Delhi - Meerut –Delhi – Agra- Gwalior – Jhansi – Orchha - Lucknow –Kanpur – Lucknow- Delhi

The Mughal Emperors of India bestowed upon themselves seemingly appropriate grand and pompous titles such as `Kings of the World' & Shadows of God'. Attracted by the Mughal wealth and splendor, European traders and entrepreneurs found their way to the fascinating Indian sub-continent. India was till then believed to be the richest country in the world.

By the mid 18th century (1757) the British East India Company slowly and gradually gained commercial and military control of the Mughal Empire, while subdued Mughal Emperors continued to live powerless but luxurious lives in magnificent palaces. There was much discontent among Indian rulers over annexation of their territories and the divide and rule policies of the British and many parts of North India were rife with rumors and suspicions. However, the lack of the feeling of Indianness, among the masses that were ruled by various princely states prevented the formation of a united opposition to British rule.

The undercurrents of rebellion by the Indian Sepoys ( sipahi in Hindi meaning soldier) festered over a period of time owing to various harsh steps taken by the British and in 1857 when some measures hurt religious sentiments it took the shape of a full rebellion against British India control.

On this tightly packed tour you will be visiting significant palaces, forts, monuments and cities of the Mughal period which was witness to The Mutiny -the uprising against British control. It was a crude and brutal war, with both sides resorting to what will now be described as war crimes. In the end, however, in terms of sheer numbers, the casualties were significantly higher on the Indian side. There are many tales of cruelty, cowardice, heroism and self-sacrifice on either side.

Much has been debated ever since Mangal Pandey sparked the revolt or The Rising as to whether this was a war of independence or just a revolt firmly crushed by the British but the truth is that the British continued to rule for another ninety years only to be subdued by a non violent struggle led by Mahatma Gandhi.This journey takes you down that period in history when Delhi was not yet the capital of India but the seat of the fading Mughal Empire , when the British East India Company was to hand over the controls directly to the Queen, Meerut where the rebellion started, Lucknow which was then the most splendid city of India, Kanpur the scene of many bloody battles and Agra an important historical city with the crowning glory of Mughal architecture the Taj Mahal a poem in white marble, mesmerizing you with a story of an undying love.

Wednesday 17 March – Arrive Delhi You arrive at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International airport where you will be met by Parveen Paul your Tour Escort. An hour’s drive to The Maidens hotel that offers a unique experience embracing facets of India’s History. Later in the evening we meet over tea and discus your program with a synopsis of the 1857 Mutiny. Accommodation: The Maidens Hotel

Thursday 18 March – Delhi – Meerut – Delhi (drive) 65 kms 2 hours approx After breakfast we take a day excursion tour to Meerut, where the uprising of 1857 broke out. We visit the first church built in Northern India by the British -St. Johns established in 1819 in the Meerut Cantonment.. This church was completed in 1822 and set up by Chaplin Rev. Henry Fish on behalf of the East India Company. This garrison church was dedicated to the people by Bishop Wilson. The church has a seating capacity of 15,000 people. We also visit the cemetery near St. John's church, which also has the grave of General Ocheterlony, whose monument dominates the maiden in Kolkata, and other graves of personalities who died during the Mutiny. Drive through the Indian and British Cantonments passing the Parade Ground in Lehka Nagar where the court-martial of 85 gallant sepoys was to trigger the Mutiny and drive through non restricted civilian areas like the residence of Col. Carmichel Smyth the Commandant of the 3rd Light Cavalry Regiment, the Race Course the site of Col. John Finnis's death, he was the first British to be killed, the lines of the native infantry regiment and Kali Paltan Temple. Later we return back to Delhi continuing our sights of Badli Serai, Gordon Highlanders Memorial, Metcalfe House (drive past) and the ridge where the British were under seige. Accommodation: The Maidens Hotel Meals : Breakfast

Friday 19 March – Delhi Today we visit sites of the 1857 and post period in Delhi. Our visit will not be in the sequence of events that took place, due to the traffic regulations and restrictions. Drive past Red Fort, the Telegraph Office, Kashmir Gate, the magazine with Willoughby's plaque, Skinner's Church and Nicholson's Tomb. Later we visit the northern ridge, passing Mutiny Memorial which consists of a tapering tower of indifferent gothic design raised on a high base of local hard stone paved with red sand stone. Continue to Hindoo Rao's House and Flag Staff Tower, the Vice Regal Lodge in the Delhi University. Drive further north to Civil Lines, Kingsway Camp and the Coronation Park. Accommodation: The Maidens Hotel Meals : Breakfast

