India’s largest city, Delhi, has been one of the country’s commercial and economic hubs for centuries and, as a result, is incredibly rich in culture and history. Made up of the ancient walled city of Old Delhi and the more modern sector, New Delhi, the city encompasses a staggering array of beautiful architecture, notable monuments and age-old temples, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the Red Fort, Qutab Minar and Humayun’s Tomb. Other key attractions include the 17th century Chandni Chowk marketplace – still one of the city’s most popular retail centres today, particularly for jewellery and traditional Indian saris; the iconic Bahà’i Lotus Temple – an award-winning architectural gem; and the Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque.
On arrival in Delhi: Having cleared immigration, collected your luggage and passed through customs, please make your way towards the exit of the terminal building where you will see a bank of people waiting for you. Amongst them will be Travel Counsellors Representative who will be waiting to greet you with a paging board with your name on.
You will be transferred to your hotel and assisted with check in. (Standard check in time at hotel is 1400 hrs).
Day 02 (Sat): Board Deccan Odyssey (Delhi – Sawai Madhopur)
After breakfast, check-out from the hotel and proceed for a heritage walk through Old Delhi following by the tour of New Delhi.
(Standard Check-out time is 1200 hrs).
Old Delhi Heritage Walk
Delhi is one of very few places where the ancient and modern co-exist side by side complementing each other perfectly. Our heritage walks of Delhi are a perfect way of exploring this amalgam of old traditions, modern development and the unique heritage which makes it so interesting. It is the perfect way to explore some of the lesser visited places and gain a new insight about the history, people and sights of Delhi city.
The tour of New Delhi covers the UNESCO world Heritage sites of Humyauns tomb, Qutab Minar along with a photo stop at India Gate – the war memorial and drive past the Govt. Secretariat building and the President Palace.
Humayun’s Tomb
The mausoleum complex of Humayun, India’s second Mughal Emperor, was commissioned by his widow in 1565 and was the first garden tomb to be built in India, taking seven years to complete. Humayun had travelled widely in Persia and Central Asia during his lifetime, and many of the architectural principles he brought back from these journeys were incorporated into the building at his wife’s instructions. With its double domes, decorative inlaid marble and vast garden with pools connected by channels, this 16th Century building set the stage for the style that culminated in the Taj Mahal almost 100 years later.
Qutub Minar
Standing tall at 73-metres, the tower consists of 5 storeys with a flight of spiral stairs leading to its top. The walls are adorned with decorative motifs and Quranic inscriptions. At the foot of the tower lie other monuments of historical significance, such as the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque and the Iron Pillar of Delhi. The Amazing race Australia used this site as a pit stop in the second series. Visitors can take advantage of stunning photo opportunities.
Later in the evening around you will be transferred to Safdarjung Railway station to our wonderful journey aboard the Deccan Odyssey.
Board the Deccan Odyssey train at Delhi on to Sawai Madhopur
Welcome aboard the royal Deccan Odyssey.
We will assemble at the railway station at approximately 1700 hours. Once the registration process and check in formalities are complete, you will receive a traditional Indian welcome and a refreshing drink.
You will then be guided to your charming cabins. As you settle in, the Deccan Odyssey shall begin its journey from Delhi to Sawai Madhopur.
Welcome drink and dinner on-board.
Deccan Odyssey
Come aboard one of India’s most iconic trains, and get ready for the royal Indian Odyssey journey. This 8-day extravaganza will take through the fascinating, ever-changing vistas of an ancient and vibrant India from its capital in Delhi to its leading metropolis of Mumbai. On this luxurious holiday, explore the glorious Taj Mahal at Agra, the sparkling city of Jaipur, and the lakes and glorious palaces at Udaipur. Additionally, you’ll visit the stunning monuments of Vadodara, along with some of the most prominent & unexplored destinations of west-central India. Simply put, this Indian Odyssey journey is like none other, in a land like no other.
Overnight: The Deccan Odyssey Train
The Deccan Odyssey is a luxury train that offers six different itineraries through some of the most fascinating parts of India. Up to 80 guests can be accommodated in the Presidential and Deluxe suites which are spread over 11 of the 21 lavishly appointed carriages. All the cabins are air-conditioned and equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including Wi-Fi internet access. The train has two multi-cuisine restaurants where diners can choose from a wide selection of Indian, Oriental, and continental delicacies served by stewards dressed in traditional Maharashtrian attire. There is also a comfortable lounge with reading material and a variety of indoor games, an elegant, well-stocked bar serving wines and spirits from around the world; a souvenir shop, and a spa where guests can get pampered with Ayurveda treatments and therapeutic massages. Special assistance is available for differently-abled guests in the form of wheelchairs and personal attendants.
