15 Days The Viceroy of India Deluxe Train Journey (Bombay to Calcutta)

Duration: 15 Days / 14 Nights
Priced From: $9995 (per person in a Viceroy cabin)
Dates: Apr, Sep (2008)

India is both complex and diverse with its intricate mosaic of luxurious palaces, sacred temples, ancient religions, customs, and dramatic landscapes. Relive India's days of romance and nostalgia aboard the newly launched Viceroy of India deluxe train your private home as you tour this fascinating country. 

Your journey begins in the cosmopolitan city of Bombay, where modern skyscrapers and gracious colonial buildings coexist. First stop is in Jaipur, quintessential India, where forts and palaces, maharajas and snake charmers, history, color and pageantry combine to project Jaipur as the dream image of India.

Search for the elusive Bengal Tiger at Ranthambore Park, formerly the private hunting ground of the Maharaja of Jaipur, then continue on your rail journey to the romantic Taj Mahal, the ultimate monument to love. The Imperial city of Delhi, home to the former British Viceroy, is your next destination. Your royal train then travels deeper into India and stops at Varanasi, the holiest of cities in India, where pilgrims bathe in the waters of the Ganges.

As you bid farewell to the Viceroy in Siliguri, you board one of the truly unique trains still functioning in the world, the 'Darjeeling Himalayan Railway', twisting and winding its way up to Darjeeling from the plains. Your journey ends in Calcutta, a city where British India truly began and a fitting end to your travels. 

Day 1 Arrive Bombay (Mumbai)

Your international flight arrives late this evening at Bombay's International Airport where you will be met and transferred by private car and driver to your hotel which is ideally located at Bombay's India Gate harbor. Taj Mahal Hotel

Day 2 Bombay

After breakfast in the hotel, our morning is spent touring Bombay, allowing you to sample its progressive, vibrant atmosphere. Visit the dhobi ghats, Bombay's unique outdoor laundry. Continue on your drive through Fort Bombay with its interesting blend of Indo-Saracenic architecture, ending with a walk through the bustling Crawford Market. This evening welcome dinner at one of your hotel's famed specialty restaurants. Taj Mahal Hotel

Day 3 Bombay to Jaipur

Morning at leisure or to explore Bombay's markets and bazaar right outside the doors of the hotel. Lunchtime departure aboard the Viceroy of India private train. Lunch and dinner on board the train as we head towards Jaipur. The Viceroy of India

Day 4 Arrive Jaipur

A relaxing morning is spent on board the train, allowing for quiet time and a chance to become acquainted with your fellow passengers. After lunch on board the train we arrive into Jaipur, the colorful capital of Rajasthan. Our afternoon is spent exploring this renowned pink city, including the Jantar Mantar observatory, one of five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh. Here a collection of complex astronomical instruments, chiseled out of stone can be viewed—most of which continue to provide accurate information to this day. The Palace of the Winds, built in pink sandstone for the ladies of the harem by Sawai Pratap Singh. Our tour concludes with a visit to the City Palace, the official residence of the Royal family. Dinner is served in the elegant surroundings of Rambagh Palace, where splendid views across the immaculate lawns are to be savored. Late evening departure. The Viceroy of India

Day 5 Bharatpur/Fatehpur Sikri

An early morning breakfast is served on the train as we arrive in Bharatpur, where we visit the Keoladao Ghana Bird Sanctuary in Bharatpur. The Sanctuary currently houses over 360 species and is one of the finest bird sanctuaries in the world. Our day concludes with a visit to the nearby magnificent ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri. The Great Mughal Emperor Akbar built a new city called Fatehpur Sikri outside of Agra. Four hundred years later it remains remarkably well preserved and takes you back to the life styles of the great Emperors and the ambience of days gone by. Dinner is served on the train as we arrive in Agra, where the train stops for the night. The Viceroy of India

Day 6 Agra and the Taj Mahal

Breakfast is served on the train before we embark on a full day in Agra. We visit the famed Taj Mahal, described as the most extravagant monument ever built honouring love and India's most illustrious landmark. Afternoon is spent at the Agra Fort, situated on the West bank of the River Yamuna. This magnificent fort dominates the center of the city. Dinner will be served in a local restaurant where we are entertained by traditional folk music and dancing. Late evening departure of our train as we head towards Delhi. The Viceroy of India

