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Thursday 3 February
We meet at Heathrow’s terminal 4 at 18:00 ready to catch the Jet Airways flight 9W121 at 20.50 to Delhi…
Friday 4 February
…arriving at 10.40. We take our connecting flight to Amritsar. In the late afternoon we drive to Attari to see the amusing ”lowering of the flags” border ceremony.
Saturday 5 February
This morning we visit the amazingly beautiful Golden Temple – centre of the Sikh religion. Up to 15,000 people are fed here every day. It’s a fascinating sight. In the afternoon our coach takes us on the 220km drive to Chandigarh where we spend the night.
Sunday 6 February
After a leisurely breakfast we drive to Kalka station to catch the 12:10 train to Shimla arriving at 17:20. The Kalka-Shimla line 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 17:20, and transfer to the Oberoi Clarke’s Hotel with its breathtaking views across the city and surrounding mountains. This involves a short but steep walk, as the hotel is in a pedestrian precinct.
Monday 7 February
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. In the late afternoon we catch the 17:40 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 23:55 for our overnight journey to Delhi…
Tuesday 8 February
…arriving the next morning in Delhi Junction, where a packed breakfast will be provided. We continue on to Tundla Junction, arriving at 10:45 – a coach will meet us and drive us the twenty miles into Agra. In the late afternoon we go to the Mahtab Bagh (Moonlight Garden) across the river Jamuna to see the beautiful Taj Mahal at sunset.
Wednesday 9 February
This morning we go to Agra’s Red Fort where Shah Jahan was imprisoned by his son, with it’s lovely views across the River Yamuna. Later we visit the iconic Taj Mahal. Built over a period of 22 years by Shah Jahan as a shrine to his wife Mumtaz, this place has a really special feel to it. In the afternoon we drive the 230 km to Delhi where we check into our hotel for the night.
Thursday 10 February
This morning we take a coach tour of the city, including the major sights. In the afternoon we go to the airport to catch our Jet airways flight 9W2282 at 17:55 to Calcutta arriving at 20:00. We’ll be met and taken to our hotel.
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