Cave Temples of India
Tour with Dr. David Miano (12 days)
An Expert-Led Journey with Dr. David Miano
Nov 9–20, 2026 | 12 Days / 11 Nights
Tour menu:
Tour menu:
Overview & Date
This journey is designed for travelers who want to immerse themselves in the ancient world, not simply admire famous sites from a distance.
My name is Dr. David Miano. I’m a historian, author, educator, and proprietor of the World of Antiquity YouTube channel, a widely followed educational platform focused on ancient history, archaeology, and the ancient Mediterranean world.
Let me take you on an adventure into the Indian subcontinent that will grow your knowledge of the fascinating history of South Asia, as we step foot into the amazing ruins the ancient Indians left behind.
Why This Journey
Have you ever seen ancient Indian architecture and wondered who built it and why? Have you seen Hindu, Buddhist, or Jain art and been curious what it all means? I will bring it all together for you.
This isn’t your average sightseeing trip filled with tourist traps and generic photo ops. It’s an expedition. Rather than rushing between iconic landmarks, we move the way early explorers and antiquarians once did: walking ruins in context, approaching museums as field laboratories, treating each site as part of a larger historical puzzle rather than an isolated stop.
What makes this journey different
Difficult travel made easier
You may have heard stories people tell about how difficult it is to travel in India: dirty cities, noisy and chaotic traffic, unhygienic food, etc. This is why it is better to go with people with experience, who know the best places to stay, the best places to eat, and who can spare you the trouble of having to figure all that out for yourself, so that your trip can go as smoothly as possible.
A class in the field
The idea for my tours is to take history courses out of the stuffy classroom or Zoom room into the ancient world itself. Most tours do not have a Ph.D. on hand to teach ancient history to you. You won’t be lost in a sea of unfamiliar ancient objects that you don’t understand but will have someone there to make it clear to you and to put it into context.
Depth over pace
This journey favors time on site, context, and discussion over rushed schedules and surface-level commentary. Each location is approached with intention, allowing space for understanding rather than ticking off an item on a bucket list.
No “alternative” history, pseudo archaeology, or woo.
This tour offers a clear-eyed alternative to speculation-driven narratives, bringing clarity and depth to the study of the ancient world.
Small group
Transportation, accommodations, and site logistics strictly limit this journey to 16 participants. This is a hard cap and cannot be expanded once space is allocated.
Sites most tours never reach
We have a unique route that you will not find anywhere else. Beyond going to the popular ancient destinations, we will visit other locations typically absent from standard India itineraries.
Portions of the journey may also be documented for my World of Antiquity educational travel series.
Whether you’re a lifelong learner, archaeology enthusiast, or follower of the World of Antiquity YouTube channel, this is your chance to study the past where it happened, alongside a scholar whose passion and precision bring it vividly to life.
Your Host
Led by me, Dr. David Miano
Some scholar hosts show up only occasionally on some tours and leave you with the minor guides the rest of the time. Not so with my tours.
Throughout the expedition, I will:
- Provide on-site historical interpretation
- Lead informal lectures and group discussions
- Connect sites into their broader cultural and historical frameworks
- Engage directly with you throughout the journey
This is not a passive experience: you are traveling as my companion.
This expedition is designed for travelers who value context, continuity, and depth, and who want to be guided on site by a credentialed scholar for the full duration of the journey. I will be on hand always to answer any questions you may have.
With me as your guide, you’ll gain an evidence-based perspective on the origins, history, and inner workings of what here in the West is one of the least understood civilizations in the ancient world.
day-by-day itinerary
DAY
1
Day 1
Nov 9, 2026
Arrival in Mumbai
Reception at Chaitra Pathi Shivaji international airport in Mumbai (BOM) and transfer to your hotel (our team picks you up). Enjoy free time to relax and prepare for the journey ahead.
Overnight: Ibis Hotel, Mumbai
DAY
2
Day 2
Nov 10, 2026
Transfer to bhopal
We take a short flight to Bhopal to spend three days in the state of Madhya Pradesh. We visit the State Museum of Bhopal to get an introduction to ancient Indian art and artifacts discovered in the region. The state’s flagship repository houses over 11,000 artifacts spanning more than 10,000 years of human history. It’s a cool, spacious haven with 17 thematic galleries that take you on a seamless journey through the heart of central India.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Pride Hotel, Bhopal
DAY
3
Day 3
Nov 11, 2026
Bhimbetka and Satpura
On this day we explore the Bhimbetka Rock Shelters, where rock art stretching from the Mesolithic period up into historic times can be seen on the walls. Some of it is a source of controversy, which I look forward to telling you about. Then we will go on an afternoon safari in the Satpura Tiger Reserve to get a taste of the natural surroundings and wildlife of the region.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: MPT Bison Resort, Satpura
DAY
4
Day 4
Nov 12, 2026
Sanchi and Udayagiri
On a serene hilltop, surrounded by gentle green landscapes, is one of the oldest Buddhist monuments in the world, Sanchi Stupa, specifically the Great Stupa, originally built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE to enshrine relics of the Buddha himself. We go there on this day. After that, we visit the Udayagiri Caves, one of the most important sites in India, because it contains some of the earliest surviving Hindu temples in the world!
