India is a land of great and captivating contrasts and this Private Journey centered on Madhya Pradesh, the “Central Province,” was designed to be lavishly, charmingly contrasty.

You’ll begin in Mumbai, an enigma of mud huts and skyscrapers, ancient tradition and high fashion, originator of more than 70% of India’s capital transactions, and (in its Bollywood guise) maker of twice as many films as Hollywood. From here you’ll make a quick flight eastward to Aurangabad for a couple of days exploring the 600-years-in-the making Buddhist masterpieces of the World Heritage Site Ajanta Caves, and, the next day, the World Heritage Site Ellora Caves--actually 34 Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu temples carved with supreme artistry out of the living rock of the Charanandri Hills.

Now you’ll drive into the heart of Central India, to famously beautiful Maheshwar, named after Shiva, and a favorite of Bollywood location scouts. Based for three nights in Ahilya Fort, an elegantly appointed heritage hotel in a 250-year old fortress above the holy Narmada River, you’ll visit Maheshwar’s markets, temples and weaving center, take an evening boat cruise, and perhaps venture out to nearby Mandu to wander its fine covey of half-ruined Afghan forts, palaces, and tombs. And no exploration of Central India is complete without a visit to the capital city of Bhopal, fascinating for both its ancient and recent history.

Next it’s off to Kanha for a two-night stay at India’s premiere wildlife sanctuary (and the park that provided the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s magnificent Jungle Book). Inner India then comes to a nicely rousing finale in Hyderabad, where you’ll stay at Falaknuma Palace, a former residence of the erstwhile Nizams. The palace is a great base for branching out with your guides into the bustling city and its markets and museums (the vast Salar Jung is a nearly incredible testimony to the immense wealth of those Nizams), and the fortress-city of Golconda, which housed so much treasure that its name became a worldwide byword for a cascade of riches.

Day 1: arrive in Mumbai • Day 2: exploring Mumbai • Day 3: fly to Aurangabad, tour Ajanta Caves • Day 4: the Ellora Caves and Daulatabad Fort • Day 5: drive to Maheshwar via Asirgarh Fort • Day 6: exploring Maheshwar • Day 7: excursion to Mandu • Day 8: drive to Bhopal • Day 9: visit Bhimbetka and Sanchi • Day 10: fly to Raipur and Kanha National Park • Day 11: game drives in Kanha • Day 12: morning game drive, afternoon flight to Hyderabad • Days 13: exploring Hyderabad • Day 14: depart Hyderabad.

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