Saturday 20 March – Delhi / Agra (200 kms 4 hours) After an early breakfast, drive to Agra en route photo stop at Sikandra the sandstone and marble tomb of Akbar -the greatest of the Mughal emperors. Continue drive to Agra. Upon arrival visit Agra Fort the scene of panic in 1857, the self inflected incarceration of 6000 British residents and the battle of Agra. The Agra Fort contains the Pearl Mosque, the Halls of Public and Private Audience will be the main focus of interest. At sun set visit the world famous glorious Taj Mahal built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan for his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. Accommodation: The Grand Imperial Meals : Breakfast

Sunday 21 March – Agra / Gwalior (118 kms 2 hours) After Breakfast drive to Gwalior. Upon arrival you are transferred to the hotel Usha Kiran Palace the only heritage hotel of the historical city and goes well with regal appearance of the old buildings of Gwalior. This morning we visit the Museum of the royal family Scindia’s Jai Vilas Palace and other local sites like the Tan Sen’s tomb. Afternoon is free to relax. Accommodation: Usha Kiran Palace Gwalior Meals : Breakfast

Monday 22 March – Gwalior The Hotel Usha Kiran Palace was built as a guest house by the Maharajah of Gwalior. This architectural wonder has played host to many eminent personalities including the King of England. The rulers of Gwalior, the Scindias were British allies. The Rani of Jhansi and her rebels after being driven out of Kalpi she eventually died near Gwalior even though they succeded in capturing the fort. Visit Gwalior Fort built by Tomar Raja Man Singh symbolises the grandeur of Gwalior within the fort is the Gujari Mahal, a magnificent Palace in stone which was built by Raja Man Singh for his favourite wife Mirgnayani The Palaces now houses a museum with fine sculptures and replica of the Bagh Cave murals. Near by is six towered Palace crowned with domes the Man Mandir with its lattice work windows and vivid colours, other sites in the Fort which are Chaturbhuj Temple, Sas - Bahu Ka Mandir and Teli Ka Mandir and the Sikh Gurudwara. Accommodation: Usha Kiran Palace Meals :Breakfast

Tuesday 23 March – Gwalior / Jhansi (drive) 97 kms approx 2 hours/ Jhansi / Orcha (drive) 16 kms approx 1 hour Morning after breakfast we drive to Jhansi the gateway to Bundelkhand. The city is more popularly linked with the heroics of Rani Laxmi Bai, the fiery queen who fought against the Britishers in the 1857 revolt. You will explore the Jhansi Fort; it was built originally in 1613 by Raja Bir Singh Deo. There are a fine collection of sculptures belonging to the period between 9th and 12th centuries A.D. that have been housed in the Rani Mahal. The Jhansi Fort, which was taken over by rebel forces, and subsequently defended against British recaptured by the Rani of Jhansi.Thereafter drive to Orchha, located at a distance of 16 km from Jhansi for an overnight stay. Accommodation: Bundelkhand Riverside Resort Meals : Breakfast

Wednesday 24 March –Orcha / Lucknow via Kalpi ( 320 kms 8 hours) Arrive the capital of the State of Uttar Pradesh - Lucknow in the late evening and transfer to the Taj Residency with architecture that reflects the glories of Nawabi era, this hotel brims with design details that reflect the grandeur of the past. Graceful pillars, rich tapestries, and intricate decoration evoke fairytale luxury; located only 4km away from the excitement of the city centre. Lucknow rose to prominence as the center of the Nawabs of Avadh, who controlled a region of north-central India for about a century after the decline of Mughal Empire. The capital of Avadh was moved from Faizabad to Lucknow during the reign of Asaf-ud-Daula (1775-97). After Sa'adat Ali Khan (1798 - 1814), the rest of the Avadh nawabs were uniformly hopeless at running affairs of the state. Wajid Ali Shah (1847 - 56) was so extravagant and in 1856 the British annexed Avadh, exiling the incompetent Wajid Ali Shah to a Palace in Kolkata. The annexation was one of the sparks that ignited the Indian Uprising of 1857. Accommodation: Taj Residency Meals :Breakfast

