Kumbha Special with Ajanta & Ellora Caves Tour

Duration: 05 Nights - 06 Days

Destination Covered: Mumbai – Nashik – Aurangabad (Ajabta & Ellora caves)

Day 01: Arrive Mumbai

Arrive by International flight. After traditional 'Swagat' (Welcome), our representative would assist you at airport & transfer you to the hotel for check in. Mumbai, previously known as Bombay, is a major metropolitan city of India. It is the state capital of Maharashtra. Mumbai city, the 'Business capital of India', is the country's principal financial and communications centre. The city has the largest and the busiest sea port handling India's foreign trade along with a major International airport. India's largest Stock Exchange, which ranks as the third largest in the world, is situated in Mumbai. Here, trading of stocks is carried out in billions of rupees everyday. Description about Mumbai can not be complete without the mention of Bollywood, the biggest Indian film industry which churns out hundreds of Hindi block-busters every year. Mumbai's skyline is recognizable in advertisements and pictorial depictions, expressing the country's technological and financial hub. It's an imposing skyline.
Overnight at hotel - Mumbai (B)

Day 02: Mumbai – Nashik (170 Km. - 3.5 Hr.)

Today morning, we drive to Nashik. Arrive at Nashik and we transfer you to the Luxury Tent for check-in. Nashik is a located on the banks of Godavari River, the holy river which flows through old Nashik. The town is the highest producer of grapes & onions in India. The Nassak Diamond, derives its name from the fact that it long remained in the Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple, near Nashik. The Godavari River flows through Nashik from its source, which lies to the southwest of the city, in Trimbakeshwar.
Overnight Luxury Tent - Nashik (B, L, D)

Day 03: Nashik (Participation in Kumbha with Sahi Snan / Holy Bath)

In the morning, we drive to Nashik to visit Kumbh Festival. There are certain bathing dates, when you will have opportunity to see more religious people in processions and bigger gatherings. The observance of Kumbh Mela has achieved international popularity as "The biggest act of faith." Millions of pilgrims come to participate in the holy event of Maha Kumbh with a tremendous faith. They have a "persistent trust in something sublime". The pilgrims come from all walks of life, with a belief that their sins will be washed off in the holy waters of the sacred river Ganges if they take a dip during the Kumbh but the actual and more science based reasons are different. It is actually the position of stars and constellations during the Kumbh that makes it significant to take a dip in the river at that time..
Overnight Luxury Tent – Nashik (B, L, D)

Day 04: Nashik – Aurangabad (210 Km. - 4.5 Hr.)

Today morning after breakfast check out and drive to Aurangabad, a village named Kirki (Khadki) where the city stands today. According to some historians, the city was founded in 1610 by Malik Ambar. He was the Prime Minister of Murtaza Nizam Shah II of Ahmednagar, the then ruler of the Deccan (central parts of Southern India). In 1634, Aurangzeb was sent to Kirki as the Governor of Deccan. In 1644, he moved to Agra to play an active role in Mughal politics. In 1681, the city again became the residence of Aurangzeb, who had now become the Mughal Emperor. He used the city as base for his campaigns to conquer the last remaining Deccan Sultanates. He lived there until his death in 1707. The modern name of the city was probably taken after his death.
Overnight at hotel - Aurangabad (B)

Day 05: Aurangabad - Excursion of Ajanta & Ellora Caves

Today, in the early morning we visit Ajanta caves. Nestled in an inner fold of the Sahyadri hills, 100 km from Aurangabad, in the shape of a mammoth horse- shoe, are the 30 rock-hewn caves of Ajanta. The Caves date from the 2nd century BC. Discovered in 1819 by a group of British army officers, these startling achievements took around 600 years to create. Carved with little more than a hammer & chisel; Ajanta, once the retreat of Buddhist monastic orders features several chaitya (chapels) & viharas'(monasteries). The exquisite wall & ceiling paintings, panels & sculptures of Lord Buddha's life are famous throughout. As of 1983, the Ajanta Caves have been an UNESCO World Heritage Site specifically nominated for the International World Heritage program. (Closed on Mondays).

Later we visit Ellora Caves, an ancient village 30 km from the city of Aurangabad in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Famous for its monumental caves, Ellora is a World Heritage Site. It represents the epitome of Indian rock cut architecture. The 34 caves – actually structures excavated out of the vertical face of the Charanandri hills– comprised of Buddhist, Hindu & Jain cave temples & monasteries, were built between the 5th century & 10th century. The 12 Buddhist, 17 Hindu & 5 Jain caves, built in proximity, demonstrate the religious tolerance prevalent during this period of Indian history. (Closed on Tuesdays)
Overnight stay in Aurangabad

Day 06 : Aurangabad - Mumabi (By morning flight) & Departure

Today morning we will transfer you to the airport to board the flight for Mumbai, connecting you to the onward destination..

Our tour concludes: We thank you for your patronage & look forward to serving you again in near future.