![]() Indian Odyssey by Rail ![]() 54 days with G Adventures Rating: ![]()
Itinerary
![]() Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included through the G Adventures-supported Women on Wheels project. Day 2 Delhi/Amritsar Enjoy a youth-led walk through Delhi with G Adventures-supported project, City Walk. Continue on, travelling to Amritsar by the Shatabdi Express train, with dinner served on board. (1D) Day 3 Amritsar Visit the Golden Temple before witnessing the formal India-Pakistan Wagah border ceremony in the evening. Sit in the grandstands and cheer for India as the bystanders wave flags and soldiers march back and forth. Day 4 Amritsar/Dharamshala Take an orientation walk around McLeod Ganj, the famous seat of the Tibetan government in exile and current home to the Dalai Lama. Opt for a tour of the Norbulingka Institute, set amongst beautiful gardens, dedicated to preserving Tibetan culture. Day 5 Dharamshala Enjoy free time to explore Dharamsala. Day 6 Dharamshala/Shimla Enjoy a long drive to the charming town of Shimla, high in the beautiful Himalayas. Day 7 Shimla Enjoy a CEO-led orientation walk on The Ridge and The Mall (local hangouts) and explore this summer capital of British India. Opt to visit the Viceregal Lodge or admire the neo-Gothic or Tudorbethan architecture of the heritage buildings. Day 8 Shimla/Delhi Take the World Heritage-listed toy train from Shimla to Kalka. Switch to the Shatabdi Express for the rest of the journey back to Delhi, with dinner included on board. (1D) Day 9 Delhi Enjoy a free day in Delhi. Day 10 Delhi/Agra Take the Shatabdi Express train to Agra, with breakfast served on board. Enjoy a guided tour of the impressive Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Time permitting, opt to visit the Baby Taj. (1B) Day 11 Agra/Jaipur Hop on a Shatabdi Express train in the evening to Jaipur. Day 12 Jaipur Take an orientation walk around town. Take a photo of the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) and visit the Amber Fort. Walk around the Old City and markets and opt to visit the City Palace. With free time, choose to visit local artisans in a nearby village, wander the Jantar Mantar, or check out a Bollywood film at the spectacular Art Deco film house, the Raj Mandir. Day 13 Jaipur Enjoy free time to explore Jaipur before boarding an overnight train to Udaipur. Day 14 Udaipur Enjoy an orientation walk, including a visit to the Jagdish Temple and the City Palace, one of the largest royal palaces in India. Attend a Rajasthani cultural show on Gangaur Ghat. Day 15 Udaipur Enjoy a free day in Udaipur. Day 16 Udaipur/Bundi Take a train to Bundi to explore the fort and stepwells. Day 17 Bundi Explore Bundi with some free time before an overnight trip on the Mumbai Rajdhani Express train, with dinner on board. (1D) Day 18 Mumbai Arrive in the morning in bustling Mumbai, home to 20 million people. Take a walking tour of the Colaba area and see the Gateway of India. Day 19 Mumbai/Goa Catch a morning flight to beautiful Goa. Spend free time relaxing on the beach or exploring the city's monuments. Day 20 Goa Enjoy a free day in Goa. Day 21 Goa Spend a free day relaxing on the beach or opt to visit the many Portuguese-built monuments, wander around the churches of Old Goa (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), or discover Panjim, the capital. Don't forget to indulge in Goan cuisine. Day 22 Goa/Hampi Travel by Visakhapatnam Howrah Express train and then by van to reach Hampi, in the heart of Karnataka. Day 23 Hampi/Mysore Enjoy a walking tour and explore the spectacular ruins of Hampi Palaces, Hazararama Temple, and the boulders on the river. In the evening, take an overnight Hampi Express train to Mysore. Day 24 Mysore Arrive to Mysore and explore the Mysore Palace and Chamundi Hill. Day 25 Mysore/Madikeri Drive to Bylakuppe and explore the Namdroling Monastery - home to nearly 5,000 Tibetan Buddhist monks and nuns. Later drive to Madikeri for the evening. Day 26 Madikeri Explore Madikeri (the coffee hub of India) and enjoy a tour of a coffee plantation. Visit the Madikeri Fort and the famed Raja’s Seat for its stunning views. Day 27 Madikeri/Kochi Take a morning drive to the coastal town of Kannur. Catch the Ernakulam Express to Kochi in the afternoon. Day 28 Kochi Explore the Fort Kochi area and see the Chinese fishing nets at work. If time permits, visit the Jewish area and synagogue, the Dutch Palace, and Spice Market. Day 29 Kochi Make the most of Kochi with free time to explore. Day 30 Kochi/Alleppey Take an Ernad Express train to Alleppey