Thursday 25 March – Lucknow After breakfast tour the 18th C capital of the Kings of Avadh. A full day in Mutiny Lucknow, the center stage being the Residency built in 1800 for the British Resident, this group of buildings became the stage for the most dramatic events of the Uprising of 1857 - the Siege of Lucknow. We also visit the cemetery at the nearby ruined church has the graves of 2000 men, women and children including that of Sir Henry Lawrence, who tried to do his duty according to the famous inscription on his weathered gravestone. We will visit the Sikander Bagh and the extraordinary edifice of the La Martiniere School. Accommodation: Taj Residency Meals :Breakfast

Friday 26 March – Lucknow / Kanpur / Lucknow (drive) 88 kms approx 2 hrs one way After breakfast an excursion drive to Kanpur (2 hours), stopping enroute at Alambagh on the outskirts of Lucknow to visit Havelock's Tomb. Today, Kanpur is a sprawling industrial town with a military camp almost exactly as the British left it. The Nana Sahib of Bithoor located 22 kilometres from Kanpur was one of the important rebel leaders of the Mutiny. The Palace of Nana Sahib was reduced to rubble by the British in 1857 and the only traces remaining of it are some large wellheads and broken palace walls. Today we visit to the site of Wheeler's Entrenchment inside the Cantonment and the adjacent All Souls Church with brass memorials to some of the central victims and survivors of the massacres as well as a series of marble panels engraved with more than a thousand victims' names. Afterwards we will drive a short distance towards the Ganges before walking down the ravine to the Satichaura Ghat. Visit the Memorial Park and the Hanging tree, and the well near the Bibighar. Return to Lucknow. Accommodation: Taj Residency Meals : Breakfast

Saturday 27 March : – Lucknow After breakfast at the hotel we visit the Old Lucknow – Imambaras, Rumi Darwaza, Clock tower and soak in sights uncommon today.

Sunday 27 March : – Lucknow /Delhi ( Shatabdi Express 1535 hrs/2200 hours) Morning at leisure. Afternoon train to Delhi. Upon arrival you transfer to Maidens Hotel. Accommodation: The Maidens Hotel

Monday 28 March : – Delhi Morning at leisure. Evening Farewell & transfer to the International airport to board the flight for your onward destination.

COST PER PERSON
2 to 4 Pax	5 to 8 Pax	8- 10 Pax	10- 15Pax
US$ 3685	US$ 2896	US $ 2515	US $ 2386

Delhi – Oberoi Maidens
Agra – Jaypee Palace/Mughal Sheraton
Gwalior – Taj Usha Kiran Palace
Orchha – Bundelkhand Riverside Resort
Lucknow – Taj Residency


Hotels & Meals:

	12 nights hotel accommodation on Double/Twin share basis as per above mentioned hotels
	Breakfast everyday
	High Tea during trip briefing
	Farewell dinner

Transport / Guides

	All Transfers, Excursions and Intercity drives will be by a air-conditioned
	Road / Toll / Interstate Taxes, Parking Fee, Fuel Charges and Driver’s allowance etc.
	Services of English Speaking Guide /Escort

Train Travel:

Lucknow to Delhi

Assistance, Government taxes etc.

	Porterage at the hotels.
	Entrance fees at the monuments
	Assistance during all arrival at airports), & while checking-in/out at hotels.
	All currently applicable taxes including recently imposed Service Tax of 2.57% on the total invoice amount.
	A bottle of mineral water complimentary basis, per day during the sightseeing.

	Expense of personal nature like laundry, telephone calls, fax services, beverages (even during meals), camera fee and video charges at monuments and national parks.
	Tips / Gratuities to Guides / Escorts / Drivers or at the restaurants
	Porterage at the hotels.
	Entrance fees at the monuments.
	Insurances of any kind relating to Trip (Delay or Cancellation), Baggage (Lost or Damaged) and Medical (Medication, Consultation or Hospitalisation).
	Extra meals, other than specified in the itinerary.
	All services which are not mentioned in the “Trip Inclusions”.

Payment
30% Advance payment at the time of confirming
70% 45 days prior to the arrival date

Cancellation Policies
60-30 Days : Service charge - US$ 300 per person
29-15 Days : 10% of the tour cost
14-08 Days : 25% of the total tour cost
07 Days : Till 48 hrs ; 50% of the total tour cost
Within 24 hrs : 75% of the total tour cost