The Deccan Odyssey treats each of their guests to unprecedented luxury on wheels with the help of 21 superlative, luxury coaches. Out of these, eleven are guest cabins. Each coach has four cabins. In order to ensure a comfortable journey, each Deccan Odyssey cabin is well-equipped with a range of modern amenities. They are spacious, elegant and seamlessly designed to radiate the various eras of the Deccan dynasties.
The Deccan Odyssey’s two gourmet restaurants, Waavar and Utsav have been designed to keep the element of Indian royalty intact. Our chefs ensure the cuisine keeps pace with the train’s journey, by creating local specialties of the very state that the train travels through. So you discover every location with all your senses, including your taste buds! Each meal also includes an International menu to choose from. In order to further enhance the gourmet experience, Deccan Odyssey presents travelers with a well-stocked bar – Gateway. This is the ideal spot to meet and know your fellow travellers, over an evening drink & snacks.
Day 03 (Sun): On Board Deccan Odyssey (Ranthambhore – Agra)
Sawai Madhopur – Ranthambore National Park
Sawai Madhopur located in Rajasthan is the alighting point for the celebrated Ranthambore National Park, and India’s tiger conservation efforts. The park is one of the best tiger reserves in the country, and also one place where spotting majestic animals is fairly easy.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before you set out for your village safari.
The people of Rajasthan’s villages are mostly tribal who subsist on farming and hunting. These friendly folk are warm and welcoming, happy to show guests around their villages, giving deep insights into their daily lives. The women here wear bright colours to offset the drab desert, and most people live in mud huts. Visit a local home and interact with the family.
When you’re done with the village safari, return to the comfort of the Deccan Odyssey. Enjoy a leisurely lunch before you set out for a game drive.
Ranthambore National Park
Located in the Sawai Madhopur district, the Ranthambore National Park, in the western state of Rajasthan, is one of the most visited wildlife parks in India. Spanning over an impressive 1300-square-kilometer stretch of wilderness, the park’s outstanding natural beauty is characterized by its dense jungle, golden savanna, dramatic cliffs and lotus-filled lakes. Considered the best spot to catch a glimpse of tigers in the wild, the park offers visitors a spellbounding combination of mystical temples, wild beauty and crumbling ruins. While the main attraction is undoubtedly the elusive Bengal tiger, the park provides a sanctuary for other wildlife including, among others: sambar, gazelle, caracal, black buck, crocodile, chital, wild boars and a wide array of birds. Don’t miss the ancient Ranthambore Fort, perched high on the cliffs overlooking the vast expanse of this spectacular park.
After an insightful afternoon, proceed for a high tea at the Sawai Madhopur Lodge. This is the former hunting lodge of the erstwhile royal family of Jaipur.
Post enjoying high tea, it is time to head back to the Deccan Odyssey. Relax on board with a refreshing drink, and then enjoy a scrumptious dinner.
The Deccan Odyssey will be off for Agra, the city of the world famous “Taj Mahal”.
Breakfast, lunch on board, high tea at Taj Sawai Madhopur Lodge and dinner on board.
Overnight: On Board Deccan Odyssey.
Day 04 (Mon): On Board Deccan Odyssey (Agra – Jaipur)
Agra
As you arrive in Agra, you will realize that the Mughals were not just the greatest dynasty to rule India but also its greatest builders.
After a great breakfast on board, you will visit the Taj Mahal, which was Emperor Shah Jahan’s gift of love to his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is also truly the world’s most astounding monument. The making of the Taj Mahal is as much a fable as the edifice itself. It took 20,000 men 22 years to build this spectacular mausoleum and its delicate white marble was brought from 200 miles away by caravans of elephants and camels.
Lunch at a City Hotel.
Post lunch, your tour of Agra continues. You will visit Itmad-ud-Daulah, a marble mausoleum built by Nur Jahan, the wife of Emperor Jahangir, in memory of her father, Ghiyas Beg. Sometimes called the ‘Baby Taj’, it is magnificently conceived in white marble, mosaic and lattice.
Later, walk to the Agra Fort, another marvellous example of Mughal architecture, and the seat of Mughal reign and administration for three generations. The present structure owes its origins to Emperor Akbar who had its first buildings of red sandstone erected on the eastern bank of the river Yamuna. His grandson Shah Jahan, the most artistic and prolific builder of the dynasty, later added the impressive marbled private quarters and the mosque while Aurangzeb added the outer ramparts. A visit to the Diwan-e-Am, ‘Hall of Public Audience’ and the Royal Pavilions will certainly be a wonderful expereince.
