Mumbai or Bombay is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It’s the financial capital of India. It is the most populous city in India, and the most populous city in the world, with a population of approximately 14 million. Mumbai is the commercial and entertainment capital of India, generating 5% of India's GDP, accounting for 25% of industrial output, 70% of maritime trade in India and 70% of capital transactions to India's economy. Mumbai is home to important financial institutions such as the Reserve Bank of India, the National Stock Exchange of India, the Bombay Stock Exchange and the corporate headquarters of many Indian and multinational corporations. The city also houses India's Hindi film and television industry, known as Bollywood. Mumbai's business opportunities, as well as its potential to offer a higher standard of living, attract migrants from all over India & neighboring countries.

Day 01 : ARRIVAL MUMBAI

On arrival you will be met and assisted by our representative and will be transferred to the hotel. Check in at the hotel.

Mumbai is a cluster of Seven Islands and derives its name from Mumbadevi, the patron goddess of the koli fisher folk, its oldest inhabitants. Mumbai pulsates with activity. It is a city that is disciplined by no time frame neither day nor night. It is also the country's financial powerhouse, the nation's industrial heartland, and its economic nerve center. Dazzling shopping arcades, exciting sport activity, nightclubs & discotheques, theatre & music, gourmet restaurants and interesting sightseeing. It offers visitors a heady mix of all this and more.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 02 : IN MUMBAI

Breakfast at the hotel.

Later, proceed for an excursion to Elephanta Island.

A 40-minute boat ride across the harbour from the Gateway of India, Elephanta Island is famous for its ornately carved temples, hewn into a rocky escarpment in the 6th century. Although damaged, the carvings are still impressive. The central statue of Trimurti – Shiva as the creator, preserver and destroyer of the universe – is particularly dramatic. The temples are reached via a stone stairway from the ferry jetty, lined with vendors selling religious souvenirs.

Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 03 : MUMBAI – AURANGABAD (BY AIR)

After breakfast check out from the hotel and drive to the airport to board the flight for Aurangabad. On arrival, transfer to the hotel.

Aurangabad: Malik Ambar, the Prime Minister of Murtaza Nizam Shah II, founded the city of Aurangabad in 1610 A.D, on the site of a village, Khirki. When Fateh Khan, Malik Ambar's son succeeded the throne in 1626, he named the city 'Fatehpur'. In 1653, when Aurangzeb became the Viceroy of the Deccan, he made it his capital, and renamed it Aurangabad. Maurya rule heralded the advent of Buddhism in the state of Maharashtra. The earliest caves at Ajanta and Pithalkora were excavated in the 2nd century BC, during the Satvahana era. Paithan, then known as Pratishthana, was an important trade centre at the time Aurangabad, 400 kms from Bombay, is linked by air too. Spectacular rock cut caves and cave paintings exist at two nearby places, Ajanta and Ellora.

Later visit to Daulataba, which was once known as Devagiri, is a magnificent 12th century fortress standing atop a hill. Daulatabad, which is constructed with excellent architecture, is one of the few invincible forts in Maharashtra. Mohammed Bin Tughluq, the sultan of Delhi gave the name Daulatabad 'The city of fortune'. Series of trick defense and secret escapes routes are the famous features of this fort. Jami Masjid, Bharatmata Mandir, the Chand Minar, Elephant Tank and 'Chini Mahal' or Chinese Palace are the important monuments inside the fort. Daulatabad Fort, which initially had stronghold of Yadav, passed through the hands of several dynasties in Deccan.

Also visit to Khuldabad ("Heavenly Abode"), a walled town near Aurangabad, is the Karbala (holy shrine) of Deccan Muslims. Many historical figures are buried here including Aurangzeb, the last major Mughal emperor. His final resting place is a simple affair of bare earth in a courtyard of the Alamgir Dargah at the center of town.

Return to the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 04 : AURANGABAD – AJANTA (105 KMS: 2 HRS)

After breakfast take an excursion to the famous Ajanta caves.

Ajanta: It was only in the 19th century, that the Ajanta group of caves, lying deep within the Sahyadri hills, cut into the curved mountain side, above the Waghora river, were discovered. A group of British officers on a tiger hunt, stumbled on these ancient works of art. They depict the story of Buddhism, spanning the period from 200 BC to 650 AD. The 29 caves were built as secluded retreats of the Buddhist monks, who taught and performed rituals in the Chaityas and Viharas, the ancient seats of learning, and nerve - centers of the Buddhist cultural movement.

Ajanta is one of the few historical and architectural marvels of India. Recognized as the World Heritage Site today, it was discovered during the 19th century by a group of British officers who were on a tiger hunt. The Ajanta group of caves, located deep within the Sahyadri hills above the Waghora, depicts the story of Buddhism that prevailed here during 200 BC to 650 AD. Ajanta’s wondrous cave temples are cut into the rocky sides of a dramatic crescent-shaped gorge, at the head of which is a waterfall that drops over the mountain rim in a series of seven steps to a pool far below – deep inside the mountain are the Buddhist chaitya – vihara prayer and monastery caves. They cover a span of 800 years where under the royal patronage of ruling dynasties, professional artists helped Buddhist monks to create magnificent murals narrating the story of Buddha in his cycle of incarnations, while simultaneously creating a painted record of the panorama of life in ancient India. Etched and painted in mineral dyes, the paintings have a languorous stylized beauty and magical eloquence. Note: The Ajanta Caves are closed to public on all Monday and Ellora caves on Tuesday

Return back to Aurangabad. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 05 : AURANGABAD – ELLORA CAVES (30 KMS: ½ HR)

After breakfast, take a sight seeing tour of Ellora Caves.

