51 U S A ( To l l - f r e e ) 1- 877- 381- 2 9 14 E m a i l inf o@the culturalexperience.com The Victorian Era Day 3. Changing of the Guard. Arrive Delhi and transfer to our central Delhi hotel for a veryearlymorningcheck-in.Aftersomesleep and breakfast we visit the presidential palace at Rashtrapati Bhawan to enjoy the pomp and ceremony of the splendid ‘Changing of the Guard’ performed by mounted and marching troops, in their parade uniforms, accompanied by brass bands. Board the late afternoon Shatadbi Express to Ludhiana where we check-in to our hotel for two nights. Day 4. Ludhiana and Aliwal. We spend the morning at the impressive Ranjit Singh War Museum with its fabulous collection of military equipment (ancient and modern), uniforms and dioramas, including one of Aliwal. At Aliwal itself we walk the battlefield where Sir Harry Smith inflicted a heavy defeat on the Sikh army on 28 January 1846. Day 5. Mudki and Ferozeshah. We see where, on 18 December 1845, the incursive Sikh Khalsa failed to surprise a gathering British force, whose leader, General Gough, then ordered a bloody assault to drive his enemy back to Ferozeshah. This afternoon we visit the latter village where, 3 days after Mudki, Sir Harry Smith led British battalions against the Sikh breastworks in further bloody assaults. Its memorial contains a number of paintings and weapons from the battle. Continue to Ferozepur where, in 1897 at the ‘post of Saragarhi’, 21 Sikhs of the British Indian Army chose to fight to the death for nine hours against an Afghani army of 10,000 men. Check-in to our hotel for one night. Day 6. Sobraon. We trace the Sikh defensive lines successively attacked over the 10/11 February 1846 by General Gough, inflicting heavy casualties on the Khalsa, driving them in to the Sutlej and ultimately winning the war. Thence to Amritsar where we check-in to our hotel for two nights. Day 7. Amritsar. We explore a dark period of Punjabi history as we discuss the British Amritsar massacre of 1919 when almost 400 civilians were killed at Jallianwala Bagh, poignantly commemorated in the public gardens. Some 65 years later the Indian Army would inflict a greater number of casualties on rebelling Sikhs during its siege of the ‘GoldenTemple’.Wereflectonbothtragedies as we explore the completely restored and working temple complex of Hari Mandir. Our day ends at the Pakistani border crossing at Wagah to witness the immaculately turned out synchronised border guards, from both countries, lower their flags and close the gates in an entertaining show of military bravado. Day 8. To Dharamshala. We spend most of the day taking a scenic drive of some 200 km over challenging roads, gradually ascending the Himalayan foothills to gain our first glimpses of those majestic mountains as we approach Dharamshala where we check-in to our hotel for two nights. Day 9. McLeod Ganj and the Dali Lama. Amidst colourfully robed Tibetan monks we will explore the Tsuglagkhang temple complex, the spiritual home of Tibet and, if we are lucky, perhaps catch a glimpse of His Holiness the Dali Lama. We’ll visit the Tibet Museum to better understand the struggle of its people. This evening we will sample some typical Tibetan cuisine. Day 10. The Kangra Valley. We drive the 240 km journey to Shimla through the Kangra Valley. Make no mistake, this will be a long and tiring journey along winding roads and one in which we will see how rural India competes with pockets of industrialisation. Upon arrival in Shimla we check-in to our hotel for two nights. Day 11. Shimla. We spend an entire day in this archetypal crumbling colonial hill station with its stunning views over the Himalayas. We will wander along the Mall to Scandal Point, and the Ridge and Christchurch. A highlight of the day will be an excursion on the UNESCO listed Shimla mountain railway before we take afternoon tea at Wildflower Hall, one time home to Lord Kitchener. Day 12. Shimla to Delhi. A lunchtime departure takes us down the pretty twisting mountain roads to Kalka from where we catch the Shatadbi Express back to Delhi and transfer to our airport hotel for the night. Day 13. Fly Delhi to London. oons at the Battle of Ferozshubur, December 21st 1845