Taj Mahal
The iconic Taj Mahal is not only an architectural masterpiece, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the new Seven Wonders of the World – it’s also the enduring legacy of a royal love story. It was commissioned in the 15th century by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan after the death of his third and favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, to serve as her final resting place and a symbol of his eternal affection for her. Combining Islamic, Persian, Ottoman Turkish and Indian design elements, it’s an awe-inspiring structure of elegant domes and white marble, which changes colour along with the light – pink at sunrise, pearly white in the afternoon and silver-gold in the full moon.
Tomb Of Itmad-Ud-Daulah (Baby Taj)
Tomb of I’timad-ud-Daulah is a Mughal mausoleum built for the grandfather of the Mumtaz Mahal, who the Taj Mahal was in turn built for. the tomb colloquially known as the “jewel box”, or the “Baby Taj”.
Agra Fort
Known as the Red Fort of Agra, this walled imperial city was founded in 1565 by the Emperor Akbar (1556-1605) and is a well-deserving UNESCO World Heritage site, located just 2.5 kilometres from the famous Taj Mahal. Its palaces, grand mosques and elaborate public hall are crafted from pink-red sandstone and are testament to an era when Indo-Muslim art, strongly marked by influences from Persia, was at its height. Emperor Shah Jahan, who built the Taj Mahal for his deceased wife, was imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb in Agra Fort. He is said to have died in the Musamman Burj, a marble tower he himself built, with one of the most alluring views of the Taj Mahal.
Later, you have the opportunity to visit the local markets to admire the exquisite Pietra Dura (marble inlay) artefacts and Mughal ornaments OR as an optional activity you may avail of spa facilities before completing your tour of this historical city.
In the evening, you return to the Deccan Odyssey for a delightful dinner, and continue the journey to Jaipur, The Pink City.
Breakfast on board, lunch at a City hotel and dinner on board.
Overnight: On Board Deccan Odyssey.
Day 05 (Tue): On Board Deccan Odyssey (Jaipur – Udaipur)
Jaipur
Jaipur, the City of Victory is renowned for the triumphs of its proud Rajputs. It is surrounded by the rugged Aravali hills – crowned by formidable forts – and striking palaces, mansions and gardens. Royal processions and parades, in all their brilliance, graced these palaces and forts once. The city is a colourful oasis in the desert and you will notice a timeless quality to Jaipur’s vibrant people and bazaars.
Post breakfast, drive to Maharaja Mansingh’s 17th century masterpiece, the Amber Fort.
On your way to the Amber Fort, explore the Palace of Winds, otherwise known as the Hawa Mahal.
Thereafter you will visit the prominent City Palace of Jaipur.
Lunch at a City hotel.
Amer Fort
Amer Fort, officially known as the ‘Amer Palace’, is one of the most famous forts of Rajasthan attracting around 4000 to 5000 visitors a day during peak tourist season. The palace was named after the small town of Amer, where it is situated – only eleven kilometres from Jaipur. Perfectly picturesque, this 16th century hillside residence is well preserved, boasting grand pavilions and mirrored halls that open onto flourishing gardens and courtyards. Although the palace’s main construction started in 1592 by Maharaja Man Singh, it was added to over the years by successive rulers and continued to be occupied by them until Jaipur was built.
Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds)
One of Jaipur’s most recognised buildings, the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) is known for its iconic façade. Small windows, decorated with intricate latticework create a honeycomb-like appearance. The original intention of the lattice was to allow the royal ladies to observe everyday life in the street below without being seen. The cooling effect, provided by the breeze passing through the small windows, gave the palace its name. Built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, the unique construction was originally designed to look like the crown of Krishna. A panoramic view of Jaipur can be had from the top of the building.
Jaipur City Palace
City Palace forms one of the most famous tourist attractions and a major landmark in Jaipur. The beautiful palace was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh during his reign. Among the various forts and palaces of Jaipur, City Palace stands apart, with its outstanding art and architecture.
Jantar Mantar Jaipur
In 1734, the year of its completion, the Jai Singh Observatory was the last outpost of medieval science. From the outside, the eighteen fixed observational instruments look more like playground apparatus than sighting devices, but they were used to measure the position of the sun, stars and planets. Built by Jai Singh, the first Maharaja of Jaipur who founded the city in 1727, the observatory is one of a handful. Jai Singh, fulfilling a lifelong interest in mathematics and astronomy, built observatories in Delhi, Jaipur, Ujjain, Mathura and Benares. The Jaipur observatory is the largest and best preserved of these.
