Deccan Odyssey - Jewels of the Deccan

Day 1 - Mumbai (Arrival)

Gather at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in early evening at around 1530 hours and begin with the registration process. On completing all the check in formalities for your Jewels of the Deccan journey, enjoy a traditional Indian welcome followed by a refreshing welcome drink.

Board the Deccan Odyssey and settle in your beautiful cabins as the train departs for the first destination- Bijapur, Karnataka.

Dinner on board.Overnight on Deccan Odyssey

Day 2 - Bijapur

Savor your delicious breakfast in the morning as the Deccan Odyssey reaches Bijapur, the historic capital of the Sultans of Deccan. Dotted with palaces, mosques and monuments, Bijapur was established back during 10th and 11th centuries by the Kalyani Chalukyas. Bijapur was ruled under a number of conquerors and invaders. During the second half of 16th and early 17th century, under the Adil Shahi dynasty, Bijapur gained an important position in the country and became one of the most celebrated cities of India.

Have your breakfast and then disembark for your Bijapur sightseeing tour. Begin with a visit to the Gol Gumbaz, the second largest tomb in the world. The mausoleum of Adil Shah, the Sultan of Bijapur, and the structure features spectacular Deccan architecture. The key attraction of the mausoleum is a circular gallery where a little whisper gets magnified.

Next, visit the Jumma Masjid, one of the first mosques of India and then visit Malik-e-Maidan, the largest medieval cannon in the world. It is believed that people who touch the cannon and make a wish, their wish comes true.

Thereafter, visit Mehtar Mahal, a 17th century ornamental gateway to a mosque. Later, start driving to Ibrahim Rouza, one of the most beautiful Islamic monuments in India. The structure has 24m high minarets that are believed to be inspired from the Taj Mahal.

Return to the Deccan Odyssey for lunch. Deccan Odyssey departs for Aihole & Pattadakal. Spend the evening at leisure in the Deccan Odyssey as it moves through the Deccan plateau.

Dinner onboard.Overnight on the Deccan Odyssey

Day 3 - Aihole - Pattadakal

Pattadakal is also popular for its architectural style which features a combination of South Indian (Dravidian) and North Indian (Nagara) architectural forms. In fact this architecture can be seen to have influenced later architecture commissioned by the Hoysala and other dynasties.

Pattadakal is also popular for its architectural style which features a combination of South Indian (Dravidian) and North Indian (Nagara) architectural forms. In fact this architecture can be seen to have influenced later architecture commissioned by the Hoysala and other dynasties.

Get back to the Deccan Odyssey for lunch.

After lunch, you have an option to go for a sightseeing tour of Guledgud, a beautiful weaving village well-known for its hand and power looms of ilkal and khann. Get to know about weaving as you visit some of the outlets. You can pick up some souvenirs from the village or you can also visit the rock cut caves and sculptured temples of Badami.

Leave back for the Deccan Odyssey and enjoy your dinner as it heads towards Hampi.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on board.

Overnight on Deccan Odyssey.

Day 4 - Hampi

As you enjoy your breakfast, the Deccan Odyssey arrives in Hospet. This day, you visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site - Hampi, well-known for its spectacular architecture, sculptures and its historical significance. As you enter Hampi, get ready to see huge rocks surrounding the town from all over. Visit the Narasimha statue and enjoy sightseeing around.

Next visit Mustard Ganesh, situated at the base of the Hemkuta hills, is a scared place in Hampi which has a statue of Lord Ganesh. Enjoy a walk at the banks of the Tungabhadra River as visit Virupaksha temple and Vittala temple. Virupaksha temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. On the other hand is Vittala Temple, one of the most popular attractions of Hampi. The temple is well-known as an architectural showpiece of Hampi.

Go back to Hospet for lunch on board the Deccan Odyssey.

Leave for your sightseeing tour after lunch. Visit the Royal Center at Hampi. Earlier, the area was the fort of the Vijayanagara kings and it had all the courtly and military structures. Go to see the Queens Bath, the Stepped Tank, the Mahanavami Dibba, where a ramp is present to reach its summit, the Hazararama Temple. Also visit the Queens Enclosure which has a Lotus Mahal and Elephant stables.

