A gem in the centre of India ... reach there by taxi from Jhansi and stay at the Bundelkhand Riverside Hotel if you can (a property of the Maharaja of Orchha now converted into a hotel) ... the rooms have fabulous views of Betwa River and you can just step from them and reach the banks ... do visit the Jehangir Mahal for some intricate architecture and the Lakshiminarayan temple for some really fabulous frescoes ... and the more modest birthplace of the ancient poet Keshav Das housed in school compound and a bit more difficult to find ... worth fixing up the same taxi guy for getting you into Orchha, sightseeing within the city, and any trips out it, if you are going to Khajuraho for instance...

Orcha is a small town at an hours drive from Jhansi. The town is based on the banks of Betwa River in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh, India. The place offers an old fort, the palace and temples. The best part is the tranquility of this place which is not disturbed by too many tourists. The palace also hosts a hotel which is run by MP Tourism.

Other than being the city associated with the legendary Queen of Jhansi (and hence offering some related sights) and an important rail junction for travel in Madhya Pradesh and beyond, not much to do in this crowded noisy city...

This tiny town is not to be missed. If you're in India just after the new year, try to catch the annual Shiva festival. It's fantastic.

This small town is not be missed. What a concentration of temples, cenotaphs, and palaces, and pleasant streets to wander.

A bike ride through Orchha and the countryside is a good excursion if you have a half day free. Just be careful crossing the bridge as there are no guard rails and it gets very crowded with both pedestrians and vehicles.