Join Chris Caldicott on this remarkable journey to the British Hill Stations exploring the architectural and artistic legacy of British rule on the subcontinent. Strategic and important places of refuge from the high heat of an Indian summer, especially for the British Raj who were responsible for creating around 50 hill stations across the country, the most iconic and best loved of these are to be found in the foothills of the Himalaya.
The journey begins in the dynamic city of Delhi with a stay at the iconic Imperial Hotel designed to be one of the finest masterpieces in Lutyen's master plan for New Delhi. Continuing to Amritsar, the holy city of the Sikhs and home of the spectacular glittering Golden Temple, we will also visit the new superlative Partition Museum that subtly and movingly documents the consequences of the end of British Rule. From here we drive up into the hills to the British Hill Station of McLeod Ganj which today hosts the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in exile in next door Dharamshala. In the upper reaches of the beautiful Kangra Valley we will stay at the newly opened Lodge At Wah on a working tea estate and take a ‘toy train’ ride on the colonial era Kangra Valley Railway. From the heritage hotel The Judges Court we will explore Pragpur, an ornamental village with unchanged shops, cobblestone streets, old water tanks, mud-plastered walls and slate-roofed houses. The narrow streets, lined with fort-like houses, havelis and villas. Due to its unique architecture and pristine beauty, it was declared the first Heritage Village in December 1997. Finally, we visit the ‘Queen of the Hill Stations’, Shimla, summer capital of the British Raj and home to the Viceroy of India.
We will enjoy a melting pot of cultures and cuisines from Buddhist monasteries to colonial gems, tea tasting, organic produce and a famous ‘toy train’ ride on one of the five heritage lines left in India. The tour also encompasses the very essence of India – colourful spice and vegetable markets, exotic temples, flamboyant palaces, delicious local food, and last but not least its vibrant street life.
View detailed itinerary here >>>
26th April 2021
- Domestic flights as shown in the itinerary
- Accommodation throughout as shown in the itinerary
- Breakfast daily, 11 lunches and 9 dinners
- All entrance fees, visits and excursions as per the itinerary
- All transportation as detailed in the itinerary
- Local English-speaking guide/s
- Gratuities to driver/s; gratuities to guide/s; gratuities in restaurants; porterage
- The services of your tour leader throughout
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Items of personal expenditure (e.g. telephone calls/laundry etc.)
- Visa fees
- Government levies or taxes introduced after costing and publication of this programme on 19/02/20
He has had several books published about food, travel and the spice trade and visited 118 countries on assignments to capture evocative images and write about memorable experiences for publications such as Vanity Fair, Condé Nast Traveller, The Sunday Times, Harpers Bazaar, Tatler, House and Garden and The Telegraph.
Chris will offer an initial workshop at the beginning of the trip on how to take better travel photographs and get the best out of your camera covering exposure, focus and composition illustrated with examples of his own work. He will also be offering one to one tutorials on photography and individual cameras and curating opportunities to capture creative images of the journey.