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Great Rail Journeys · Independent

India's Deccan Odyssey – Golden Triangle and the Ganges

Illustration of India's Deccan Odyssey – Golden Triangle and the Ganges

Great Rail Journeys operates this 12-day escorted tour combining cultural exploration in India's Golden Triangle with a seven-night journey aboard the Deccan Odyssey, a luxury train styled on the golden age of rail travel. The tour opens with three nights in Delhi, including two days to explore temples, the Red Fort, and markets before boarding the train on day 4. Once onboard, the itinerary moves through Ranthambore National Park (where guests take open-vehicle safaris in search of tigers), the Pink City of Jaipur, Agra (home to the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort), Gwalior Fort, the architecturally distinctive town of Orchha, the Hindu and Jain temples of Khajuraho, and culminates in Varanasi on the banks of the Ganges River. The train includes a spa car, and all meals aboard feature both Indian and international cuisine. The route returns to Delhi for a final night before the homeward flight. This trip suits luxury seekers and history lovers who value escorted comfort and want to experience India's most celebrated monuments without logistical complexity.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has held at £6,340 every time.

£6,3404 Jul12 Sep

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price (GBP 6,340) covers the tour package and includes return London-Delhi flights; single-supplement pricing is not stated in the evidence.
  • Hotels in Delhi are offered on a bed-and-breakfast basis; full meal inclusions begin only once onboard the train.
  • Day 3 in Delhi is unguided and free; the itinerary lists optional paid excursions such as private sightseeing tours and food tours.

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Fly to India

    Overnight flight from London to Delhi.

  2. Day 2overnight: Delhi

    Arrive Delhi

    Transfer to a handpicked 4* or 5* hotel in Delhi on a Bed and Breakfast basis.

  3. Day 3overnight: Delhi

    Exploring Delhi

    Free day to explore Delhi independently, including the Red Fort and local markets, or choose an optional excursion at a supplement.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Deccan Odyssey (train)

    The Deccan Odyssey

    Board the Deccan Odyssey train in Delhi, exploring the luxury cabin, spa car and bar car as the journey begins.

  5. Day 5overnight: Deccan Odyssey (train)

    Tiger spotting in Ranthambore National Park

    Arrive at Sawai Madhopur for a day in the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, including a village safari and jungle safari in open vehicles.

  6. Day 6overnight: Deccan Odyssey (train)

    Jaipur, the Pink City

    Arrive in Jaipur, the historic capital of Rajasthan, for a walk through its colourful bazaars and forts.

  7. Day 7overnight: Deccan Odyssey (train)

    The Taj Mahal

    Arrive in Agra to visit the Taj Mahal and other Mughal architectural gems, including Agra Fort.

  8. Day 8overnight: Deccan Odyssey (train)

    Gwalior Fort

    Visit the majestic Gwalior Fort, then continue to Orchha to visit its fort and temple and experience village life.

  9. Day 9overnight: Deccan Odyssey (train)

    The temples of Khajuraho

    Explore the Hindu and Jain temples of Khajuraho, including the World Heritage Chandela Temple complex and the Mahadev Temple.

  10. Day 10overnight: Deccan Odyssey (train)

    Varanasi and the Ganges

    Visit temples and the Ghats of Varanasi, experience the bazaars, and take a boat ride on the Holy Ganges.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Delhi

    Return to Delhi

    Relax onboard the train, using the spa car, before arriving back in Delhi in the afternoon and transferring to the hotel for the night.

  12. Day 12

    Delhi to the UK

    Transfer to Delhi airport for the flight back to London, with the option to extend the stay with a post-tour extension.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 5Day 5: Open-vehicle safari through Ranthambore Tiger Reserve to spot tigers in the landscape once reserved for Maharajas of Jaipur.
  • Day 7Day 7: Visit the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort following breakfast aboard the Deccan Odyssey; three-course lunch and dinner served onboard.
  • Day 8Day 8: Explore Gwalior Fort in the morning, then travel to the architecturally stunning town of Orchha to visit its fort and temple.
  • Day 10Day 10: Arrive in Varanasi, visit temples and the Ghats overlooking the river, and take a boat ride on the holy Ganges.

Included

  • 3 nights' hotel accommodation (Bed and Breakfast)
  • Deluxe cabin for 7 nights on the Deccan Odyssey Train
  • Private transfers throughout
  • Return flights between London and Delhi

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?
From £6,340 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $8,564 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes seven nights aboard the Deccan Odyssey train in a deluxe cabin, covering the route from Delhi to Ranthambore, Jaipur, Agra, Gwalior, Orchha, Khajuraho, and Varanasi. Return flights London to Delhi are also included.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
This is an escorted tour operated by Great Rail Journeys. Private transfers are included throughout, and guided visits to major sites are organized. Day 3 in Delhi is free to explore independently.
What hotels are included?
Great Rail Journeys offers a choice of handpicked 4-star and 5-star hotels in Delhi (such as The Claridges or The Oberoi, both five-star properties) on a bed-and-breakfast basis for three nights. Seven nights are spent in a deluxe cabin aboard the Deccan Odyssey.
What meals are included?
Breakfast is included at the Delhi hotels. Aboard the train, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided, featuring international and Indian dishes.
What highlights are included?
The itinerary covers the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Gwalior Fort, Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (open-vehicle safari), Orchha fort and temple, Khajuraho temple complex, and Varanasi with a boat ride on the Ganges River.

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