Luxury Safaris in Central India
Lucknow, is the capital of Uttar Pradesh, and since the time of the Nawabs of Oudh has been known for its culinary expertise and culture. It was the deposition of these Nawabs that led to the uprising and siege of 1857.
Varanasi, city of Shiva, and a great centre of learning for thousands of years, is one of India's holiest cities, where colourful religious rituals take place on the ghats by the Ganges. It draws tourists like bees to a honey pot. Also interesting is Allahabad, at the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers.
For Agra and Fatehpur Sikri, please see Northern India.
In Madhya Pradesh, at Khajuraho, are some of India's best known temples, a thousand years old and covered with erotic carvings. At Bhimbetka are rock paintings dating back more than 10,000 years, Ahoka has ancient stupa, and Gwalior a forbidding fort. Above all it is rich in wildlife parks, Kanha and Bandhavgarh, Panna and Pench, which inspired Kipling's Jungle Book.
Chhattisgargh to the south-east, now a separate state, includes famous falls in the Kanger Valley national park, and in the so-called tribal belt live over 30 tribes with distinct cultures and crafts (such as carving and metal-working).
Andhra Pradesh is seldom visited by travellers, despite its history, its forts and royal tombs of the Q'tb Shahi dynasty in Hyderabad, and its friendly folk.
Nowadays Mumbai in Maharastra, India's second largest city, is world renowned for Bollywood, but that is not its only claim to fame. There is much to explore in this most modern and economically vibrant of Indian cities (population a mere 17 million): a wealth of colonial and art deco architecture, museums and galleries; superb restaurants; bazaars galore; sculpted cave temples on Elephanta Island; the Chowpatty beach area at sunset and cricket.
"You organised a superb & memorable trip at relatively short notice. Thank you for not throwing up your hands in horror at this short notice (as another company had) & for listening to what we said we wanted & for filling in the gaps in our knowledge & expectations." - Mr & Mrs Smith
We look forward to tailoring your holiday to Central India. Please call Tim Best Travel on +44 (0) 207 591 0300, or if calling from the US, Toll Free on 1-866-205-8369 to speak to one of our luxury travel specialists.
