Central India Tours: Temples, Tigers and the Heart of India
Our Central India tours take you to Madhya Pradesh, the heart of India. Here you find the temple art of Khajuraho, the hill forts of Gwalior and Orchha, the Buddhist stupas of Sanchi and some of the best tiger reserves in the world, such as Bandhavgarh, Kanha and Pench. Every tour is private, with your own car, driver and local guides, and we plan it around your dates, pace and budget.
Shamrock Journeys is a trusted India tour operator. Since 2002 we have planned private heritage, wildlife and spiritual tours across India for families, couples and groups.
Why Choose Central India Tours
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Khajuraho temples, the Great Stupa at Sanchi and the Bhimbetka rock shelters.
- Tiger safaris: Bandhavgarh has one of the highest numbers of tigers in India, and Kanha is the land of The Jungle Book.
- Quiet heritage: Orchha, Gwalior and Mandu have great palaces and forts with few crowds.
- Holy places: the Mahakaleshwar and Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga temples and the ghats of Maheshwar on the Narmada river.
- Easy to combine: join Central India tours with Delhi, Agra and the Taj Mahal, or with Varanasi.
Ready-Made Central India Tours
If you want us to plan everything, choose one of these private Central India tours. Each one can be changed to suit you. See all our Khajuraho tour packages.
- 4-day Khajuraho Heritage tour: all three temple groups, the light show and Raneh Falls.
- 5-day Khajuraho Panna National Park tour: the temples and a jeep safari in Panna.
- 6-day Varanasi Khajuraho tour: the Ganga Aarti, Sarnath and the temples.
- 7-day Khajuraho Bandhavgarh Kanha tour: the temples and tiger safaris in two famous parks.
- 10-day Delhi Agra Khajuraho tour: the Taj Mahal, Gwalior Fort, Orchha and Khajuraho.
- 12-day Varanasi Khajuraho Agra Delhi tour: the great North and Central India circuit.
Best Places to Visit in Central India
These are the top places on our Central India tours, grouped by what you want to see.
Khajuraho Temples
The Chandela kings built the Khajuraho temples about a thousand years ago. The Kandariya Mahadev temple, the Lakshmana temple and the Jain temples of the Eastern Group are covered in fine stone carvings of gods, dancers and daily life. Read our Khajuraho travel guide.
Orchha and Gwalior
Orchha is a small town of Bundela palaces, temples and royal cenotaphs (chhatris) on the Betwa river. Gwalior Fort stands on a high rock with the blue-tiled Man Singh Palace, the Sas Bahu temples and the Jai Vilas Palace below. Both lie on the road from Agra to Khajuraho.
Tiger Reserves: Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Pench and Panna
Madhya Pradesh is called the tiger state of India. Bandhavgarh National Park is famous for tiger sightings and its old hill fort. Kanha National Park has wide meadows, sal forest and the rare barasingha deer. Pench National Park inspired the jungle of Mowgli, and Panna National Park lies close to Khajuraho, with the Ken river and Raneh Falls.
Shamrock travel tip: safari permits for Bandhavgarh, Kanha and Pench sell out months ahead in the peak season, so send us your dates early. The core zones close from July to mid-October. For more advice, read our Shamrock India Travel Tips.
Sanchi, Bhimbetka and Bhopal
The Great Stupa at Sanchi is one of the oldest Buddhist monuments in India, built by Emperor Ashoka. The Bhimbetka rock shelters have cave paintings of animals and hunters thousands of years old. Bhopal, the city of lakes, has the grand Taj-ul-Masajid mosque and the Tribal Museum.
Ujjain, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar and Mandu
Ujjain is home to the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple and its early morning Bhasma Aarti. Omkareshwar sits on an island in the Narmada river. Maheshwar has calm ghats, a fort and its famous handwoven saris, and Mandu has the Jahaz Mahal, the Ship Palace, and the love story of Baz Bahadur and Rani Roopmati.
Pachmarhi and Jabalpur
Pachmarhi is the only hill station in Madhya Pradesh, with waterfalls, caves and forest walks. Near Jabalpur, take a boat ride through the Marble Rocks of Bhedaghat and see the Dhuandhar Falls on the Narmada.
Suggested Central India Tour Routes
Here are three popular routes we can plan for you as private Central India tours.
Temples and Tigers: 9 Days
Delhi, Agra and the Taj Mahal, then the train to Jhansi for Orchha, Khajuraho and two nights of tiger safaris in Bandhavgarh. Fly home from Jabalpur.
Wildlife and Culture: 12 Days
Khajuraho, Bandhavgarh and Kanha for safaris, then Pench and the Marble Rocks of Jabalpur. A tour for nature lovers and photographers.
Spiritual and Heritage: 14 Days
Varanasi and the Ganga, Khajuraho, Orchha and Bhopal, then Sanchi, Ujjain, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar and Mandu, ending in Indore. See more spiritual tours of India.
Best Time for Central India Tours
October to March is the best time for Central India tours, with cool, dry days for temples and forts. For tiger safaris, March to May gives the best sightings, as animals come to the water, but the days are hot. The Khajuraho Dance Festival is held in February. July to September is the monsoon, when the parks close and Pachmarhi and the waterfalls are at their best.
How to Reach Central India
Fly to Khajuraho, Jabalpur, Bhopal or Indore, or take a fast train from Delhi to Jhansi for Orchha and Khajuraho, or to Gwalior. Many guests start their Central India tours after a Golden Triangle tour of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.
Shamrock travel tip: distances in Central India are long, so we plan drives of four to five hours at most and use trains or flights for longer hops. Carry light cotton clothes, a warm layer for early safaris and a hat. See our Shamrock India Travel Tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best Central India tour for first-time visitors?
The 10-day Delhi Agra Khajuraho tour joins the Taj Mahal with Gwalior, Orchha and Khajuraho, and is our most popular choice.
Which national park is best for tigers?
Bandhavgarh gives the best chance to see a tiger. Kanha has more open views and other wildlife. Our 7-day Khajuraho Bandhavgarh Kanha tour covers both.
Are Central India tours good for families and seniors?
Yes. We choose comfortable hotels and jungle lodges, keep drives short and adjust walks at the forts and temples.
How many days do I need?
Four days are enough for Khajuraho alone. For temples and tigers, plan seven to ten days. For the whole region, plan two weeks.
Can I add Ajanta and Ellora?
Yes. The caves are in Maharashtra, a short flight away. See our Ajanta Ellora Caves tour packages.
How much do Central India tours cost?
The price depends on your hotels, the number of safaris, the number of travellers and the season. Tell us your plans and we will send a clear quotation.
Plan Your Central India Tour
Read about Varanasi and Agra, or see all our India tour packages. We are one of the best tour operators in India, and we also plan the best North India tours. Ready to book one of our Central India tours? Request your free quote
Plan Your India Holiday with Shamrock Journeys
Shamrock Journeys is a trusted India tour operator and holiday planner. Since 2002 we have designed private India tour packages, family tour packages, honeymoon tours and cultural tours for travellers from around the world.
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