Phileas Fogg Tours

Day 01 – Arrival at Aurangabad

Depart from your school in time for the flight to Aurangabad. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Relax, unwind and later visit Bibi ka Makbara.

The burial place of Aurangzeb’s wife, Bibi ka Maqbara was built in 1679 AD by Aurangzeb’s son, in the memory of his mother and Aurangzeb’s wife, Rabia-Durrani. The comparison with the Agra monument has diminished the fame of this Aurangabad tomb, which in itself displays a worthwhile architectural splendor, with much differentiated surface ornamentation of the Mughal style.

Erected by Prince Azam Shah, it stands in the middle of a spacious and formally planned garden, complete with water channels, fountains and axial ponds, many defined by stone screens and lined with broad pathways. This garden is enclosed by high crenelated walls with fortresses set at intervals, and open pavilions on three sides. The central focus of this vast enclosure is the tomb itself, which is raised on a high terrace to look out over the gardens and waterways. You can see the simple, unadorned grave at the lower level by a flight of steps that descend from the terrace. White marble is used throughout with intricate carving and inlay work, nterspersed with delicately moulded stucco work. However, there is no use of semi-precious stones, the major detail in which it differs from the Taj Mahal, giving it its colloquial name – “the poor man’s Taj Mahal”. Since it is built exactly like the Taj Mahal, the maqbara is framed by four lofty minarets that stand at the corners of the terrace, while their part-octagonal bases continuing down to ground level.

To the west of the tomb, there is a small mosque with finely worked cusped arches and corner minarets. Small recesses, arabesques and rosettes embellish the facade. Behind the tomb is located a small archaeological museum, honouring the history of its architecture and fascinating story.

Later, visit the Paithani Weaving Centre. Hand-woven Himroo material is the traditional Aurangabad speciality, which is made from cotton, silk and silver threads. Developed as a cheaper alternative to Kam Khab (the more lavish brocades of silk and gold thread), as of today Himroo shawls and saris are mostly mass-produced using power looms. However there are some showrooms in the city still run traditional workshops, preserving this dying art, and one of the best places to come and watch the masters at work is the Paithani Weaving Centre. Even if you don’t wish to buy anything, this place is definitely worth a visit.

Return to the hotel in time for tea.

Later delicious hot dinner will be served before some music and dancing at the hotel.

Overnight at your hotel in Aurangabad.

Day 02 – Visit Ajanta Caves

In the morning after breakfast proceed to visit Ajanta Caves.

Set in a wide, steep, horseshoe-shaped gorge above a wild mountain stream, the Ajanta caves reward with a stunning glimpse into ancient India. India’s greatest collection of cave paintings dates back two millennia and is housed within massive carved stone caverns.

It’s believed that a band of wandering Buddhist monks first came here in the 2nd century BC, searching for a place to meditate during the monsoons. Ajanta was ideal—peaceful and remote, with a spectacular setting. The monks began carving caves into the gray rock face of the gorge, and a new temple form was born.

Over in the course of seven centuries, the cave temples of Ajanta evolved into works of incredible art. Structural engineers continue to be awestruck by the sheer brilliance of the ancient builders, who, undaunted by the limitations of their implements, materials, and skills, created a marvel of artistic and architectural splendor. In all, 29 caves were carved, 15 of which were left unfinished; some of them were viharas (monasteries)—complete with stone pillows carved onto the monks’ stone beds—others were chaityas (Buddhist cathedrals). All of the caves were profusely decorated with intricate sculptures and murals depicting the many incarnations of Buddha.

As the influence of Buddhism declined, the number of monk-artists became fewer, and the temples were swallowed by the voracious jungle. It was not until about a thousand years later, in 1819, that Englishman John Smith, while tiger hunting on the bluff overlooking the Waghora River in the dry season noticed the soaring arch of what is now known as Cave 10 peeking out from the thinned greenery in the ravine below; it was he who subsequently unveiled the caves to the modern world. Today the caves at Ajanta and Ellora have been listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites.

At Ajanta you can also see India’s most remarkable cave paintings, which have survived the centuries. The monks created these by spreading a carefully prepared plaster of clay, cow dung, chopped rice husks, and lime onto the rough rock walls, and painting pictures on the walls with local pigments: red ocher, burnt brick, copper oxide, lampblack, and dust from crushed green rocks. The caves are now like chapters of a splendid epic in visual form, recalling the life of the Buddha, and illustrating tales from Buddhist jatakas (fables). As the artists told the story of the Buddha, they portrayed the life and civilization they knew—a drama of ancient nobles, wise men, and commoners.

Lunch and tea will be served during the day.

Dinner and overnight at hotel in Aurangabad.

Day 03 – Ellora Visit / Mumbai Flight

In the morning after breakfast proceed to visit Ellora Caves. The Ellora caves are locally known as ‘Verul Leni’ and located at a distance of 30 km north-northwest of Aurangabad.

The name Ellora represents one of the largest rock-hewn monastic-temple complexes in the entire world. Ellora is also world famous for the largest single monolithic excavation in the world, the great Kailasa (Cave 16).

After lunch transfer to Aurangabad airport to board flight to Mumbai. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Overnight at hotel in Mumbai.

Day 04 – Mumbai City Tour

In the morning after breakfast at the hotel, proceed for Mumbai city tour visiting Gateway of India, Colaba Causeway, University Building , Nariman Point , Marine Drive , Marine Drive Fly Over to view Queens Necklace, Chowpatty Beach ,Mani Bhawan, Kamla Nehru Park Point the best sky line view of Mumbai city, Dhobi Ghat open laundry, Crawford Market, Victoria Terminus railway station and Flora Fountain.

Lunch and tea will be served during the day and dinner at the hotel.

Overnight at hotel in Mumbai.

Day 05 – Mumbai / Delhi (Flight)

Today after breakfast spend time at Juhu Beach before taking your flight home.