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Pride Hotel, Bhopal
DAY
5
Day 5
Nov 13, 2026
Transfer to Aurangabad
Today we travel to the city of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (also known as Aurangabad) to spend the rest of our tour in the state of Maharashtra. You can enjoy some free time once we arrive.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: Lemon Tree Hotel, Aurangabad
DAY
6
Day 6
Nov 14, 2026
Ajanta
We spend the day at Ajanta Caves, a breathtaking gallery of Buddhist art carved between the 2nd century BCE and around 480 CE. These 30 rock-cut caves on a dramatic gorge were lost to the world for over a thousand years until rediscovered in 1819, and stepping inside feels like entering a living time capsule.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Lemon Tree Hotel, Aurangabad
DAY
7
Day 7
Nov 15, 2026
Ellora
Today we visit the Ellora Caves, 34 extraordinary rock-cut temples and monasteries carved between the 6th and 10th centuries, representing Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism all side by side. The real jaw-dropper is the Kailasa Temple (Cave 16), an entire multi-story temple carved downward from a single gigantic rock.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Lemon Tree Hotel, Aurangabad
DAY
8
Day 8
Nov 16, 2026
Pandav Leni
On a rugged cliff just outside Nashik lies a sweeping row of 24 ancient rock-cut caves hugging the hillside like a secret monastic village. Welcome to Pandav Leni, a peaceful Buddhist gem I want to take you to. Carved between the 1st century BCE and the 6th century CE, and far less crowded than Ajanta or Ellora, it is every bit as mesmerizing, and an intimate window into the lives of early monks who sought enlightenment here.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Saj Resort, Malshej
DAY
9
Day 9
Nov 17, 2026
Naneghat
In the Western Ghats near Junnar, we follow the footsteps of ancient traders who crossed this mountain pass over 2,000 years ago. The path opens onto a windswept cliff, and there are the Naneghat Caves, a quiet rock-cut marvel built during the early Satavahana dynasty. There we find long inscriptions in early Brahmi script etched across the walls by Queen Naganika herself, one of ancient India’s remarkable women rulers.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Fariyas Resort, Lonavala
DAY
10
Day 10
Nov 18, 2026
karla and bhaja
In the hills near Pune, we will explore Karla Caves, a serene complex of 16 Buddhist rock-cut caves carved between the 2nd century BCE and the 5th century CE, serving as a peaceful monastery for monks of the Hinayana tradition. The star attraction is the grand Great Chaitya Griha (the main prayer hall), one of the largest and best-preserved in all of India. The nearby Buddhist Bhaja Caves, dating back to the 2nd century BCE, features inscriptions and unique reliefs of scenes from Indian mythology.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Ramada, Mumbai
DAY
11
Day 11
Nov 19, 2026
Mumbai
We venture deep into the lush green heart of Sanjay Gandhi National Park, surrounded by dense forest, to investigate a sprawling complex of 109 rock-cut caves known as the Kanheri Caves, one of India’s largest and most serene Buddhist monastic sites. Carved between the 1st century BCE and the 10th century CE, they’re a living timeline of Buddhism’s evolution from simple early Hinayana monk dwellings to more elaborate Mahayana halls. Then it’s a visit to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS), Mumbai’s crown-jewel museum featuring over 50,000 artifacts, including exquisite Indian miniature paintings, ancient sculptures, bronze figures, rare coins and manuscripts, and Indus Valley relics.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Farewell Dinner
Overnight: Ramada, Mumbai
DAY
12
Day 12
Nov 20, 2026
Departure
The expedition concludes as we all depart, carrying with us a greater understanding of ancient Indian history and a changed sense of the wonders of this magnificent culture.
Hotel accommodations are subject to change based on availability and operational considerations. In the event of any changes, comparable or upgraded accommodations will be provided.
Pricing
Tour Investment
$7,200 USD per person
(based on double occupancy)
Reserve Your Place
$1,600 USD deposit (non-refundable)
Payment Schedule
- 1) Secure Your Spot
$1,600 USD due at booking to reserve your place - 2) April 30, 2026
A payment equal to 50% of your total order due
(calculated on full tour price, including any add-ons — deposit not applied to this installment) - 3) June 30, 2026
Final balance due (total tour price minus your initial deposit)
Late Payments
A 3% fee applies only to overdue balances
Optional Add-On
$1,350 USD — Private Room Upgrade (Solo traveler add-on)
Early Bird Discount: Make a One-Time Payment before April 30th to save $300
Reserve Your Place:
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INITIAL DEPOSIT (Reserve your place)
$1,600.00Add to cartReserve your place on the Cave Temples of India tour with a non-refundable deposit.
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Sale!
ONE-TIME PAYMENT (Single payment for the full tour)
Original price was: $7,200.00.$6,900.00Current price is: $6,900.00.Add to cartPay in full for the Cave Temples of India tour in one single transaction. No additional tour payments required. Pay before April 30th to save $300.
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PRIVATE ROOM UPGRADE (Solo traveler add-on)
$1,350.00Add to cartUpgrade to a private, single-occupancy room for the full duration of the Cave Temples of India tour.
What’s Included
Daily on-site lectures with Dr. David Miano 12-day / 11-night guided journey All overnight accommodations Daily breakfast included Lunches & dinners (see itinerary) All in-country transportation Airport welcome upon arrival in Mumbai All entrance fees to archaeological sites Expert local English-speaking guides Dedicated on-the-ground tour coordination Airport–hotel arrival & departure transfers
What’s Not Included
✖ Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
✖ Personal expenses
✖ Gratuities and tipping
Any questions?
We are happy to answer any questions that you have may have about this Adept Expedition.
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