Travelpack

Highlights: Delhi - Shimla - Delhi - Agra - Hongkong - Cruise

Cruise: Celebrity Solstice

Note: Taj Mahal remains closed on Friday

Hotel featured or similar:
Delhi - Lalit
Shimla - Willow Banks
Agra - Crystal Sarovar Premier
Hongkong - Hotel Dorsett Wanchai

Itinerary:
02nd Dec’22 Fri: London Heathrow to Delhi by flight

03rd Dec’22 Sat: Delhi
0850 Hrs: Arrive Delhi airport
Upon arrival at Delhi airport welcome, meet and assist by our representative and transfer to Hotel
Rest of the day at leisure and Overnight stay at Hotel

04th Dec’22 Sun: Delhi
After breakfast enjoys a city tour of Old Delhi visiting Raj Ghat which is located on the banks of the river Yamuna, This is Mahatma Gandhi’s Memorial, where he was cremated following his assassination in January 1948. The memorial lies in the midst of landscaped gardens and made of a simple square platform of black marble inscribed with his last words “Hey Ram”. Drive Pass Red Fort (closed on Monday) – the 17th-century imposing fortress built in red sandstone is surrounded by a huge boundary wall 33m high. Inside are exquisite palaces and beautiful gardens. Board the 'cycle rickshaw' for a unique experience from the Red Fort, through "Chandni Chowk" or Silver Street, experiencing the sights and sounds of this very busy avenue-heading west from the Fort. Opposite the Red Fort lies Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque) made of red sandstone and white marble, completed in 1656. It is India’s largest mosque where more than 20,000 people can kneel in prayer at one time.
New Delhi visiting Humayun’s Tomb, built by his wife Haji Begum in the 16th Century. An early example of Mughal architecture considered the predecessor of the Taj Mahal.
The Qutab Minar - the landmark of Delhi, a huge tower of victory started in 1199 and completed in 1368. The Minar is 72.5m high with a diameter at the base of 14.4m and 2.7m at the top. Proceed to the Rashtrapati Bhawan (Drive Pass) once the Viceroy’s residence and now the official residence of the President of India. Designed by Lutyens, it combines western and eastern styles - the dome reflects the Buddhist stupa, the chhatris “Hindu” and the graceful colonnades very “British”. It has 340 rooms. The India Gate (42m), C commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who died in the 1st world war. 13516 names of British and Indian soldiers killed in the Afghan War of 1919 are engraved on the arch and foundations. Under the arch, glows the Amar Jawan Jyoti flame commemorating the Indian armed forces’ losses in the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971. Overnight stay at Hotel.

05th Dec’22 Mon: Delhi to Kalka by train Shatabadi Express: 0740- 1145 Hrs
Kalka to Kandaghat by surface, Kandaghat to Shimla by toy train: 1521 – 1730 Hrs
Early morning our representative meet you at the hotel lobby and transfer you to the New Delhi railway station in time to board the train for Kalka. Local snacks, tea/coffee, and breakfast will be served on board. 1145 Hrs: Arrive at Kalka. Upon arrival meet & assist at the railway station and drive to Kandaghat railway station in time to board the toy train to Shimla (non-air-conditioned). En-route lunch at a local restaurant by own cost direct payment basis

Toy train offers the charm of old-world travel amidst lofty pines and lush green, misty mountains. Laid out on a 96 km long narrow gauge track that passes through 103 tunnels and across more than 800 bridges and viaducts, it is one of the most beautiful hill railways in India. It was considered the “crown jewel” of the Indian National Railways during British times. 1730 Hrs: Arrive at Shimla. Upon arrival meet & assist at the railway station and transfer to Hotel Shimla. The ambiance of this hill city attracted the British so much that it seemed justifiable to shift the complete administration of an Empire from Calcutta to Shimla every summer because of its colonial charm, - and cooler air. Overnight stay at Hotel.

06th Dec’22 Tue: Shimla
After breakfast Heritage Walk of Shimla. This soft walk will commence at the Mall and will end near Cecil Hotel – en-route admiring the important buildings constructed during the days of the British Raj. During the Heritage walk, your local guide will give you a brief history of each building. After breakfast Heritage Walk from Hotel to Mall road, Viceregal Lodge Indian Institute of Advanced Study:- The site for Viceregal Lodge was selected by Lord Lytton the Viceroy of India between 1876 -1880. The Viceregal Lodge, also known a Rashtrapati Niwas is located on the Observatory Hill of Shima. It was formerly the residency of the British Viceroy of India. It was designed by British architect Hendry Irwin and built in the Jacobe style during the regime of Lord Dufferin. Its construction started in 1880 and completed in 1888. Jhaku Temple/ Hill (2455 Mts.): This is the town's highest peak and a vantage point for Shimla's famous views. The summit is crowned with a temple dedicated to monkey God Hanuman. This also offers a very good view of Shimla with snow-capped mountains. One legend goes that Lord Hanuman stopped there to rest while he was searching for the Sanjivni Booti to revive Lakshman in the Epic Ramayana. Gaiety Theatre -The Gaiety Theatre, and a tradition of amateur theatrical remains in the stump of the once colossal edifice that was the Town Hall. The architect Henry Irwin, who built the Viceregal Lodge, designed the theatre building. Overnight stay at Hotel.

