Madhya Pradesh, which is also referred to as the “Heart of India”, is located in the centre of India, and in many ways pulsates with the rich culture and heritage which is the hallmark of the country. The length and breadth of Madhya Pradesh are scattered with gems of heritage that date back right up to the pre-historic times. Travelling across the state is like taking a walk back into the fascinating chapters of Indian history. We present here a Madhya Pradesh itinerary that will take you to some of the best heritage sites in Madhya Pradesh.

Madhya Pradesh Itinerary – Heritage Sites of Madhya Pradesh

The heritage of Madhya Pradesh is not only incredible in terms of its beauty but also in terms of the time period it spans. It is a virtual living museum that ranges from the pre-historic rock caves of Bhimbetka to the contemporary Madhya Pradesh Museum of Tribal Art in Bhopal. This Madhya Pradesh itinerary which is of 7 days in Madhya Pradesh, covers some of the famous historical places in Madhya Pradesh and the places to visit in Madhya Pradesh.

Map of Madhya Pradesh

Day One Bhopal – Taj-ul-Masajid & Madhya Pradesh Tribal Museum

It is appropriate to start the 7 day Madhya Pradesh itinerary from Bhopal, the capital of the state. Bhopal is well connected by air, road, and rail to other cities of India. Bhopal is a city of lakes and there are many points of interest, but focusing on our heritage trip in Madhya Pradesh, the first day would be devoted to visiting two of the top places to visit in Bhopal.

Taj-ul-Masajid

One monument that is associated with Madhya Pradesh’s history in Bhopal is the Taj-ul-Masajid. The magnificent mosque dates back to the late 19th century and is a beautiful blend of Mughal and Indo-Islamic architectural styles. It combines the best of elements of Jama Masjid in Delhi and the Grand Mosque in Lahore.

The mosque can accommodate more than 175,000 people and is said to be the largest mosque not only in India but in Asia too. The mosque was a dream of the famous begum of Bhopal, Begum Shahjahan, who conceived and ordered it to be built. But she never lived to see it completed. The mosque was finally completed by Sultan Jehan Begum.

Madhya Pradesh Tribal Museum

Madhya Pradesh is known for its rich tribal culture and heritage. With about 46 different tribes in Madhya Pradesh, it is a treasure chest of indigenous tribal art and culture. To get a feel of the tribal culture at one single place, an excellent place to visit in Bhopal is the Madhya Pradesh Tribal Museum. The state of the art museum showcases the lifestyle and tribal culture of Madhya Pradesh. Seven of the major tribes of Madhya Pradesh, Gond, Bhil, Sahariya, Korku, Baiga, Kol, and Bhariya are showcased here,

Day Two Bhopal -Bhimbetka Rock Shelters & Bhojeshwar Temple

If you are in Bhopal, you cannot miss visiting two of the important places to visit in MP. Both of these places are a must in any heritage tour in Madhya Pradesh. They are not located in Bhopal city, but both can be easily covered in a short day trip from Bhopal.

Bhimbetka

Bhimbetka in Madhya Pradesh is an important place to visit in any Madhya Pradesh tour itinerary. Bhimbetka is located about 45 kilometres from the city of Bhopal. The Bhimbetka Rock Shelters are part of a UNESCO World Heritage SIte and consist of rock-cut caves which are evidence of the earliest human settlement in the country and the subcontinent. The caves have paintings that date from the Mesolithic period to the historical period.

Bhojeshwar Temple

One of the lesser-known historical monuments of Madhya Pradesh stands impressively just 28 kilometres from the city of Bhopal. Bhojpur Madhya Pradesh was the seat of Raja Bhoj and the Bhojeshwar temple stands as testimony to the king’s passion for art and architecture. The temple dates back to the year 1010.

The temple is shrouded in mystery and intrigue as the temple was never completed. It has one of the largest Shivlings in the country, which is worshipped, in spite of the fact that it was damaged during its construction. Evidence suggests that the Bhojpur temple was planned as a massive temple complex. It is interesting to note that the construction of this temple happened around the same time when the famous temple of Thanjavur, the Brihadeshwara temple was built.

