The Indian Mutiny: 150th anniversary tour
The Indian Mutiny of 1857 was the bloodiest insurrection in the history of the British Empire. It began with a rising by Indian Sepoys and soon developed into general rebellion as thousands of discontented civilians joined in. For many months it threatened the very existence of British India, and it is little wonder that the British reprisals were so brutally severe, particularly following the shocking treatment by the mutineers of British women and children. In what is sure to be the highlight of the IFBT programme for 2007, this special 150th anniversary tour takes us to the sites of the key events including the epic siege and subsequent relief of Lucknow, the terrible Cawnpore massacres and the storming of Delhi, where we visit the Red Fort and Kashmir gate, amongst other sites. We also visit Mirath (Meerut), where the mutiny began and, of course, the Taj Mahal, a true wonder of the world. The tour also features an unrivalled series of luxury hotels, some of which can be seen on page 7 of this brochure. Our guide on this tour will be Julian Spilsbury, whose major book on the Indian Mutiny is published in 2007.
Day 01. Fly London to Delhi. Transfer to the 5-star Taj Mahal De Luxe Luxury hotel. Dinner and overnight at in Delhi.
Day 02. Breakfast. Visit the Mutiny sites in Delhi. Flagstaff Tower, Hindu Rao House (now a hospital), Mutiny memorial or Ajit Garh, and the site of the Old British Encampment. We also visit St. James Church, Kashmiri Gate , Kabul Gate. Red Fort and in the evening Sound & Light Show at the Red Fort. Dinner and overnight.
Day 03. Breakfast. Drive to Meerut (70kms) and the outbreak of the Mutiny. Visit the Meerut Cantonment, St. John’s Church, Meerut Cemetery. Return to Delhi. Dinner and overnight.
Day 04. Breakfast. Board the Shatabdi Express Train which offers airline style seating. On arrival in Jhansi we check in at the river side hotel, The 3-star Orchha Resort. Later visit the Mutiny Sites in Jhansi including the Rani's Palace and the Jokan Bagh. Dinner and overnight
Day 05. Breakfast. Jhansi to Gwalior (110 Kms) visiting the Datia Fort and Kote-Ke – Sarai. Arrive Gwalior and check in at the 5-star Usha Kiran Palace Hotel. Later we visit British Cemetery and Gwalior Fort. Evening Sound & Light Show at Gwalior Fort. Dinner and overnight.
Day 06. Breakfast. Gwalior to Agra (120 Kms). Check in at the 5-star Taj View Hotel, Agra. We then visit Agra Fort and the grave of Sir John Russell Golvin, the Governor of North West Province of India who died at Agra fort on 9 September 1857. Visit Sikandra (Tomb of Akbar). Dinner and overnight.
Day 07. Breakfast. Agra. Early Morning visit to the wonder that is the Taj Mahal and day return trip to Fateh Pur Sikri. Later in the evening we board the overnight Train to Lucknow.
Day 08. Arrive Lucknow and check in at the 5-star Taj Residency Hotel. We visit the British Residency, Cemetery, Sikander Bagh, La Martiniere School, Bara Imambara, and Chotta Imambara. Dinner and overnight.
Day 09. Breakfast. Lucknow to Kanpur (Cawnpore) (90 Kms) & Kanpur/Delhi by train (Shatabdi Express). An excursion to Kanpur. On our way to Kanpur we stop at Sati Chaura Ghat were the British troops were massacred. We take a boat ride on the River Ganges before wecontinue to Kanpur. In Kanpur we visit Wheeler's Entrenchment, Cantonment, All Souls Memorial Church, Memorial Park, The Hanging Tree, Bibghar Well. Later in the evening we are transferred to the railway station in time to board our Shatabdi Express train to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi we are met and transferred to the 5-star Taj Mahal De Luxe Luxury hotel. Dinner and final overnight stay.
Day 10. Breakfast. Delhi/London. Today we are transferred to International airport in time to connect our flight back to London.
D
eparture date 5-14 November 2007Price £2895
Single Supplement £450
Tour Package Includes:
• Return flight from London to Delhi
• 8 nights full-board accommodation in 5- and 3-star hotels
• 1 night accommodation on board overnight express train to Lucknow
• Air-conditioned coach with an expert driver for all transfers and sightseeing
• Assistance by our representatives at the airports on arrival at each place
• Services of a local English-speaking Tour Guide/Historian
• City sightseeing in as mentioned in the itinerary
• All transfers to and from airport - hotel
• All excursions and sightseeing
• Tour guide: Julian Spilsbury
Excludes: Visas
