Kipling's India...

Welcome to Kipling's India – an India that talks of sundowners and jungles. 

This journey takes you from his birthplace in Mumbai, through Pench National Park (his inspiration for the Jungle Book) and ending with Shimla where he settled towards the latter part of his life. 

By following Kipling, you would also follow some of the colonial cities of India. Mumbai was reclaimed from the sea to act as a port. Shimla was the summer office of the Viceroy at that time. This India would also be mixed with the post-independent vibrance that you see in the society.

Detailed Itinerary 

• Day 1 (Saturday) 24th March 2012 - arrive at Mumbai.
  • Arrive at Mumbai at 11.25
  • Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel.
  • Mumbai is the leading financial center of India and a major national commercial, transportation, and manufacturing hub. Mumbai Harbor, a broad, sheltered bay located between the city and the mainland, is one of the world's greatest natural harbors. The port receives a large portion of the nation's total imports and is a shipping point for goods produced in western India. Two major railroads terminate in Mumbai, providing service to all parts of India, and the city is served by a major international airport. 
  • Overnight in Mumbai. 
     
• Day 2 (Sunday) 25th March 2012 - in Mumbai.
  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Morning excursion to Elephanta Caves 9 kms off the coast of Mumbai and an hour ride by motor launch from the Gateway of India. The cave temples of Elephanta date back to the 7th century. Four rows of massive columns cut into solid rock form three magnificent avenues, lead to the outstanding three-headed sculpture representing Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver and Shiva the Destroyer. Dedicated to Shiva, the beauty and power of these phenomenal sculptures depicting the various manifestations of Shiva is overpowering. 
  • Afternoon: visit the Rudyard Kipling museum.
  • Overnight in Mumbai. 
     
• Day 3 (Monday) 26th March 2012 - Mumbai/ Nagpur/ Pench.
  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Later, transfer to the airport to board flight to Nagpur.
  • Meeting on arrival in Nagpur and drive to Pench (75 kms/ 1 hr 30 mins).
  • Arrive Pench and check-in at hotel.
  • Dinner at the hotel.
  • Pench, the jungle set in central India, is considered to be the home of Mowgli, Kipling's immortal creation (Jungle Book). Pench National Park has been known through the ages for its rich flora and fauna. Many writers like Captain Forsyth, A.A.D. Brander, R.A. Strendale and Rudyard Kipling have mentioned Pench in their books as the place with rich and beautiful flora and fauna. Pench is named after the river that flows nearby and was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1983. 
  • Overnight in Pench. 
     
• Day 4 (Tuesday) 27th March 2012 - in Pench.
  • Early morning : Take a safari to the jungle.
  • Breakfast at the hotel. 
  • Lunch at the hotel.
  • Overnight in Pench. 
     
• Day 5 (Wednesday) 28th March 2012 - Pench/ Nagpur/ Delhi.
  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Later, drive to Nagpur.
  • Arrive Nagpur and transfer to the airport to board flight to Delhi.
  • Meeting on arrival in Delhi and transfer to the hotel.
  • Delhi - the capital of India, is a fascinating city with complexities and contradictions, beauty and dynamism, where the past co-exists with the present. Many dynasties ruled from here and the city is rich in the architecture of its monuments. Delhi is not only the present metropolis of India but also a necropolis. Located on the banks of the river Yamuna, Delhi has witnessed the rise and fall of many cities over the last five millennia. 
  • Overnight in Delhi. 
     
• Day 6 (Thursday) 29th March 2012 - Delhi/ Chandigarh/ Shimla.
  • Early morning: Transfer to the station to board train to Kalka at 0740 hrs.
  • Meeting on arrival in Chandigarh at 11:05 hrs and drive to Solan (95 kms/ 2 hrs and 30 mins).
  • Disembark at Solan and board the toy train to Shimla.
  • Meeting on arrival in Shimla and transfer to the hotel.
  • Evening: at leisure.
  • Shimla, the capital of Himalachal Pradesh spills over the steep slopes of a 12km long crescent-shaped ridge in the lower Himalayas. It was once the glamorous summer capital of British India. Shimla has a number of pretty walks and the highest point on the ridge with the Jakhu temple is a 45 minute walk from the Mall. From here one has an excellent view of snow peaks and dark forested slopes. 
  • Overnight in Shimla. 
     