Day Three – Sanchi & Udayagiri

Sanchi

Sanchi Madhya Pradesh, the UNESCO World Heritage Site in India is one of the gems of Madhya Pradesh tourism and also probably one of the top tourist places in MP. any tour looking to explore the culture and heritage in Madhya Pradesh would be incomplete without a visit to Sanchi. Sanchi is the site of the famous Stupa that was ordered to be built by Ashoka in the 3rd Century BCE. What can be seen today is of course not the original Stupa, as it has been covered and embellished over successive centuries.

One of the major attractions to look forward to when visiting the Sanchi Stupa are the exquisitely carved Torans or gates at the four cardinal points of the Stupa that date back to the 2nd Century BC. An interesting Sound & Light show enthrals visitors with the history of Sanchi in the evenings. On a 7 day Madhya Pradesh itinerary, the Sanch Stupa can be visited in the morning and visitors can return again in the evening for the Sound & Light show.

Udayagiri

Just within 10 kilometres from Sanchi is located another attraction that brings alive the heritage of Madhya Pradesh. These are the Udayagiri Caves, a site that has stayed in the shadow of the more illustrious Sanch Stupa. On the cultural and heritage Madhya Pradesh itinerary of 7 days, one can visit the Udayagiri Caves after visiting the Sanchi Stupa and before enjoying the Sound & Light show at Sanchi.

The Udayagiri Caves are a series of rock-cut cave temples and sculptures that date back to the Gupta period, between the 4th and 5th centuries. The iconic sculpture not to be missed in Udayagiri Caves is that of a massive Varaha, the boar Avatar of Lord Vishnu holding Ganga on his left shoulder. There are in all about 20 caves that are dedicated to Hindu Gods, Goddesses and symbology as well as to Jain Gods and religious symbology.

Day Four – Chanderi

A lesser-known gem on the Madhya Pradesh tourist map is Chanderi Madhya Pradesh. A place where history serenades visitors at every bend in the road. The small town of Chanderi is known for its iconic sarees by the same name, however not many know about its historical significance.

A visit to Chanderi is an essential part of any culture and heritage tour in Madhya Pradesh. The first place to visit is the Chanderi Museum run by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which gives an orientation of the history of Chanderi and its strategic importance being near to the ancient Silk Route. Other places to visit on the one day trip to Chanderi are the Chanderi Fort, which houses the Jauhar Smarak and the tomb of the legendary singer Baiju Bawra within its ramparts. Below are the landmarks of Chanderi that can be covered in one day.

• Chanderi Museum
• Chanderi Fort
• Jauhar Smarak
• Baiju Bawra’s Tomb
• Jama Masjid
• Badal Mahal
• Kati Darwaza
• Chanderi Handlooms

For a more detailed exploration of Chanderi, a couple of days need to be spared exclusively for the place, as there are many places to visit in the vicinity. These include Shezadi Ka Roza, Nizamuddin Auliya Family Tombs, Battisi Bawidi, the archaeological sites of Buddhi Chanderi, Nanon, and many other sites.

Day Five – Orchha

If you visit Madhya Pradesh and do not visit Orchha, your visit would remain incomplete. Orchha is a beautiful town located on the banks of the river Betwa. Orchha is one of the hidden gems of Madhya Pradesh and whether you are spending 6 days in Madhya Pradesh or more, Orchha is a place that needs to be on your Madhya Pradesh itinerary.

There is much to see in Orchha apart from magical sunrises on the banks of the Betwa river. The town of Orchha is like an illustrated history book with its palaces, temples, and cenotaphs. Orchha is famous for its temple where the deity in the form of Rama is worshipped as a king. The places to visit in Orchha are:

• Ram Raja Temple
• Orchha Fort, Jahangir Mahal
• Orchha Fort, Raja Mahal
• Cenotaphs or Chhatris
• Chaturbhuj Temple
• Lakshminarayan Temple
• Phoolbagh
• Rani Mahal

Another ancient temple not to miss is the Jarai Ka Math, a 9th-century temple located about 20 kilometres from Orchha.

