Arthur Wellesley (later the Duke of Wellington) arrived in India as a colonel and left eight years later as a major general. His campaigns in central and southern India took place in areas where tourists do not generally go.

This tour is for the more adventurous traveller who is happy with some longer journeys by road and air – so a certain amount of stamina and fitness will be required. In return, we can offer a very special tour which takes in spectacular fortresses, un-spoiled local villages and a way of life that has changed little since Wellesley’s time. Although well off the standard tourist trail, we will be staying in the best available hotels.

The 28-year-old Colonel Arthur Wellesley left England in command of the 33rd Foot and arrived in India in 1797. He swiftly established his innate ability and campaigned in the Mysore and Mahratta Wars, returning to England as a major general eight years later. It was in India that he learned how to deal with difficult allies, how to successfully campaign in a fourth-world country where terrain and climate conspired against him, and how to supply troops where no established logistics existed. He was the first commander to maintain an army in the field in the wet season, and he established a bullock stud farm to provide transport for rations. In an age when intelligence gathering was regarded as rather bad form, he established a network of informants who kept him aware of the enemy’s movements. All these lessons would be invaluable in his later campaigns in Portugal and Spain.

Day 0: Overnight travel
Fly overnight from London to Bengaluru (Bangalore).

Day 1: Arrival in Bengaluru
Early morning arrival from London or make your own arrangements to join the tour at the airport (no later than 05:15) or join the tour at our Bengaluru hotel (32 kms from the airport). The rest of the morning and afternoon is free to relax and recuperate. In the evening join your expert historian for dinner and an introductory lecture. (D).

Day 2: Seringapatam
We drive to look at the attack on the ‘tope’, the first and only time that Wellesley panicked and almost ended his career, and the fortress at Seringapatam, which the British stormed in May 1799, before moving on to our hotel in Mysore. (B, L, D).

Day 3: Mysore
Today we continue with the battle of Seringapatam and see where the Tippoo Sultan was killed. We visit his palace and grave, and the British cemetery established by Wellesley after the battle. Time permitting, we will take a tour of colonial Mysore before returning to Bangalore for our late flight to Pune. Check-in to an airport hotel in Pune for the night. (B, L, D).

Day 4: Ahmednagar & Daulatabad Forts
An early start sees us drive to Ahmednagar, where we visit the 400-year-old Vauban-style fort - one of the strongest in India. Gandhi and Nehru were interned here in WW2 and the fort still has an Indian Army Garrison. We will see where Campbell scaled the town wall and examine Wellesley’s siege and capture of the city and fort during the Second Mahratta War in August 1803. We will also visit the Daulatabad Fort in Maharashtra. Hotel in Aurangabad. (B, L, D).

Day 5: Assaye
We drive to the battlefield of Assaye, where Wellington decisively defeated the Mahrattas in September 1803 in a battle which Wellington described years later as his hardest ever fight. We will tour the battlefield from Peepulgaon, cross the River Kaitna (by modern bridge rather than the historic ford) and follow in Wellesley’s footsteps as he advanced on Assaye itself. We then check-in to our hotel in Akola. (B, L, D).

Day 6: Argaum
At Aragum we see where, in November 1803, Wellesley again defeated a Mahratta army. Thence to Chikaldara and up to our hilltop station hotel via the stunning viewpoint at Mozari Point and check-in to our hotel for two nights. (B, L, D).

Day 7: Gawilghur Fortress
One of the most spectacular battlefields anywhere, the breach created in December 1803 by the East India Company’s artillery in the wall of this double fort, perched on a six-hundred-foot cliff, is still there. We will walk up to the breach, tour the inner fort and view the great cannon that still remain there. This is a challenging day’s walk – but all the more rewarding for it. After a great day out, we return to our hotel. (B, L, D).

Day 8: Nagpur
After yesterday’s exertions, we spend a relaxing day motoring thorough some awe-inspiring scenery on the way to Nagpur where we catch our internal flight to Mumba. Hotel in Mumbai – 2 nights. (B, L, D).

Day 9: Mumbai
Today we enjoy a fascinating guided tour of the city of Mumbai where we experience the rich multifaceted nature of India’s most populous city. Amongst the many heritage sites we get a glimpse of the city’s colonial era which was established in the decades after Wellesley’s Indian campaigns. This is most evident in the majestic Gateway of India and Taj Mahal Hotel. (B, L, D).

Day 10: Return flights
Either arrange you own onward travel or take our lunch-time flight from Mumbai to London. (B).