Darjeeling Mail Train Tour

Day 1 : Bombay (Mumbai) International flights are met at Bombay airport and guests are transferred to the Taj Mahal Hotel which is ideally located at ‘The Gateway of India’ for a two night stay. (Dinner is at own arrangements.)

Days 2&3 : Bombay (Mumbai) Today we have a morning tour of Bombay feasting our senses on the sights and sounds that are typical of Indian life, followed by a boat trip to Elephanta Island. This beautiful island is thickly wooded with palm, mango and tamarind trees and here we visit a fascinating cave complex, which dates back to the 3rd - 5th century. Designed to depict the life of Lord Shiva, one of the most auspicious Hindu gods, there are many statues and works of art to marvel at. If we are lucky we may even see some of the monkeys that live on the island. Lunch is served at a local restaurant and this evening we have a welcome drinks reception followed by dinner in the hotel. This gives us a great opportunity to get to know our fellow travellers who will share the next 13 days with us on our journey across India.

Day 4: Udaipur We spend a leisurely morning on board the train watching the Indian countryside go by and have the opportunity to listen to a talk on Indian culture and way of life before we arrive into Udaipur, which is known as the “City of Lakes” or “Venice of the East”. Surrounded by some of the most spectacular lakes in the state, it is also famous for its Rajput–era palaces. This afternoon we spend time admiring the wonderful Lake Palace, which covers a whole island in the Pichola Lake and is made entirely of marble, and the City Palace. The rooms are superbly decorated with mirror tiles and paintings and it is the most beautiful palace in the city.

Day 5: Rewari, Delhi Optional pre breakfast visit to the Heritage Locomotive depot at Rewari, breakfast on departure, we then arrive mid-morning into Delhi where we embark upon a city tour. Some of the fascinating sights we see include the Jama Masjid Mosque, one of the most important and majestic mosques in Delhi. (Its name literally means "the mosque commanding a view of the world;)", the Raj Ghat memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, Humayuns Tomb, considered to be an important milestone in the history of Mughal architecture; and Qutab Minar, the tallest brick minaret in the world at 237.8 ft (72.5 m) which dates from 1368. Tonight we enjoy dinner on board the train.

Day 6: Jaipur Breakfast arrival in the Pink City of Jaipur, Capital of Rajasthan. Jaipur, with its rich and colourful past, resplendent with tales of valour and bravery is now one of the most important heritage cities in India. This morning we visit the Amber Fort, one of the highlights being the magnificent hall of mirrors. After lunch our tour takes in the Jantar Mantar observatory, City Palace and the beautiful Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). Constructed out of pink sandstone in 1799 it was designed to extend the chambers of the harem and allow royal ladies to observe everyday life in the street below without being seen. Finally, if time permits, we visit a famous fabric market before returning to the train to freshen up. Dinner is in the elegant Rambagh Palace Hotel.

Day 7: Fatepur Sikri, Agra After breakfast we visit the World Heritage Site ‘ghost city’ of Fatehpur Sikri before lunch on the train on our way to Agra. This afternoon we visit the magnificent red sandstone Agra Fort, a building that dominates the skyline.

Day 8: Agra Today is dedicated to visiting possibly the most famous building in the world - the Taj Mahal. Built in 1648 by Shah Jahan as a monument to his beloved wife, it is India’s most fascinating and beautiful building. Perfectly symmetrical, it took 22 years and 20,000 workers to create this truly stunning architectural wonder of the world.

Day 9: Varanasi We arrive early morning into Varanasi, situated on the banks of the Ganges. A cultural and religious centre for thousands of years, it is one of the holiest places in India. Believed to be between 3 – 5,000 years old, it is the oldest continually inhabited city in the world. Pilgrims come from afar to bathe in the waters of the Ganges; a ritual that Hindus believe washes away all sin and cleanses them mentally, physically and spiritually. We are privileged to experience this ceremony and are able to take a private river cruise. There is then time for a guided walk through the streets of the old city.

Day 10: Darjeeling Breakfast is served on the train as we arrive in Siliguri, where we bid farewell to the Deccan Odyssey and embark on the spectacular journey towards the hill station of Darjeeling. We transfer either by bus (3-4 hours) or the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) ‘Toy Train’, from the midway point of Tindaria, which takes about 61⁄2 hours. On the way it passes the most breathtaking scenery and climbs to a height of 7,400 feet at Ghum (the highest station on Indian Railways), where snow covered Mt. Kanchenchunga (28,000 feet/8,600 meters and the world’s third highest mountain) dominates the skyline, before dropping 600 feet into Darjeeling. The ancient steam locomotives (the oldest built in 1889) climb through zigzags and loops to gain height and the cooler air of India’s most famous Hill Station. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is the most famous hill railway in the world and in 1999 secured UNESCO World Heritage Status. Lunch is served on the Darjeeling train before an early evening arrival into Darjeeling. We have dinner in the Hotel Windamere or New Elgin, where we will stay for three nights.

Day 11: Darjeeling This morning we awake to the breath-taking scenery of Mount Kanchenchunga and we are offered the chance to ride the DHR up to Batasia Loop and Ghum, a 7 km journey that takes approx 45 minutes and climbs 600 feet. It is built up all the way and the train works flat out as it leaves the colonial grandeur of Darjeeling behind travelling along the road crossing overloaded buses, trucks and cars and passing within inches of roadside shops, houses and monasteries. We also have a town tour of Darjeeling which includes a visit to a Tibetan refugee centre, where we are able to purchase handicrafts and learn about some of the famous mountaineering expeditions at the Himalayan Institute.

Day 12: Darjeeling Today we have an optional early morning trip to Tiger Hill to experience the breath-taking sight of the sun rising over the Himalayas. A once in a lifetime opportunity as, weather permitting, we are able to watch the sun light up the snow capped mountains of Kanchenchunga and Everest, situated 200 miles away. This afternoon we visit a tea plantation, and are able to sample some of the famous local beverage.

Day 13: Darjeeling, Bagdogra, Calcutta On our final morning in this haven of tranquillity; after a full English breakfast we embark on a private transfer from Darjeeling to Bagdogra airport for a 1-hour flight to Calcutta. On our journey we pass through many tea plantations and enter Nepal for a short distance. On arrival we transfer to the Taj Bengal for a two-night stay.

Day 14: Calcutta After breakfast in the hotel we spend the day on a sightseeing tour of Calcutta, which has long been known for its literary, artistic and revolutionary heritage. As the former capital of India, Calcutta was the birthplace of modern Indian literary and artistic thought. Our tour includes a visit to the Victoria Memorial, one of the finest and most prominent buildings in the city which houses a museum dedicated to the history of India; Dalhousie Square, the bustling hub of English colonial power and trade during the two centuries that the city served as the capital of British India; and the atmospheric South Park Cemetery. In the evening we say our goodbyes at our farewell dinner.

Day 15: Calcutta Airport transfers are included for all guests.

*Sir Mark Tully will be travelling on board our September 15 2008 departure and will be giving a series of talks throughout the journey. Mark became the Indian correspondent for the BBC in 1964 and during his 30 year career he provided both viewers and listeners with a unique insight into Indian life. Now a freelance writer and TV presenter living in India he has recently published India's Unending Journey.

His talks will provide a fascinating addition to this tour and we recommend booking early to secure your place on this unique departure.