ITINERARY

ITINERARY

• DAY 1: (Saturday) Board the Deccan Odyssey at Delhi – on to Sawai Madhopur
• Welcome aboard the Deccan Odyssey.
  This evening assemble at the railway station at approximately 1815 hours to complete the registration process and check in formalities for your Indian Sojourn 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 Delhi for Sawai Madhopur
  Dinner on board
  Overnight on Deccan Odyssey

• DAY 2: (Sunday) Sawai Madhopur – Ranthambore National Park
• Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan is the alighting point for the famous Ranthambore National Park, and India’s efforts to conserve the dwindling tiger population can be seen here. The park is one of the finest tiger reserves in the country and the most likely place to spot one of these majestic cats.

  The Deccan Odyssey rolls into Sawai Madhopur at dawn where you will disembark for an early morning safari into the park.
  Ranthambore is home to several species other than the tiger; you can see herds of Chital and Sambhar deer as well as wild boar, Nilgai antelope and chinkara gazelles. There are also sloth bear, a few leopards and crocodiles. Extensive bird life includes jungle fowl, partridges, quails, the crested serpent eagle, woodpeckers, flycatchers etc. There are also water birds like storks, ducks and geese at the lakes and waterholes. If it’s your lucky day, you could spot a tiger lolling around lazily in the sun, or feverishly hunting down deer around the lakes!

  After the excitement of the morning, return to the comfort of the Deccan Odyssey and enjoy a leisurely breakfast. The rest of the morning is free for you to relax on board, and after lunch your next adventure into the jungle begins. Post lunch, you could also choose the option of a village safari in Ranthambore and get a glimpse of how the locals live When you’re done with the jungle, feel free to share the spoils (of your photo-shoots!) at high tea at Sawai Madhopur Lodge, the former hunting lodge of the erstwhile royal family of Jaipur.

  After high tea, 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 proceeds towards Jaipur, the Pink City.
  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner on board; High tea at Taj Sawai Madhopur Lodge
  Overnight on Deccan Odyssey

• DAY 3: (Monday) Jaipur
• Legendary for the triumphs of its proud Rajputs, Jaipur, the City of Victory, is surrounded by the rugged Aravali hills – crowned by formidable forts – and beautiful palaces, mansions and gardens. Royal processions and parades, in all their splendour, 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 bazaars and its people.

  After breakfast you drive to Maharaja Mansingh’s 17th century masterpiece, the Amber Fort that overlooks the beautiful Maota Lake. The fort is a sprawling complex of courtyards, halls and rooms adorned with beautiful paintings, precious stones and mirrors. Behold the Sheesh Mahal, ‘Hall of Mirrors’, where a single lamplight reflects in many mirrors, and lights up the entire room, creating a dazzling effect.

  En route to Amber Fort visit the Palace of Winds, otherwise known as the Hawa Mahal, famous for its intricate pink sandstone carving and a beautiful view of the city.
  Thereafter you will visit the famous City Palace of Jaipur, an overwhelming complex of exquisite palaces, gardens and courtyards, decorative art and carved doorways. The palace museum houses collections of rare manuscripts, armoury, costumes and carpets. Walk across to the adjacent Jantar Mantar, the astronomical observatory built in the 18th century by Sawai Jai Singh. A wondrous achievement for its time the observatory gives accurate readings even to this day.

  Lunch at a City hotel.
  Following lunch you may choose to participate in one of the optional tours. Enjoy spa facilities at a palace hotel OR have the opportunity to explore the colorful bazaars of the Pink City which offer a wide range of ethnic handicrafts produced in the city-centre and its outskirts In the evening, join in for a Gala Dinner in the Pink City.

  After your full day of delving in the royal past of Jaipur you will return to the Deccan Odyssey as it sets off for Agra, the city of the world famous Taj Mahal.
  Breakfast on board; Lunch and Dinner off board
  Overnight on Deccan Odyssey

• DAY 4: (Tuesday) Agra
• Arriving at Agra, you will realize that the Mughals were not just the greatest dynasty to rule India but also its greatest builders. After a leisurely breakfast on board, you will visit the Taj Mahal, which was Emperor Shah Jahan’s gift of love to his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, and is truly the world’s most wondrous monument. The making of the Taj is as much a fable as the edifice itself. It took 20000 men 22 years to build this unrivaled mausoleum and its exquisite white marble was brought from 200 miles away by caravans of elephants and camels.

  Lunch at a City Hotel.
  After lunch your tour of Agra continues, as you 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 beautifully conceived in white marble, mosaic and lattice.

  Thereafter proceed to Agra Fort, another outstanding 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 is not to be missed.

