b'THE FIRST SIKH WAR 184546Scan here AND INDIAN HILL STATIONS for the full itineraryTHE CAST OF A DIE19 NovemberHistorical Background1 December 2026 In 1842 the disastrous campaign in which the British were thrashed out 12 days of Afghanistan ended, but it had severely damaged their reputation for Expert Historian: invincibility in India and beyond. Smarting from indignation, Lord Ellenborough despatched a small army into the Sind to quell a perceived resurrection Major Gordon Corrigan against British hegemony. Victory at Miani and the subsequent sequestration Activity Level: 2 of the province caused outrage both in India and in Britain resulting in the recall of the Governor-General. His replacement was the forward-thinking Sir Henry Hardinge, whose aspirations to develop Indias infrastructure were Embark on 12 unforgettable days exploringthwarted by the growing unrest in the Punjab. For years this province had Indias vibrant heartland and the serene,been robustly ruled by The Lion of Lahore, the pro-British Ranjit Singh, who pine-scented foothills of the Himalaya. Inhad created one of the most formidable fighting forces in the sub-continent: Delhi, witness the precision and pageantrythe Khalsa. But his passing in 1839 had led to a power-vacuum in the Khalsas of the Changing of the Guard beforeleadership, increasingly directed against British interests and when it crossed venturing into rural Punjab to stand onthe River Sutlej in 1845, Hardinge felt obliged to declare war against the the very fields where the First Sikh WarPunjab. In the words of historian Lawrence was fought. In Amritsar, marvel at theJames, the British were about to fight the shimmering Golden Templespiritualfirst and only modern war in India against centre of the Sikh faithand pause inan army of 60,000 who matched them in quiet reflection at Jallianwala Bagh, adiscipline, training and weaponry.moving memorial to Indias struggle for independence. Just beyond the city, feel the charged atmosphere of the Wagah border parade, a theatrical daily ritual of rivalry and pride. Journey on through the emerald valleys and terraced hillsides of Himachal Pradesh, where the air is crisp and the pace of life gentler. In McLeod Ganj, seat of the Tibetan government-in-exile, encounter the rich cultural blend of India and Tibet, before continuing to Shimla, former summerDay 0Outward travel Fly London to Delhi or make your own way and bookcapital of the British Raj, boasting gracefuloptional extra nightcolonial architecture, bustling bazaars, andDay 1Delhi Morning London flight arrival Tour starts at airport Tour of New Delhi, panoramic mountain vistas. Throughout,Coronation Park hotel for 1 night (L,D)stay in carefully selected hotels chosenDay 2 Changing of the Guard Rashtrapati Bhawan Changing of the Guard for their quality, character, and location:Afternoon Shatadbi Express to Ludhiana Hotel for two nights (B,L,D)five-star elegance in Delhi and Shimla,Day 3 Ludhiana and Aliwal Ranjit Singh War Museum, Aliwal battlefield (B,L,D)comfortable four-star stays in Ludhiana andDay 4 Mudki and Ferozeshah Mudkhi, Ferozeshah, memorial Hotel in Ferozepur McLeod Ganj, a boutique heritage gem inone night (B,L,D)Amritsar, and a welcoming local property inDay 5 Sobraon incl Sikh defensive lines Hotel in Amritsar two nights (B,L,D)Ferozepur, the best in the area. DistancesDay 6Amritsar Jallianwala Bagh, Hari Mandir temple, Wagah border crossing are not vast, but Indias roads invite a more(B,L,D)leisurely pace providing time to savour everyDay 7To Dharamshala/McLeodganj Scenic drive to Dharamshala Hotel for two scene, sound, and flavour along the way. nights (B,L,D)Day 8McLeod Ganj and the Dali Lama Tsuglagkhang temple, Tibet Museum (B,L,D)Day 9The Kangra Valley Drive to Shimla through Kangra Valley Hotel in Shimla for two nights (B,L,D)Day 10Shimla: full day in Shimla incl Scandal Point, the Ridge and Christchurch,ESSENTIALS tea at Wildflower Hall (B,L,D)Best available hotels, meals as indicated,Day 11Shimla to Delhi Scenic Mountain railway to Kalka Shatadbi Express to Delhi drinks with dinner, all entrance fees,Airport hotel for the night (B,L,D)tour manager and expert historianDay 12Homeward Bound Fly Delhi to London or travel under your own throughout, all internal travel, optionalarrangements (B)travel from UK.46 www.theculturalexperience.com I info@theculturalexperience.com I UK0345 475 1815 I USA(toll-free) 877 209 56205926 TCE BROCHURE 2025-26_Aug25.indd 46 22/08/2025 13:35'