8 Days - Hidden Treasures of Gujarat (Deccan Odyssey)

The journey to the Hidden Treasures of Gujarat will start from Mumbai. The guests at first will need to gather at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus by 15:30 hours. The guests will then be welcomed with a traditional outlay and also be served with a refreshing drink. The guests are requested to clear all the formalities regarding check-in and other formalities.

After the registration part is over, the guests will be escorted to their respective cabins. The Deccan Odyssey will set its departure from Mumbai by evening to its first destination named Vadodara. Dinner will be served hot on board and stay overnight at the Deccan Odyssey.

By morning, the train will reach Vadodara which is also known as the cultural epicenter of Gujarat and is located on the banks of the Vishwamitri river. Breakfast will be served on board and after that, the guests can roll out for the sightseeing trip at Vadodara.

The first site visit is the World Heritage Site, Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park. The park is well known for its cultural heritage, historic structures and properties. It is also surrounded by a lush green landscape and is located in peaceful grounds.

After that, the visit will be extended to the Jama Masjid, the 15th century mosque which is renowned for its construction as a beautiful mixture of Hindu – Muslim architecture. Enjoy your lunch onboard the Deccan Odyssey and after which, the next visit is continued to the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum and the Laxmi Vilas Palace. The Laxmi Vilas Palace is a royal residence which is more dynamic from that of the Buckingham Palace.

Moreover, the presence of some of the exquisite collection of armory and sculptures and also the mosaic decorations on the walls and windows of the Palace are some of the major highlights of the beauty of the Palace. The guests can also enjoy a folk performance in the Laxmi Vilas Palace where High Tea will be served and then return back to the Deccan Odyssey. Authentic dinner will be served on board and overnight stay at the Deccan Odyssey.

Palitana is in the state of Gujarat and is a well-known pilgrimage spot. After the delicious breakfast, the guests will be guided to the famous Jain temples, located on a hilltop in a group of 900. The temples will serve you with the company of Jain Tirthankaras at the first half of the day.

After the visit to the Jain temples, the guests need to get back to the Deccan Odyssey train for a delicious lunch as it rolls down towards Sasan Gir which is the home of Asiatic Lions.

The evening is to spend at the Deccan Odyssey amidst the luxury and comfort. You can also play board games or watch a movie or even the guests can enjoy a relaxing spa massage on board.

Dinner will be served on board and stay overnight at the Deccan Odyssey.

After Breakfast, the train arrives at Sasan Gir, where the guests will be guided to an early morning tour to Sasan Gir (Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary). The wildlife sanctuary is the only home for Asiatic lions in India. There will be an expert forest guide who will guide you throughout the wildlife tour. The Gir National Park is also famous for birds view.

After the end of the wildlife tour, the guests will be guided to the Somnath temple. But before that, the guests can enjoy a tribal dance show while having your lunch at the Gateway hotel..

The Somnath temple is believed to one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Lord Shiva built in the 4th century. The Somnath temple also displays a beautiful sunset by the corners.

After the Somnath visit, the guests will need to return back to the Deccan Odyssey as the train rolls out to the Little Rann of Kutch. Dinner will be served on board and overnight stay at the Deccan Odyssey.

By early morning, the Deccan Odyssey will reach the Viramgam station. After a delicious breakfast at the luxury train, you will be guided towards the marshy salt desert of Rann of Kutch. The Little Rann of Kutch is one of the most attractive destinations of India. It is considered to be an amazing white desert.

There will be scheduled jeep safari where the guests can visit the Wild Ass Sanctuary. The Rann of Kutch is the home for hugely populated Indian Wild Asses. A large variety of birds can also be witnessed in the Wild Ass Sanctuary.

Lunch will be served at the Rann Riders Safari Resort.

Post lunch the Wildlife safari will be conducted via Rann of Kutch. The region of the Rann of Kutch is also famous for the Agarias and the Rabari tribe. The guests will then be returning to the luxury train as it is scheduled to leave for Patan. Dinner will be served on board.

Overnight stay on the Deccan Odyssey.

Patan is an old fortified town of the 8th century which is well known for its lakes, holy places, forts and also a world heritage sites. The Deccan Odyssey arrives the historic town of Patan by early morning.

After a delicious breakfast, the guests will be first guided for a drive to the temple of Modhera. The temple of Modhera is dedicated to the Sun God. The temple is considered to be an architectural masterpiece built with sandstone. There are magnificent carvings inside the temple complex consisting of more than 108 beautiful shrines.

After the temple visit, the guests will visit the Rani Ki Vav which is also a World Heritage Site. This is termed to be a step well which was built in the 11th century which is the biggest in Gujarat and is a perfect example of the subterranean well architecture. The guests will also get an opportunity to visit the traditional home of Patola sarees in Gujarat.

Return back to the luxury train for lunch. The guests can relax and watch the tapestry of rural India as the train is scheduled to make its departure to Nashik. Overnight stay on the Deccan Odyssey and Dinner onboard.

Nashik the next destination, the luxury train enters the city by early morning. Hot breakfast will be served by the morning hours on the train itself. The guests will be then guided to visit the most ancient Jain temples and Buddhist Cave temples in India, Pandu Leni.

Some of the caves in Pandu Leni are as old as the 1st century BC, where some of them also belong to the 13th century. Nashik is also termed as the Wine Capital of India as it is the largest wine producing states in India.

The guests will be taken to visit the Drover Zampa vineyards, one of the finest wine production unit of Nashik. There the guests can witness the different wine varieties of the Chenin, Chardonnay and Shiraz grapes which are brewed from the traditional old methods of wine production.

By evening you can also walk along the sacred Godavari Ghats where the guests can find Hindu religious and ritualistic approach of the locals.

After the Godavari ghat visit, the guests will need to return back to the Deccan Odyssey. Lunch will be served at the vineyard alongside wine. Mumbai is the last destination overnight and dinner on board.

By the next morning, the Deccan Odyssey reaches the Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus Railway Station in Mumbai where the guests need to bid farewell to the Deccan Odyssey followed by the checkout and luggage clearance. This marks the end of the emphatic Gujarat tour.