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| AGRA - It has
a magnificent fort, a perfectly preserved, but abandoned, Moghul
city called Fatehpur Sikri and probably the most famous building
in the world - the Taj Mahal. The Taj was constructed by Emperor
Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, between 1632
and 1653. Although the TAj is amazingly graceful from alomst
any angle, it's the close up detail which is really astounding.
Semi precious stomes are inlaid into the marble in beautiful
patterns and with superb craftsmanship.
NEW DELHI - Capital of India and a mixture
of Hindu, Muslim and British architecture. The city consists
of two parts - Old Delhi which was the capital of Muslim
India, between the 12th and 19th centuries and New Delhi,
the imperial city created by the British. Visit India's
(if not the world's) biggest collection of classic bikes.
The proud owner has been collecting these bikes for the
past 60 years and there are hundreds of classic bikes in
all states of restoration.
BILASPUR -
(2300ft/700m) Picturesque town overlooking a beautiful lake,
with boating and swimming.
KULU VALLEY
- (3900ft/1200m) Remaining isolated for centuries, until
a road was built, it contains a colourful mixture of local
ethnic tribes, Nepalese, Tibetans and Indians. The rich
soil, plentiful water supply and ideal climate provides
perfect conditions for beautiful terraced rice paddies and
a wide variety of fruit and vegetables.
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MANALI - (4600ft/1400m) The last town
before the road winds its way up to Ladakh and the Tibetan
plateau. A beautiful and vibrant town with spectactular
scenery, temples and a wide variety of people.
HIGH HIMALAYAN PASSES - There are several
high altitude passes en route to Leh - Rohtang La (13050ft/3978m),
Baralacha La (16050ft/4890m), Lachalung La (16600ft/5065m)
and Taglang La (17480ft/5328m).
WORLD'S HIGHEST MOTORABLE
ROAD - A side trip from Leh to
the Khardung La pass, which is the world's highest motorable
road at 18380ft/5600m.
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LADAKH - This
region of India marks the boundary between the peaks of
the western Himalayas and the vast Tibestan Plateau. The
culture is Buddhism, with close clutural and trading ties
with Tibet. The scenery provides an ever changing experience
- from the many lush river valleys connected by high altitude
passes, to the stark, barren plateau with nomadic villages
and herders, all complimented with the high Himalayan peaks
in the background. The region has many whitewashed gompas
(monasteries) and forts perched on rocky outcrops.
LEH - (11500ft/3500m) Located close to
the Indus Valley and with a wide variety of only 30,000 people,
this ancient town is a labyrinth of alleyways and houses,
dominated by the Leh Palace, fort and many fine gompas.
KULU - Situated on the Beas River and
is the gateway to the Kulu VAlley. It has many Hindu temples
and a vibrant market for the surrounding villagers to come
and trade their wares.
CHANDIGARH -
Capital of the Punjab, and purposely built in the 1950's by
the French architect, Le Corbusier.
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