Hidden Treasures of Gujarat (The Deccan Odyssey)
Luxury Trains - The Deccan Odyssey
Luxury Trains - The Deccan Odyssey
Tour Route: Mumbai – Vadodra – Palitana - SasanGir & Somnath – Little Rann of Kutch – Modhera & Patan – Nashik - Mumbai
Day 01 - SATURDAY Board the Deccan Odyssey at Mumbai - on to Vadodara
Welcome aboard the Deccan Odyssey.
Gather at the Chhatrapati Shivaji at approximately 15.30 hrs to complete the registration process and check in formalities for your Hidden Treasures of Gujarat rail journey.
After the process is complete, a traditional Indian welcome awaits you! Sip on refreshing drink as you are guided to your charming cabins. As you settle in, the Deccan Odyssey will begin its journey from Mumbai to Vadodara.
Welcome drink and dinner on board.
Overnight on board the Deccan Odyssey.
Day 02 - SUNDAY Vadodra
While, you are enjoying a succulent breakfast, the train will arrive at the capital city of the Gaekwads, Vadodara. The city is located along the seasonal river Vishwamitri.
Disembark from the train and prepare yourself for a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, the only untouched pre- Mughal Islamic city in India. Its impressive landscape consists of unexcavated archaeological, historic and living cultural heritage. Visit the Jami Masjid (Great Mosque ) built in 1513 and witness a seamless blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture, which later became a model for mosque architecture in India.
After you're done exploring session, drive back to Vadodara for lunch on board the Deccan Odyssey.
After lunch, make your way towards the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum, once a school for the Maharaja's children, now it acts as a paradise for art lovers! You can view a varied range of art displayed in the museum, including a collection of the Raja Ravi Varma's paintings, along with other renowned European Masters and a collection of sculptures in bronze and marble.
Experience the royal life as you enjoy high tea at the resplendent Lakshmi Vilas Palace, where the Royal family still resides! Built in 1890, the palace is almost four times the size of Buckingham Palace and sports some awe- inspiring interiors; the Durbar hall boasts of a Venetian mosaic floor, Belgian stained glass windows and walls with elaborate mosaic decorations. The palace also houses an extraordinary collection of Fellici's old armoury and sculptures in bronze, marble & terracotta.
Sit around with your fellow travellers and savour royal delicacies as you witness the folk performance of the region.
Enjoy dinner aboard the Deccan Odyssey as it departs for Palitana.
Breakfast and lunch on board, high tea at Lakshmi Vilas Palace and dinner on board.
Overnight on board the Deccan Odyssey.
Day 03 - MONDAY Palitana
Have an early breakfast and disembark from the Deccan Odyssey for a visit to the world's largest temple complexes, Palitana.
Admire the spectacular cluster of Jain temples exquisitely carved in marble as you spend your day exploring the most significant temples out of the 900! Perched upon a hilltop at Palitana, this site is considered to be the most sacred pilgrimage spot of the Jains.
Your afternoon will be spent indulging in various facilities offered on board; watch a movie, learn to play carom or just simply relax at a spa.
In the evening, watch the rural scene unfold as you sip on sun downer.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner on board.
Overnight on board the Deccan Odyssey.
Day 04 - TUESDAY Sasan Gir - Somnath
Wake up to a golden dawn and after an early breakfast, disembark for your drive to Sasan Gir - The Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary. A guide will accompany you for your morning game drive into the Gir forest keep your fingers crossed for a sighting of the majestic and extremely rare Asiatic lion! Experience the magic of the wild all around you as you venture deep into this natural habitat, with everything from tiny wild birds, not easily seen, but heard, singing in the forest canopy, to crocodiles sunning themselves in marshy waters.
After the excitement of the morning, enjoy a relaxed lunch followed by a tribal dance at the Gateway hotel.
Return to the Deccan Odyssey and unwind with a drink before dinner on board, as you set off for the Little Rann of Kutch.
Breakfast on board, lunch at the Gateway hotel - Gir forest and dinner on board.
Overnight on board the Deccan Odyssey.
Day 05 - WEDNESDAY Little Rann of Kutch
An early start is on the cards today, have breakfast and disembark at Viramgam station. After which you will drive to a stop over point and transfer into a jeep for an exciting safari of Little Rann of Kutch.