Day Six – Khajuraho, On The Heritage Trail in Madhya Pradesh

The 7 day Madhya Pradesh itinerary culminates befittingly with the last two days devoted to exploring the exquisite temples of Khajuraho. Khajuraho, of course, needs no introduction, as it shines like a jewel on the tourist map of Madhya Pradesh and India. Any Madhya Pradesh travel guide would invariably begin with Khajuraho as its iconic temples are well known throughout the world and many tourists visit India solely for these mesmerizing temples.

The Khajuraho Group of Monuments is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and consists of Jain temples and Hindu temples that were built during the 10th and 11th centuries. About 20 of these grand temples have survived the onslaught of time and nature and stand as a glowing tribute to the master craftsmen who conceived and built them. The temples of Khajuraho are grouped as Eastern Group of temples, Western Group of temples, and Southern Group of temples.

On day 6 of the Madhya Pradesh Itinerary one can visit the Eastern Group and the Southern Group of temples which include the following:

• Javari Temple
• Vamana Temple
• Adinatha Temple
• Parshvanatha Temple
• Duladeo Temple
• Chaturbhuj Temple

Day Seven – Khajuraho, On The Heritage Trail in Madhya Pradesh

On the last day of the 7 day Madhya Pradesh Itinerary, the Western Group of temples of Khajuraho are sure to enthral visitors with their exquisite architecture and sculpture. The temples to visit are:

• Kandariya Mahadev Temple
• Lakshmana Temple
• Jagadamba Temple
• Devi Mandap
• Varaha Mandap

There are some other places worth visiting in and around Khajuraho which can be visited if on a flexible itinerary, and these are listed below:

• Archaeological Museum
• Raneh Waterfalls
• Kalinjar Fort
• Ajaigarh Fort

Madhya Pradesh Travel Videos

To get a feel of our Madhya Pradesh itinerary to watch these short videos shot during our 7-day culture and heritage trail of Madhya Pradesh with Times Passion Trails and Madhya Pradesh Tourism.

• 7 Days Madhya Pradesh Itinerary – Heritage Sites of MP
• 7 Day Madhya Pradesh Itinerary
• Sanchi Stupa – Amazing Facts And History
• In Conversation with Padmashri K K Muhammed

Other Major Tourist Places In Madhya Pradesh

There are many places to visit in Madhya Pradesh that echo the beautiful heritage, history, and culture of incredible India.

Gwalior is one of the famous tourist places in Madhya Pradesh which is well known for its ancient and historic fort as well as palace and temples.

Ujjain is a pilgrimage place known for the Jyotirlinga temple of Mahakaleshwar.

Mandu is an enchanting and historic city famous for its picturesque fort and palaces.

Pench is known for its tiger reserve, the Pench National Park.

Pachmarhi Madhya Pradesh is a hill station and is known as the queen of the Satpuras. Pachmarhi is a summer retreat and is the highest point of Madhya Pradesh.

Panna Madhya Pradesh is another place to see tigers in Madhya Pradesh. The Panna National Park is a tiger reserve to visit. Panna is also known for its diamond mines.

Maheshwar Madhya Pradesh is a historic town on the banks of the Narmada. It was once the capital of the Holkars and is known for its temples, fort, and royal palace.

Mandsaur Madhya Pradesh is a town whose history dates back to the 2nd century CE. It is famous for its ancient Pashupatinath temple also known as Mandasor Shiva temple.

Kanha is another place to head to in Madhya Pradesh for tiger sighting at the Kanha Tiger Reserve.

Bandhavgarh is another tiger sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh. The Bandhavgarh National Park is the place to head to for wildlife enthusiasts.

Rajgarh Madhya Pradesh is known for its famous Jalpamata temple.

