Depart on your flight to Ahmedabad.
Most suited for
Couples, Families
Ideal time to visit
December- May
Discover the soul of India travelling west to east from Gujarat into rural Madhya Pradesh—an enchanting fusion of vibrant culture, ancient history, and untouched landscapes.
Off the Beaten Track Gujarat & Madhya Pradesh
As with all our holidays, this itinerary is just a starting point. We will create a bespoke package which will be completely unique for you.
Skip
Day 1
Your adventure begins
Days 2 - 4
Ahmedabad
Take a heritage walk through the ancient UNESCO World Heritage City of Ahmedabad as an introduction to the region’s rich culture and history. The bustling streets are contrasted by tranquil temples and mosques, including the Gandhi Ashram.
Take a full day excursion to see the ancient stepwells of Patan and see Patola silk weaving before visiting the 11th century Sun Temple of Modhera. The temple is famed for its intricate carvings and provides a glimpse of medieval Hindu culture.
Day 5
Ahmedabad to Bhavnagar
Depart Ahmedabad and head South to the lost city of Lothal. Explore the once prominent city of the Indus Valley civilization, now an archaeological site dating back 4500 years. Many ancient artefacts are on display at the Lothal Museum and the site is home to the world’s oldest known artificial dockyard. Continue to Bhavnagar, a coastal city and home to the all-marble Takteshwar Shiva Temple with panoramic views of the city below.
Day 6
Bhavnagar
Today, you’ll take a round trip to the 1000 temples of Palitana and join hundreds of pilgrims as they make their way up the nearly 4000 steps to the summit. Although the journey is a long one, the scale of the temple complex and unique spiritual atmosphere of devotion make it a wholly worthwhile climb, and you’ll have the rest of the day free to relax.
Days 7 - 8
Velavadar
The Black Buck Sanctuary is one of India’s smallest national parks but is densely populated with fascinating wildlife. Spend two days taking in the park’s natural beauty and look out for the blackbuck antelope and some of the 120 species of birds that live here.
Day 9
Velavadar to Dared
Just an house away from Velavadar is Dared where you’ll stay tonight. En route explore the historical Darbargadh fort, before taking a walk through the village. After lunch you can explore the village where local trades include diamond polishing. In the late afternoon you can watch daily rituals from the balcony of the fort and end the day with a jeep ride to the riverside for sundowners.
Day 10
Dared to Jambhugodha
Journey onwards to the UNESCO Heritage sites of Champaner and Pavagadh, home to forts, mosques, stepwells, and temples from the 8th -14th centuries. The Kalikamata Temple which sits on the summit of the mountain and draws pilgrims to worship the goddess Kali, and the Saher ki Masjid and Kayda Masjid mosques in the citadel.
Day 11
Jambhugodha – Kathiwara
Travel to Kathiwara and settle into your heritage hotel for the evening.
Days 12 - 13
Kathiwara
Spend time here relaxing in your lovely hotel. The restored mansion is full of historical art and artefacts from the region, and the surrounding area is worth exploring on a privately guided tour of local villages or a trek through the nearby forests and jungles on the state border of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.
Days 14 - 15
Maheshwar
Transfer by road to Maheshwar, located in south-western Madhya Pradesh, it is one of the most atmospheric and magical towns in India. The fort and many-tiered temples situated on the banks of the sacred Narmada River are stunning, and people of all faiths are welcome to enter any of the temples to participate in age-old rituals. Your base here is an incredible 250-year-old fort, quirky and enchanting, with delicious food and a lovely pool surrounded by lush gardens.
Two days at leisure to enjoy the activities on offer here as well as relax and soak up the atmosphere. You might wish to take a trip to the ruined city of Mandu. You can also explore the local area on foot, stroll by the ghats or shop for the famed local saris, woven in plain cotton with decorative silk ends.
Day 16
Fly home
Depart your hotel for Indore Airport and fly back home (or continue your tour in India).
Immersive India
A relaxed yet comprehensive introduction to India's many different shades, customs, history, beliefs, cuisine and societal strata. Meeting people from all walks of life and trying different foods. A well-thought-out tour offering a range of environments all backed up by fabulous hotels and supportive team.
Charles
24 October 2024Excellent
850 Reviews
850 Reviews
What’s included:
With ETG, what’s included goes well beyond the basics. From the moment your trip begins to your final farewell, the essentials are already taken care of, leaving you free to immerse, explore and enjoy without the hassle of hidden extras.
Here’s what comes as standard in all of our holidays:
All flights (unless you’ve booked your own!)