Ellora Caves: The Ellora caves, 34 in number, are carved into the sides of a basaltic hill, 30 kms from Aurangabad. The finest specimens of cave - temple architecture, they house elaborate facades and exquisitely adorned interiors. These structures representing the three faiths of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, were carved during the 350 AD to 700 AD period. The 12 caves to the south are Buddhist, the 17 in the centre dedicated to Hinduism, and the 5 caves to the north are Jain.

Ellora, one of the highly visited World heritage sites of India. It houses 34 monasteries and temples with some exclusive uninterrupted sequence of monuments that date back from 600 to 1000 AD. The temples of Ellora are dedicated to Brahmanism, Jainism, and Buddhism. It also has some of the excellent stonework depicting the legends related to Lord Shiva. After visit, return back to Aurangabad. Later visit to Bibi ka Maqbara Built by Azam Shah in 1678, the Bibi ka Maqbara is a son's loving tribute to his mother, Begum Rabia Durrani, the Queen of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Standing spectacularly on the lawns of the landscaped garden with ponds, fountains and water channels, the white marbled monument rises majestically in an intentional bid to copy and rival the world famous Taj Mahal of Agra and Panchakki - An engineering feat of the time is the Panchakki, or the water mill built by Malik Ambar in 1695. The water, channeled from a spring on a distant hill was used to power the flourmill and grind grain for the pilgrims. Rest of the evening is free to enjoy city atmosphere. Note: The Ajanta Caves are closed to public on all Monday and Ellora caves on Tuesday.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 06 : AURANGABAD – MUMBAI (BY FLIGHT)

After breakfast check out from the hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight to Mumbai. On arrival, transfer to the hotel.

Later proceed for a short guided tour of Mumbai, visit Gateway of India - Mumbai's most famous landmark, situated at Apollo Bunder. It was designed by George Wikket.It was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to India in 1911. Flora Fountain (Hutatma Chowk) - This marvellous fountain was built in 1869, in honor of Sir Henry Bartle and Edward Frere. It is situated in the heart of the Mumbai city at a junction of five streets. The fountain has a figure of "Flora", the Roman Goddess of Flowers at the top. Kamala Nehru Park & Hanging Gardens -The giant Old woman's shoe in the Kamala Nehru Park is very popular with children to play in. One gets a panoramic view of parts of the city from these parks situated at the height of Malabar Hill. When seen at night, the view of streetlights of Marine Drive resemble a dazzling bejewelled "Queen's Necklace". At sunset, the waterfall and fountains in the park are lit with colorful lights, which are worth seeing. The Hanging Gardens surrounded by beautiful flowerbeds and lush green lawns are very popular as picnic spots. The Prince of Wales Museum -This museum stands not too far from the Gateway of India.   It has a priceless collection of art, sculpture, china and other antics. Carefully preserved, this mid-Victorian Gothic style building built in 1904 with beautiful gardens surrounding it.

Return back to the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel

Day 07 : IN MUMBAI

After breakfast, visit Dhobi Ghat ~ It's a fascinating spectacle, looking down on row upon row of open-air concrete wash pens,\each fitted with its own flogging stone, while Mumbai's dhobis (around 200 dhobi families work together here) relentlessly pound the dirt from the city's garments in a timeless tradition. Known as the world's largest outdoor laundry, Dhobi Ghat is where Mumbai's traditional washer folk -- or dhobis – provides a wonderful service, collecting dirty laundry, washing it, and returning it neatly pressed, all for a very small fee. Stubborn stains are removed by soaking garments in a boiling vat of caustic soda; drying takes place on long, brightly colored lines; and heavy wood-burning irons are used for pressing. At the very least, it's a great photo opportunity, though most locals think it rather amusing that their everyday work arouses such curiosity.

Thereafter, visit Crawford Market, named after Bombay's first Municipal Commissioner, Arthur Crawford, and the Crawford Market is at the northern end of the old British part of the town, and faces the crowded inner city. An elegant, covered market, it dominates the skyline with its clock tower and steeple. The spaces inside are divided into sections for fruits, vegetables and meat. Its design is a mix of Flemish and Norman architecture designed by Lockyard Kipling, father of Rudyard Kipling. Kiplings' cottage still stands next to the JJ School of Arts across the  road. Over the years, then market has extended into the neighboring streets and into selling every possible thing on the planet. It is a wholesaler's dream come true and a middle-class household's answer for inexpensive products. It's madness to step into the over congested streets of this market...oh! but what a thrill.

Return back to the hotel. Rest of the evening at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 08 : MUMBAI

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to the Mumbai International Airport for your flight back home.