Day 1 Depart the UKToday depart the UK on the British Airways flight to Delhi. (N)
Day 2 Arrive DelhiDelhi is India's modern capital and played an important role in India’s
independence struggle. A city of two halves, Old Delhi is an historic, chaotic district of
grand mosques, majestic forts and crumbling monuments. In contrast New Delhi, with
its large government buildings, wide tree-lined avenues and pretty white-washed
bungalows was purpose-built in the 1930s by the British as a colonial capital and
remains the epicentre of Indian political power. (N)
Accommodation in Delhi: Maidens Hotel
Upgrade option: The Imperial Hotel
Day 3 DelhiThis morning head to New Delhi which was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.
Today home to Rashtrapati Bhawan, the official residence of the Indian President,
Rajpath and the imposing India Gate, witness the changing of the guard at the
President’s Palace (only on a Saturday morning) and visit the Rashtrapati Bhavan
Museum Complex (closed on a Monday). If possible, a visit will also be made to
Rashtrapati Bhawan and the Mughal Gardens, however, these are only open to the
public on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday. All visits are subject to approval of the
President’s Secretariat. In the afternoon enter Old Delhi with your guide. Explore the
area's dense network of busy alleyways, homes, bazaars and mosques, visit the
famous Chandni Chowk market, beautiful Jama Masjid and Red Fort where, on the 15th
August 1947 Jawaharlal Nehru raised the new national flag about Lahore Gate. In the
Red Fort visit the Swatantrata Sangram Sanghralaya Museum (closed on a Monday)
which chronicles India’s independence movement. End the day with a memorable visit
to Rajghat which was the cremation place of Mahatma Gandhi. (B)
Accommodation in Delhi: The Maidens Hotel
Upgrade option: The Imperial Hotel

Day 4 Delhi to Agra – by trainThis morning travel by train from Delhi to Agra, which was
once one of the world's majestic cities. Today visit the  Agra Fort and the tomb of Itmad-
ud-Daula. No stay in Agra is complete without a visit to the Taj Mahal. Arguably the
greatest monument to love, the Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan as a memorial to his
wife Mumtaz. The world famous structure is renowned for its beauty and the excellent
craftsmanship. (B)
Accommodation in Agra: Taj View Hotel (or similar)
Day 5 Agra to Jaipur – 240kms via Fatehpur Sikri and AbhaneriLeaving Agra, visit
Fatehpur Sikri, once the capital of the Mughal Emperor Akbar and constructed of
beautiful red sandstone. Afterwards visit Abhaneri which is famed for its 8th century
Chand Baori – the deepest step-well in the world – then continue to Jaipur. Planned by
Maharaja Jai Singh II in 1727, Jaipur is a vibrant city of bazaars, palaces, havelis forts.
Jaipur also regularly played host to Lord Louis Mountbatten – the last Viceroy of India.
(B)
Accommodation in Jaipur: Barwara Kothi
Upgrade option: Royal Heritage Haveli
Alternative upgrade option: Rajmahal Palace
Day 6 JaipurThis morning drive outside of Jaipur to the dramatically located Amber Fort
set on a ridge above the rugged sounding hills. A Rajput capital for over 700 years,
there is plenty to explore here from courtyard gardens and small temples to the private
chambers of the Maharaja. In the afternoon return to Jaipur to visit the superb City
Palace complex which is home to the beautiful Peacock Gate and famous Hawa Mahal,
or 'Palace of the Winds' and the Jantar Mantar – the largest stone observatory in the
world. (B)
Accommodation in Jaipur: Barwara Kothi
Upgrade option: Royal Heritage Haveli
Alternative upgrade option: Rajmahal Palace
Day 7 Jaipur to Chandigarh – by air / Chandigarh to Shimla – 120kmsAfter breakfast
transfer to Jaipur Airport and fly to Chandigarh via Delhi. On arrival you will be met and
driven to the charming hill station of Shimla, summer capital of the British Raj and a
place where many momentous decisions on the future of India were made. With its
wooden bungalows, gardens of gladioli and hydrangea and stone churches, this quaint
town has retained much of its bygone atmosphere. (B)
Accommodation in Shimla: Clarks Hotel (or similar)
Upgrade option: Oberoi Cecil Hotel
Alternative upgrade option: Oberoi Wildflower Hall
Days 8 & 9 ShimlaOver the next two days explore the town and surrounding area.
Places of interest include Christ Church where the original chancel window was
designed by Lockwood Kipling, Rudyard's father, nearby Gaiety Theatre and Town Hall.
There are also many walks in and around the town including the climb up Jakhu Hill
from where there are excellent mountain views. Most importantly, however, is the grand
Viceregal Lodge (closed on a Monday). Summer residence of the Indian Viceroy, during
the latter years of British rule the building played host to key figures from all sides of the
independence debate and was the location for the 1945 Shimla Conference. (B)
Accommodation in Shimla: Clarks Hotel (or similar)
Upgrade option: Oberoi Cecil Hotel

Alternative upgrade option: Oberoi Wildflower Hall
Day 10 Shimla to Kandaghat – by train / Kandaghat to Amritsar – 310kmsThis morning
leave Shimla and take the famous ‘toy train’ down to Kandaghat. Here you will be met
and driven to Chandigarh – Le Corbusier’s famous planned city. Later leave Chandigarh
and travel by train to Amritsar, arriving in the evening. Founded in the late 16th century,
Amritsar is the centre of the Sikh religion and is best known for the spectacular Golden
Temple complex. The temple acquired its distinctive golden exterior in 1830 after
Maharaja Ranjit Singh donated 100kg of gold to be applied to the roof and walls and
since that date the complex has changed little. (B)
Accommodation in Amritsar: Ranjit's Svaasa Hotel
Upgrade option: Taj Swarna Hotel
Day 11 AmritsarThe Golden Temple is a highlight of any visit to Amritsar and this
morning return to visit this magnificent complex. Later visit the newly opened Partition
Museum. Housed in the city’s grand Town Hall, this special museum brings together a
unique collection of letters, personal belongings, photographs and audio-recordings
relating to the events surrounding this turbulent period. From here continue to the
Jallianwala Bagh garden and memorial which commemorates the site of the 1919
massacre and in the late afternoon drive outside of the city to the Indo-Pakistan Wagah
Border to experience the daily colourful, but chaotic, border closing ceremony. Return to
Amritsar and in the evening visit the Golden Temple and witness the Palki Ceremony.
(B)
Accommodation in Amritsar: Ranjit's Svaasa Hotel
Upgrade option: Taj Swarna Hotel
Day 12 Amritsar to Delhi – by airThis morning you will be met and taken to Amritsar
Airport for your flight to Delhi. This afternoon visit Coronation Park, the location of three
Delhi Durbars which now houses a small selection of statues from the British Raj. (B)
Accommodation in Delhi: Maidens Hotel
Upgrade option: The Imperial Hotel
Day 13 Depart DelhiToday transfer back to Delhi Airport to catch the British Airways
flight non-stop to the UK. (B)