Expert guides and drivers
All accommodation
Many meals and snacks
Immersive experiences throughout
All regional transfers
Tips
24/7 In-Country support
Personal travel consultant throughout
Pricing:
As every holiday is bespoke, prices vary depending on destination, flights, hotel choices, inclusions and travel dates. We aim to include as much as possible upfront, so you know exactly where you are. As an approximate guide:
Bespoke Holidays £4,500 - £8,500pp
Bespoke Luxury Holidays £8,500 - £14,500pp
Bespoke Family Holidays from £4,000 - £7,500pp
Meet Our India Experts
With over a decade of experience, Sara knows how to blend India’s vibrant energy with luxurious, personalised touches. Her itineraries balance historic cities, serene countryside retreats, and cultural experiences that stay with you forever.
Sara
Regional Expert
Explore Our Hotels & Villas
Wherever you go, and whatever you do, at the end of every day you can always be sure of a comfortable rest. Every location on our list of hotels is handpicked, and in its own way, shares the history, the hospitality, and the soul of the destination. Below are some examples of the different hotels we use.
See More
Maheshwar, India
Ahilya Fort
Perched high above the ghats of the River Narmada, Ahilya Fort is a rare gem in rural Madhya Pradesh. Once the palace of the legendary Ahilya Bai Holkar, it’s now a boutique retreat rich in history and charm. With panoramic river views, peaceful courtyards, and warm village integration, the fort offers a timeless escape.
Highlights
Highlights
Magical setting,
Maheshwar Ghats right below
Best for
Couples
Solo
Gallery
See More
Gujarat, India
Blackbuck Lodge
Set on the edge of Gujarat’s Blackbuck National Park, Blackbuck Lodge brings African-style safari luxury to India’s grasslands. Surrounded by wildlife and crafted with conservation in mind, it’s a peaceful and immersive retreat for travellers seeking nature without sacrificing comfort. With carefully designed cottages, thoughtful eco measures and early-morning safaris, it’s one of the best ways to experience the region’s rare and striking wildlife.
Highlights
Highlights
Rare wildlife sightings,
Peaceful grassland setting,
Best for
Couples,
Nature Enthusiasts,
Photographers
Gallery
See More
Gujarat, India
The House of MG
Once the private residence of a textile magnate, The House of MG is a beautifully restored heritage mansion in the heart of Ahmedabad. Today, it blends opulent colonial-era architecture with modern comforts like a pool, spa, and excellent dining, all within easy reach of the city’s highlights.
Highlights
Highlights
Textile heritage,
Colonial charm,
Indoor pool and spa
Best for
Families,
Couples,
Heritage Enthusiasts
Gallery
See More
Gujarat, India
Jambughoda Palace Hotel
Surrounded by forest and farmland, Jambughoda Palace is a peaceful heritage retreat in rural Gujarat. Set in a 200-year-old palace still owned by the original family, the hotel offers a charming window into India’s regal history, with access to nearby historical sites and protected nature reserves.
Highlights
Highlights
Heritage family home,
Rural setting,
Near Champaner ruins
Best for
Couples,
Families,
Heritage Enthusiasts
Gallery
See More
Madhya Pradesh, India
Kathiwada Raaj Mahal
Set within 120 acres of serene countryside, Kathiwada Raaj Mahal is a lovingly restored royal retreat that captures the charm of India’s regal past. With sweeping views, art deco interiors and a sense of history at every turn, this heritage property invites guests to slow down and soak it all in.
Highlights
Highlights
Heritage architecture,
Countryside setting
Best for
Couples,
Heritage Travellers,
Nature Lovers
Gallery
See More
Gujarat, India
Tree of Life Darbargadh
A serene heritage retreat in the village of Dared, Tree of Life Darbargadh offers a peaceful base to explore Gujarat’s rural charms, historic towns, and wildlife sanctuaries. With just nine rooms and warm, personalised service, it’s a tranquil pause on a wider journey through western India.
Highlights
Highlights
Boutique scale,
Rural charm
Best for
Couples,
Solos,
Cultural Travellers
Gallery
The ETG Guarantee
We guarantee you an experience no one else has ever had.
The travel magic you’ll remember won’t be found on a well-trodden – or over-Instagrammed – itinerary. It will be the surprises, discoveries and secrets that you’ll uncover along the way with us.
Do you ever feel like people aren’t listening to you?
We get it. And we will – that’s a promise. Your holiday starts with with a proper, no-pressure call to understand what you want, what you don’t want, and what matters to you. From there, we create a completely unique adventure, inspired by our conversation together.
And because of our long-standing relationships with trusted partners across Asia, you’ll have access to experiences you can’t find on Google. The kind of special experiences that are literally impossible to find on your own.
Experiences in India
Crafting bespoke packages is the heart of what we do. Each holiday is specially designed to confound preconceptions and share magical, memorable, and truly exceptional experiences.
