Hidden Treasures of Gujarat

(7 Nights/8 Days)

(Mumbai – Vadodara – Palitana – Sasan Gir & Somnath- Little Rann of Kutch – Modhera & Patan – Nashik –Mumbai)

(approx. 2680 Kms)

Welcome to Hidden Treasures of Gujarat, a spellbinding railroad journey on board the iconic Deccan Odyssey, one of India’s most luxurious and opulent trains. On this exciting journey through Gujarat, India’s most westerly state, explore the medieval capital of Vadodara and the pilgrim town of Palitana. Discover the pugmarks of history at the only sanctuary of Asiatic Lions in the Subcontinent; marvel at the unique featureless landscape of the Little Rann; wander through the architectural wonders of Modhera and visit the holy city of Nashik, before culminating your journey in the financial city, Mumbai.

Embarkation & disembarkation

The point of embarkation and disembarkation for the specific journeys is as follows:

Journeys	Check-in Venue	Departure Station	Arrival Station
Hidden Treasures of Gujarat	Chhatrapati Shivaji Station, Mumbai At 1530 hrs.	Chhatrapati Shivaji Station, Mumbai At 1640 hrs.	Chhatrapati Shivaji Station, Mumbai At 0815 hrs.

Day 1(Saturday) MUMBAI / VADODARA

Welcome aboard the Deccan Odyssey.

Gather at the Chhatrapati Shivaji at approximately 15.30 hrs to complete the registration process and check in formalities for your Hidden Treasures of Gujarat rail journey.

After the process is complete, a traditional Indian welcome awaits you! Sip on refreshing drink as you are guided to your charming cabins. As you settle in, the Deccan Odyssey will begin its journey from Mumbai to Vadodara.

Welcome drink and dinner on board. Overnight on board the Deccan Odyssey.

Day 2(Sunday) VADODARA

While, you are enjoying a succulent breakfast, the train will arrive at the capital city of the Gaekwads, Vadodara. The city is located along the seasonal river Vishwamitri.

Disembark from the train and prepare yourself for a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, the only untouched pre- Mughal Islamic city in India. Its impressive landscape consists of unexcavated archaeological, historic and living cultural heritage. Visit the Jami Masjid (Great Mosque ) built in 1513 and witness a seamless blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture, which later became a model for mosque architecture in India.

After you’re done exploring session, drive back to Vadodara for lunch on board the Deccan Odyssey.

After lunch, make your way towards the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum, once a school for the Maharaja’s children, now it acts as a paradise for art lovers! You can view a varied range of art displayed in the museum, including a collection of the Raja Ravi Varma’s paintings, along with other renowned European Masters and a collection of sculptures in bronze and marble.

Experience the royal life as you enjoy high tea at the resplendent Lakshmi Vilas Palace, where the Royal family still resides! Built in 1890, the palace is almost four times the size of Buckingham Palace and sports some awe- inspiring interiors; the Durbar hall boasts of a Venetian mosaic floor, Belgian stained glass windows and walls with elaborate mosaic decorations. The palace also houses an extraordinary collection of Fellici’s old armoury and sculptures in bronze, marble & terracotta.

Sit around with your fellow travellers and savour royal delicacies as you witness the folk performance of the region.

Enjoy dinner aboard the Deccan Odyssey as it departs for Palitana.

Breakfast and lunch on board, high tea at Lakshmi Vilas Palace and dinner on board.

Overnight on board the Deccan Odyssey.

Day 3(Monday) PALITANA

Have an early breakfast and disembark from the Deccan Odyssey for a visit to the world’s largest temple complexes, Palitana.

Admire the spectacular cluster of Jain temples exquisitely carved in marble as you spend your day exploring the most significant temples out of the 900! Perched upon a hilltop at Palitana, this site is considered to be the most sacred pilgrimage spot of the Jains.

After getting acquainted with the Jain Tirthankars, head back to the Deccan Odyssey for lunch. Your afternoon will be spent indulging in various facilities offered on board; watch a movie, learn to play carom or just simply relax at a spa.

In the evening, watch the rural scene unfold as you sip on sun downer.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner on board.

Overnight on board the Deccan Odyssey.

