Indian Odyssey by Luxury Rail

Departures & Pricing

Cabin grades, balcony upgrades and pre-cruise hotel options are quoted on enquiry — call 1300 414 198.

Itinerary

1. 1

   Arrive Delhi

   Namaste and welcome to Delhi, India’s fascinating capital city, a treasure trove of ancient culture and history. Upon arrival at Delhi airport, you will be welcomed and transferred to your luxury hotel. Relax and unwind before a special welcome dinner this evening.

2. 2

   Delhi

   This morning, visit the iconic Qutub Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Delhi’s most celebrated historical landmarks. Continue to the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, one of the most prominent Sikh temples in Delhi. Witness the remarkable community kitchen that serves over 10,000 people daily, take part in this humbling tradition by assisting with the preparation of chapatti.

   Later, awaken the senses with a rickshaw ride through the vibrant and bustling lanes of Old Delhi, then visit the magnificent Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in Asia. Tonight, enjoy a special Signature Experience.

   Signature Experience — Traditional Calligraphy Workshop

   Conclude the day at Bukhari Residence, where you will take part in a traditional calligraphy workshop in an intimate setting.

   Signature Experience — Exclusive Bukhari Residence Dinner

   Tonight savour a specially curated dinner at the Bukhari Residence. The Bukhari family has served as the hereditary Shahi (royal) Imams of Jama Masjid since 1656, overseeing religious traditions and preserving the mosque’s spiritual heritage.

3. 3

   Delhi, Embark Train

   This morning, enjoy your chosen Freedom of Choice activity or simply relax at your luxury hotel.

   This evening transfer to the Delhi Safdarjung Railway Station and enjoy your Signature Experience — a seven-night rail journey through the heart of India on the opulent Deccan Odyssey.

   Freedom of Choice — Delhi by Dawn

   Delhi by Dawn is an immersive early-morning journey through the city’s layers of faith, history, and everyday life. Beginning at the Yamuna Ghat with conversations on the river’s spiritual role, continue to a cow shelter and learn about its cultural meaning and political links. Over tea, enter a 50-year-old akhada to meet wrestlers and discuss tradition and women’s participation. Breakfast features Nahari or Aloo Puri while reflecting on Delhi’s transformation. The morning ends with an optional Kabootar Baazi experience today.

   Freedom of Choice — Salam Baalak Walk

   This City Walk is a guided experience around New Delhi Railway Station and the Paharganj area, led by children who used to live on the streets and have now joined Salaam Baalak Trust. Through the walk, young guides share their lived experiences with honesty, dignity, and perspective.

   Freedom of Choice — Lodhi Legacy & Living Art Walk

   Explore Lodhi Colony, where history meets creativity. Discover the vibrant Lodhi Art District, showcasing world-renowned street murals, and stroll through Lodhi Garden, a historic garden-tomb complex offering a peaceful open space amid the city’s bustle.

   Signature Experience — Welcome Aboard the Deccan Odyssey

   This evening, board the Deccan Odyssey and be welcomed with a traditional Indian greeting and refreshing drink. Settle into your elegant private cabin as your rail journey begins, pairing timeless onboard luxury with immersive off‑train experiences that reveal India’s rich cultural heritage.

4. 4

   Sawai Madhopur

   Arrive in Sawai Madhopur, gateway to Ranthambore National Park and one of India’s most important tiger conservation regions. This afternoon, set out on a thrilling safari through the park’s core zones by private jeep, where, as the forest stirs to life, you may spot Royal Bengal tigers, marsh crocodiles, deer and a variety of birdlife in their natural habitat. Return to the Deccan Odyssey to unwind before dinner as your journey continues towards Agra.

5. 5

   Agra

   Disembark the Deccan Odyssey and travel to Agra, where you’ll visit the magnificent Taj Mahal, an enduring symbol of love built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. After lunch, explore the impressive Agra Fort, once the seat of Mughal power, including the Diwan-e-Am and the ornate royal pavilions. Later, discover the intricate art of pietra dura at Kalakriti, the delicate inlay technique that adorns the Taj Mahal, before returning to the train for dinner as your journey continues towards Jaipur.

6. 6

   Jaipur

   Arrive in the 'Pink City' of Jaipur, set against the rugged Aravalli Hills and renowned for its grand palaces and storied past. Travel to the hilltop Amber Fort, where ornate halls, mirrored chambers and sweeping views over Maotha Lake reveal a rich blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture. Later, explore the City Palace, a living royal residence showcasing elegant courtyards, intricate gateways and fascinating museum collection. Return to the Deccan Odyssey and enjoy another delightful evening on board.

