Heavenly Himachal - 7 D / 6 N

Arrive at Chandigarh Airport / Railway Station. Meet and greet by our representative, followed by transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free for relaxation or a short orientation tour of Chandigarh covering Rock Garden, Rose Garden, and Sukhna Lake.

After breakfast and check-out, drive towards Manali. En route, enjoy scenic views of valleys, rivers, and pine forests. On arrival, check-in at the hotel. Evening free for leisure or to explore Mall Road at your own pace.

Full-day local sightseeing covering Hadimba Devi Temple, Manu Temple, Vashisht Hot Springs, Tibetan Monastery, and Club House. Evening free for shopping at Mall Road.

Full-day excursion to Solang Valley, famous for adventure activities like paragliding, zorbing, and skiing (seasonal). Return to Manali for overnight stay.

Check out and drive to Shimla. En route, visit Kullu Valley and Shawl Factory. Optional rafting in Beas River if time permits. Continue drive to Shimla, check in at the hotel. Evening free for leisure.

Aurangabad, named after the last Great Mughal Aurangzeb, is an industrial town in Maharashtra and the stop from where to head out to visit the exceptional Ellora Caves, a World Heritage site. The city itself has deep Mughal influences and there are several monuments of note here; the Daulatabad Fort, Bibi-ka-Makbara and the city’s 52 gates, each with its own history, amongst them. As you enjoy breakfast, the Deccan Odyssey arrives at Aurangabad, from where a scenic drive takes you to the Ellora Caves, carved into the side of a basaltic hill 30 km from the city. The finest specimen of cave-temple architecture in India, the site encompasses 34 rock-cut shrines representing Buddhist, Jain and Hindu art dating from the 4th to 5th century AD. The 12 caves to the south are Buddhist, the 17 in the centre Hindu, and the 5 caves to the north are Jain. The most remarkable are the Kailash temple, meant to be a replica of Shiva’s celestial abode on Mt. Kailash. It is the best example of rock cut architecture and an engineering marvel. Savour a leisurely lunch on board as the hinterland of Maharashtra sweeps past, with its ever-changing colors and landscape. In the evening, sit back, unwind and enjoy cocktails fixed by our bartender onboard, followed by a sumptuous dinner and a well deserved rest as the Deccan Odyssey proceeds towards Jalgaon to visit the exquisite Ajanta Caves, a World Heritage site.

The Deccan Odyssey arrives at the Jalgaon station this morning from where, after breakfast on board, you will disembark and drive to the Ajanta Caves, another World Heritage site and an architectural marvel of its time. The 30 rock-hewn Buddhist caves at Ajanta have been masterfully carved and are adorned with sculptures and paintings of Buddhist religious art, depicting universal pictorial art and are known to depict the fusion between Buddhist and Hindu faith. Lunch will be on board the Deccan Odyssey. Post lunch, you will disembark once more to visit a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi considered to be one of the most important thought leaders of not just India but the World. One can learn a lot from visiting the Gandhi Teerth which pays ode to the man who quoted “My religion is based on truth and non-violence. Truth is my God.Non-violence is the means of realising Him.” In the evening watch the tapestry of rural India unfold as you sip a sun downer before dinner as Deccan Odyssey pulls into its last leg of journey to Mumbai.

Early this morning, after breakfast, you will disembark at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai. Bid farewell to the Deccan Odyssey as your royal passage through the grand vistas of India comes to an end.

Full-day sightseeing of Shimla including Kufri, Himalayan Nature Park, Jakhoo Temple, and Ridge Maidan. Evening stroll through Mall Road, Christ Church, Scandal Point, and Lakkar Bazaar

After check-out, drive back to Chandigarh for drop at Airport / Railway Station for onward journey.