Ujjain, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar and Mandu

Days 1 to 2: Ujjain

2 nights · Easy · Ancient temple city on the Shipra river, home to the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga.

Day 1: Ujjain

• Attend Bhasma Aarti (if booked) or early darshan at Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple.
• Walk to Harsiddhi Temple.
• Visit Vedh Shala (Jantar Mantar) late in the morning.
• Watch the evening Shipra aarti at Ram Ghat.
• Walk the lit Shri Mahakal Lok Corridor after dark.

Day 2: Ujjain

• Go early to Kal Bhairav Temple to beat the queues.
• Continue to Mangalnath Temple on the Shipra.
• Visit Sandipani Ashram.
• Return to the old city for poha, sweets and shopping.

Getting here from Ujjain: Road via Indore, about 3 to 3.5 hours. About 130 km by road.

Days 3 to 4: Omkareshwar

2 nights · Easy · Jyotirlinga temple on an OM-shaped island in the Narmada, with the 108-ft Adi Shankaracharya statue.

Day 3: Omkareshwar

• Arrive from Indore and check in.
• Darshan at Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple.
• Cross the river to Mamleshwar Temple.
• Evening aarti at Kotitirth Ghat and a short boat ride.

Day 4: Omkareshwar

• Early start on the island parikrama from Kotitirth Ghat.
• Stop at Gauri Somnath and Siddhnath on the way.
• Visit Ekatma Dham and the Statue of Oneness.
• Leave for Indore, Maheshwar or Ujjain in the afternoon.

Getting here from Omkareshwar: Road via Barwaha, about 1.5 to 2 hours. About 65 km by road.

Day 5: Maheshwar

1 night · Easy · Ahilyabai Holkar's riverside capital, with a fort above long Narmada ghats and handwoven Maheshwari sarees.

Day 5: Maheshwar

• Sunrise on the ghats below the fort.
• Visit Ahilya Fort and the Rajwada.
• Watch the looms at Rehwa Society.
• Boat ride on the Narmada to Baneshwar Temple.
• Sunset from the ghats.

Getting here from Maheshwar: Road via Dhamnod, about 1.5 hours. About 40 km by road.

Days 6 to 7: Mandu

1 night · Easy · A ruined Afghan fortress city on a Vindhya plateau, at its best when the monsoon turns it green.

Day 6: Mandu

• Arrive from Indore and check in at the village.
• Walk the Royal Enclave: Jahaz Mahal, Hindola Mahal and the tanks.
• Cross to the Jama Masjid and Hoshang Shah's tomb in the afternoon.
• Dal bafla at a village dhaba in the evening.

Day 7: Mandu

• Nilkanth Mahal in the morning, before the heat.
• Drive south to Baz Bahadur's palace and Rewa Kund.
• Climb to Rupmati's pavilion for the view over the Nimar plain at sunset.
• Return to Indore, or stay a second night and leave in the morning.