to board a train headed to Mumbai. At the station, we click some beautiful memories together to meet again on another journey.
Day 4: Reach Mumbai early morning. As we part ways for our journeys after that, we stay connected to embark on another journey of friendship and togetherness.
What is included in the tour
- Travel from Mumbai - Bhopal – Mumbai by train (sleeper class)
- 1 Breakfasts, 2 Lunch and 1 Dinner
- Accommodation on triple sharing basis
- Sightseeing around by Non-AC local transport
- All Entry Fees and Guide charges
- Treks and Trails expertise charges
What is NOT included in the tour
- Food during train journey.
- Mineral water/lime water/ purchased for personal consumption
- All kinds of Extra Meals / soft drinks ordered.
- Any kind of personal expenses. (Camera charges, etc.)
- Any kind of cost which is not mentioned in the cost includes above.
- All expenses incurred due to unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances like roadblocks, bad weather.
- Any medical / Emergency evacuations if required.
- 2/3 liters of water
- A proper haversack
- Some Dry fruits / Dry Snacks / Energy Bars
- Glucon D / ORS / Tang / Gatorade sachets
- Good Torch must with extra battery
- Extra pair of cloths, towel
- Winter cloths
- Sun Cap and Sunscreen
- Personal First aid and Personal Medicine
- Identity Proof
More about the fascinating sites that we explore here :
Bhopal: The city of lakes is the capital of Madhya Pradesh and a financial hub. Being one of the oldest cities in India, it is enriched with tales of the rule of the Britishers and the Nawabs of Bhopal.
Gohar Mahal: Built in 1821, Gohar Mahal is the epitome of the amalgamation of Muslim and Hindu culture. Built by Qudisiya Begum, it overlooks a beautiful lake. Its beautifully paved pathways and courtyards pay homage to the region's cultural heritage. The lush green around it hails of royal past the city holds.
Bhopal Upper Lake: Bhojtal, also known as Upper Lake, is the largest artificial lake in India. The folklore says that Raja Bhoj built it in the 11th century across the river Kolan. Lying on the western side of the city of Bhopal, it glows in the night and hence attracts many tourists all year round.
Bhimbetka: Experiencing the UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE being in the heart of the country couldn't be more overwhelming than this. Bhimbetka Caves and Rock Shelters of Madhya Pradesh date 500-700 years. A heaven for photographers and history buffs, this old age site depicts ancient civilization through the painting of the rocks. It exudes the impeccable power that the artisans held in those times.
The archaeologists discovered this site in 1957; with 700 rock shelters and 133 rock paintings, this heritage site depicts the nomadic life of the old age civilization. It's a place that leaves you spellbound with its scenic beauty and rich culture.
The Bhojeshwar Shiva Temple: Raja Bhoj, a king whose valiant stories are ever famous in Indian History, was known to have reigned in the region when this massive Shiva Temple was built. Housing a 7.5 feet lingam in its sanctum, this temple could never be given a finishing touch due to the internal conflicts in those times.
Sanchi Stupa (UNESCO World Heritage site): Same goes for another wonderous view of Maharaja Ashoks's Stupa of Sanchi. One of the oldest pilgrimages of India, it showcases four gateways of Buddha's teachings and flaunts intricate carvings that enchant you with their beauty. Here you can also explore Gupta Temple and Ashok Pillar apart from the Stupa.
The Lakes of Bhopal: Known for its lakes, the city of Bhopal looks beautiful when these lakes glitter in the moonlight. If we have buffer time, we can spend a night camping around one of the lakes.
King Asoka: King Ashoka, the last emperor of the Maurya Dynasty, was a dynamic and brave emperor, who post his victory over Kalinga, renounced arms and adopted the path of Dharma. He is known for the patronage of Buddhism during his reign 265-238 BCE. Being a powerful preacher, King Ashoka and his followers became the torchbearers for spreading Buddhism to Asian countries and beyond.
The Uday Giri Caves: These twenty rock-cut caves are offbeat and have plenty of hidden stories around them. Their spectacular view gives them a special mention in the historical tales in and around Vidisha.
