Travel guide · Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh Travel Guide
Madhya Pradesh tour packages cover the Khajuraho temples, Orchha and Gwalior, the Mahakaleshwar and Omkareshwar Jyotirlingas, Indore, Maheshwar and Mandu, Bhopal with Sanchi and Bhimbetka, the hill station of Pachmarhi, the marble rocks of Bhedaghat, Amarkantak and Chitrakoot, and the tiger reserves of Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench, Panna and Satpura. Our itineraries run 3 to 8 days, with standard / 3-star equivalent hotels and breakfast.
By Holiday Guru Travel · Updated 8 Oct 2026
In short: Unesco heritage, tiger country, jyotirlingas and forts and palaces. The Khajuraho temples, the Sanchi stupa and the rock shelters of Bhimbetka. October to March is the best time to visit Madhya Pradesh; the tiger reserves are open from October to June.
Madhya Pradesh quick facts
- Trip length
- 3–8 days (24 itineraries)
- Best time
- October to March is the best time to visit Madhya Pradesh; the tiger reserves are open from October to June.
- Key places
- Khajuraho, Orchha and Gwalior, Ujjain and Omkareshwar, Mandu and Maheshwar, Bhopal, Sanchi and Bhimbetka, Kanha and Bandhavgarh
- Tours start in
- Jabalpur, Bhopal, Khajuraho
- Hotels
- Standard / 3-star equivalent on all 24 itineraries
- Meal plans
- Breakfast on all 24 itineraries
- Suits
- Wildlife lovers, Heritage lovers, Pilgrims
Best places to visit in Madhya Pradesh
Khajuraho, Orchha and Gwalior, Ujjain and Omkareshwar, Mandu and Maheshwar and Bhopal, Sanchi and Bhimbetka are the places our Madhya Pradesh itineraries are built around.
Khajuraho
The carved Chandela temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Orchha and Gwalior
Bundela palaces and chhatris, and the hilltop Gwalior fort.
Ujjain and Omkareshwar
Two Jyotirlinga temples on the Shipra and the Narmada.
Mandu and Maheshwar
Afghan palaces on a plateau and Ahilyabai's riverside town.
Bhopal, Sanchi and Bhimbetka
Lakes and museums, Ashoka's stupa and prehistoric rock paintings.
Kanha and Bandhavgarh
Tiger reserves of sal forest, meadows and rocky hills.
Things to do
- See the Khajuraho temples and light show
- Go on a tiger safari at Kanha or Bandhavgarh
- Have darshan at Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain
- Take a boat through the marble rocks at Bhedaghat
- Watch sunset from Dhoopgarh at Pachmarhi
- See the chhatris of Orchha on the Betwa
How many days do you need?
Three or four days covers Khajuraho, Ujjain, Bhopal, Pachmarhi or one tiger reserve; six days covers the Malwa circuit or two parks; allow eight for Gwalior to Bandhavgarh or three parks.
| Trip length | What it covers | Our itinerary |
|---|---|---|
| 3 days | Khajuraho temples | Khajuraho Temples |
| 4 days | Ujjain and Omkareshwar | Ujjain and Omkareshwar |
| 4 days | Kanha Tiger Reserve | Kanha Tiger Reserve |
| 6 days | Indore, Ujjain, Omkareshwar and Maheshwar | Malwa Circuit: Indore, Ujjain, Omkareshwar and Maheshwar |
| 8 days | Gwalior, Orchha, Khajuraho and Bandhavgarh | Heart of India: Gwalior, Orchha, Khajuraho and Bandhavgarh |
| 8 days | Pench, Kanha and Bandhavgarh tiger reserves | Pench, Kanha and Bandhavgarh |
Best time to visit Madhya Pradesh
October to March is the best time to visit Madhya Pradesh; the tiger reserves are open from October to June.
| Months | Season | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| October – March | Best season | Pleasant days for sightseeing; the tiger reserves open from 1 October. |
| April – June | Summer | Very hot, but the best months for tiger sightings at waterholes. |
| July – September | Monsoon | Green hills and full waterfalls at Pachmarhi and Bhedaghat; park core zones are closed. |
Suggested Madhya Pradesh routes
Routes from our own Madhya Pradesh itineraries, by trip length.
- 2 Nights / 3 Days: Jabalpur → Bhedaghat → Dhuandhar Falls — Jabalpur and the Marble Rocks
- 3 Nights / 4 Days: Jabalpur → Amarkantak → Kapildhara — Amarkantak: Source of the Narmada
- 4 Nights / 5 Days: Bhopal → Pachmarhi — Bhopal and Pachmarhi
- 5 Nights / 6 Days: Bhopal → Ujjain → Indore — Bhopal, Ujjain and Indore
- 7 Nights / 8 Days: Gwalior → Orchha → Khajuraho → Bandhavgarh — Heart of India: Gwalior, Orchha, Khajuraho and Bandhavgarh
Things to consider
Getting there and around: Packages include road transfers and sightseeing as specified. Jeep safaris in the tiger reserves are booked in advance and paid locally or quoted separately; flights or trains are quoted separately.
Where you stay: Standard / 3-star equivalent hotels and jungle lodges with breakfast, as listed on each package; simple stays in Chanderi and Amarkantak.
- Book tiger safaris as early as possible; permits are limited.