After a delicious lunch you may choose to participate in one of the optional tours. Make the most of the spa facilities at a palace hotel OR have the opportunity to explore the vibrant bazaars of the Pink City, which offer a wide range of ethnic handicrafts produced in the city-centre.
After a full day of discovering in the royal past of Jaipur, you will return to the Deccan Odyssey for dinner on board as it departs for Udaipur.
Breakfast on board, lunch at a City hotel and dinner on board.
Overnight: On Board Deccan Odyssey.
Day 06 (Wed): On Board Deccan Odyssey (Udaipur – Vadodara)
The Deccan Odyssey rolls into Udaipur in the morning. Set on the shores of the placid Lake Pichola, Udaipur, known as the Cityof Lakes, is easily one of the most romantic cities of India, surrounded by scenic hills. Enjoy your breakfast as you admire the picturesque landscape of the Aravali hills.
You will then disembark to visit the famous City Palace, the largest palace complex in Rajasthan, with its scalloped arches, fretted balconies, and cupolas, which also houses the spectacular Crystal Gallery.
Later, board a ferry to ride on Lake Pichola to reach Jagmandir, a 17th century Palace located on an island on the picturesque lake, for an exquisite lunch. Allow the sounds of the Tabla and the unique Jal Tarang to soothe your inner rhythm as you glance out to the lovely views of one of the most romantic cities of Rajasthan.
Later embark on a Walking Tour through the Old City of Udaipur. Sample the exquisite variety of handicrafts ranging from toys, bewitching puppets, wall hangings, cloth lanterns, handmade papers, jewellery, paintings, painted wooden boxes, pottery, brassware and terracotta sculptures.
Udaipur City Palace
Situated above Lake Pichola, Udaipur City Palace has housed many royals over four centuries who have each added their own unique preferences to the establishment. The palace is a one of a kind in Rajasthan. Udaipur City Palace was constructed entirely out of marble and granite which makes it highly luxurious. The inside is even more so with its inlays of coloured glass, engravings, towers, and balconies.
Crystal Gallery
Located in Udaipur, India, Crystal Gallery is the biggest private collection of crystals in the world. Situated inside the Fateh Prakash Palace, this attractive collection was established by Maharana Sajjan Singh in 1877 and opened to the public in 1994.
Boat ride at Lake Pichola
Pichola Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in Rajasthan. Located in the heart of Udaipur, Pichola is the oldest and one of the largest lakes in all of Udaipur. In 1362 AD Pichola Lake was built by Banjara. Later, Maharana Udai Singh, affected by the charm of this lake and extended the lake when he founded the city of Udaipur and also built a dam made of stone that is in the Badipol region on the shore of the lake. Pichola Lake is enveloped by lofty Palaces, temples, bathing ghats and elevated hills on all its sides.
Thereafter you return to the Deccan Odyssey for a relaxed evening and dinner as we depart for Vadodara.
Breakfast on board, lunch at Jagmandir and dinner on board.
Overnight: On Board Deccan Odyssey
Day 07 (Thu): On Board Deccan Odyssey (Vadodara – Aurangabad)
Vadodara
Today will reach the capital of the Gaekwads, Vadodara, which is beautifully situated along the seasonal river Vishwamitri.
Breakfast on board the Deccan Odyssey. Rest of the morning at leisure.
Post early lunch, you will disembark and proceed to visit Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the only complete and unchanged pre-Mughal Islamic city in India. This concentration of largely unexcavated archaeological, historic and living cultural heritage properties is cradled in an impressive landscape. Marvel at the Jami Masjid (Great Mosque ) built in 1513 representing a perfect blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture which was a model for later mosque architecture in India.
Drive back to the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum, originally constructed as a school for the Maharaja’s children. Today, art lovers can view a large number of works of art displayed in the museum including a collection of the paintings of Raja Ravi Varma and other renowned European Masters as well as a collection of sculptures in marble and bronze.
Enjoy high tea at the resplendent Laxmi Vilas Palace, built in 1890, and the residence of the Royal family even today. Reputedly four times the size of Buckingham Palace, its overwhelming Durbar Hall boasts a Venetian mosaic floor, Belgian stained glass windows and walls with intricate mosaic decorations. The palace also houses a remarkable collection of old armoury and sculptures in bronze, marble & terracotta by Fellici. Witness a folk performance typical of the region as you savour some of the special delicacies from the Royal kitchen.
