ITINERARY IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE RAJ

On arrival, you will be met by the Spice Trails Team and transferred to your hotel.

In 1639, Francis Day, a trader with the East India Company,negotiated the grant of a tiny plot of sandy land, as the base for a warehouse. By the middle of the 18th century many other villages were added with the help of friendly Nawabs. In 1793, Calcutta became the chief centre of British administration in India, though Madras (now Chennai) continued to be the centre of the East India Company’s expanding power in South India.

During your morning tour of the city, you will visit Fort St George, the first establishment built by the British East India Company in 1640. This military architectural marvel, was originally erected as a trading post and later evolved as the origin of the modern Indian Army.

St. Andrew’s Church – an example of Georgian Church art and architecture built by the Scottish community of Chennai.

Connemara Library – Originally part of The Pantheon and named after Lord Connemara, the former Governor of Madras. The Library is one of the largest in all of Asia and also serves as a depository library for the United Nations.

The Court Building – Enlisted among the three High Courts in India, which were established at the Presidency Towns by Letters Patent granted by Her Majesty Queen Victoria in 1862. The construction of the building was guided by the famous British architect Henry Irwin.

Senate House – Built in 1873 by Robert Fellowes Chisholm, an illustrious British architect and is in fact listed amongst the best and oldest testaments of Indo-Saracenic architecture in India.

Freemasons Hall – Built in 1923 by the East India Company with the purpose of creating a military lodge for British soldiers. Designed in Greek style, Italian marble was extensively used throughout the building.

Victoria Public Hall – Built in 1887 by Robert Chisholm in the Romanesque style, to honour Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee. The Trevelyan Fountain, in front of the hall, is a beautiful structure built to honour the contribution of Charles Trevelyan, the then-Governor of Madras from 1859 to 1860.

Morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Mumbai. On arrival, check-in at your hotel for a two night stay.

In 1661, the British East India Company acquired Mumbai (Bombay) as part of the dowry of Catherine of Braganza when she married Charles II.

After breakfast, visit the city of Mumbai.

Victoria Terminus Railway Station – Constructed in 1878, is the finest of Victorian Gothic building in India. It was inspired by Scott’s St Pancras Station, rooted firmly in the High Victorian Gothic tradition. Flankingthe main entrance stand are the Imperial lion and theIndian tiger, twin sentinels of the Raj.

The Gateway of India – Mumbai’s most defining monument, was constructed to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to the city. It is also the landmark from where the last of the British troops departed the country after India’s independence.

Mumbai High Court – The present day High Court of Mumbai was built in 1870 in early English-Gothic style, designed by Colonel J.A. Fuller, R.E.

Crawford market – Founded in 1871, is named after Arthur Crawford, the first municipal commissioner of Bombay. The British would often send their domestic help to buy the freshest produce from the market. This was also the pioneer of the modern day grocery store.

The Cricket Club of India – Your dinner destination! (CCI) was conceived as India’s counterpart to the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). It is considered one of the most prestigious clubs in the nation.

Morning transfer to the airport. On arrival in Chandigarh, drive to Shimla for a two night stay

The summer capital of the Raj, was a small village which was into a well planned city and became “Queen of the Hills”.Here you get a glimpse of the glorious past of British Rule in India.

An adventure on the heritage train to Kandaghat, a narrow gauge line travelling through the mountains form Kalka to Shimla. Let your eyes feast on the picturesque landscape of the Himalayas.

The Viceregal Lodge – The summer residence of the Indian Viceroy, who governed the whole of the Indian subcontinent between 1888 until 1946. Many significant decisions about India were devised,discussed and agreed upon in this very building.

Christ Church – Constructed in 1857, was designed by Lockwood Kipling, Rudyard’s father.

Gaiety Heritage Complex – Portraying Victorian architecture, is a theatre hall, constructed more than 120 years ago and is one of the oldest centers of culture in the country.

Ellerslie – Was designed by LT. COL. H.E.S Abbott during the British Rule. This is where the business of government now resides.

Woodville – Was the residence of the first Commander-in–Chief, Sir William Rose Mansfield.