Days 7-8 Delhi

Full day sightseeing tour of India's capital city beginning at the Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque, and Raj Ghat, the spot where Gandhi was cremated following his assassination in 1948. You'll see the city of the British Raj, with its grand Viceroy's Palace, now the home of the President of India as well as the nearby Secretariat and Parliament buildings, all designed by the famed architect, Lutyens. No visit of Delhi is complete without a visit to the impressive Qutab Minar complex with its tower, mosque and the Alai Darwaza entrance gate, all built by the first Muslim dynasty to rule India. End your sightseeing excursion at the stunning Humayun's Tomb, an important landmark in the history of Mughal architecture. The next morning visit Delhi's Railway Museum or explore some of Delhi's shopping bazaars. Lunch on board and depart on your journey to Varanasi. Dinner on board. The Viceroy of India

Day 9 Varanassi

Early morning arrival into Varanasi, situated on the banks of the Ganges, one of the holiest places in India. Pilgrims come from afar to bathe in the waters of the Ganges, a ritual that Hindus believe washes away all sin. This morning is dedicated to a tour of Varanasi, including a boatride on the Ganges. Following walk along the city's famous ghats where the intimate rituals of life and death take place. It is this most ancient religious tradition that attracts and captivates so many visitors. Lunch on departure. The Viceroy of India

Day 10 Darjeeling

Breakfast served on the train. Mid-morning arrival into Siliguri where we bid farewell to the Viceroy of India train and embark on the spectacular journey towards the quintessential hill station of Darjeeling. Transfer either by bus or the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR). On the way it passes the most breathtaking scenery and climbs to a height of 7400 feet at Ghum, where snow-covered Mt. Kanchenjunga dominates the skyline, before dropping 600 feet to Darjeeling. The ancient locomotives climb through zigzags and loops to gain height and the cooler air of India's most famous hill station. A prepared lunch is served on the Darjeeling train before an early evening arrival into Darjeeling. Dinner is served in the Hotel Windamere, Hotel New Elgin or similar, where we will stay for three nights.

Day 11 Darjeeling

Awake to the breathtaking scenery of Mount Kanchenjunga. After a full English breakfast in our hotel we are offering the chance to ride the DHR up to Batasia Loop and Ghum, a 5km journey that takes approximately 45 minutes and climbs 600 feet. It is built up all the way and the train works flat out as it leaves Darjeeling along the road crossing overloaded buses, tracks and cars and passing within inches of roadside shops, houses and monasteries. Hotel Windamere, Hotel New Elgin or similar

Day 12 Darjeeling

Optional early morning trip to Tiger Hill to experience the breathtaking sight of the sun rising over the Himalayas. A once in a lifetime opportunity as we are able to watch the sun light up the snow-capped mountains of Kanchenjunga and Everest, situated 200 miles away. Hotel Windamere, Hotel New Elgin or similar

Day 13 Darjeeling to Calcutta

Our final morning in this haven of tranquillity starts with a full English breakfast in the hotel. We then embark on a private transfer from Darjeeling to Bagdogra Airport for a one-hour flight to Calcutta. From here we are escorted to your hotel. Our farewell dinner this evening at one of Calcutta's fine restaurants. Taj Bengal Hotel

Day 14 Calcutta

Breakfast is served in the hotel. Calcutta, the cultural capital of India, with its bustling streets and colonial architecture is truly the grandest of all of India's colonial cities. Your tour will include a visit to the Victoria Memorial and a walk around Dalhousie Square with its grand architecture and buildings leftover from the heyday of the British Raj. You will visit St. John's Church and the nearby tomb of Job Charnock, founder of British Calcutta. A must see is the South Park Cemetery with its tombs designed as Roman cupolas, obelisks, vast Grecian urns, and other stately mausoleums built like small classical palaces. Dinner at your leisure. Taj Bengal Hotel

Day 15 Depart Calcutta

Depending on your flight schedule, transfer to the international airport for your flight onward early this morning.

Note : Itinerary is subject to change depending on local rail operating conditions at the time of travel.

9/08