Return to the Deccan Odyssey for dinner as it pulls out for Aurangabad.
Breakfast, lunch on board, high tea at Lakshmi Vilas Palace and dinner on board.
Overnight: On Board Deccan Odyssey.
Day 08 (Fri): On Board Deccan Odyssey (Aurangabad – Mumbai)
Aurangabad
Aurangabad, named after the last Great Mughal Aurangzeb, is an industrial town in Maharashtra. This is the stop from where you will proceed to explore the brilliant Ellora Caves – a World Heritage site. While you’re here, notice how the city itself has deep Mughal influences. It houses many famous monuments here, including the Daulatabad Fort, Bibi-ka-Makbara and the city’s 52 gates.
Today, you have the morning to yourself. Post breakfast, you can try out some of the activities available on board. Later, as you savour lunch, the Deccan Odyssey will arrive at Aurangabad. From here, a scenic drive to the Ellora Caves begins. Featuring the finest specimen of cave-temple architecture in India, the site include 34 rock-cut shrines that represent Buddhist, Jain and Hindu art dating from the 4th to 5th century AD. The 12 caves to the south are Buddhist, the 17 in the centre Hindu, while the 5 caves to the north are Jain. However, the most extraordinary is the Kailash temple. Meant to be a replica of Shiva’s celestial abode on Mt. Kailash, it is perhaps the finest example of rock cut architecture and an engineering marvel.
Ellora Caves
These 34 monasteries and temples, extending over more than 2 km, were dug side by side in the wall of a high basalt cliff, not far from Aurangabad, in Maharashtra. Ellora, with its uninterrupted sequence of monuments dating from A.D. 600 to 1000, brings the civilization of ancient India to life. Not only is the Ellora complex a unique artistic creation and a technological exploit but, with its sanctuaries devoted to Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism, it illustrates the spirit of tolerance that was characteristic of ancient India.
After exploring Ellora, return to the Deccan Odyssey.
This evening relax with a sun downer at the Mumbai-Hi before dinner is served.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner on board.
Overnight: On Board Deccan Odyssey.
Day 09 (Sat): Disembark Deccan Odyssey – Mumbai
The thriving metropolis of Mumbai is a go-to destination for travellers curious to experience a modern Indian city. Lapped by the Arabian Sea, this urban seaside peninsula is a melting pot of old and new India. Towering office blocks and shiny apartment buildings shoulder crumbling grand dames of architecture. Men play cricket in the leafy central parks, taxis navigate the jam packed streets and families stroll along the seaside promenades of Mumbai, while kilometres away children beg on the peripheries of Asia’s biggest slum. In the wide avenue of Colaba’s high street, western culture overshadows the brightly lit storefronts, where Levi’s, Adidas and McDonalds vie for retail space.
Early this morning, after breakfast you will disembark at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Railway Station, Mumbai.
Bid farewell to the Deccan Odyssey as your royal passage through the grand vistas of India comes to an end.
Breakfast on-board.
After breakfast, dis-embark the train and proceed for half-day Mumbai city tour.
Half Day Mumbai City Tour
Visit to the well-known landmarks, the Gateway of India. Located on the waterfront in Apollo Bunder area in South Mumbai, the Gateway is a basalt arch 26 metres (85 ft) high. It was a crude jetty used by fisher folks and was later renovated and used as a landing place for British governors and other distinguished personages. Next, visit Prince of Whales Museum. It is the main museum in Mumbai, formerly Bombay. It was founded in the early years of the 20th century by prominent citizens of Bombay, with the help of the government, to commemorate the visit of the then prince of Wales. The museum was renamed in the 1990s or early 2000s after Shivaji, the founder of Maratha Empire. The museum building is built in the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture, incorporating elements of other styles of architecture like the Mughal, Maratha and Jain. The museum building is surrounded by a garden of palm trees and formal flower beds. The museum houses approximately 50,000 exhibits of ancient Indian history as well as objects from foreign lands, categorized primarily into three sections: Art, Archaeology and Natural History. Then, visit Malabar Hills. The colonial bungalows that peppered the hillside in the 18th century have now been replaced by the apartment blocks of Mumbai. You will end your tour by driving past Flora Fountain, Dhobi Ghat, Marine Drive.
After the visit, proceed to the hotel for check in. (Standard check in time is 1400 hrs).
Day 10 (Sun): Mumbai Departure
At an appropriate time, your Travel Counsellor Representative will provide the necessary transfer to the airport for your onward flight back home.