After breakfast excursion to the following places:-Winding roads take you past streams of the clearest waterimaginable in to the land of Mashobra. Visit the hill station of Naldehra, nestled between the beautiful lofty ranges of the Himalayas. The most famous attraction of the Naldehra hill station is its 18 hole golf course, which is considered to be the most challenging of golf courses, located at an altitude of 2044 meters!.

Morning transfer to Chandigarh airport to board the flight to Delhi. On arrival, transfer and check-in at your hotel.

Morning sightseeing of New Delhi – India’s capital which was officially confirmed in 1911, when King George V announced that the capital of India was to move from Calcutta to Delhi. The new city, planned under the leadership of British Architect Edwin Lutyens was inaugurated in 1931.
VISIT :
India Gate – War memorial, designed by Lutyens and commemorates more than 70,000 Indian Soldiers who died in the First World War.
The Secretariats – These long classical buildings topped by baroque domes, designed by Baker, are similar to his Government Buildings of Pretoria, and were derived from Wren’s Royal Naval College at Greenwich.
Rashtrapati Bhawan – Once the Viceroy’s House, is now the official residence of the President of India.
Teen Murti Bhawan – Formerly the residence of the Commander-in-Chief, designed by Robert Tor Russell, in 1948 is now the Prime Minister’s residence.
Parliament House – Located Northeast of the Viceroy’s House, designed by Baker and later Lutyens suggested it should be circular.
Gymkhana Club – An enjoyable dinner venue.

Morning drive to Agra – the city of the Taj Mahal. Along the way visit the attractive Dak Bungalow built by Lord Curzon (1898-1905). Enjoy lunch at the exclusive Agra Club.
Amar Niwas – Experience Hi-Tea in this beautiful Colonial bungalow, with the family of the late Major Amar Singh, who served in the Royal British Indian Army, while you are briefed on the British Rule and the Colonial face of Agra.
Havelock Memorial Church – Situated in the Army Cantonment area of Agra, was built in honor of the British generals of the Indian Mutiny of 1857.
St. Mary’s Church – A pale yellow and white structure, with its distinctly
Italian facade (topped by a crucifix and a six-pointed Star of David).
Akbar’s Church – In the Mid 16th Century, the Emperor Akbar, welcomed the Jesuits into his court and they built this church in the northern part of the city.
Roman Catholic Cemetery (The Red Taj Mahal ) – One of the earliest if evidences of a European presence in Agra, where the oldest Armenian graves date back to 1550.
Taj Mahal – At sun rise we visit the Taj Mahal to witness this spectacular monument built for love.
Agra Fort – built on the shores of the River Yamuna.

Morning transfer to Delhi airport for your flight to Kolkata.

After breakfast, a tour of the city includes:
Dalhousie Square – Many Historic Raj Buildings surround the square.
The Writer’s Building (1780) the trading HQ of the East India Company
Mission Row is Kolkatta’s oldest street and contains the Old Mission church built by the Swedish missionary, Johann Kiemander. The Ochterlony Monument (1828) was built as a memorial to Sir David Ochterlony, who led the East India Company troops against the Nepalese in 1814-16.
St. John’s Church – Warren Hastings and Reverend William Johnson, Chaplains from 1770, were the prime movers for the construction of the church.
Park Street Cemetary – Was opened in 1767 to accommodate the large number of British who died serving their country. The cemetary was named after “Park Street” the private deer park built by Sir Elijah Impey around Vansittart’s garden house..
Howrah Bridge – Is one of the most celebrated landmarks of Kolkata. Situated on River Hooghly, it serves as the lifeline to the City. The construction process of the Howrah Bridge started in 1939 as a link between Howrah and Kolkata.
National Library – The former winter residence of the Lieutenant Governors of Bengal.
The Tollygunge Club – Founded by a Scottish banker, William Dixon Cruickshank, in 1895 to provide facilities for games, sports and social activities in Calcutta. The Clubhouse and surrounding areas carry a rich store of legends, anecdotes and memories.Dinner at the club where you are bound to meet some interesting folk.
Overnight stay in Kolkata.

A sumptuous breakfast marks the end of your tour, which, we hope, has left you with pleasant memories.
Airport transfers will be provided for your return flight home.