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Indian Magic Tour continued...
Wednesday 18 March
A free day to enjoy all that Darjeeling has to offer! If you can stand an early start (4:30am!) and the weather is clear, there’s the chance to watch a spectacular sunrise over the Himalayas from Tiger Hill. There is so much to see in this interesting hill station - the bazaar, the Tibetan Self-help Centre, the shops (don’t miss Das Studios’ historic photos and the Oxford Bookshop), the Mountaineering Institute and of course the views…
Included: breakfast, accommodation. Not included: other meals, local transport, sightseeing, incidentals.
Thursday 19 March
After breakfast, we take our coach for the drive down the Hill Cart Road to Siliguri. In the late afternoon, we l go to Siliguri Junction depot to see more of the famous ‘B’ class steam locomotives that have run the DHR for over a hundred years now. At 5 o’clock, we assemble for our legendary charter dinner train: a superb three course meal as the steam engine blasts up through the forest. Magic!
Included: breakfast, road transport, dinner on charter train, accommodation. Not included: other meals, local transport, incidentals.
Friday 20 March
This morning, we take a short excursion to see the Coronation Bridge over the the steep-sided River Teesta Valley at Sevoke, and then drive out to Bagdogra airport to catch the 14:45 flight to Delhi. Our coach is waiting to take us on the 115 mile drive to Agra where we have dinner.
Included: breakfast, flight, road transport, dinner and accommodation. Not included: other meals, local transport, incidentals
Saturday 21 March
This morning we go to Agra’s Red Fort where Shah Jehan was imprisoned by his son, with it’s lovely views across the River Yamuna. Later we visit the iconic Taj Mahal. Built over 22 years by Shah Jehan as a shrine to his wife Mumtaz, this place has a really special feel to it.
Included: breakfast, accommodation, entry to Taj Mahal and Red Fort, accommodation. Not included: other meals, local transport, incidentals.
Sunday 22 March
Another free day in Agra. Perhaps you’d like to visit the fabulous deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri or the bird sanctuary at Bharatpur. Of course, there’s plenty of shopping – the inlaid marble is a speciality of the region. For those railway enthusiasts who already know the Taj Mahal, you can visit the two narrow gauge systems at Dhaulpur and Gwalior in the day – both have steam locomotives to look at.
Included: breakfast, accommodation. Not included: other meals, local transport, admission fee, incidentals.
Monday 23 March
After breakfast, we take our coach to the pink city of Jaipur. After we’ve freshened up, we take a tour of the city – taking in the amazing Hawa Mahal (the Palace of the Winds), the City palace museum and the unbelievable Jantar Mantar observatory with a 120 foot high sundial accurate to 20 seconds!
Included: breakfast, city tour, admissions, accommodation. Not included: other meals, local transport, incidentals.
Tuesday 24 March
We start the day with a visit to the superb Amber palace, a hilltop fortress, where we may be able to ascend to the main gate by elephant. The rest of the day is free to explore, take in the bazaars where you can buy anything from a pin to an elephant (well almost!). Great for souvenirs. Check out the back street shops to see some amazing wedding saris. In the late afternoon we go by coach to the station to catch the 17:45 Shatabdi train to Delhi, arriving at 22:50 where we’re taken to our hotel.
Included: breakfast, Amber Palace admission, train travel, transfers, accommodation. Not included: other meals, local transport, incidentals.
Wednesday 25 March
Today we visit the National Railway Museum where the Patiala Monorail will be in steam for us. There will be time, too, to see all the other exhibits (but for those who wish we’ll arrange a visit to the Khan Market, where most of the ex-pats working in Delhi do their shopping). In the afternoon we have our Grand Tour of Delhi. We see the Jami Masjid, Humayun’s Tomb, the Qutb Minar and all the major attractions of India’s capital city.
Included: breakfast, Museum visit, city tour (and admissions), accommodation. Not included: local transport, other meals.
Thursday 26 March
Today is a free day in Delhi – time for you to buy those last minute souvenirs – the huge Cottage Industries Emporium in Connaught Place is worth a visit, or the busy Red Fort. We need an early night because...
Included: breakfast, accommodation. Not included: other meals, local transport, incidentals.
Friday 27 March
...we leave the hotel at 03:00 and take our coach out to Delhi airport to check in to our 07:20 Air Indiairways flight to London’s Heathrow Airport due in at 11:30.
Included: transfers, flight, meals on flight. Not included: other meals, transfers from Heathrow, incidentals.
Please note carriers, flight times and train times are indicative only and subject to change.
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