Indian Odyssey

This early morning, have your breakfast as the Deccan Odyssey rolls into Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan. Disembark for a drive to Ranthambore National Park. One of the largest national parks in India, Ranthambore National Park is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. The park is well-known for housing a large population of tigers. Other than the tiger, there are many more species in the park such as Chital, Sambhar deer, wild boar, Nilgai antelope, chinkara gazelles, sloth bear, leopards and crocodiles. The park is a paradise for bird watchers as it is home to an extensive bird life including jungle fowl, partridges, quails, the crested serpent eagle, woodpeckers, flycatchers etc. There are a number of water birds such as storks, ducks and geese that can be found at the lakes and waterholes. For those who are luck enough can spot a tiger moving around the lake.

After enjoying your wildlife tour to the park, get back to the comfort of the Deccan Odyssey. Enjoy your lunch onboard and then leave for a village safari.

Explore the rural life of Rajasthan as you take a village safari. Interact with the locals and enjoy their warm welcome. Enjoy walking through the villages as the locals show you around. See the true colors of Rajasthan with this safari.

Later, leave for high tea at the Sawai Madhopur Lodge, which was the former hunting lodge of the erstwhile royal family of Jaipur. Thereafter, get back to the Deccan Odyssey to relax. Enjoy a drink with your dinner onboard. The Deccan Odyssey leaves for Agra, the city of love.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner on board; High tea at Taj Sawai Madhopur Lodge.

Overnight on Deccan Odyssey.

After having your delicious breakfast in the morning, leave for your visit to Taj Mahal. One of the Seven Wonders of the World, Taj Mahal was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. The spectacular architecture of the monument promises to leave every visitor amazed. The structure has been completely constructed using white marble. Taj Mahal features a blend of Persian, Islamic and Indian style of architecture. Enjoy your lunch at the city hotel.

Continue with your Agra sightseeing tour post lunch. Visit Itmad-ud-Daulah, a marble mausoleum which was built by Nur Jahan, the wife of Emperor Jahangir, for her father, Ghiyas Beg. The structure is also known as 'Baby Taj' as it resembles the Taj Mahal. The structure is beautifully built using white marble, mosaic and lattice.

Later leave for Agra Fort, which is considered one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture. The fort was the seat of Mughal reign and administration for three generations. The present structure was built by Emperor Akbar. His grandson Shah Jahan later added marbled quarters and the mosque to the structure.

Don't miss visiting the Diwan-e-Am, 'Hall of Public Audience' and the Royal Pavilions.

Visit the local market and shop for Mughal ornaments and artifacts. There is an option of enjoying spa at a hotel. In the evening, return to your luxury train Deccan Odyssey. Enjoy your dinner as your train leaves for Jaipur, The Pink City.

Overnight on Deccan Odyssey.

Dotted with forts, gardens, palaces and bustling markets, Jaipur, the pink city welcomes all with immense love and warmth. The beautiful city shows the true colors of Rajasthan with its rich culture and heritage.

Have your breakfast and then leave for Amber Fort, Maharaja Mansingh's 17th century masterpiece. Overlooking the beautiful Maota Lake, Amber Fort sprawls over a large area and has a number of courtyards, halls and rooms. All the rooms are beautifully decorated with beautiful paintings, precious stones and mirrors. Visit the Sheesh Mahal, 'Hall of Mirrors', where you can see a wonderful effect made by a single lamplight in many mirrors.

On your visit to Amber Fort visit the Palace of Winds, also known as the Hawa Mahal. The palace is built using pink sandstone and offers a spectacular view of the city.

Later, visit City Palace, a palace which a beautiful complex of alluring palaces, gardens and courtyards. The palace has a museum that houses a great collection of costumes, rare manuscripts, armory, and carpets. Also visit Jantar Mantar, the astronomical observatory which was built back in the 18th century by Sawai Jai Singh. The observatory is still known for giving accurate readings till date.

Savor your lunch at the City hotel.

Post lunch, you have an option of enjoying a spa facility at a palace hotel or go to explore the colorful bazaars of Jaipur and shop for ethnic handicrafts.