7. 7

   Udaipur

   Today as the Deccan Odyssey rolls into Udaipur, admire the picturesque landscape of the Aravali hills. Disembark and visit the famous City Palace, the largest palace complex in Rajasthan, with its scalloped arches, fretted balconies, and cupolas, which also houses the spectacular Crystal Gallery. The tour of this magnificent city is completed with a boat cruise on the tranquil waters of Lake Pichola. After lunch, discover the the Old City of Udaipur and explore its lively, busy and old-fashioned colourful bazar, which still retains local charm and feel. Return back to the train for a relaxed evening and dinner.

8. 8

   Vadodara

   Arrive in Vadodara, capital of the Gaekwad dynasty, set along the seasonal Vishwamitri River. After breakfast, disembark to explore Champaner–Pavagadh Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site showcasing a striking blend of Hindu and Islamic architecture amid forested surrounds.

   Return to the Deccan Odyssey for lunch before visiting the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum and the opulent Laxmi Vilas Palace, where you’ll enjoy afternoon tea, regional delicacies and a traditional folk performance. Rejoin the train as your journey continues towards Aurangabad.

9. 9

   Aurangabad

   Enjoy a leisurely morning on board as the Deccan Odyssey arrives in Aurangabad. This afternoon, disembark for a scenic drive to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ellora Caves, where monumental rock-cut temples representing Hindu, Buddhist and Jain traditions are carved into basalt cliffs. After exploring this remarkable site, return to the train and savour your last night on board.

10. 10

    Disembark Train, Mumbai

    This morning arrive in to Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, where your journey aboard the Deccan Odyssey comes to an end. Visit the Victoria Terminus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a spectacular example of Victorian Gothic architecture blended with Indian motifs. Its ornate façade, domes, and stained-glass windows make it one of Mumbai’s most striking and busiest historic landmarks. Later, explore the Prince of Wales Museum, housed in an elegant Indo-Saracenic building and home to an impressive collection of artefacts tracing the subcontinent’s rich history.

    Check in to your luxury accommodation and indulge in dinner at one of the most renowned 5-star restaurants in Mumbai.

11. 11

    Mumbai

    Start your day with a visit to the Gateway of India, an archway overlooking the Arabian Sea which provides the perfect photo opportunity. A speedboat ride across Mumbai Harbour brings you to Elephanta Island, home to the UNESCO-listed Elephanta Caves. As the city skyline recedes and the open water stretches ahead, the journey offers a striking perspective of Mumbai from the sea. On arrival, a short walk leads to the rock-cut cave complex carved in the 5th–8th centuries. Inside, you explore monumental sculptures dedicated to Lord Shiva, including the celebrated Trimurti, which reveals the deity’s creative, protective, and destructive forms.

    After a delicious lunch visit Mumbai’s cultural precinct, Kala Ghoda, which is known for its art galleries, boutiques, cafés, and heritage buildings. The rest of the day is for you to enjoy at leisure.

12. 12

    Mumbai

    Begin your day with a special Signature Experience before returning to the hotel for breakfast. The rest of the day is for you to enjoy, perhaps continue your discovery of the city with a Freedom of Choice option or simply relax.

    Gather for a memorable farewell dinner, sharing memories with newfound friends and savouring your final evening in India.

    Signature Experience — Discover Mumbai at Dawn

    Begin before sunrise on a privately guided exploration of Mumbai as the City of Dreams slowly awakens, witnessing fishermen unloading their catch, markets coming to life, and the mesmerising choreography of Dhobi Ghat in full motion.

    Freedom of Choice — Dharavi Slum Tour

    Enter Dharavi, Asia’s largest slum, where enterprise thrives in its maze of lanes and workshops. Meet residents who turn recycling, pottery, textiles, and food production into successful small businesses, offering meaningful insight into the community’s resilience, creativity, and determination. The visit highlights a vibrant, self-sustaining local economy.

    Freedom of Choice — Muziris Art Gallery

    A visit to the Muziris Art Gallery in Mumbai offers an intimate encounter with contemporary Indian art and creative expression. The gallery showcases works by both established and emerging artists, spanning painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media. Move through the thoughtfully curated spaces and gain insight into modern artistic narratives that engage with history, identity, and society.

13. 13

    Depart Mumbai

    After breakfast say farewell to India and transfer to Mumbai Airport for your onward arrangements.

Accommodation

Book this rail journey

Send us an enquiry and a consultant will be in touch, or call 1300 414 198 for personal help choosing a departure.

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