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Wednesday 1April 2009
If the weather is good, there is an optional excursion for those who would like a (very) early start for the jeep ride up to Tiger Hill to watch sunrise on the Himalayas – it is even possible to see Everest from here! The morning is free in Darjeeling, and in the afternoon, we will take our coach back down to Siliguri. (For those who wish, with advance notice, it should be possible to arrange for the journey down to Siliguri to be on the diesel-hauled service train, but this does take all day. We’ll spend the night in Siliguri
Included: breakfast, coach or train travel, dinner, accommodation . Not included: other meals, Tiger Hill excursion
Thursday 2 April 2009
A gentle start to the day. In the late morning, the coach will take us to New Jalpaiguri to catch the 1300 Rajdhani Express for the twenty-hour journey across northern India to Delhi. All meals are provided on the train, and sheets, pillow and blankets are supplied. There’s plenty of time to get to know your fellow travellers and to sit in the train’s doorways watching the colourful panorama of the Ganges Valley pass by. After the overnight on the train…
Included: breakfast, coach transfer, rail travel, all meals on the train, overnight berth. Not included: incidentals
Friday 3 April 2009
...we are due to arrive in New Delhi at 1010. We’ll be met by coach, and taken to check-in at our hotel. After time to freshen up, we continue to the National Railway Museum where the incredible Patiala Steam Monorail will be in steam for us. After the monorail ride, there is a choice. You can either remain at the Museum to see the rest of the exhibits, or take the bus to the local Khan Market (the bazaar where most of the ex-pats living in Delhi do their shopping).
Included: meals on train, train travel, coach transfer, museum visit, dinner, accommodation. Not included: incidentals
Saturday 4 April 2009
An early start – we need to be up at 0630 to catch the 0740 Shatabdi Express from New Delhi – this arrives at Kalka at 1200, where we transfer to our chartered railbus on the narrow-gauge line for the five hour climb towards the traditional British summer capital of Shimla. The Kalka-Shimla has impressed all who have seen it with its professionalism, and the way it climbs to and fro across the face of the hillside to gain height. There are over 100 tunnels on the line. We arrive at around 1800, and transfer to the Oberoi Clarke’s Hotel, one of Shimla’s finest. This involves a short but steep walk, as the hotel is in a pedestrian precinct and has breathtaking views over the town, and the mountains.
Included:packed breakfast, rail travel, coach transfers, accommodation.. Not included: other meals, local transport and incidentals
Sunday 5 April
A free day in Shimla. There’s plenty to do: just enjoy the mountain scenery, or visit the Botanical Gardens at the Viceregal Lodge - don’t miss the very British Christ Church right at the top of the town. At 1740, we catch the narrow-gauge Shivalik Express down to Kalka (with dinner served halfway) – arriving at 22.20. We connect with the mainline Kalka -Howrah Mail, which departs at 2345 for our overnight journey…
Included: breakfast, dinner, rail travel with overnight berth. Not included: other meals and local transport
Monday 6 April
… arriving the next morning in Delhi Junction, where breakfast will be served to us. We continue on to Tundla Junction, arriving at 1100 – a coach will meet us and drive us the twenty miles into Agra. The rest of the day is free to explore Agra – we suggest a late afternoon trip to the riverbank at the back of the Taj Mahal – it’s possible to take stunning photographs of the Taj reflected in the River Yamuna in the setting sun. We’ll be staying at Clarks Shiraz Hotel, always very popular with our parties, with a superb restaurant on the top floor.
Included breakfast, train travel, coach transfer, accommodation. Not included: other meals, admission fees, local transport in Agra
Tuesday 7 April 2009
Today we’ll visit the Red Fort and iconic Taj Mahal – India’s most famous attraction – it’s certainly worth the visit and great for photography. The afternoon is free to explore Agra and catch up on any souvenir shopping you might like to do, or just relax at the hotel.
Included: breakfast, coach transfers, rail travel, dinner, admission fees, accommodation. Not included: other meals, local transport,
Wednesday 8 April 2009
A completely free day in Agra. There are several options available today - visit the fabulous deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri or the bird sanctuary at Bharatpur, or for the railway enthusiasts, you can visit the two narrow gauge systems at Dhaulpur and Gwalior in the day – both have steam locomotives to look at. In the late afternoon, we’ll catch the Punjab Mail at 1705 for the three hour journey back to Delhi. We’ll be met by coach and taken for dinner. In the late evening, the coach will take us out to Delhi airport for a midnight check-in…
Included: breakfast, coach transfers, rail travel, dinner, accommodation. Not included: other meals, local transport, admission fees
Thursday 9 April 2009
… for the direct British Airways flight departing at 0325 for Heathrow, where arrival is due at 0725.
Included: flight, meals on flight. Not included: onward travel from Heathrow
Please note carriers, flight times and train times are indicative only and subject to change.
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