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INDIAN MAHARAJA – DECCAN ODYSSEY |
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We are delighted to be able to offer our customers a
wonderful way to visit some of the most desirable destinations
in India. Our Delhi Agent – the Travel Corporation (India) Ltd
(TCI) – has chartered the Deccan Odyssey luxury train and have
designed a route to create a superb holiday.
If you have never travelled by luxury train before – we urge
you consider it now. Luxury train travel means that you are
able to see a wide range of places without having to constantly
pack and unpack. Some of the places are off the beaten track
and would otherwise require quite an effort to get to and have
limited accommodation options. But by travelling in a
comfortable train the journey becomes a positive part of the
whole experience. Much of the travel is overnight, which means
that you arrive fresh at the next destination.
The Deccan Odyssey is a well designed, modern train and has 21
coaches. The passenger cars accommodate 4 twin or double rooms
(with en-suite shower) and there are two Presidential Suite
cars. There are two restaurant cars, a bar, a business centre
and a spa as well as places to socialise with other guests.
The route operates between Delhi and Mumbai (in both
directions) and includes the destinations of the Golden
Triangle (Delhi, Agra and Jaipur) as well as the tiger
sanctuary at Ranthambhore, the lake city of Udaipur and the
cave temples near Aurangabad.
The journey starts in Mumbai or Delhi on a Wednesday and then
travels to the other city, arriving the following Wednesday (so
guests have seven nights on board). There is sightseeing
included at each stop along the way and meals are either taken
on the train or at high quality hotels at the destinations. TCI
have tied up with the prestigious Taj hotel group and this
means that the quality of service, food and housekeeping will
be of a high standard.
When guests are off the train for sightseeing - transfers will
be in top quality coaches (for the passengers in Sliver Class)
or private transfers for passengers in Gold or Platinum Class.
As this trip starts and finishes in one of India’s major cities
our tour includes two nights at each city at either end of the
train trip giving an 11 night holiday. However, in practice we
anticipate that most people will extend their holiday by adding
something further to the beginning or end of the trip.
DAY 1
Arrive into Mumbai (Bombay). Transfer to Taj Mahal Palace and
Tower. Two nights at this luxury hotel.
DAY 2
Sightseeing tour of Mumbai. Places visited may include Malabar
Hill, the Jain Temple, Hanging Gardens, Gateway to India,
Gandhi museum the Elephanta Caves and the Dhobi Ghats
DAY 3 (must be a Wednesday)
Morning free for relaxing or shopping. Join Indian Maharaja at
16.00 embarking at the impressive Victoria Terminus Railway
station. After dinner the train will travel through the night
to Aurangabad.
DAY 4
Today is a full day of sightseeing including Aurangabad, Ellora
and Ajanta Caves (both World Heritage Sites). After a dinner
the train will travel through the night to Udaipur.
DAY 5
Sightseeing in the Lake City of Udaipur. Activities will
include a cruise on Lake Pichola and a visit to the City
Palace. After dinner at a city hotel you will re-join the train
and travel through the night to Sawai Madhopur.
DAY 6
Sawai Madhopur is the gateway to Ranthambhore National Park,
home to some of India’s few remaining tigers. You will be taken
through the park for two jungle safari drives and even if you
are not lucky enough to see a tiger you will enjoy the scenic
beauty of the park. Travel though the night to Jaipur.
DAY 7
A full day of sightseeing in the famous ‘Pink City’ and capital
of Rajasthan. Places visited include the Amber Fort, City
Palace, Jantar Mantar Observatory and the Palace of the Winds
(Hawa Mahal). Travel through the night towards Agra.
DAY 8
You will first be taken to the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri
and then onto Agra to see the ‘most beautiful building in the
world’ – the Taj Mahal. Travel through the night towards Delhi.
DAY 9
A full day of sightseeing in India’s capital. You will be taken
to both Old Delhi to see the Raj Ghat and Jama Masjid and New
Delhi where you will see the Qutab Minar, India Gate and the
Parliament building. There will be a cocktail dinner on board
and an opportunity for people to discuss their week. NB Do not
worry that the train will be parked in the middle of Delhi
Central station with commuters peering in through the windows.
A quiet siding away from the hustle and bustle has been
arranged.
DAY 10 (Wednesday)
Disembark the train in the morning and transfer to the Taj
Palace hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Two nights at hotel.
DAY 11
A full day in Delhi. You have the opportunity to revisit any of
the places you felt you would have liked more time at; you
could visit other parts of Delhi or go shopping as Delhi has a
wide range of retail outlets.
DAY 12
Transfer to Delhi Airport to fly home. Or proceed to your next
destination.
Prices
From £3,168 per person
- This tariff is for the season starting 1 October 2009
through to 30 September 2010
- Please contact us for the departure dates for this train.
- The above tour may be taken in reverse. The price is the
same and the itinerary almost identical. Please ask us for
details.
- The prices above are per person based on two people
travelling together and sharing a double/twin room – Silver
Class on the train.
- Please note that our prices do not include the costs of
international flights to and from the destination. Airfares
are on application.
Suggested adaptations to this tour
Reduce or increase the amount of time you spend in the
departure or arrival cities.
If you are finishing in Delhi – go to Shimla, Amritsar,
Varanasi or for another opportunity for wildlife viewings -
head for a National Park
If you are finishing in Mumbai – go to Goa to relax on a beach,
or travel further south to Karnataka or Kerala.
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