Explore the birthplace of a number of world religions on a religious studies school trip to Delhi!
Many dynasties have ruled India and Delhi is rich in their architecture. Diverse cultural elements absorbed into the daily life of the city have enriched its character and so exploring the city can be a fascinating and rewarding experience.
India has a multi-racial society with religions such as Hinduism, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhism and Christianity present, each leaving its own footprint on the country. Where better to gain greater knowledge of some of the world’s great religions than this ancient, fascinating country?
Suggested Itinerary (8 days, 6 nights)
| Day | Morning Summary | Afternoon Summary | Evening Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Flight to India |
||
| 2 |
Arrive in Delhi and transfer to accommodation |
Free time to explore |
Evening meal at hotel or local restaurant |
| 3 |
Sightseeing in Old and New Delhi - visits include the Qutab Minar, the Iron Pillar, Humayun's Tomb and the Lakshminarayan Temple, India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan (the President's official residence) |
Continue sightseeing - Parliament House, the Secretariat Building, the Raj Ghat, Jama Masjid (the largest mosque in India) and Chandi Chowk (the city's busiest commercial area) |
Evening meal at hotel or local restaurant Enjoy a Bollywood movie at a local theatre |
| 4 |
Leave Delhi for Agra Visit the Bear Rescue Camp en route |
Arrive in Agra |
Evening meal at hotel or local restaurant |
| 5 |
Visit to the Taj Mahal at sunrise Visit the Agra Fort - inside, visit the Diwan-E-Am (House of Commons), mosques and royal pavilions |
Free time to explore |
Evening meal at hotel or local restaurant |
| 6 |
Depart Agra for Jaipur Visit the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri en route On arrival, check in at the hotel |
Evening meal at hotel or local restaurant |
|
| 7 |
Visit to Amber Fort Brief photography stop at Hawa Mahal - the Palace of Winds en route |
Sightseeing tour of Jaipur including visits to Maharaja's City Palace and the Jantar Mantar, which is the largest stone and marble crafted observatory in the world |
Evening meal at hotel or local restaurant |
| 8 |
Day at leisure before transfer to the airport |
Return flight to the UK |
|
| 9 |
Arrival in the UK |
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- 24-hour assistance from Halsbury Travel in the UK
- 6 nights' full board accommodation
- Airport tax and passenger duty at current rates
- Airport transfers in resort
- Comprehensive travel and medical insurance
- Detailed information pack
- Free staff place ratio 1:10
- Local English-speaking guide during the tour
- Programme as listed inclusive of transport and entrance fees
- Return flights from London
- VAT at current rates to tour operators
Curriculum Links
A-Level
- Influences of religion on society
- Similarities and differences between religions
- Multicultural societies
- Religious pluralism in modern society
- Religious heritage within art and architecture
GCSE
- Influences of religion on society
- Key beliefs and practices of Buddhism
- Key beliefs and practices of Islam
- Freedom of religious expression
Accommodation
Tour Highlights
Visit the Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is considered the jewel of Muslim architecture in India and is also a symbol of the love that the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan had for his favourite wife.
When Mumtaz Mahal died at the age of 37 in childbirth, her husband, Shah Jahan, had the Taj Mahal built as her mausoleum. Shah Jahan’s reign is viewed as the golden age of Mughal architecture – other buildings he commissioned include the Red Fort and the Jama Masjid, but the Taj Mahal remains his most famous contribution.
It’s estimated that it took over 20 years to build the Taj Mahal, and even longer to complete the other buildings in the complex. Over 1,000 elephants were used to transport materials and more than 22,000 labourers and craftsmen were involved in its construction.
Did you know?
Scaffolding has been erected around the building several times to protect it during wartime – first in 1942 for fear of aerial attacks by the Japanese, and then again in 1965 and 1971 during the India-Pakistan wars
See the Qutab Minar
Considered one of the finest Islamic structures ever raised, the Qutab Minar has inspired many subsequent minarets throughout India.
Part of the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque in Delhi, one of the earliest surviving mosque complexes on the Indian subcontinent, this 12 th century minaret is of huge cultural significance.
At 72.5m it is the highest brick minaret in the world, and there are 379 steps inside. A visit here offers your students the opportunity to learn more about the rise of Islam in India.
Did you know?
There is some dispute over who the minaret was named after – it seems likely that it was either Qutb-ud-din Aibak, the first Muslim ruler of India, or Khwaja Qutb-ud-din Bakhtiar Kaki, a Sufi saint.
Visit the Buddha Jayanti Park
This lovely park was built to celebrate the 2,500th anniversary of Gautama Buddha’s enlightenment!
Buddha Jayanti is an annual Buddhist festival that commemorates the birth of Prince Siddartha Guatama, who went on to become the Gautama Buddha and founder of Buddhism. It also celebrates the enlightenment and death of the Buddha.
At the centre of the park sits a beautiful gilded statue of the Buddha, sheltered by a magnificent pavilion on its own little island.
Did you know?
Sri Lanka gifted a sapling of the Bodhi tree which grow in Anuradhapura to the park. And that tree is said to be the southern branch of the historical Sri Maha Bodhi, under which the Gautama Buddha achieved enlightenment.
