ITINERARY

ITINERARY

• DAY 1: (Saturday) Board the Deccan Odyssey at Mumbai – on to Vadodara
• Welcome aboard the Deccan Odyssey.
  Early this evening, assemble at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus at approximately 1530 hours to complete the registration process and check in formalities for your Hidden Treasures of Gujarat journey, as you receive a traditional Indian welcome and enjoy a refreshing welcome drink.After completion of all formalities, you will be shown to your delightful cabins. As you settle in, the Deccan Odyssey shall depart Mumbai for Vadodara.
  Dinner on board
  Overnight on Deccan Odyssey
• DAY 2: (Sunday) Vadodara
• As you enjoy breakfast this morning the Deccan Odyssey arrives at the capital of the Gaekwads, Vadodara, located along the seasonal river Vishwamitri.
  Breakfast over, 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 Vadodara for a leisurely lunch on board the Deccan Odyssey.After lunch, you will visit 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 kitchens.
  Return to the Deccan Odyssey for dinner as it departs for Palitana.

  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner onboard; High tea at Laxmi Vilas Palace
  Overnight on Deccan Odyssey

• DAY 3: (Monday) Palitana
• Rise early this morning and after breakfast head out to explore one of the world’s largest temple complexes, Palitana, famed for its spectacular cluster of Jain temples exquisitely carved in marble.
  Spend the day exploring the most significant of the over 900 temples located on a hilltop at Palitana – considered to be the most sacred pilgrimage spot of the Jains.
  After a full morning with the Jain Tirthankars, return to the Deccan Odyssey for a sumptuous lunch as it makes its way to Sasan Gir, the sole home of the Asiatic Lion.The afternoon is at leisure for you to relax and enjoy some of the activities available on board. Watch a movie, learn the rules of ‘carrom’, a popular Indian board game, from a Deccan Odyssey team member or book yourself a relaxing massage in our spa on board.
  Relax and watch the tapestry of rural India unfold as you sip a sun downer before dinner.
  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner on board
  Overnight on Deccan Odyssey
• DAY 4: (Tuesday) Sasan Gir
• 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 at the Gateway hotel before heading back into the forest for your next adventure.
  On your afternoon safari into the jungle, observe how the local pastoral community, the Maldharis, live in complete harmony with the diverse flora and fauna of Gir. About 40-45 families live in nesses within the Park and have repeatedly rebuffed all attempts to relocate them outside Gir.As the afternoon melts into evening it is time to head back to the Deccan Odyssey where you can relax with a drink before dinner on board, as the Deccan Odyssey sets off for the Little Rann of Kutch.
  Breakfast on board; Lunch at the Gateway hotel, Gir forest; Dinner on board
  Overnight on Deccan Odyssey
• DAY 5: (Wednesday) Little Rann of Kutch
• Breakfast at the first blush of dawn today as the Deccan Odyssey pulls into the Viramgam station where you will disembark to drive to a stop over point and transfer to jeeps for a safari into the deceptively named Little Rann of Kutch.The Rann is a seasonal salt marsh, the largest in the world at over 7500 sq. km, a saline desert where the dry air whips your face, mirages abound and parched earth unfolds as far as the eye can see. During the monsoons, these arid flatlands fill with water creating a still, salty sea.Explore the Rann on your jeep safari; the Wild Ass Sanctuary here is one of the few places to spot the ghudkar, or Indian wild ass. Other species here include the desert fox, jungle cat, jackal and several birds. Since there is virtually no vegetation for animals to hide behind, they are easy to spot while driving around.

  After your visit to the sanctuary, lunch will be at the Rann Riders Resort with time to relax and refresh yourselves. Enjoy the regional specialties of the Maliks of Rann, and delicious Gujarati fare in this charming resort surrounded by the desert.

  Spend some time walking around and meeting the other species of the lodge which include the unique to the region Marwari and Kathiawari horses.
  Later, drive out for a village safari on camel carts to meet the varied communities that call the Rann their home. You will find the Agarias, salt-panners, hard at work drying out the salt. Visit the homes of the Rabari community and watch them create their exquisite embroidery using herringbone stitches interspersed with small mirrors. The Tangalia style of weaving is also popular, where an extra thread is introduced into the design, making the weave look like embroidery and the same design appears on both sides of the cloth. A Tangalia shawl takes a weaver about 7-8 days of work, a fading art as just a handful of these weavers are left in the region. Another interesting creation to look out for are the beaded bangles made by the Mirs of Dasada.

  Having taken in your share of this great white vastness, return to the Deccan Odyssey for dinner and head for Patan.

  Breakfast & Dinner on board; Lunch at the Rann Riders Safari Resort.
  Overnight on Deccan Odyssey

• DAY 6: (Thursday) Patan – Ahmedabad
• This morning the Deccan Odyssey rolls into Patan, the 8th century fortified town, the capital of Gujarat in medieval times.
  Breakfast over, disembark and drive to the sun temple at Modhera. This grand, awe-inspiring 11th century sandstone monument was built by the Solanki dynasty and is dedicated to the sun god. The complex is full of elaborate carvings and the resident priest enjoys explaining the legends they depict. A step tank in front of the temple has 108 shrines that lead down to the water.After visiting the sun temple, drive to Patan to visit the lovely 11th century step well called Rani ki Vav, a fine example of subterranean well architecture. Walk down into the depths of this extravagant step well, one of the biggest in Gujarat, passing hundreds of delicate carvings and statues of Parvati, Shiva, Vishnu and other gods etched into its side walls. It is evident that this well was constructed not just to store water but was also a site for worship and community gatherings.Thereafter, visit Patola house, the centre of the Salvi family’s traditional craft, the creating of exquisite silk Patola sarees. Weavers since the 12th century, the Salvi’s have enjoyed the patronage of the royalty of Gujarat as the sarees created by them have gained the reputation of works of art.

