If you have a taste for finer things in life, and like to venture out and explore the mystical wonders of the world, then you will love this trip to India, aboard the luxurious Indian Maharaja. The onboard service is done by Taj Group of Hotels! This extended train journey goes through the top sights, but also includes some of the more spectacular sights off the tourist trail. Start in fabulous Mumbai with its waterfront architecture and sprawling allure. Then journey north into the desert fortresses of Rajasthan, to see the palaces of the ancient Kingdoms of the Raj via Aurangabad. Listen to the sounds of the serene waters from the many lakes in Udaipur, the city of palaces. Breathe in the allure of the Pink City, Jaipur, also famous for its Rajasthani forts, temples and gardens. See the vine knotted jungle palaces of Ranthambore, in the country's finest tiger reserve. Catch glimpses of UNESCO World Heritage sites, Ajanta and Ellora, hosting Indian rock-cut architecture depicting ancient Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain religious art. Get a taste of rich history through Fatepur SIkri, once capital to the Moghul Empire. Continue to Agra to see the magnificent Taj Mahal, the finest example in Moghul architecture and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Finish your journey in Delhi with a tour of the Red Fort and local sights.

**This journey can be done in reverse on different departure dates. Customize your tour for a more sweeping adventure with our extensions to Varanasi and the Ganges River, Kerala and southern India, or fly north to Kathmandu in Nepal.

Train Departure Dates :
Mumbai to Delhi - 18 Nov 2009, 09 Dec 2009, 23 Dec 2009, 20 Jan 2010, 10 Feb 2010, 24 Feb 2010, 10 Mar 2010.
Delhi to Mumbai - 25 Nov 2009, 16 Dec 2009, 30 Dec 2009, 27 Jan 2010, 17 Feb 2010, 03 Mar 2010, 17 Mar 2010.

Mumbai (Bombay), the cosmopolitan capital of India is located in the west of India. Its most recognizable monument is the Gateway to India, built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911. From there you can catch a boat to the Elephanta Island, a UNESCO world heritage site where you can see rock-cut temples and caves dating back to the 6th century. There are museums such as the Gandhi, art galleries, bazaars, parks and temples. Bollywood, the film industry in Mumbai produces over 400 films a year and is therefore, the largest movie industry in the world. The actors enjoy their god-like statuses and dwell in exclusive mansions on Malabar Hill.

Airport transfer with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking assistant.

Built in 1903, The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower is an architectural marvel that brings together Moorish, Oriental and Florentine styles. Offering panoramic views of the Arabian Sea and the Gateway of India, the hotel is a landmark of Mumbai, showcasing contemporary Indian influences. The Palace offers generously appointed suites and rooms, each adorned with original paintings and period furniture that exude an aura of old-world charm and elegance. Taj offers a distinctive dining experience, one that explores the nuances of the finest Indian and international cuisines, serving traditional and contemporary favorites. Blending ancient Indian wisdom with contemporary therapies, Taj Spa offers the best in Indian rejuvenation therapies.

Overnight at The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower Wing.

Private guided tour of Mumbai. The Prince of Wales Museum is a magnificent structure, built in a confluence of Gothic and Moorish styles, and crowned by a sparkling white dome. It boasts a good collection of ancient Indus Valley artifacts dating back to 2000 BC, plus some priceless Tibetan and Nepali Art. Dhobi Ghat is where hundreds of Mumbai's traditional washer folk collect dirty laundry, wash it, and return it neatly pressed, all for a very small fee. Mani Bhavan is the old Mumbai residence of Mahatma Gandhi. It's a pretty, two-storied structure that now houses a reference library with over 2000 books, a photo exhibition of the Mahatma's life, and well preserved memorabilia.

Welcome aboard a fascinating journey of India! We commence at 1600hrs from Victoria Terminus, also known as Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus. The financial capital of India, Mumbai is also know for its film and television industry, Bollywood, and is a land of many communities and cultures.

Settle down to an appetizing dinner as we begin the tour with Aurangabad as the first leg of our journey.

There are some inarguable reasons why the Indian Maharaja is your best choice of travel to discover Central-North India:

It offers a chance to see the best of both worlds - Maharashtra and North India.

The Deccan Odyssey is a first of its kind tourism-by-train venture.

Food and Beverage services are provided by the world-class Taj Group of Hotels.

Most road connections are provided by comfortable Volvo / similar buses.

There are three kinds of travel packages such as Silver, Gold and Platinum, to match each customer’s taste in travel.

All tour packages are reasonably priced, providing great value for money.

To make our offers even harder to resist, we have also organized for a gala dinner when you halt in Udaipur.

You can also choose from our Onboard Multilingual Tour Managers to further enhance your overall experience.