• Day 7 (Friday) 30th March 2012 - in Shimla. 
  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Morning: Visit the home of Rudyard Kipling - Tendrils.
  • Afternoon: Visit Jakhu temple. 
    The famous Jakhu Temple of Shimla, devoted to lord Hanuman, is located two and a half kilometers from the ridge of Shimla on the Jakhoo Hill, the highest peak in Shimla, which is 2,455 meters/ 8000 ft above mean sea level. The climb takes about 45 minutes to one hour. The hikers are rewarded with a splendid view of the city, as well as the snow-covered Himalayas. 
  • Overnight in Shimla. 
     
• Day 8 (Saturday) 31st March 2012 - Shimla/ Delhi.
  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Drive to Chandigarh (135 kms/ 3 hrs and 30 mins).
  • Arrive Chandigarh and board train to Delhi at 18:23 hrs.
  • Arrive Delhi at 2155 hrs and transfer to the hotel.
  • Delhi the capital of India, is a fascinating city with complexities and contradictions, beauty and dynamism, where the past coexists with the present. Many dynasties ruled from here and the city is rich in the architecture of its monuments. Delhi is not only the present metropolis of India but also a necropolis. Located on the banks of the river Yamuna, Delhi has witnessed the rise and fall of many cities over the last five millennia. 
  • Overnight in Delhi.
  •  
• Day 9 (Sunday) 1st April 2012 - depart Delhi.
  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Morning: Sightseeing tour of Old Delhi visiting Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk and Raj Ghat 
    Old Delhi, was founded as Shahjahanabad by Indian Emperor Shahjahan in 1639. It remained the capital of the Mughals until the end of the Mughal dynasty. It was once filled with mansions of nobles and members of the royal court, along with elegant mosques and gardens. Today, despite having become extremely crowded and dilapidated, it still serves as the symbolic heart of metropolitan Delhi. 
    Jama Masjid (the mosque of Friday), is the country's largest and perhaps its most magnificent mosque. The great mosque of Old Delhi is the final architectural extravagance of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan with a courtyard capable of holding 25,000 devotees. Situated in the ancient town of Old Delhi, this monument was built by five thousand artisans. It combines the best of Hindu and Muslim styles of architecture. 
    Chandni Chowk market was established during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan. It was the eyes and ears of the Mughal's commercial instincts and is today one of the country's best known wholesale markets for textiles, electronic goods and watches.Chandni Chowk is also the only place in the town which has all religious place of all the major four religions of India. With the GuruDwara Sahib of Sikhs, Gauri Shankar Temple of Hindus, Jama Masjid of Muslims, the Church of Christians and Shri Digambar Jain Lal Temple of Jainism. 
  • Rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk.
  • Lunch at a local restaurant.
    The Raj Ghat is the last resting place of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi.Mahatma Gandhi was cremated here on 31st January 1948 following his assassination on 30th January 1948 by Nathuram Godse. 
  • Afternoon: Sightseeing tour of New Delhi visiting Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar.
    Humayun's Tomb is the first distinct example of proper Mughal style, which was inspired by Persian architecture. Humayun's tomb in the capital Delhi is a fine specimen of the great Mughal architecture. Built in 1570, the tomb is of particular cultural significance as it was the first garden tomb on the Indian subcontinent. Its unique beauty is said to have inspired several major architectural innovations, culminating in the construction of the unparalleled Taj Mahal. 
    Visit India Gate a war memorial of the First World War. Drive along the Rajpath towards the residence of the President of the Republic of India – the Rashtrapathi Bhawan. It is flanked by the houses of Parliament and the Government Secretariat buildings. 
    Qutab Minar, a Tower of Victory which was built in the 12th century by Qutabuddin Aibak. Within the spacious courtyard of the adjoining QuwwatulIslam mosque stands the famous Iron Pillar, which dates back to the 4th century AD and bears a Sanskrit inscription. The pillar has puzzled scientists, as its iron has not rusted through all these centuries. 
  • Later, transfer to the airport to board the flight back home.

Booking

To plan your journey in Kipling's footsteps fully and work out costs, please contact Cecelia on +27 11 678 4777 or +27 11 478 2884 or email us on: info@egyptandbeyond.co.za.

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