  Having visited Patola house, drive back to the Deccan Odyssey for lunch on board. The afternoon is at leisure as you proceed towards Ahmedabad.
  Early in the evening, the Deccan Odyssey pulls into Gandhinagar station, the city famous as the starting point of Mahatma Gandhi’s Dandi march in protest of the taxes imposed on salt by the British.
  Disembark and drive to Ahmedabad city to tour the lovely Veechar utensils museum.

  After the utensils museum, it is time for your lovely themed dinner at the Vishalla Village restaurant. With no closed rooms or halls, lanterns used instead of artificial lighting, fresh open air replacing air-conditioners, folk songs being sung, muddy lanes and homely food served on a tree leaf, your servers welcome you dressed in dhotis and topis. Sit legs crossed Indian style and allow the servers to overwhelm you with the endless rounds of mouth watering Gujarati cuisine

  After dinner return to the Deccan Odyssey which will be stationed at Ahmedabad for the night.
  Breakfast & Lunch on board; Themed Dinner at the Vishalla Village restaurant
  Overnight on Deccan Odyssey

• DAY 7: (Friday) Ahmedabad
• Rise early this morning and after breakfast disembark to explore some more of the beautifully planned city of old Ahmedabad or Amdavad, as it was called.Later visit the serene Sabarmati Ashram, built by Mahatma Gandhi, which played a pivotal role in India’s fight for freedom.Return to the Deccan Odyssey for lunch as it pulls out for the last leg of your journey.
  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner onboard;
  Overnight on Deccan Odyssey
• DAY 8: (Saturday) Disembark in New Delhi
• Early this morning, after breakfast, you will disembark at Delhi Cantt Railway Station, New Delhi.Bid farewell to the Deccan Odyssey as your royal passage through the grand vistas of India comes to an end. Breakfast on board

Highlights

The Deccan Odyssey will immerse your senses to soak in India’s vibrant hues, embarking on a majestic voyage unfolding a valiant past of the legendary Marathas. Traversing across magnificent landscapes, its sprawling forts, palaces, and beautifying experiences, the Deccan Odyssey offers you a peek into the Indian soul, redefining the art of elegant travel, en route exotic destinations via Ganpatipule, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Goa, Pune, Ajanta and Ellora(Aurangabad). Spread out into 21 coaches that facilitate 4 coupes each and 2 Presidential Suite Cars, it has a lounge and a state of the art Spa Car too.
• Visit the World Heritage Site of Champaner-Pavagadh
• Admire the historic monuments at Palitana and Modhera
• A Kodak moment with the Asiatic Lions in Sasan Gir

Tour Schedule (October 2015 To March 2016)

• Oct 19
• Nov 9
• Dec 7, 28
• Jan 18
• Feb 15
• Mar 14
• Apr 4, 11, 18, 25 (Group Bookings Only)

Tariff

Note:

• 10% extra surcharge during Christmas and New Year departures.
• 3.50% Service Tax will be extra as applicable.
• US$ 15 per pax commerical tax as applicable.
• 50% of the prevailing tariff will be charged for the children between 05-12 years of age
• 10% of the prevailing tariff will be charged for the children below 05 years.
• The tariff structure for the guests having Indian Indentity proof (Passport/Voter ID/Aadhaar/ will be applicable.
• Tariff Subject to change without notice.
• The tariff is inclusive of cost of travel, accommodation, all meals, sightseeing tours, entrance fee
  (excluding video camera fee) for monuments & palaces and entertainment.
• Tariff does not include liquor, laundry and other items of personal nature.

Inclusions

• Accommodation in double / twin bedded cabin with en suite bathrooms
• Soft Beverages during meals(B, L,D)
• Valet Service
• Still Camera fees
• Guided off train excursions and game drives as illustrated in the itinerary – inclusive of entrance fees, park fees, transport and services of an English speaking local guide

Exclusions

• Taxes, Insurance , Gratuities
• Laundry, Alcoholic Beverages, Soft beverages during non meal hours
• Video and professional Still Camera fees
• Arrival and Departure transfers
• International and Domestic air tickets
• Pre and Post tour accommodation and any tour extensions unless specifically mentioned as a part of the journey

Booking Policy

• 30% of ticket value at the time of confirming the booking.
• Remaining 80% of ticket value 60 days prior to departure.

Cancellation Policy

• 5% of ticket value 60 days or more prior to departure.
• 20% of ticket value between 59 to 16 days prior to departure.
• 100% of ticket value 15 days prior to departure.
• No show/ En route termination of tour/amendment:
• No Show – In case of No Show / Non-arrival of the guest, no refund or adjustment in future travel will be possible. The whole amount shall be treated as forfeited.
• En route termination of tour – In case of termination of tour by the guest, for any reasons, no refund or adjustment for future travel will be possible. The amount for unused portion of the tour shall be treated as forfeited.
• Amendment – Is only possible under the circumstances like Natural Disaster / Natural Calamity or Serious Health Problem’s (this needs to be supported by doctor’s certificate) and is subject to availability. No refunds are possible and every case will be decided on merits on a case to case basis. No amendment will be permissible in case of booking of groups or complete train.