The Indian Mutiny

The Indian Mutiny

12 days from £3300 per person

Route: Delhi – Agra – Gwalior – Lucknow – Kanpur – Delhi

The Indian Mutiny of 1857 was the bloodiest insurrection in the history of the British Empire when, for a time, the very fate of British India hung in the balance. This unique journey covers the three main centres of resistance - Old Delhi, Lucknow and Kanpur as well as Agra where the British were besieged for three months, Gwalior where the last major battle was fought, and Jhansi, the home of the celebrated Rani who died in battle and is still revered in India today. Please note that this is a private journey in North India using local guides rather than an expert-led military tour.

Day 1 Depart the UK

Today depart the UK on the Virgin Atlantic flight to Delhi. (N)

Day 2 Delhi

Transfer to your hotel on arrival in Delhi. In the afternoon embark on a guided city tour. Start in historic Old Delhi to explore the mosques, forts, homes and markets of this iconic district. Highlights include the Red Fort, Jama Masjid mosque and Chandni Chowk market. Continue to New Delhi, home to wide boulevards, white-washed homes and the famed India Gate monument. New Delhi remains the epicentre of India's political power. (N)
Accommodation in Delhi: The Maidens Hotel
Upgrade option: The Imperial Hotel

Day 3 Delhi

This morning take a specialist heritage walking tour of Old Delhi, focusing on events and landmarks important to the uprising of 1857. Visit the British cemetery named after Nicholson, Kashmiri gate which was the turning point in the revolt in favour of the British and St James Church the oldest church in Delhi. After lunch take a further heritage walk along the Northern Ridge and visit the Vice Regal Lodge, where Lord Mountbatten proposed to Edwina, the Flagstaff Tower and the Mutiny Memorial. (B)
Accommodation in Delhi: The Maidens Hotel
Upgrade option: The Imperial Hotel

Day 4 Delhi to Agra – by train

Take the early morning train to Agra, this historic city is dominated by three magnificent buildings—Agra Fort, the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula and the beautiful Taj Mahal. Later drive outside of the city to visit the battlefield area of Sasia where the British suffered one of their most humiliating defeats of the whole mutiny campaign before continuing to nearby Fatehpur Sikri which was once the capital of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. (B)
Accommodation in Agra: ITC Mughal Hotel (or similar)

Day 5 Agra

Today visit the imposing Agra Fort, established by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1565, and where over a thousand British took refuge for four months in 1857 before crossing the Yamuna River to the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula. No stay in Agra is complete without a visit to the Taj Mahal. Itl is a building world renowned for its beauty and the design and craftsmanship is excellent. (B)
Accommodation in Agra: ITC Mughal Hotel (or similar)

Day 6 Agra to Gwalior – 120kms

Leaving Agra, drive south to Gwalior. Gwalior is best known for its vast fort which towers above the city and the grand Jai Vilas Palace which remains the ancestral home of Scindia royal family. Later, visit the spectacular fort. Passed through a succession of Muslim, Rajput, Mughal and Afghan hands after the 1857 mutiny the fort was taken into British control. The fort houses a number of interesting temples as well as the impressive is the Man Mandir Palace. (B)
Accommodation in Gwalior: Usha Kiran Palace

Day 7 Gwalior

This morning visit the lively town of Datia which is located to the north of Jhansi and is well off the tourist track. The town is home to the forgotten Govind Mandir Palace, an imposing 17th century building that perfectly blends both Rajput and Mughal styles. From here continue to Jhansi and visit the wonderfully preserved fort. See the great cannon Karhak Bijli, or 'hard lightning', and the battlements from which the Rani jumped her horse to escape from the British. In the afternoon return to Gwalior. (B)
Accommodation in Gwalior: Usha Kiran Palace

Day 8 Gwalior to Lucknow – by train

Take the day train to Lucknow which arrives in the evening. Rich in Indian culture and British colonial history, Lucknow is best known as a centre of India's independence struggle and for the events surrounding the 1857 mutiny. Capital of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow is located on banks of the River Gomti and boasts both Muslim monuments and grand European architecture. (B)
Accommodation in Lucknow: Lebua Hotel
Upgrade option: Vivanta by Taj – Gomti Nagar Hotel

Day 9 Lucknow

Spend the day exploring Lucknow with your guide. Start at the ruins of the Residency, site of the dramatic siege and subsequent battles that took place during the uprising of 1857. Continue to the cemetery where Sir Henry Lawrence is buried, Christchurch, Wingfield Park and, if time, the Kaisarbagh Palace. Also visit Chowk Market to experience Muslim Lucknow. (B)
Accommodation in Lucknow: Lebua Hotel
Upgrade option: Vivanta by Taj – Gomti Nagar Hotel

Day 10 Lucknow – visit Kanpur

This morning drive to Kanpur passing through the small towns and villages which Havelock and his men had to fight their way, against great odds in July and August 1857, to relieve the Residency. In Kanpur visit the All Saints Memorial Church, see the remains of Wheelers Entrenchment site, the Massacre, or Satichaura, Ghat and Nana Rao Park—the site of the Bibigurh and the well into which two hundred British women and children were thrown. Return to Lucknow in the afternoon. (B)
Accommodation in Lucknow: Lebua Hotel
Upgrade option: Vivanta by Taj – Gomti Nagar Hotel

Day 11 Lucknow to Delhi – by air

Today leave your hotel and transfer to Lucknow Airport in good time to catch the flight to Delhi where you will stay overnight. (B)
Accommodation in Delhi: The Maidens Hotel
Upgrade option: The Imperial Hotel

Day 12 Delhi to London Heathrow

Depart Delhi on the Virgin Atlantic flight non-stop to London Heathrow. (B)

12 days from £3300 per person

ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS

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Pettitts guide to price for this itinerary would be £3300 per person

Itinerary: The Indian Mutiny

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