INTRODUCTION

The battlefield tours are a distinctive feature of India. These tours are a unique stirring experience that take you through chronicles of India’s rich political history. The Indian mutiny was the bloodiest insurrection in the history of the British Empire. It began in May 1857, with a large scale uprising by native troops of the Bengal army.It was caused by the issue of the new Enfield rifle cartridge whose paper wrapping was said to be greased with beef and pork tallow which hurt the religious sentiments of Hindu and Muslim soldiers respectively. Given the prominence religion has always had in the country, this soon developed into a general rebellion as thousands of discontented civilians joined in.

DAY 1: ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive Delhi International Airport, after meet and greet by local tour manager, transfer to hotel.
Overnight: hotel in Delhi.
Note: Arrive at any time. Airport to hotel transfer included.
Meals: No Meals

Nicholson Christian Cemetery, Delhi

DAY 2: IN DELHI
Morning after breakfast welcome lie-in and an orientation lecture ‘1857 The Background’ Later visit Flag Staff tower, the first rallying point for the Europeans when the mutiny reached Delhi. Drive pass Ludlow castle (see outside only), then stop at Mutiny Monument (also known as AjitGarh) in the vicinity of Kashmiri gate. It is a strange Gothic 110 ft tall tower, a Mutiny Memorial. It is an octagonal, tapering tower built to commemorate the British and the Indians who fought on their side in 1857. Next we visit Brigadier General John Nicholson’s grave and the Ridge where the besieging British prepared for the assault from June to September 1857. Next halt is in Kashmiri Gate area – Built in 1835. It was raised as a defence against any attack from the direction of the Ludlow Castle, which was towards the north-west of the city. Within the vicinity of Kashmiri gate, a brief halt will be made at St. James Church. After lunch visit Red Fort, which stands along the eastern edge of the walled city, on the west bank of the Yamuna River. It was planned as an irregular oblong (2.41 km perimeter) and was built as the royal residential and official complex by Shah Jahan.
Overnight: hotel in Delhi.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 3: DELHI – MEERUT – DELHI DRIVE (140 KM)
After breakfastdrive to Meerut and explore the mutiny sites.Visit St John’s Church, cemeteries, Court Marshal ground and cantonment area where some of the British army officer’s bungalows still exist. Drive by residence of Lt. Col Carmichael Smyth, the commander of the 3rd Lt Cavalry, who by attempting to coerce his troopers into accepting cartridges on parade, perhaps precipitated the outbreak of mutiny on the 10th May 1857. In the evening return to Delhi.

Overnight: hotel in Delhi.
Meals: Breakfast

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DAY 4: DELHI-AGRA DRIVE (202KM)
After breakfast depart and drive to Agra. On arrival transfer to hotel. In afternoonvisit
Agra Fort (lalQila) where British residents were besieged for three months during the first war of independence. After that, visit to Taj Mahal (at sunset) (closed to visitors on Fridays), the most extravagant monument ever built for love. On the death of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, Moghul Emperor Shah Jehan built her this memorial over which 20,000 men labored for 22 years to create a masterpiece in white marble inlaid with semi-precious stones.

Overnight: hotel in Agra.
Meals: Breakfast

Gwalior Fort, Gwalior

DAY 5: AGRA-GWALIOR DRIVE (130 KM)
Morning after breakfast drive to princely state of Gwalior. Arrive and check in at hotel. Later visit Gwalior Fort high above the city, described by the Emperor Akbar as “the pearl of the fortresses of Sind”. Then visit the opulent Jai Vilas Palace, part of which is now a museum. Then visit the statue of Rani Jhansi.

Overnight: hotel in Gwalior.
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 6: GWALIOR – JHANSI – ORCHHA DRIVE (120 KM)
After breakfast drive to Jhansi and explore theJhansi Fort, built by Raja Bir Singh in the 17th Century on a hilltop as an army strong hold. The fort also houses a museum of sculpture collection which provides insight into the history of Bundelkhand and JokanBagh, where 67 British men, women and children were massacred on 8th June 1857, by rebel leaders who broke their promise of safe passage. Also visit the Rani’s palace. In the evening, we drive a short distance to the medieval town of Orchha for a pleasant overnight stay.

