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The sights, sounds and colours of India's landscapes are captivating and you'll take in its highlights during this two-week long tour.
Beginning in Delhi, you'll explore both the Old and New of the city, travelling by traditional rickshaw and seeing its most famous landmarks, including the Red Fort. You'll then board the famous 'Toy Train', travelling from Kalka to Shimla in the foothills of the Himalayas, known for its colonial architecture.
The highlight of your trip will undoubtedly be a seven-night journey on board the opulent Deccan Odyssey, with its royal blue exterior and beautifully furnished cabins. As you travel between Delhi and Mumbai, you can look forward to facilities including a dining car, saloon bar, mini gym and spa on board.
During this seven-night journey, you'll tick off several bucket list experiences including an exploration of the tiger-rich wilderness, Ranthambore National Park and visit to the iconic Taj Mahal. You'll also tour Jaipur, known as the 'Pink City', due to the dominant colour of its buildings, cruise the scenic waters of Lake Pichola and visit the Ellora Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its rock-cut architecture and intricate carvings - which date back as far as the 6th century.
Your exhilarating 14-day itinerary includes 31 meals, 14 excursions and visits, and the services of an experienced tour manager.
* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability and based on 4 January 2027 departure date and LHR flight. Price includes 15% saving and discount is capacity controlled. Various departure dates are available, please call for details. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement n/a. Deposit £445pp. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. Travel insurance is not included and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of TS Travel Ltd and Newmarket Holidays ABTA V7812. ATOL protected 2325. ABTOT 5509.
Start your Indian adventure with an overnight flight to Delhi.
Upon arrival in Delhi, meet your tour manager and settle into your first hotel with the rest of the day at leisure. Later, meet your tour manager for a welcome talk and drinks and later join your fellow travellers for a welcome dinner at the hotel's restaurant.
After breakfast, set off on a sightseeing excursion of Old Delhi. Pass by the UNESCO-listed Red Fort, known as the Lal Qila, deriving its name from the red sandstone that embellishes its soaring walls. This historic fortress is a masterpiece of Mughal architecture. Continue to Jama Masjid Mosque, one of the largest in India, before enjoying a cycle rickshaw ride through the winding lanes of Chandni Chowk.
Later, you'll be driven by India Gate, modelled after the grandeur of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. This serves as a memorial dedicated to the soldiers who fought during World War I. Then travel towards the President's House (Rashtrapati Bhavan) and Parliament House before the beautiful Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, a prominent Sikh temple. After lunch, explore the National Rail Museum and the UNESCO-listed Humayun's Tomb, the tomb of Emperor Humayun and a fine example of Mughal architecture.
In the evening, return to the hotel for dinner.
Early this morning, transfer to Delhi railway station to board the train to Kalka, a small town in North India. A packed breakfast will be provided for the journey.
On arrival in Kalka, you'll connect to a 'toy train', the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kalka-Shimla Railway. This narrow-gauge line, built by the British in the early 20th century, makes its way through the pine forests, offering dramatic views of the Himalayas, to Shimla. Serving as the former summer retreat for the British colonial government, this hill station is where they would escape to, avoiding the sweltering Delhi heat. You'll be given a packed lunch box at Kalka station.
After this scenic ride, you'll be met on arrival and transferred to the legendary Oberoi Cecil for your two-night stay. Settle into this colonial-style property, which overlooks the Shimla Valley, before dinner.
After breakfast, join your tour manager for an introduction to Shimla and its highlights. The Viceregal Lodge is first, and this former British summer retreat of teak-panelled interiors was where the map of the Indian Partition was drawn up in 1947 by Lord Mountbatten. You'll then pass the Gaiety Theatre, boasting striking, colonial architecture. Continue to Scandal Point, which is positioned on the western edge of Shimla, where two of the city's roads convene, The Ridge and Mall Road. This traditional meeting place for locals features a small square with a mock-Tudor state post office.
There will then be time to browse an assortment of handicraft shops along the Mall, a pedestrian avenue.
The rest of the evening will be at leisure before dinner at the hotel.
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and travel back to the railway station to board your train to Delhi. A packed lunch box will be provided at the Chandigarh railway station.
Upon arrival in Delhi, you'll be escorted to the train station for a traditional welcome to your 'Home on wheels' for the next few nights, the Deccan Odyssey. With 21 beautifully appointed coaches, this train encompasses two restaurants, a lounge, a bar and a spa, and is inspired by the royal era of travel of the Maharajas.
Enjoy drinks and a briefing in the lounge, and as the train departs, check into your cabin and have dinner.
After breakfast and a morning at leisure, the train will arrive in the city of Sawai Madhopur in the southeastern part of Rajasthan. From here, transfer to Ranthambore, one of the largest and most famous national parks in Northern India. This former royal hunting ground is now a key centre for 'Project Tiger', and its grasslands, streams, and pools are home to striped hyenas, sambar deer, sloth bears, and of course, the elusive and still endangered tigers of Ranthambhore.
In the afternoon, witness the park's incredible biodiversity on an open-air safari. Your guide will share their expertise, providing insights into the behaviour, habitats, and unique characteristics of the animals you encounter.
This evening, dinner will be served on board the train as you continue your journey.