to explore the Kerala backwaters. Walk in the paddy fields and take a canoe ride through the canals the region is famous for. (1D) Day 31 Alleppey/Kanyakumari Enjoy some more time in Kerala before an evening Ernad Express train to Kanyakumari for a full day exploring the area. (1B) Day 32 Kanyakumari/Madurai Spend the day in Kanyakumari. Drive to the southernmost tip of India and take a ferry across to Vivekananda Rock and the Ramkrishna Ashram. Take an evening Kanyakumari Express train to Madurai. Day 33 Madurai Explore the Meenakshi Temple and colourful markets of Madurai. Day 34 Madurai/Mamallapuram Take the morning Vaigai Express to Chengalpattu before continue by van to Mamallapuram. Day 35 Mamallapuram Cycle around and explore the rock-cut Shore Temple and Mamallapuram Beach. Day 36 Mamallapuram/Chennai Drive to Chennai and explore Marina Beach and San Thome Basilica. Later, board an overnight train to Hyderabad. Day 37 Hyderabad Learn more about the region's history with a visit to the iconic Charminar and historic Golconda Fort. Day 38 Hyderabad/Puri Enjoy a free morning to continue exploring this state capital before catching an evening flight to Bhubaneshwar. Continue by van to reach Puri. Day 39 Puri Explore Raghuraj Pur village and beautiful Puri beaches. Day 40 Puri/Calcutta Take a morning Shatabdi Express train to Kolkata, with lunch provided on board. Arrive in the afternoon and explore Mother Teresa’s house in the evening. (1L) Day 41 Calcutta Explore the vintage monuments and streets of this former capital of the British Era. Opt to take a ferry ride across the Hooghly River. Opt to join the group for dinner at one of the famed restaurants on Park Street for the final night out. Day 42 Calcutta Spend some free time exploring this fascinating city. Day 43 Calcutta/Jalpaiguri Visit the Victoria Memorial, New Market and take a ferry on the Ganges. In the evening, board an overnight New Jalpaiguri Kamrup Express train to New Jalpaiguri. Day 44 Jalpaiguri/Kalimpong Arrive at New Jalpaiguri and continue by van to Kalimpong. Take in views of the mountainous scenery with a stop at Deolo Hill. Day 45 Kalimpong/Gangtok Continue by private van to Gangtok and take an orientation tour of the town. Day 46 Gangtok Enjoy a day trip to Rumtek Monastery. Day 47 Gangtok/Darjeeling Head to Darjeeling by private van and take an orientation tour of the town. Day 48 Darjeeling Watch the sunrise at Tiger Hill, visit a tea estate and explore the Mahakal Temple. Later, travel the World Heritage-listed Darjeeling Himalayan Railway on a vintage steam engine train. Continue with a visit to the Peace Pagoda and a cooking demonstration at a local, family-run restaurant. (1L) Day 49 Darjeeling to Varanasi Drive to Siliguri to catch an overnight sleeper train to Mughal Sarai. Day 50 Mughal Sarai/Varanasi Arrive to Mughal Sarai in the morning and continue by van to Varanasi. Enjoy an evening visit to the ghats. Day 51 Varanasi Take a sunrise boat trip on the Ganges. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore Sarnath and the city of Varanasi. Day 52 Varanasi/Lucknow Take a morning Varanasi-Lucknow Intercity train. In the afternoon, visit the Bara Imambara. Day 53 Lucknow/Delhi Spend most of the day exploring Lucknow. In the afternoon, board the Swarna Shatabdi Express train to Delhi, with dinner provided on board. Enjoy the night in the bustle of Delhi. (1D) Day 54 Delhi Depart at any time.
Map
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All This Included
Travel like a local on this 54-day trip, exploring India by train from the northeast to the southwest. Skip the backpacking and let the train – and the innumerable beautiful sights – move you, from the Taj Mahal to the colours of Rajasthan to the ruins of Karnataka. This trip will hit some of the country’s highlights, with loads of time to hop off and get to know your surroundings in a way only a Rail tour allows. The trip won’t last forever, but the memories definitely will.
Highlights
Accommodations
Hotels/guesthouses (44 nts)
Sleeper trains (8 nts) Homestay (1 nt)
Notes
Terms and Conditions
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* The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land/cruise arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land/cruise prices are guaranteed. Air prices quoted via phone or email are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Also, air prices or air promotions mentioned on this site or on the phone do not include baggage fees imposed by airlines.
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