07th Dec’22 Wed Shimla
Day at leisure to explore at your own pace and Overnight stay at Hotel

08th Dec’22 Thu Shimla to Kalka by surface
Kalka to Delhi by train Shatabdi Express: 1745 – 2155 Hrs
Today after breakfast checkout from the hotel and drive to Kalka railway station in time to board the train for Delhi

2155 Hrs: Arrive at Delhi
Upon arrival meet & assist at the New Delhi railway station by our representative and transfer to Hotel. Overnight stay at Hotel

09th Dec’22 Fri Delhi to Agra by surface (approx. 210 km, 4 Hrs)
After breakfast check out from Hotel and drive from Delhi to Agra – the medieval city on the banks of the Yamuna River. It was founded by Sultan Sikandar Lodi in the year 1506. Agra achieved fame as the capital of the Mughal emperors from 1526 to 1658 and remains a major tourist destination because of its many splendid Mughal-era buildings. Most notably the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri, all three of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Upon arrival at Agra, check-in at Hotel.

Afternoon proceeds to visit Agra Fort – Agra Fort was originally a brick fort and the Chauhan Rajputs held it. It was mentioned for the first time in 1080 AD when a Ghaznavide force captured it. Sikandar Lodi (1487-1517) was the first Sultan of Delhi who shifted to Agra and lived in the fort. He governed the country from here and Agra assumed the importance of the second capital. He died in the fort in 1517 and his son, Ibrahim Lodi, held it for nine years until he was defeated and killed at Panipat in 1526. He built several palaces, wells, and a mosque in the fort during his period.
Itmad –Ud-Daulah Tomb also called “Baby Taj” has a special place in the chronicles of both history as well as architecture. This is precise because Itmad ud Daula is the very first tomb in India that is entirely made out of Marble. This is actually a mausoleum that overlooks the River Yamuna and is a tomb of Mir Ghiyas Beg, a minister in the court of Shah Jahan. Evening enjoys a sunset view of the Taj Mahal from Mehtab Bagh - The Garden complex, situated on the opposite bank of the Taj Mahal, is known as Mehtab Bagh. Overnight stay at Hotel.

10th Dec’22 Sat Agra to Delhi by surface (Approx. 210 Kms, 4 Hrs)
Delhi to Hongkong by flight. Morning visits the world-famous monument, Taj Mahal, by sunrise (Closed on Fridays) – Overlooking the River Yamuna, the Taj Mahal is a classic example of Mughal architecture, with the Taj itself built as a mausoleum at the northern end of an extensive formal walled garden designed in the charbagh style and structured on the Islamic theme of ‘paradise’. The whole site was built by Shah Jahan between ad 1632 and 1653 as the final resting place of his favorite wife Arjumand Bann Begum (also known as Mumtaz Mahal) who died in ad 1631 shortly after giving birth to their fourteenth child. Upon his death in ad 1666, Shah Jahan was buried alongside his wife in the Taj. Return back to Hotel for Breakfast. After breakfast check out from Hotel and drive from Agra to Delhi airport to board a flight for Hong kong.

11th Dec’22 Sun: 0615 Hrs: Arrive Hongkong
Transfer from Hongkong Airport to Hotel Dorsett Wanchai. Transfer from Hotel to Dorsett Wanchai to Cruise Terminal

Date Ports of Call Arrival Time Departure Time Activity
Sun 11Dec2022 Hong Kong, China - 6:00 PM Boarding
Mon 12Dec2022 Cruising - - -
Tue 13Dec2022 Hanoi, Vietnam 7:00 AM 5:00 PM Docked
Wed 14Dec2022 Cruising - - -
Thu 15Dec2022 Hue /Danang 7:00 AM 3:30 PM Docked
(Chan May), Vietnam
Fri 16Dec2022 Nha Trang, Vietnam 8:00 AM 5:00 PM Tendered
Sat 17Dec2022 Ho Chi Minh
(Phu My), Vietnam 8:00 AM 5:00 PM Docked

Sun 18Dec2022 Cruising - - -
Mon 19Dec2022 Bangkok
(Laem Chabang), Thailand 8:00 AM - Docked
Tue 20Dec2022 Bangkok
(Laem Chabang), Thailand - 4:00 PM Docked
Wed 21Dec2022 Cruising - - -
Thu 22Dec2022 Cruising - - -
Fri 23Dec2022 Singapore, Singapore 6:00 AM - Departure

23rd Dec’22 Fri Singapore to London Heathrow by flight.

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