Grand MalwaMadhya Pradesh in 5 nights

Malwa at an easy pace: Ujjain, Omkareshwar, a night at Maheshwar on the Narmada and a night at Mandu, the hilltop city of Baz Bahadur and Roopmati.

Day 1

Arrive Indore – Ujjain

About 1.5 hrs

Welcome to Madhya Pradesh. Your driver meets you at Indore airport or railway station and you drive to Ujjain. Check in, and in the evening visit the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, one of Shiva's twelve jyotirlingas and the only one that faces south, and walk the Mahakal Lok corridor, lined with 108 carved pillars and murals from the Shiva Purana.

No meals included today Overnight: Ujjain

Day 2

Ujjain Sightseeing

After breakfast, Ujjain's temples: Gadkalika, an ancient shrine of the goddess Kali; Kal Bhairav, the city's guardian, where liquor is offered to the deity; Mangalnath, believed to be the birthplace of Mars; and Sandipani Ashram, where Krishna, Balarama and Sudama are said to have studied. In the afternoon, Ram Ghat on the Kshipra and the Bada Ganesh temple. In the evening, the lamps are lit on the tall lamp towers of the Harsiddhi temple.

Breakfast Overnight: Ujjain

Day 3

Ujjain – Omkareshwar – Maheshwar

About 4 hrs, then 1.5 hrs

After breakfast, check out and drive to Omkareshwar, a temple town on an island in the Narmada said to be shaped like Om. Visit the Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga and the Mamleshwar temple, and offer a Narmada puja. Then drive on to Maheshwar on the Narmada and check in.

• Note: The Omkareshwar temple closes from 1:00 to 2:30 pm each day.

Breakfast and dinner Overnight: Maheshwar

Day 4

Maheshwar Sightseeing – Mandu

About 1 hr

After breakfast, Maheshwar, Ahilyabai Holkar's capital on the north bank of the Narmada: Ahilya Fort, her cenotaph and the temples of Baneshwar, Rajarajeshwari and Ek Mukhi Datta. Take a boat on the Narmada (paid directly) and browse the handloom Maheshwari saris the town is known for. Then drive up to Mandu and check in.

Breakfast Overnight: Mandu

Day 5

Mandu Sightseeing – Indore

About 2.5 hrs

After breakfast, check out for Mandu, the hilltop city of the Malwa sultans: Rani Roopmati's Pavilion, built by Baz Bahadur so the queen could see the Narmada; Hoshang Shah's marble tomb, said to have inspired the builders of the Taj Mahal; Echo Point; the Jama Masjid, completed in 1454; Jahaz Mahal, the 'ship palace' between two lakes; Hindola Mahal; and the Neelkanth temple. Then drive to Indore and check in.

• Note: A guide is recommended at Mandu (extra cost).

Breakfast Overnight: Indore

Day 6

Indore, Departure

After breakfast, check out and transfer to Indore airport or railway station for your journey home.

Breakfast

Tour details

Accommodation

Choose the hotel category. The same route and sightseeing in every category.

Hotels are listed or similar, subject to availability. Breakfast in Ujjain, Mandu and Indore; breakfast and dinner in Maheshwar.

Package cost

Price per adult on twin sharing, by the number of adults travelling together. Land only.

Private car with driver: sedan for 2, Ertiga or Innova Crysta for 4, Innova Crysta for 6, Tempo Traveller for 8.

Rates in INR per person, GST included. The extra-person rate applies to a third adult or a child above 5 sharing the room.

Tour information

Read this to prepare for your holiday.

Good to know

• Valid until 31 Mar 2027 for bookings confirmed at least 15 days before arrival. Dussehra, Diwali, Christmas–New Year, long weekends and city exhibition dates are priced on request.
• Hotel levels: Standard is roughly a 2-star-plus hotel, Deluxe 3 to 4 stars, Premium 4 to 5 stars. Tell us if you need a lift, a heated pool or special food, and we check before booking.
• Your car: a sedan for 2, an Ertiga or Innova Crysta for 4, an Innova Crysta for 6 and a Tempo Traveller for 8. An Innova Crysta legally seats 6 including children, so please travel light. The A/C runs while the car is moving and is switched off on steep climbs.
• Mahakaleshwar is open for darshan from about 6 am to 11 pm. The Bhasma Aarti is held from 4 to 6 am; tickets cost ₹200 and are booked online about 15 days ahead with photo ID. We can help you book. The temple is busiest in Sawan and at Mahashivratri.
• Special pujas such as the Maha Rudrabhishek or Mahamrityunjay jaap can be arranged at Mahakaleshwar and Omkareshwar at extra cost, subject to availability. A boat around Omkareshwar island and to the Narmada–Kaveri sangam costs about ₹2,000 per boat (up to 6).
• Most forts, palaces and museums in Indore and Bhopal are closed on Mondays; we plan around it.
• Guides make the big sites far richer (Sanchi, Bhimbetka, Mandu, Khajuraho, Gwalior, Orchha); we can book them at extra cost.

When to go

October to March. October to March is cool and dry, the best time for forts, temples and the Pachmarhi hills. The national parks open on 1 October and close on 30 June; winter mornings in the parks are cold, and the forest thins out towards spring. April to June is very hot.

Our favourite months

Cancellation policy & payment terms

• Flights, trains and houseboats are paid in full at the time of ticketing or confirmation.
• Payments by bank transfer (NEFT / RTGS / IMPS), UPI or cheque in favour of TripRoutes. Card payments may carry a convenience fee.
• GST 5% is charged on the package cost as per government rules. On international holidays, TCS also applies as per government rules.
• Cancellation charges are per person, counted from the date of departure.
• Cancellations must be sent in writing by email or WhatsApp; the date we receive it is the cancellation date.
• Air and train tickets are refunded as per the airline / railway rules, plus our service charge.
• Visa fees, insurance premiums and non-refundable hotel or houseboat bookings (peak dates, special events) are not refundable.
• Refunds are processed within 15 working days of receiving supplier refunds.
• There is no refund for services not used during the holiday.
• Hotels may ask for a refundable security deposit at check-in, paid directly to the hotel.
• Prices are subject to availability at the time of booking.
• TripRoutes is not liable for changes caused by weather, strikes, roadblocks, flight delays or government orders; extra costs arising are payable by the guest.

Questions about this holiday