  Later, you have the opportunity to visit the local markets to admire the exquisite Pietra Dura (marble inlay) artefacts and Mughal ornaments before completing your tour of this historical city. Alternately, you could choose the option of a massage at a hotel spa.

  Return to the Deccan Odyssey to unwind and enjoy cocktails fixed by our bartender on board, followed by a sumptuous dinner and a well deserved rest as the Deccan Odyssey proceeds towards the Buddhist town of Sanchi. Breakfast on board; Lunch at a City Hotel; Dinner on board
  Overnight on Deccan Odyssey

• DAY 5: (Wednesday) Sanchi
• This morning as the Deccan Odyssey travels through central India, enjoy a relaxing start to the day as you breakfast and experience the striking panorama of India unfurl past your racing carriages, as you approach Sanchi. Experience the richness of the Buddhist city of Sanchi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the well-preserved Stupas, said to have been built from the 3rd century BC onward till the 12th century AD, an astounding period of over thirteen hundred years. The Great Stupa of Sanchi is the oldest stone structure in India and bears four symbols representing each of the four stages of the Buddha’s life: birth, enlightenment, preaching of the first sermon and salvation.

  Return to the Deccan Odyssey for lunch on board.
  The remainder of the day 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.

  In the evening watch the tapestry of rural India unfold while you sip a sun downer before dinner as the Deccan Odyssey steams onward towards Jalgaon for your visit to the exquisite Ajanta Caves. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner on board
  Overnight on Deccan Odyssey

• DAY 6: (Thursday) Ajanta Caves
• The Deccan Odyssey arrives at the Jalgaon station early this morning from where, after breakfast on board, you will disembark and drive to the Ajanta Caves, a World Heritage site and an architectural marvel of its time. The 30 rockhewn Buddhist caves at Ajanta have been masterfully carved and are adorned with sculptures and paintings of Buddhist religious art, depicting universal pictorial art and are known to depict the fusion between Buddhist and Hindu faith.

  After exploring Ajanta, return to the Deccan Odyssey as it takes you towards Aurangabad.
  Savour a leisurely lunch on board as the hinterland of Maharashtra sweeps past, with its ever-changing colours and landscape.

  In the evening, enjoy a drink at the Mumbai-Hi before dinner is served.
  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner on board.
  Overnight on Deccan Odyssey

• DAY 7: (Friday) Aurangabad – Ellora caves
• Aurangabad, named after the last Great Mughal Aurangzeb, is an industrial town in Maharashtra and the stop from where to head out to visit the exceptional Ellora Caves, a World Heritage site. The city itself has deep Mughal influences and there are several monuments of note here; the Daulatabad Fort, Bibi-ka-Maqbara and the city’s 52 gates, each with its own history, amongst them.

  As you enjoy breakfast, the Deccan Odyssey arrives at Aurangabad, from where a scenic drive takes you to the Ellora Caves, carved into the side of a basaltic hill 30 km from the city. The finest specimen of cave-temple architecture in India, the site encompasses 34 rock-cut shrines representing 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, and the 5 caves to the north are Jain. The most remarkable is the Kailash temple, meant to be a replica of Shiva’s celestial abode on Mt. Kailash. It is the best example of rock cut architecture and an engineering marvel.

  Return to the Deccan Odyssey for lunch on board before heading out to the Old City of Aurangabad.
  Spend the afternoon visiting Bibi-ka-Maqbara, the mausoleum of Dilras Banu, Aurangzeb’s wife, and a replica of the Taj Mahal at Agra. Built between 1651 and 1661 by her son, Prince Azam Shah, the monument is also called the ‘Taj of the Deccan’ and was intended to rival the splendor of the Taj Mahal, but unfortunately fell short.

  If time permits, you will visit a facility that specialises in the weaving of Himroo fabric. The fabric of choice for the royalty of that age, Himroo has been associated with Aurangabad since the 14th century, when Muhammad Tughlaq made it his capital. Himroo features Persian designs woven with gold and silver threads and takes its name from Hum-ruh, which means ‘similar’ in Persian, as it is a replica of the Kum Khwab fabric that was popular in royal courts before Himroo gained precedence.

  Return to the Deccan Odyssey for dinner as it pulls out for the last leg of your journey winding its way up the Deccan plateau.
  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner on board
  Overnight on Deccan Odyssey

• DAY 8: (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

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.

• Enjoy the architectural marvels and World Heritage Sites in Agra and Jaipur
• Admire Buddhist Relics at World Heritage Sites in Sanchi and Aurangabad
• Get an adrenaline rush searching for the elusive Tiger at Ranthambore
• Shop for great bargains at the colourful and bustling bazaars of the royal city of Jaipur

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.