Bhopal

Capital of Madhya Pradesh with the Upper Lake, Taj-ul-Masajid and Bhopal museums. A good gateway to Sanchi and Bhimbetka.

Sanchi

UNESCO World Heritage site with the Great Stupa and carved gateways, about 45 km from Bhopal.

Khajuraho

UNESCO-listed Chandela temples famous for detailed stone carving. The dance festival is usually held in February.

Orchha

Palaces, cenotaphs and the Ram Raja Temple on the Betwa river, near Jhansi.

Gwalior

Gwalior Fort, Jai Vilas Palace and the Teli ka Mandir. Easy to reach by train from Delhi.

Ujjain

Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga and ghats on the Shipra river. Dress modestly and expect queues.

Indore

Rajwada Palace, Lal Bagh Palace and the Sarafa night market. Good base for Mandu and Maheshwar.

Mandu

Afghan-era palaces and mosques on a plateau, including Jahaz Mahal and Hoshang Shah’s Tomb.

Maheshwar and Omkareshwar

Ahilya Fort and weaving workshops at Maheshwar, plus the Omkareshwar island temple.

Pachmarhi

Satpura hills with waterfalls, caves and forest walks. Good for a cooler break.

Bandhavgarh and Kanha

Two of India’s best tiger parks. Safaris need advance booking and the parks close for the monsoon.

Jabalpur

Boat rides through the marble gorge at Bhedaghat and the Dhuandhar waterfall on the Narmada.

Great Stupa, Sanchi

Third-century BCE stupa with four ornate gateways. Visit early to avoid heat.

Bhimbetka Rock Shelters

UNESCO-listed shelters with prehistoric cave art, about 45 km from Bhopal.

Khajuraho Western Group

The best-known temples in the complex. A guide helps explain the carvings.

Gwalior Fort

Large fort with palaces, temples and views over the city.

Orchha Palaces and Chhatris

Raj Mahal, Jahangir Mahal and the royal cenotaphs along the Betwa.

Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain

One of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Foreign visitors should check entry rules.

Jahaz Mahal, Mandu

Palace built between two lakes. Best in the post-monsoon green season.

Tiger safari in Bandhavgarh

Morning and afternoon jeep safaris. Book early in peak season.

Marble Rocks, Bhedaghat

Narmada boat ride between white marble cliffs.

Ahilya Fort, Maheshwar

Fort and ghats above the Narmada, with handloom Maheshwari saris nearby.

Poha and jalebi

Flattened rice with sev and hot jalebi, a classic Indore morning meal.

Sarafa Night Market

Late-night stalls with bhutte ki kees, garadu and sweets. Eat at busy stalls.

Dal bafla

Baked wheat balls with dal and ghee, common across Malwa.

Bhopali cuisine

Mughlai dishes and kebabs, plus sweets in the old city.

Bhutte ki kees

Grated corn cooked in milk and spices, best in monsoon and winter.

Local sweets and chai

Try rabri, mawa jalebi and kulhad chai at roadside stalls.

Noor-Us-Sabah Palace, Bhopal

Heritage hotel overlooking the Upper Lake.

Jehan Numa Palace, Bhopal

Historic palace hotel with gardens and a lake view.

Usha Kiran Palace, Gwalior

Palace hotel near Jai Vilas Palace with lawns and old interiors.

Amar Mahal, Orchha

Hotel with palace-style rooms near the Betwa river.

Mahua Kothi, Bandhavgarh

Safari lodge close to the park, with expert naturalist guides.

MP Tourism hotels and homestays

State-run hotels and village homestays near Khajuraho, Sanchi and the parks.

Airports: Madhya Pradesh Travel Guide for Foreigners

• Bhopal and Indore, the main airports
• Gwalior, Jabalpur and Khajuraho, smaller domestic airports
• Delhi, the main international gateway for most visitors

Railway Stations: Madhya Pradesh Travel Guide for Foreigners

• Bhopal, Gwalior, Jhansi, Jabalpur and Indore are major stations
• Jhansi is the usual stop for Orchha
• Fast trains from Delhi reach Gwalior and Bhopal

Roads and Tiger Reserves: Madhya Pradesh Travel Guide for Foreigners

• Private car from Delhi, Agra or Nagpur on national highways
• Plan long drives between Khajuraho, Bandhavgarh and Kanha
• Tiger reserve core zones close in the monsoon, usually July to September