Contrary to its name, Rann is the world's largest salt marsh spread over at a distance of 7500 sq. Km. Enter this saline desert and feel dry air whip your face as your eyes take in the view of unending parched earth. The monsoons create a still and salty sea on this landscape.
Your jeep safari will take you across the Wild Ass Sanctuary where you will get a chance to spot the ghudkar, or Indian wild ass and other species like the desert fox, jungle cat, jackal and several birds. Keep your camera ready at all times as there is virtually no vegetation for animals to hide behind!
After a run in the sun, relax at the Rann Riders Resort and enjoy the regional specialties of the Maliks of Rann and the delicious Gujarati fare. Since, the resort is enveloped by the desert, after lunch take a walk around the resort and say hello to the Marwari and Kathiawari horses and various other species.
No trip is complete without meeting the locals so gather your bags and embark on a village safari. Here, you will get a chance to meet the various communities that call the Rann their home. Meet up with the Agarias, salt-panners, who are responsible for drying out the salts, then head towards the homes of the Rabari tribe for a glance into their world and learn the tricks of the trade from the Mirs of Dasada who make the beaded bangles. Later, make your way towards the local school where you will be greeted by a bunch of enthusiastic kids who love sharing and listening to stories and adventures.
Finally, bid good bye to this great white vastness and return to the Deccan Odyssey for dinner.
Breakfast on board, lunch at the Rann Riders Safari Resort and dinner on board.
Overnight on board the Deccan Odyssey.
Day 06 - THURSDAY Modhera - Patan
Today, we visit the medieval capital of Gujarat, Patan, the 8th century fortified town.
After breakfast, we will drive to the Sun temple in Modhera. This sandstone temple is dedicated to the sun god and was built in the 11th Century by the Solanki Dynasty. Explore the various elaborate carvings as the resident priest enlightens you about the legends associated with it. The front of the temple has a steep tank that has about 108 shrines that lead down to the water.
After your visit to the Sun temple, unwind in the lovely village of Patan where you'll visit the famous 11th century step well Rani ki Vav. This step well is a fine example of subterranean well architecture. As you make way down the step well, you will encounter hundreds of delicate carvings and statues of Parvati, Shiva, Vishnu and other gods that have been etched into the side walls. This monument is clearly more than just a place to save water, it doubles up as an ancient worshipping site where people met for community gatherings.
Its shopping time, head towards the Patola house for some exquisite Patola sarees. The Patola house is the centre of the Salvi family's traditional craft of weaving! They have been weaving since the 12th century and have been identified by the royalty of Gujarat.
After an eventful morning, head back to Deccan Odyssey for lunch. With the train proceeding to Nagpur, you have the afternoon to yourself.
As the day comes to an end, admire the colourful vistas the rural India has to offer and sip on a sun downer as you await your dinner.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner on board.
Overnight on board the Deccan Odyssey.
Day 07 - FRIDAYNashik
On Day 7, the Deccan Odyssey will halt at the holy city of Nashik also known as the wine capital of the country.
Start your day early as you head to Pandu Leni after breakfast to explore one of the most ancient Jain and Buddhist cave temples in India. Out of the 24 caves, some caves date back to the 1st century BC while the others were built around 13th century AD.
After an exploring session, drive to the Grover Zampa vineyards, where an exclusive tour of India's finest wine producing facilities awaits you! Let your hair down as you stroll through the vines laden with Chenin, Chardonnay and Shiraz grapes and get acquainted with the age old 'method traditionally' used to make one of the best known brands of sparkling wines in India. Later, treat your taste buds with some delicious white, red, rose and sparkling wines in the company of a sommelier.
Relax for a while at the Deccan Odyssey.
Reserve your evening for a trip to the Godavari ghats, where you will witness the various Hindu rituals related to birth, death and initiation.
Enjoy dinner aboard the Deccan Odyssey post which you will retire to your cabins as the train begins its journey towards Mumbai!
Breakfast, lunch and dinner on board.
Overnight on board the Deccan Odyssey.
Day 08 - SATURDAY Disembark in Mumbai
Post breakfast, you will bid farewell to the Deccan Odyssey as your 8 day journey comes to end at Chhatrapati Shivaji terminus railway station, Mumbai.
Breakfast on board.
