Indian Odyssey (The Deccan Odyssey)
Luxury Trains - The Deccan Odyssey
Luxury Trains - The Deccan Odyssey
Tour Route: Delhi – Sawai Madhopur - Agra – Jaipur – Udaipur – Vadodara – Ellora Caves - Mumbai
Day 01 - SATURDAY Board the Deccan Odyssey at Delhi - on to Sawai Madhopur
We will assemble at the railway station at approximately 20.15 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.
Overnight on board the Deccan Odyssey.
Day 02 - SUNDAY 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 an early morning breakfast, and proceed for your morning game drive.
Ranthambore is home to a variety of species, including Chital and Sambhar deer, wild boars, Nilgai antelope and chinkara gazelles. You will also spot sloth bear, leopards and crocodiles. Ranthambore also has an abundant bird life, which includes jungle fowl, partridges, quails, the crested serpent eagle, woodpeckers and flycatchers, amongst others. There are also water birds like storks, ducks and geese at the lakes and waterholes. While you're here, look out for a majestic tiger lounging around lazily in the sun, or feverishly hunting down deer around the lakes!
Return to the comfort of the Deccan Odyssey for lunch. Later, head to a quaint village for your next adventure.
The villages of Rajasthan's are mostly home to tribes who thrive on hunting and farming. These folk are warm and more than happy to show guests around their villages. This is a great way to gain insights into their daily lives, and to get acquainted with the local flavour. Most people here live in mud huts, while the women here wear vibrant colours to offset the drab desert.
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 the Deccan Odyssey.
Day 03 - MONDAY
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 experience.
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 the Deccan Odyssey.
Day 04 - TUESDAY 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. It overlooks the stunning Maota Lake. The fort is a sprawling complex of courtyards, halls and rooms adorned with gorgeous mirrors, paintings and precious stones. Behold the Sheesh Mahal, 'Hall of Mirrors', where a single lamplight reflects in many mirrors, and lights up the entire room, to create a glittering effect.
On your way to the Amber Fort, explore the Palace of Winds, otherwise known as the Hawa Mahal. This famous tourist attraction is famous for its intricate pink sandstone carving and a beautiful view of the city.
Thereafter you will visit the prominent City Palace of Jaipur, an overwhelming complex of exquisite palaces, gardens and courtyards, decorative art and carved doorways. The palace museum is home to collections of armoury, costumes, rare manuscripts and carpets. Walk across to the adjacent Jantar Mantar, the astronomical observatory built in the 18th century by Sawai Jai Singh. An incredible achievement for its time the observatory gives accurate readings even to this day.
Lunch at a City hotel.
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 the Deccan Odyssey.
Day 05 - WEDNESDAY Udaipur
Today, the Deccan Odyssey will reach its next stop - Udaipur. Set on the shores of the serene Lake Pichola, Udaipur, known as the City of Lakes, it is undoubtedly one of the most romantic cities of India. Enjoy your breakfast as you admire the quaint landscape of the Aravali hills.
You will then disembark to visit the renowned City Palace. It is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan, and features scalloped arches, fretted balconies, and cupolas, which is also home to the fantastic Crystal Gallery.
Later, board a ferry to ride on Lake Pichola to reach Jagmandir, a 17th century Palace situated on an island on the scenic lake. As you enjoy a scrumptious lunch here, allow the sounds of the Tabla and the unique Jal Tarang to soothe your inner rhythm. Glance out and make the most of the charming views of one of the most romantic cities of Rajasthan.
After lunch, return to Deccan Odyssey for a short rest. Later embark on a walking tour through the Old City of Udaipur. Here you can shop for the wonderful variety of handicrafts ranging from toys, to bewitching puppets and wall hangings. This place is also famous for cloth lanterns, handmade papers, jewellery, paintings, painted wooden boxes, pottery, brassware and terracotta sculptures.
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 the Deccan Odyssey.
Day 06 - THURSDAY Vadodara
Post breakfast; proceed to explore Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is the only complete and unchanged pre-Mughal Islamic city in India, and features a largely unexcavated archaeological, historic and living cultural heritage properties cradled in an inspiring landscape. Explore the Jami Masjid (Great Mosque), which was built in 1513. It represents a perfect blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture, which was a model for later mosque architecture in India.
Drive back to Vadodara for a relaxed lunch on board the Deccan Odyssey.
After lunch, you will walk through the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum, originally built as a school for the Maharaja's children. Today, tourists can explore a variety of art displayed in the museum. This includes 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 Lakshmi Vilas Palace. Constructed in 1890, it is the residence of the Royal family even today.
Believed to be four times the size of Buckingham Palace, its vast Durbar Hall boasts a Venetian mosaic floor, Belgian stained glass windows and walls with intricate mosaic decorations. The palace is also home to an Fellici's extraordinary collection of old armoury and sculptures in bronze, marble and terracotta. Witness a traditional folk performance as you relish some of the special delicacies from the Royal kitchen.
Return to the Deccan Odyssey for dinner as it departs for Aurangabad.
Breakfast, lunch on board, high tea at Lakshmi Vilas Palace and dinner on board.
Overnight on board the Deccan Odyssey
Day 07 - FRIDAY Aurangabad – Ellora Caves
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.
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.
After exploring Ellora, return to the Deccan Odyssey.
This evening relax with a sun downer at the Gateway before dinner is served.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner onboard.
Overnight on board the Deccan Odyssey.
Day 08 - SATURDAY Disembark in Mumbai
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.