Best Time To Visit Madhya Pradesh

The best time to visit Madhya Pradesh would be during the winter months which is from October to March. However, summers are good for wildlife sightings at the tiger reserves.

How To Reach Madhya Pradesh

• Bhopal is the capital of Madhya Pradesh and is serviced by the Raja Bhoj International Airport
• Other major airports are at Indore, Gwalior, Jabalpur, and Khajuraho
• Bhopal and other cities are well connected by road and rail

If you are planning a trip to Madhya Pradesh, you can book your flight to Bhopal, Gwalior, or Khajuraho through any of the below options, at the location of your choice here – TripAdvisor or Cleartrip or  makemytrip or  goibibo or  Booking.com or  HotelsCombined or  Agoda and save a lot by getting the best deals on booking your stay.  If you are thinking of a road trip from anywhere in India check out the rental car and bus options.

Where To Stay When In Madhya Pradesh

There are plenty of options for staying in the various tourist places of Madhya Pradesh on your Madhya Pradesh Itinerary. Some of our recommended places to stay are Jehan Numa Retreat and Jehan Numa Palace in Bhopal. The Lalit Temple View in Khajuraho. Madhya Pradesh Tourism also has its hotels and resorts at different tourist places and these include the Kutni Island Resort in Khajuraho and the Gateway Retreat in Sanchi.

For your Madhya Pradesh accommodation, if you are looking for the best hotels in Bhopal to book, you can do that right here. You can also book your hotel in Khajuraho through any of the below options, at the location of your choice here – TripAdvisor or Cleartrip or  makemytrip or  goibibo or  Booking.com or  HotelsCombined or  Agoda and save a lot by getting the best deals on booking your stay.

Madhya Pradesh Tourism

Tourism in Madhya Pradesh offers a rich range of heritage, culture, history, and wildlife destinations. These include UNESCO World Heritage sites like Khajuraho, Bhimbetka, and Sanchi as well as lesser-known gems like Chanderi.

For visiting Madhya Pradesh you can also avail of package tours that will cover other must-visit places of Madhya Pradesh. You can plan your trip and book online different places to visit in Madhya Pradesh right here.

Madhya Pradesh Itinerary – FAQ

Which are the main cities of Madhya Pradesh?

The main cities of Madhya Pradesh are Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, and Jabalpur.

Which are the famous monuments of Madhya Pradesh?

Sanchi Stupa and the Khajuraho temples are the most renowned of the monuments of Khajuraho.

Is 1 week in Madhya Pradesh enough to see all important places?

Madhya Pradesh has so much to offer, it is not possible to seel all the important places to visit in Madhya Pradesh in one week. One needs to plan for at least a couple of weeks.

Which are the main Madhya Pradesh destinations for wildlife?

The main wildlife destinations in Madhya Pradesh are Pench, Bandhavgarh, Kanha, and Panna.

Which are the World Heritage Sites in Madhya Pradesh?

There are 38  UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India out of which 3 are Heritage Tourism Destinations in Madhya Pradesh. These are the most popular places to visit in Madhya Pradesh.

We hope you liked our Madhya Pradesh travel blog post about a cultural and heritage Madhya Pradesh itinerary that can be done in 7 days. We hope this post helps you plan your week long tour itinerary for Madhya Pradesh.

Have you visited Madhya Pradesh? If so which one is your favourite destination among the places to visit in Madhya Pradesh? Reach out with your comments, we love to hear back from you.

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Sandy & Vyjay are a husband and wife duo who are travel content creators. They are co-founders of this travel website and are one of the leading travel content creators in India.

Sandy & Vyjay quit their successful corporate careers to pursue their passion for travel and writing full-time. Their dedication has earned them the “Best Travel Writer” award and numerous accolades on both national and international stages. Focusing on India’s destinations, heritage, and culture, they are passionate advocates for nature and the environment. Through their content, they promote ecotourism and sustainable travel, inspiring others to explore and preserve the beauty of India.