- Park core zones close from 1 July to 30 September.
- Book the Bhasma Aarti at Ujjain well in advance.
- Carry warm layers for winter morning safaris.
Madhya Pradesh travel questions
What is Madhya Pradesh known for?
Unesco heritage, tiger country, jyotirlingas and forts and palaces. The Khajuraho temples, the Sanchi stupa and the rock shelters of Bhimbetka.
How many days should I spend in Madhya Pradesh?
Three or four days covers Khajuraho, Ujjain, Bhopal, Pachmarhi or one tiger reserve; six days covers the Malwa circuit or two parks; allow eight for Gwalior to Bandhavgarh or three parks. Our Madhya Pradesh itineraries run 3–8 days.
What is the best time to visit Madhya Pradesh?
October to March is the best time to visit Madhya Pradesh; the tiger reserves are open from October to June.
Which places should I include in a Madhya Pradesh trip?
Khajuraho, Orchha and Gwalior, Ujjain and Omkareshwar, Mandu and Maheshwar, Bhopal, Sanchi and Bhimbetka and Kanha and Bandhavgarh. Khajuraho: The carved Chandela temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Which Holiday Guru Travel packages cover Madhya Pradesh?
24 itineraries: Jabalpur and the Marble Rocks (2 Nights / 3 Days); Khajuraho Temples (2 Nights / 3 Days); Ujjain Mahakal Darshan (2 Nights / 3 Days); Amarkantak: Source of the Narmada (3 Nights / 4 Days); Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (3 Nights / 4 Days); Bhopal, Sanchi and Bhimbetka (3 Nights / 4 Days); and 18 more listed below.
Can a Madhya Pradesh itinerary be customised?
Yes. Any of our Madhya Pradesh itineraries can be changed — add or remove nights, change the hotel category or add sightseeing. Tell us what you need and we send a quote for your dates.
Madhya Pradesh holiday packages
All 24 Holiday Guru Travel itineraries for Madhya Pradesh, shortest first. Each can be customised.
| Package ID | Package | Duration | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0410 | Jabalpur and the Marble Rocks | 2 Nights / 3 Days | Jabalpur → Bhedaghat → Dhuandhar Falls |
| 0396 | Khajuraho Temples | 2 Nights / 3 Days | Khajuraho → Western Group → Raneh Falls |
| 0401 | Ujjain Mahakal Darshan | 2 Nights / 3 Days | Indore → Ujjain → Mahakaleshwar |
| 0417 | Amarkantak: Source of the Narmada | 3 Nights / 4 Days | Jabalpur → Amarkantak → Kapildhara |
| 0412 | Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve | 3 Nights / 4 Days | Jabalpur → Bandhavgarh → Tala |
| 0406 | Bhopal, Sanchi and Bhimbetka | 3 Nights / 4 Days | Bhopal → Sanchi → Udayagiri → Bhimbetka → Bhojpur |
| 0418 | Chitrakoot and Maihar | 3 Nights / 4 Days | Chitrakoot → Maihar |
| 0399 | Gwalior and Orchha | 3 Nights / 4 Days | Gwalior → Orchha |
| 0411 | Kanha Tiger Reserve | 3 Nights / 4 Days | Jabalpur → Kanha → Mukki → Kisli |
| 0397 | Khajuraho and Orchha | 3 Nights / 4 Days | Khajuraho → Orchha |
| 0404 | Mandu and Maheshwar | 3 Nights / 4 Days | Mandu → Maheshwar |
| 0407 | Pachmarhi Hills | 3 Nights / 4 Days | Bhopal → Pachmarhi → Bee Falls → Dhoopgarh |
| 0398 | Panna Tiger Reserve and Khajuraho | 3 Nights / 4 Days | Panna → Khajuraho |
| 0413 | Pench Tiger Reserve | 3 Nights / 4 Days | Nagpur → Pench → Turia |
| 0409 | Satpura National Park (Madhai) | 3 Nights / 4 Days | Bhopal → Madhai → Satpura National Park → Denwa River |
| 0402 | Ujjain and Omkareshwar | 3 Nights / 4 Days | Ujjain → Omkareshwar |
| 0408 | Bhopal and Pachmarhi | 4 Nights / 5 Days | Bhopal → Pachmarhi |
| 0400 | Gwalior, Shivpuri and Chanderi | 4 Nights / 5 Days | Gwalior → Shivpuri → Chanderi |
| 0405 | Bhopal, Ujjain and Indore | 5 Nights / 6 Days | Bhopal → Ujjain → Indore |
| 0403 | Malwa Circuit: Indore, Ujjain, Omkareshwar and Maheshwar | 5 Nights / 6 Days | Indore → Ujjain → Omkareshwar → Maheshwar → Indore |
| 0414 | Kanha and Bandhavgarh | 5 Nights / 6 Days | Kanha → Bandhavgarh |
| 0416 | Khajuraho and Bandhavgarh | 5 Nights / 6 Days | Khajuraho → Bandhavgarh |
| 0419 | Heart of India: Gwalior, Orchha, Khajuraho and Bandhavgarh | 7 Nights / 8 Days | Gwalior → Orchha → Khajuraho → Bandhavgarh |
| 0415 | Pench, Kanha and Bandhavgarh | 7 Nights / 8 Days | Pench → Kanha → Bandhavgarh → Jabalpur |