Day 4(Tuesday) SASAN GIR – SOMNATH

Wake up to a golden dawn and after an early breakfast, disembark for your drive to Sasan Gir – The Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary. A guide will accompany you for your morning game drive into the Gir forest keep your fingers crossed for a sighting of the majestic and extremely rare Asiatic lion! Experience the magic of the wild all around you as you venture deep into this natural habitat, with everything from tiny wild birds, not easily seen, but heard, singing in the forest canopy, to crocodiles sunning themselves in marshy waters.

After the excitement of the morning, enjoy a relaxed lunch followed by a tribal dance at the Gateway hotel. Return to the Deccan Odyssey and unwind with a drink before dinner on board, as you set off for the Little Rann of Kutch.

Breakfast on board, lunch at the Gateway hotel – Gir forest and dinner on board.

Overnight on board the Deccan Odyssey.

Day 5(Wednesday) LITTLE RANN OF KUTCH

An early start is on the cards today, have breakfast and disembark at Viramgam station. After which you will drive to a stop over point and transfer into a jeep for an exciting safari of Little Rann of Kutch.

Contrary to its name, Rann is the world’s largest salt marsh spread over at a distance of 7500 sq. Km. Enter this saline desert and feel dry air whip your face as your eyes take in the view of unending parched earth. The monsoons create a still and salty sea on this landscape.

Your jeep safari will take you across the Wild Ass Sanctuary where you will get a chance to spot the ghudkar, or Indian wild ass and other species like the desert fox, jungle cat, jackal and several birds. Keep your camera ready at all times as there is virtually no vegetation for animals to hide behind!

After a run in the sun, relax at the Rann Riders Resort and enjoy the regional specialties of the Maliks of Rann and the delicious Gujarati fare. Since, the resort is enveloped by the desert, after lunch take a walk around the resort and say hello to the Marwari and Kathiawari horses and various other species.

No trip is complete without meeting the locals so gather your bags and embark on a village safari. Here, you will get a chance to meet the various communities that call the Rann their home. Meet up with the Agarias, salt-panners, who are responsible for drying out the salts, then head towards the homes of the Rabari tribe for a glance into their world and learn the tricks of the trade from the Mirs of Dasada who make the beaded bangles. Later, make your way towards the local school where you will be greeted by a bunch of enthusiastic kids who love sharing and listening to stories and adventures.

Finally, bid good bye to this great white vastness and return to the Deccan Odyssey for dinner.

Breakfast on board, lunch at the Rann Riders Safari Resort and dinner on board.

Overnight on board the Deccan Odyssey.

Day 6(Thursday) MODHERA / PATAN

Today, we visit the medieval capital of Gujarat, Patan, the 8th century fortified town.

After breakfast, we will drive to the Sun temple in Modhera. This sandstone temple is dedicated to the sun god and was built in the 11th Century by the Solanki Dynasty. Explore the various elaborate carvings as the resident priest enlightens you about the legends associated with it. The front of the temple has a steep tank that has about 108 shrines that lead down to the water.

After your visit to the Sun temple, unwind in the lovely village of Patan where you’ll visit the famous 11th century step well Rani ki Vav. This step well is a fine example of subterranean well architecture. As you make way down the step well, you will encounter hundreds of delicate carvings and statues of Parvati, Shiva, Vishnu and other gods that have been etched into the side walls. This monument is clearly more than just a place to save water, it doubles up as an ancient worshipping site where people met for community gatherings.

Its shopping time, head towards the Patola house for some exquisite Patola sarees. The Patola house is the centre of the Salvi family’s traditional craft of weaving! They have been weaving since the 12th century and have been identified by the royalty of Gujarat.

After an eventful morning, head back to Deccan Odyssey for lunch. With the train proceeding to Nagpur, you have the afternoon to yourself.

As the day comes to an end, admire the colourful vistas the rural India has to offer and sip on a sun downer as you await your dinner.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner on board.

Overnight on board the Deccan Odyssey.

Day 7(Friday) NASHIK

On Day 7, the Deccan Odyssey will halt at the holy city of Nashik also known as the wine capital of the country.

Start your day early as you head to Pandu Leni after breakfast to explore one of the most ancient Jain and Buddhist cave temples in India. Out of the 24 caves, some caves date back to the 1st century BC while the others were built around 13th century AD.