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Overnight: hotel in Orchha.
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7: ORCHHA – JHANSI DRIVE (16 KM)
JHANSI – KANPUR DRIVE (220 KM)
After breakfast go through an orientation tour of Orchha and then drive on to Jhansi, where we may explore more of Jhansi. Then head for Kanpur. Arrive Kanpur and check in at hotel.

Overnight: hotel in Kanpur.
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8: KANPUR – LUCKNOW DRIVE (95 KM)

After breakfast explore the sites of Kanpur, which includes Wheeler’s Entrenchment inside the Cantonment and the adjacent All Soul’s Memorial Church, built in 1857 in memory of the British soldiers who died in the revolt of 1857. Then visit SatichauraGhat also known as massacre ghat, on the banks of river Ganges, by a small Shiva temple, where, on 27th June 1857, many British men lost their lives and the surviving women and children were taken prisoners by the rebels to a building called the Bibighar (the ladies’ home). When it was apparent that the British, under General Henry Havelock were likely to retake Kanpur, the rebels executed their hostages and threw them into the well. The well is now covered and topped by a statue of the Nana Sahib’s General, Tatya Tope. Later in the afternoon, we drive to Lucknow through small towns and villages, which Havelock and his men had to fight their way, against great odds in July and August of 1857, to relive the Residency. If possible, we may have brief halt at AlamBagh, 7 Km from Lucknow, where Sir Henry Havelock is buried.

Overnight: hotel in Lucknow.
Meals: Breakfast

Bara Imambara, Lucknow

DAY 9: IN LUCKNOW
Morning after breakfast explore the sites of Lucknow which includes: La Martiniere College, built and designed by French soldier turned architect- Claude Martin. It incorporates the features of Italian architecture, fusing them with native architectural attributes of Hindu and Mughal architecture. Then visit Kaisarbagh area, started in 1848 and was completed in 1850 by the last nawab of Avadh, Wajid Ali Shah. The building, flanked by two Kakkhi Gates provided quarters for the ladies of the royal harem. After that visit Secunderbagh Garden which derives its name from one of the begums of NawabWajid Ali Shah, Sikander Mahal. It is surrounded by high walls covering 120 square yards area, with a summer house in its centre. Also visit The Residency compound, which was on one time the official residence of the British built in 1780-1800 and witnessed one of the bitterest battles during the war of independence in 1857. Nexy visit to Bara Imambarawhich was built to provide employment and relief topeople during the calamitous famine of 1784. NawabAsaf-ud-Daula built this Imambara, which also houses his tomb.

Overnight: hotel in Lucknow.
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 10: LUCKNOW – DELHI FLY
DEPARTURE
After an early breakfast, transfer to Lucknow airport for Delhi bound flight. On arrival transfer to International airport for onward journey.

Meals: Breakfast

DEPARTURE DATES: DELHI TO DELHI

• 14^th Sept 2019 to 23^rd Sept 2019
• 12^th Oct 2019 to 21st Oct 2019
• 16^th Nov 2019 to 25^th Nov 2019
• 14^th Dec 2019 to 23^rd Dec 2019
• 11^th Jan 2020 to 20^th Jan 2020
• 15^th Fab 2020 to 24^th Fab 2020
• 14^th Mar 2020 to 23^rd Mar 2020

Price includes

• domestic flight Lucknow to Delhi
• Domestic A/C transportation (car or Coach)
• 4-5 stars hotel accommodation (based on double occupancy);
• Meals mentioned in the itinerary;
• All visits and admission fees
• English speaking guide;
• Service charge for all guides, bus drivers, and hotel porter fees;
• Taxes and fuel surcharges.

Price does not include

• Indian e-Visa application fee: $100 p.p.( fees are subject to change)
• International flight to India
• Meals not mentioned in Itinerary
• Tips to Guide, Driver, hotel and Restaurants.
• Postal fees;
• Travel insurance.

Arts and crafts

Agra: Handcrafted marble products