While having breakfast, the train will arrive in the city of Agra. Start the day in a truly unforgettable way by visiting the Taj Mahal, the famed monument of love. This ivory-white marble mausoleum and UNESCO World Heritage Site, encircled by expansive Mughal gardens, is one of the greatest architectural achievements and a wish-list spectacle. Completed in 1648 and built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, it's renowned for its Mughal design and elements, including a central dome, minarets, and a reflecting pool. Your guide will bring to life the love story that resulted in the Taj being built.
Lunch will be enjoyed at a hotel in the city before you visit Agra Fort, a grand red sandstone fortress that served as the residence of Mughal emperors for over three centuries. Explore the intricate maze of courtyards, palaces, and mosques within the fort.
In the afternoon, conclude your time in Agra at Kalakriti, an arts and cultural centre. Observe the exquisite art of inlay work, known as Pietra Dura, a technique famously used to adorn Mughal masterpieces, such as the Taj Mahal.
This evening, you'll return to the train for dinner.
After breakfast, arrive in the former Rajput capital, Jaipur. From the station, travel to the base of Amber Fort, board a Jeep, and climb to the city's vast 6th-century hilltop fort. At the top, take in the magnificent views over Maota Lake from the ramparts.
After lunch at a hotel in the city, head to the City Palace, a red-hued, intricate complex of temples, courtyards, pavilions, and gardens, and a major heritage landmark. The Jantar Mantar, an observatory constructed in 1724 is the following highlight. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is located outdoors and features expansive geometric 'toys', the world's largest sundial and an assortment of 19 astronomical instruments.
Then pass by another poignant palace, Hawa Mahal. Also known as the 'Palace of the Winds', this 18th-century building is constructed from red and pink sandstone and lined with ornate windows and screened balconies.
Dinner will be served back on the train.
Enjoy breakfast on the train before arriving in Udaipur, the 'City of Lakes', set around artificial lakes and home to a collection of magnificent royal residences. A guided tour will begin with a visit to the majestic City Palace, a grand structure of towers and balconies, and Rajasthan's largest palace. This will be followed by a scenic cruise across the waters of Lake Pichola, an ideal way to take in the shoreside attractions from a different angle.
Lunch will be enjoyed at a nearby hotel, and then you'll set off on a walking tour through the old city and its bustling, colourful bazaar. Observe the architecture and astrosphere, which provide a glimpse into traditional Rajasthani life, and pick up some hand-crafted souvenirs.
Back on the train, dinner will be served as you continue your journey.
This morning, stop in the royal city of Vadodara, famously ruled by the Gaekwads, and after breakfast, travel to Champaner, a fortified city founded in the 8th century. Visit Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a collection of largely unexcavated forts, mosques, and stepwells.
Later, return to Vadodara and reach the train in time for lunch. This afternoon, continue to the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum, home to an impressive assortment of art, sculptures, and royal artifacts. Later, enjoy snacks and tea at the resplendent Laxmi Vilas Palace, the grand residence of the Gaekwad family, known for its elaborate architecture and extravagant interiors. This is the world's largest private residence and encompasses 170 rooms, a museum, and a cricket ground.
This evening, travel back to the train for dinner.
Arrive in Aurangabad, the gateway to one of India's most remarkable heritage sites, this morning.
After lunch on board, you'll travel to the Ellora Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its rock-cut architecture and intricate carvings. These caves, dating from the 6th to 10th centuries, showcase Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain monuments, including the magnificent Kailasa Temple, carved entirely from a single rock.
Later, return to the train, where you can relax and have dinner before heading to the last stop on your itinerary.
As the train arrives in Mumbai, finish your last breakfast on board and disembark. Join a tour of the city, visiting several of the historical and cultural landmarks.
Start at the Gateway of India, a grand arch monument located on the waterfront of the city. It was constructed to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911 and served as the exit point for the last British troops leaving India. Mani Bhavan, a museum, and a historical building dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, will follow. Serving as Gandhi's headquarters for around 17 years, this mansion houses a library, a photo gallery, and a room where Gandhi stayed. You can view his spinning wheel and bed on the floor, as well as the terrace where he was arrested in 1932.
A short walk around Kala Ghoda Chowk will take you into the heart of the city's arts and cultural district. Named after the equestrian statue (Kala Ghoda) of King Edward VII, the area is famous for its art galleries and museums. Every year, it hosts the annual Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, celebrating local and international art, music, dance, and theatre.
Lastly, pause for a photo stop at the Prince of Wales Museum, an ornate building with detailed lattice work, housing around 50,000 artefacts. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, formally known as the Victoria Terminus Station, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is another striking structure, with its Victorian Gothic Revival architecture built over 10 years.
After the tour, you'll check into the last hotel, located on the well-known Marine Drive, with views of the Arabian Sea, and enjoy an evening at leisure before dinner.
After breakfast, transfer to Mumbai airport for your flight back to the UK.
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* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability and based on 4 January 2027 departure date and LHR flight. Price includes 15% saving and discount is capacity controlled. Various departure dates are available, please call for details. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement n/a. Deposit £445pp. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. Travel insurance is not included and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of TS Travel Ltd and Newmarket Holidays ABTA V7812. ATOL protected 2325. ABTOT 5509.