Please note the tour price reflected on the brochure is subject to change. Due to seasonality, and taxes prices of the tour are subject to change without due notice. Please consult with the operator directly for the recent price.
Luxury Rail: discover central India on the Deccan Odyssey
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Overview
Short Description
A country by name, but a continent in scale, India in one word is diversity. To guide you where to go when faced with such rich variety, our India specialists use the experience of their own travels to create your tailor-made holiday to India.
The north is banded by the snow-crowned peaks of the Himalaya. Moving south, you pass through Rajasthan, a microcosm of India with its forts, palaces and temples, as well as the Taj Mahal. Central India shelters leopards, elephants and the Bengal tiger. In India’s northeast corner, Calcutta still exudes its colonial heritage in a landscape of Bengali mansions and neo-Gothic architecture. West-coast Mumbai is an improbable proposition — a hub of manufacturing where you can wander among Art Deco architecture or through a teeming bazaar. Down in India’s south, cruising Kerala’s backwaters on a converted rice barge is a suitably relaxed way to embrace this region’s laid-back approach to life.
Destinations
IndiaActivities & Interests
Culture Historic sightseeing History Mountaineering Nature Relaxing Retreat Trains & RailItinerary
Day 1 : International outbound flight
Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Mumbai (Bombay).
Day 2 : Mumbai (Bombay)
Arriving into Mumbai airport, you're met by one of our local representatives. Your private driver will then take you into the city. Depending on your flight time, you may have time to enjoy lunch before heading to the station ready to board your luxury train. After a royal welcome, board the Deccan Odyssey and depart around 3:30pm.
Day 3 : Mumbai (Bombay)
Day two on board the Deccan Odyssey. After arriving into Bijapur, disembark to visit Gol Gumbaz, the second largest tomb in the world, as well as Jumma Masjid mosque and other key sights. You're back on board the train for lunch. Spend the afternoon and evening journeying north.
Day 4 : Mumbai (Bombay)
Day three on board the Deccan Odyssey. This morning explore the holy shrines and historical sites of Aihole and Pattadakal. Later, visit the impressive rock-cut caves and temples at Badami before continuing to travel towards Hampi.
Day 5 : Mumbai (Bombay)
Day four on board the Deccan Odyssey. Today is a busy day exploring in and around Hampi. With ancient monuments, unique landscapes, royal baths and elephant stables, there is plenty to see and the history is fascinating. Lunch and dinner are served on board the train.
Day 6 : Mumbai (Bombay)
Day five on board the Deccan Odyssey. This morning wake in Hyderabad. After breakfast, explore the impressive fort of Golconda 11km away, before returning to stroll through the city's vibrant bazaars. Later, visit the beautiful Falaknuma Palace, which is now a luxurious Taj hotel.
Day 7 : Mumbai (Bombay)
Day six on board the Deccan Odyssey. Explore the impressive UNESCO-protected Ellora Caves at Aurangabad this morning. Considered one of the finest examples of cave-temple architecture in India, they date back to the 4th and 5th century AD. After lunch back on board the train, enjoy a leisurely afternoon.
Day 8 : Mumbai (Bombay)
Day seven on board the Deccan Odyssey. After breakfast you can learn about and explore the Ajanta Caves which were painstakingly and impressively carved from rock thousands of years ago. After lunch, you can pay a visit to Gandhi's memorial before your final evening on board the train.
Day 9 : Mumbai (Bombay)
Day eight on board the Deccan Odyssey. Enjoy breakfast before bidding farewell to your fellow guests and disembarking. An Audley driver will meet you from the station and take you to your hotel in the city for the next two nights.
Day 10 : Mumbai (Bombay)
A local and knowledgeable guide will help you discover the bustling metropolis of Mumbai today. Start at dawn to really appreciate how this enormous city comes to life each day. After a rest this afternoon, head back out to explore with your taste buds on a street food walking tour.
Day 11 : Cochin
Transfer to the airport today by private transfer before taking a short two-hour flight south to Cochin, in Kerala. On arrival, your local driver will meet you and take you to your hotel for the next two nights.
Day 12 : Cochin
Explore the colonial city of Cochin today with an experienced local guide. This afternoon and evening will be at your leisure, you might like to consider an evening cruise in the harbour.
Day 13 : Backwaters
A short journey south today will take you to the beautiful Backwaters which are synonymous with Kerala. Board your own private houseboat this afternoon and enjoy cruising around this relaxing, palm-fringed region.
Day 14 : Marari Beach
After breakfast, leave your houseboat and meet your driver once again, who will take you south to Marari Beach, where you'll spend the next three nights.
Day 15 : Marari Beach
At leisure. Enjoy time relaxing on Marari's beautiful beach or in the hotel's swimming pool.
Day 16 : Marari Beach
At leisure. Book a spa treatment or unwind with some yoga.
Day 17 : International return flight
Drive back to Cochin today to the airport, where you'll connect with your onwards flight(s). Your return flight will arrive the same day.
Availability
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3,563 Audley Travel Travel Reviews & Ratings
Luxury Rail: discover central India on the Deccan Odyssey
Company Reviews
Travels in South East Asia
We were very impressed with the professionalism of the company, their knowledge of the area and the proposed travel plan. The resulting holiday proved to be very successful, extremely well organised and managed at a country level by very experienced and competent guides and drivers.
An amazing holiday to South Africa
It was very helpful to catch up with Robyn when we got back so we could feedback and make some small suggestions for things we might have tweaked. Would 100% recommend using Audley, worth every penny and we will definitely be using them in future.
Our Indian Adventure
The choice of accommodation was so well planned. We stayed in 8 different locations. Each one was superb and offered something different to the ones before.
The tours were well thought out and offered more than just sightseeing. They also gave us a taste of the culture of India.
Excellent.
Had a wonderful trip to Vietnam
A fabulous two week trip to Thailand…
Very poor customer service
Details
Flight & Transport Inclusions
All internal ground transport
Group Size
Intimate Group - 12 max
Trip ID#:
audley-travel-39817
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