After your long sightseeing tour of Jaipur, return to the Deccan Odyssey for dinner onboard. The Deccan Odyssey departs for Udaipur.

Overnight on Deccan Odyssey.

The Deccan Odyssey arrives in Udaipur this morning. The city of lakes, Udaipur is located amid scenic hills, on the shore of the beautiful lake Pichola. One of the most romantic cities of India, Udaipur has much to offer to all the tourists. Have your breakfast and then disembark to begin with city tour of Udaipur. Begin with a visit the famous City Palace, which is one of the largest palace complexes of Rajasthan. The palace is best known for its Crystal Gallery.

Thereafter, board a ferry to ride on Lake Pichola to reach Jagmandir. Jagmandir Palace is a 17th century Palace where you enjoy an exquisite lunch. Let the sounds of the Tabla and unique Jal Tarang entertain and amaze you in the romantic ambiance of the Udaipur.

After having your lunch, get back to the Deccan Odyssey for some rest. Later, leave for a walking tour through the Old City of Udaipur. You can shop for a variety of handicrafts like puppets, wall hangings, cloth lanterns, terracotta sculptures, handmade papers, jewellery, paintings, painted wooden boxes, pottery and brassware. Get back to the Deccan Odyssey for a relaxed evening. Enjoy your dinner onboard as the Deccan Odyssey departs for Vadodara.

Overnight on Deccan Odyssey.

Today you reach the erstwhile princely state, Vadodara, which is located along the seasonal River Vishwamitri. Have your breakfast and then disembark. Proceed to visit Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Panchmahal district of Gujarat, India. The site was built by Sultan Mahmud Begada of Gujarat. The popular site is dotted with forts, palaces and tombs that extend into the city of Champaner.

Later visit the Jami Masjid (Great Mosque) which was built back in the year 1513. The mosque features a blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture.

Get back to Vadodara for delicious lunch onboard the Deccan Odyssey.

Post lunch; visit the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum, which was originally constructed as a school for the Maharaja's children. The museum is a must visit for art lovers as it houses a great collection of the paintings of Raja Ravi Varma and other renowned European Masters and many more collections of sculptures in marble and bronze.

Savor high tea at the palatial Laxmi Vilas Palace was built in the year 1890. Today also, the palace is a residence of the Royal family. The star attraction of the palace is the Durbar Hall which features a Venetian mosaic floor. Also, it has Belgian stained glass windows and walls that are beautifully decorated. The palace has a remarkable collection of old armory and sculptures in bronze, marble & terracotta by Fellici. Enjoy a folk performance of the region along with munching special delicacies from the Royal kitchens.

Return to the Deccan Odyssey for dinner. The Deccan Odyssey leaves for Aurangabad.

Overnight on Deccan Odyssey.

This day you reach Aurangabad, an industrial town in Maharashtra. The city has been named after the last Great Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ellora Caves, Aurangabad is a city where one can find Mughal influences in every nook and corner. There are many more monuments in the city such as the Daulatabad Fort, Bibi-ka-Makbara and more.

The day starts late as you enjoy a leisurely breakfast onboard followed by some entertaining activities.

Later, enjoy your lunch as the Deccan Odyssey arrives at Aurangabad. Leave for the Ellora Caves, which is are located 30 km from the city. One of the finest examples of rock cut architecture, Ellora Caves ate 34 rock-cut shrines that feature Buddhist, Jain and Hindu art dating back to the 4th to 5th century AD. Ellora caves have 12 Buddhist caves to the south, 17 Hindu in the centre, and the 5 Jain caves to the north. The caves are best known for housing the Kailash temple, which is believed to be a replica of Shiva's celestial abode on Mt. Kailash.

After sightseeing around Ellora Caves, return to the Deccan Odyssey.

Relax for the evening with your sun downer at the Mumbai-Hi and follow it by dinner.

Overnight on Deccan Odyssey.

Have your breakfast early in the morning and then disembark at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Railway Station, Mumbai. Say goodbye to the royal comforts of the Deccan Odyssey as the journey comes to an end.