View Experience Page
Gujarat, India
Gir Wildlife Safari
Set off on a captivating safari into the Gir National Park, a sanctuary that has evolved into the last bastion for the endangered Asiatic lion since its establishment in 1965. The heart of the park, a 259-sq-km core area declared a national park in 1975, serves as a haven for these majestic creatures and has a remarkable success story of lion conservation – numbers surged from less than 200 in the late 1960s to an impressive 674 in the 2020 census.
The park’s dense forests and rolling hills create a picturesque backdrop for an immersive safari experience. Traverse the undisturbed landscapes, keeping watch for the revered Asiatic lions and a diverse range of wildlife, including chital deer, four-horned antelopes, gazelles, crocodiles, and the elusive leopard. The park is a paradise for bird enthusiasts with over 300 species of endemic and migratory birds.
View Experience Page
Uttar Pradesh, India
Temples, Ghats & Wildlife in the Chambal Valley
The calm waters of the Chambal River are best explored by boat and a river safari provides a great opportunity to view the wildlife. The Chambal Safari boatmen are exceptionally skilled at manoeuvring as close to the birds and animals as possible without disturbing them, and the trained naturalists who accompany you will provide expert information about everything that you see. Opportunities to go on Crane and blackbuck safaris are also available in this beautiful, remote region.
Alternatively the ancient temple complex at Bateshwar on the river Yamuna, 10 km from the Chambal Safari Lodge, consists of more than a hundred temples dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. The ravines surrounding the temples and river are home to a number of Naga sadhus (snake worshipping ascetics) who have carved out little caves and temples within the mud walls. The local Ghats and aarti ceremonies provide a calmer and quieter experience to that of frenetic Varanasi too.
View Experience Page
Madhya Pradesh, India
Gwalior Fort
This massive fort, 3km in length, has dominated Gwalior since it was built in the 15th century and to this day can be seen from every point in the city.
Long regarded as the most impregnable of central India’s impressive array of Imposing forts, Gwalior Fort was built at a vantage point 100m above the rest of the city and has huge thick sandstone walls, enclosing the palace within.
Emperor Babar who was inspired by this imposing structure described it “the pearl amongst the fortresses of Hind.” To see whether you agree with the great emperor, your local guide will bring the magnificent fort to life, with some telling anecdotes and a cunning route around the fort.
View Experience Page
Madhya Pradesh, India
Satpura National Park Safari
If you enjoy visiting wildlife sanctuaries without the crowds, Satpura National Park, deep in Madhya Pradesh, is a great option. It’s very much the wildlife connoisseur’s choice: access is not easy, and there are only a few accommodation options (though they are very good!).
Satpura is the only park in India where a variety of safari options are available. In addition to the usual Jeep safari, canoeing and boating safaris are also possible, as are walking safaris through the core area of the park. This, combined with the fact that the park attracts very few other visitors, means that you’ll get a much richer and more immersive wildlife experience.
Gallery
View Experience Page
Madhya Pradesh, India
Bhopal Heritage Walk
It is always said that the best way to get under the skin of a city is to spend time with a knowledgeable local. Our signature Bhopal experience is guided by a man obsessed with the city of lakes and its proud history and keen to demonstrate that there is so much to the city than the legacy of the great industrial disaster which wreaked havoc here.
Absorb the typical Bhopali way of life as you wander around and visit the old monuments with your guide. It’s a great way to discover the unique heritage of this fascinating city.
Important FAQs about India
India is a place of contrasts and deep cultural richness, and travelling here with ETG ensures you experience it in a way that is authentic, seamless, and meaningful.
We craft holidays that go far beyond the typical tourist trail: think hand-picked boutique hotels, private guides with expert local knowledge, and immersive experiences that give you genuine insight into India’s diverse traditions and landscapes. From the calm of rural Rajasthan to the chaotic charm of Delhi, our holidays are designed to be both inspiring and stress-free, with 24/7 in-country support so you can focus on the magic of the moment.
India is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit depends on the region and your interests. For most of northern India, the cooler, drier months from October to March are ideal for exploring cultural sites, cities, and wildlife reserves. The southern states, such as Kerala and Tamil Nadu, are also wonderful during these months, while the Himalayan regions are best visited in the warmer months from April to June. If you’re looking for fewer crowds, travelling in the shoulder seasons—September or April—can offer a great balance of pleasant weather and quieter
Every ETG holiday to India is designed to feel seamless, immersive and stress free. We’ll arrange international flights (if you’d like us to), your drivers and guides, and stays in characterful hotels we know and trust.
You’ll experience India in a way that’s completely bespoke to you – from quiet moments to big adventures – all planned by our India specialists. And while you’re away, our local team is on hand 24/7, so you’ll always feel well looked after.
