Travel across India like Royalty

Step aboard the ‘Indian Maharaja - Deccan Odyssey’ for the trip of a lifetime when India’s first privately managed luxury train departs for on an eight day journey through the heartland of the Maharajas and Moghuls from Mumbai to Delhi.

The train has been designed to evoke the heritage, history and grandeur that was once the preserve of these regal emperors, with beautifully appointed luxury air-conditioned carriages.  Its exotic and exclusive journey follows a lavish and picturesque route through some of the less explored areas of Maharashtra and on to Rajasthan with visits to some of the best loved places in India.
 
Highlighting some of India’s most impressive UNESCO World Heritage sites, the trip includes visits to the 2000 year old Ajanta Caves with their incomparable masterpieces depicting ancient Hindu, Buddhist and Jain religious art; Emperor Akbar’s vast and now deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri, which was once the capital of the Moghul Empire and the finest example of Moghul architecture, India’s most iconic monument – the Taj Mahal. 
 
In the footsteps of the warriors of Rajasthan, travellers will also be able to take one of the winding paths to the spectacular 17th century Amber Fort which crowns one of the rugged hills surrounding the ‘pink city’ of Jaipur and peek through the windows of the Hawa Mahal, the famous Palace of the Winds, subtly constructed so that the ladies of the palace could view the busy street below without being seen. There’s also time to uncover the mysteries of Jaipur’s vast City Palace complex with its collection of costumes, carpets and impressive armoury as well as the 18th century Astronomical Observatory Jantar Mantar with its towering stone structures.
 
The opulence of the Maharaja’s will be laid bare during a day spent in the stunningly beautiful ‘City of Lakes’ – Udaipur – with its vast City Palace complex of pavilions, terraces, courtyards and gardens. And guests of the ‘Indian Maharaja Deccan Odyssey‘ will get to enjoy a splendid gala dinner that evening in the ornate Durbar Hall of the city’s Fateh Prakesh Palace in a  room adorned with vast crystal chandeliers and lined with the paintings of past Maharajas.
 
Passengers will also get the chance to see some of India’s most precious and rare wildlife when they disembark for a safari through Ranthambore National Park, once the Maharajas’ private hunting ground. Two thrilling game drives will take travellers in search of rare and magnificent tigers, as well as other wildlife including leopards, wild boar and sambar, the largest Asian antelope. 
 
At the start or end of each train journey a tour of Delhi explores both the old and new areas of the city. Contrasting Sir Edwin Lutyens’ New Delhi, with its wide tree lined streets reflecting the legacy of the British Raj, to some of the cities older monuments such as the 12th century Qutub Minaret, the tallest stone-built tower in India and the Jama Masjid, one of Asia’s largest mosques where up to 25,000 worshippers can be accommodated at one time.
 
Aboard the Indian Maharaja eight people are accommodated in four well appointed compartments, each with a choice of king-size or twin beds and en-suite shower and restroom. For those seeking the ultimate luxury there are also two cars with two presidential suites each with a bedroom and living room.  There is also a butler on hand for each coach looking after the needs of every guest. Superb dining is available in a choice of two restaurant cars offering both continental and Indian cuisine for every meal.  Other facilities include a relaxing lounge and bar, a ‘spa‘ carriage with steam bath, a business centre and the option to have private drivers and guides so that passengers can simply sit back, totally relax and enjoy the ever-changing view.

Weekly departures (Wednesdays) will begin on 18th November 2009 to 14th April 2010

The cost of an eight night escorted group tour on the Indian Maharaja - Deccan Odyssey starts at £2,895 per person with Great Railway Journeys. The holiday includes schedule flights from London Heathrow to Mumbai and Delhi to London Heathrow, 7 nights on board the Indian Maharaja Deccan Odyssey in a deluxe cabin, including all meals, 1 night hotel accommodation with breakfast and dinner in Delhi, all excursions as detailed in the itinerary, the services of a Tour Manager throughout, all transfers in India, flight taxes and charges. Excludes visas.

For more details go to www.greatrail.com or for more details on the Indian Maharaja Deccan Odyssey visit www.theindianmaharaja.com