p46-8 tour 3-5 mar27 24/3/09 11:20 Page 46
knowledge touring
ttglive.com
Civilisations
History tours
d
Touring holidays are a
great option for history
buffs to tread in the
footsteps of the world’s
great civilisations.
Dave Richardson
steps back in time
THE MUGHALS: INDIA
.
The Mughal (Mogul) emperors had
enormous wealth and influence over a huge
part of southern Asia, but their power had
vanished long before the British imperialists
came along.
The palaces of these and other dynasties
are in huge contrast to the chaos and
poverty that still characterises India, despite
its economic growth. Visiting India is still
a feast for the senses, though – from the
beauty of the palaces to exotic spices and
abundant nature.
Agra, easily reached from Delhi, was century, the sophisticated Incas were
the Mughal capital. The Taj Mahal (main conquering lesser tribes and establishing
picture) is one of the ancient world’s most cities high up in the Andes mountains.
iconic structures, while nearby are the Visitors come to marvel at their achieve-
deserted ancient city of Fatehpur Sikri ments, enjoy the mountain scenery on an
and the mausoleum of Emperor Akbar at active or laid-back holiday, and get in touch
Sikandra. with the spirituality of their surroundings.
India’s Golden Triangle includes Delhi, The best-known Inca citadel is Machu
Agra and Jaipur, the “pink city” and capital Picchu (pictured below), mysteriously
of Rajasthan, where the Palace of the Winds abandoned and not discovered until the
dates from the 18th century. early 20th century. The only way to reach
Samples: Cox & Kings’ Grand Tour of it is by train from the old city of Cusco to
Northern India tour covers the Golden Triangle, Aguas Calientes, or by trekking. A minibus
and also the River Ganges and lake city of then takes you up to the ruins.
Udaipur. It costs from £2,295 for 15 days. With Inca Trail permits being restricted
■ coxandkings.co.uk and 500 people starting this trekking route
Adventure operator Dragoman’s Moguls, most days from May to September, some
Mosques and Mahals tour visits the Golden operators are offering alternative routes,
Triangle plus the Ganges and Kathmandu in such as the Moonstone Trek.
Nepal. It costs £450 from Delhi to Kathmandu, Samples: Collette’s Cultures of Peru
plus $320 food kitty, not in- small-group tour includes Machu
cluding flights. Picchu and the Royal Tombs of
■ dragoman.com Sipan, costing from £2,699 for
15 days including many meals.
■ colletteworldwide.com
THE INCAS:.
Exodus offers a four-day Moon-
PERU.
stone Trek as part of an 11-night
orldwide
Long before the Spanish tour costing from £1,849.
invaders arrived in the 16th C
ollette W
■ exodus.co.uk
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