After an exploring session, drive to the Grover Zampa vineyards, where an exclusive tour of India’s finest wine producing facilities awaits you! Let your hair down as you stroll through the vines laden with Chenin, Chardonnay and Shiraz grapes and get acquainted with the age old ‘method traditionally’ used to make one of the best known brands of sparkling wines in India. Later, treat your taste buds with some delicious white, red, rose and sparkling wines in the company of a sommelier.

Relax for a while at the Deccan Odyssey.

Reserve your evening for a trip to the Godavari ghats, where you will witness the various Hindu rituals related to birth, death and initiation.

Enjoy dinner aboard the Deccan Odyssey post which you will retire to your cabins as the train begins its journey towards Mumbai!

Breakfast, lunch and dinner on board.

Overnight on board the Deccan Odyssey.

Day 8(Saturday) MUMBAI

Post breakfast, you will bid farewell to the Deccan Odyssey as your 8 day journey comes to end at Chhatrapati Shivaji terminus railway station, Mumbai.

Breakfast on board

Departure dates

Season 2020-21
Months	Departure Dates
September, 2020	–
October, 2020	24
November, 2020	–
December, 2020	–
January, 2021	–
February, 2021	–
March, 2021	20
April, 2021	–

Hidden Treasures of Gujarat Price for 2020-21 (USD)

Foreign National Per Cabin per Journey Price for 07 nights/ 08 Days

Occupancy	Deluxe Cabin	Presidential Suite	Description
Single	US$ 7320	US$ 15855	Single Cabin
Twin	US$ 10500	US$ 15855	Twin Sharing Cabin
2 Children	US$ 7878	US$ 7878	In a Separate Deluxe Cabin

Important Note

5% GST will be extra as applicable.
USD 500 + 5% GST additional supplement for double bedded deluxe cabin
Presidential Suite can accommodate upto 3 adults or 2 Adults and 2 children ( One child upto 5 years of age and second child up to 12 years)
The tariff is inclusive of cost of travel, accommodation, all meals, soft breverges, sightseeing tours, entrance fee 10% of the prevailing tariff will be charged for the children below 05 years.
(excluding video camera fee) for monuments & palaces and entertainment.
Tariff does not include liquor, laundry and other items of personal nature

Child Policy

Deccan Odyssey does accommodate children but we ask parents to be mindful of the sophisticated
adult atmosphere we endeavor to maintain.
One child up to 5 years of age shall be allowed free of cost in the Deluxe Cabin, subject to sharing of double bed with parents. This is subject to availability of double bed at the time of booking.
For families, with a child between 6-12 years of age, or, with two children with one child below 5 years and another between 6-12 years, we recommend the Presidential Suite which has a double bed in the bedroom and can be shared with a child below 5 years and a sofa cum bed in the living room which can accommodate the older child. In this case, the child/children will be accommodated free of cost.
In case of two children between 6-12 years of age travelling with their parents, you will have to take 2 cabins. The first child pays 25% of the adult fare and the second child will have to pay 50% of the adult fare. One of the parents will have to be present with the child / children in the cabin.

The above Tariff is subject to change without notice.

GST is subject to change as per the government of India directives.

Reservation / Cancellation – Terms & Conditions

Booking Policy:

20% of ticket value at the time of confirming the booking.
Remaining 80% of ticket value 45 days prior to departure date.

Cancellation Policy:

No cancellation on cancelling 60 days prior to the departure date.
Retention of 20% of ticket value on cancelling 59-45 days prior to the departure date.
Retention of 50% of ticket value on cancelling 44-30 days prior to the departure date.
Rentention of 100% of ticket value on cancelling 29 days prior to the departure date.

For USD bookings: The payable amount in INR should be credited in our account as per the rate of exchange

(ROE) of the previous day of the date (www.rbi.org.in) of transferring the amount by the agent.

No show/ En route termination of tour/amendment:

No Show – In case of No Show / Non-arrival of the guest, no refund or adjustment in future travel will be possible. The whole amount shall be treated as forfeited
En route termination of tour – In case of termination of tour by the guest, for any reasons, no refund or adjustment for future travel will be possible. The amount for unused portion of the tour shall be treated as forfeited.
Amendment – Is only possible under the circumstances like Natural Disaster / Natural Calamity Or Serious Health Problem’s (this needs to be supported by doctor’s certificate) and is subject to availability. No refunds are possible and every case will be decided on merits on a case to case basis. No amendment will be permissible in case of booking of groups or complete train.