Overnight at Deccan Odyssey Train.

Wake up to a dawn at Daulatabad, in Aurangabad, where you will take in the sights of ancient art and architecture through the day. We proceed towards Ellora Caves, a World heritage site where you will witness ancient Buddhist and Hindu cultures through monasteries and temples dating back to 600 AD.

After lunch we will take you to visit Ajanta Caves, an architectural marvel for its time and World Heritage site today. Rock-cut cave monuments with masterfully carved sculptures and paintings of Buddhist religious art, these depict universal pictorial art and are known to fuse the flow between Buddhist and Hindu faiths.

We then catch up with the Indian Maharaja at Jalgaon railway station.

The day ends with a splendid dinner as we travel overnight towards our next destination...Udaipur.

Overnight at Deccan Odyssey Train.

Set on the shores of the pristine Lake Pichola, Udaipur is surrounded by scenic hills and is known as the City of Lakes. The famous City Palace, a majestic white monument, has been built on the banks of this lake. As you drive past Fateh Sagar Lake, make a visit to Sahelion-ki-Bari or the Garden of the Maids-of-Honor that has many fountains and pools embellished with kiosks and elephants. You may get to cruise Lake Pichola to visit the marvellous Jag Mandir Palace.

Join in for a gala dinner at the city hotel. Thereafter, rest up as we chug along overnight to Sawai Madhopur, where you gear up for a wild treat the next day!

Overnight at Deccan Odyssey Train.

Sawai Madhopur, in Rajasthan, is home to the famous Ranthambore National Park and India's efforts to conserve the dwindling wild cat species. If it's your lucky day, you could spot a tiger lolling around lazily in the sun, or feverishly hunting down Sambhar around the lakes in two jungle safari drives!

Back on the train, hop across to the bar or put your feet up and relax as we take you, next, on an enchanting trip to Jaipur, the mesmerizing Pink City, the next day.

Overnight at Deccan Odyssey Train.

Enjoy the day at leisure to rest at your hotel and allow your body to acclimatize to the high altitude of Leh. Try to minimize physical activity to avoid the effects of altitude sickness.

Have a leisurely breakfast as we then take you to visit Maharaja Mansingh's 17th century masterpiece, Fort Amber that overlooks the Maota Lake. En route to Amber city is the Palace of Winds or Hawa Mahal, known for its intricate pink sandstone carving and a beautiful view of the city.

In the afternoon, you will visit the city of Jaipur, famous for the City Palace. The city has many exquisite palaces, courtyards, and decorative art. Walk to the adjacent Jantar Mantar or Astronomical Observatory and you will immediately notice that it was an astronomical wonder for its time.

We then depart for Bharatpur, in Agra, on an overnight journey.

Overnight at Deccan Odyssey Train.

Your day will begin with the sights of the beautiful city, Fatehpur Sikri, and then the medieval city, Agra.

When you arrive at Agra, you will realise that the Mughals were not just great rulers but were also great architects of their time. The Taj Mahal, Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan's gift to his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, is truly the world's wondrous monument of love.

Relax as the train journeys overnight towards India's capital, Delhi.

Overnight at Deccan Odyssey Train.

Khyber is Mumbai's famous restaurant for Mughlai cuisine. Khyber has been going strong for decades and its tender kebabs remain outstanding (Frommers). The opulent decor includes original paintings by some of India's most famous artists. (No alcoholic or non alcoholic drinks included in this package)

Begin this day by sightseeing in Delhi after breakfast. India's capital and a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis that successfully mixes the ancient with the modern. The city's ancient monuments stand as silent reminders to its ancient legacy, against the fast-spiralling skyscrapers. The city is spacious and is laced with gardens, trees and a number of beautiful parks.

You will first make a trip to Old Delhi, where you will visit Raj Ghat, a simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. You will then drive past the Red Fort, a World Heritage site, and visit the Jama Masjid the largest mosque in India that can accommodate up to 25,000 worshippers at a time!

The tour to Imperial Delhi will include a visit to the Qutub MInar, the tallest stone tower in India, built by Qutub-ud-din Aibak in 1199. There will also be a photo stop at the imposing India Gate, the Parliament building and the Rastrapathi Bhawan, the President's residence.

Enjoy a cocktail dinner onboard thereafter and reminiscence the week gone by........

Overnight at Deccan Odyssey Train.

We hope you enjoyed the journey as much as we enjoyed taking you around. You can proceed to check-out for your onward destination.

Relax and enjoy an airport transfer in a private vehicle, with driver, and English-speaking assistant.

Departure tax will be charged at Delhi airport, paid in cash by the passengers: 5US$ per person for domestic flights, and 27US$ per person for International flights.

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport) (standard).