After enjoying your sightseeing tour to Hampi, get back to Hospet station. Board the Deccan Odyssey and enjoy your dinner. The Deccan Odyssey leaves for the next destination, Hyderabad.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on board.

Overnight on Deccan Odyssey.

Day 5 - Hyderabad

This morning the Deccan Odyssey reaches the city of Biryanis, Hyderabad. A commercial hub, Hyderabad (Bhagyanagar) is an old city, well-known for preserving the rich heritage and culture of India. The destination is a perfect stop for foodies as the city has much to offer when it comes to food.

After having your breakfast, disembark and start driving towards Golconda, the epitome of Nizami culture and grandeur. Golconda was originally a mud fort and also became the seat of power of the Qutub Shahi dynasty.

Head back to the Deccan Odyssey for lunch and take a little rest.

There is an option of taking a shopping tour of Hyderabad. There are a number of items you can shop at Hyderabad such as pearls, lac bangles and oil based fragrances or "ittars". Enjoy shopping and then savor Hyderabad's favorite, Hyderabad Biryani.

Post lunch, visit Falaknuma Palace. One of the finest palaces of Hyderabad, Falaknuma Palace was built by Nawab Vikar-ul-Umra, prime minister of Hyderabad. Enjoy a tour of this beautiful palace and follow it by a high tea. Later, explore the old city area of Hyderabad and enjoy shopping at its bustling bazaars.

One of the most popular structures of India, Charminar stands tall at the heart of the city. Charminar was built by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah for fulfilling his vow of building a mosque if the plague epidemic that hit the city stopped. Walk through the Charminar area and enjoy shopping around. Buy local jewellery and visit the famous Pather Gatti.

Head back to the Deccan Odyssey for dinner and enjoy the evening as Deccan Odyssey leaves for Aurangabad.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner on board; High tea at the Falaknuma Palace.

Overnight on Deccan Odyssey.

Day 6 - Aurangabad - Ellora Caves

This day you reach Aurangabad, an industrial town in Maharashtra that has been named after the last Great Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. From this stop, you will leave for the famous Ellora Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city is home to a number of historic monuments that take influences from the Mughal era. Some popular monuments of the city include Daulatabad Fort, Bibi-ka-Makbara and the city's 52 gates.

Enjoy your delicious breakfast onboard. The Deccan Odyssey reaches Aurangabad this morning from where you drive to the Ellora Caves. Located at a distance of 30 km from the city, Ellora Caves are carved onto the side of a basaltic hill. The caves are considered one of the finest examples of cave-temple architecture in India. The site has 34 rock-cut shrines that represent Buddhist, Jain and Hindu art dating back to 4th to 5th century AD. There are 12 Buddhist caves to the south, 17 Hindu caves in the centre and the 5 Jain caves to the north. The main attraction of the cave is the Kailash temple, which is believed to be a replica of Shiva's celestial abode on Mt. Kailash.

Enjoy lunch onboard.

In the evening, relax with your favorite cocktails onboard fixed by our bartender. Savor delicious dinner onboard take some rest as the Deccan Odyssey leaves for Jalgaon where you get to visit the exquisite Ajanta Caves.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner on board

Return to the Deccan Odyssey for dinner. The Deccan Odyssey leaves for Aurangabad.

Overnight on Deccan Odyssey.

Day 7 - Ajanta Caves

This morning, the Deccan Odyssey arrives at the Jalgaon station. Have your breakfast and then leave for the Ajanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Ajanta Caves are 30 rock-hewn Buddhist caves that have been beautifully carved with sculptures and paintings of Buddhist religious art. These pictures speak much about universal pictorial art and also showcase a fusion of Buddhist and Hindu faith.

Enjoy your lunch onboard the Deccan Odyssey.

After having your lunch, leave for a visit to the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, who was one of the most important leaders of the world. There is a lot to learn from the Gandhi Teerth which is a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi who quoted "My religion is based on truth and non-violence. Truth is my God. Non-violence is the means of realizing Him."

Enjoy the evening while watching the colors of rural India and sipping your favorite sun downer. Have your dinner as Deccan Odyssey takes you back to Mumbai.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner onboard.

Overnight on Deccan Odyssey.

Day 8 - Mumbai (Departure)

Have your breakfast early in the morning and then get down at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in Mumbai, where your journey will come to an end.