| 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. Guests will be provided with a tour schedule upon arrival. Dinner own arrangements. |
| Day 2 : Bombay (Mumbai) |
| Our city tour today includes the famous ‘Dhobi Ghats’ outdoor laundry, Fort Bombay and India Gate. Lunch will be in a traditional Khyber restaurant. Afternoon visit to Crawford Market followed by free time to stroll through the markets and bazaar adjacent to the hotel. After a welcome drinks reception, dinner is at the beautiful ‘Tower restaurant’ overlooking the city. |
| Day 3, Bombay (Mumbai) |
| An early start this morning as our luggage is transferred at 6am to the waiting Viceroy of India train. A light snack is provided in the hotel before we board the train for a welcome reception in the bar car and breakfast. Settle into the beautifully appointed cabins and attend the various lessons/lectures we offer, enjoying the warm atmosphere in the Bar Car or viewing the beautiful scenery as we depart Bombay. |
| Day 4, Chittaurgarh |
| We arrive in this historic city in time for lunch. Afternoon is spent admiring the beautiful architecture in this area. |
| Day 5, Rewari, Delhi |
| An early morning visit to the Heritage Locomotive depot at Rewari. Late morning arrival into Delhi Safdar Jung Station where we transfer to the National Railway Museum by horse drawn carriages. This afternoon we embark upon a city tour which sights include the Jama Masjid Mosque, The Raj Ghat, Humayuns Tomb and Qutab Minar. |
| Day 6, Jaipur |
| Breakfast time arrival in the Pink City of Jaipur, Capital of Rajasthan. This morning we visit the Amber Fort. After lunch our town tour takes in the Jantar Mantar observatory, City Palace and Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). finally, if time permits we will visit a famous fabrics market before returning to the train to freshen up. Dinner will be in the elegant Rambagh Palace Hotel. Guests are treated to a 'Royal Procession' before dinner is served. Late evening departure of the Viceroy of India. |
| Day 7, Jaipur, Fatepur Sikri |
| We depart the 'pink city' of Jaipur this morning and travel to the World Heritage Site 'Ghost city' of Fatehpur Sikri where we will spend the evening. Dinner on board the train. |
| Day 8, Agra |
| We arrive this morning in Agra; home to the world renowned Taj Mahal and the magnificent Agra fort - a building that dominates the skyline. Dinner on board the train. |
| Day 9, Varanasi |
| Early morning arrival into Varanasi, situated on the banks of the Ganges, believed to be 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 we embark on a private River cruise on the Ganges to view the Pilgrims bathing ritual followed by a walk along the ‘Ghats’. |
| 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 (3-4 hours) or the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) ‘Toy Train’, which takes 8 hours or more. 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 to Darjeeling. The ancient 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 one of the most well known hill railways in the world and in 1999 secured "UNESCO World Heritage Status". A pre-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 breath-taking scenery of Mount Kanchenchunga. 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 approx 45minutes 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, trucks and cars and passing within inches of roadside shops, houses and monasteries. There will be a number of regular trips running today and guests can choose from a variety of times. An optional helicopter ride to Gangtok; capital of Sikkim, can also be arranged today. Dinner is served in the hotel. |
| Day 12, Darjeeling |
| 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 we are able to watch the sun light up the snow capped mountains of Kanchenchunga and Everest, situated 200 miles away. This afternoon offers a second chance to take a helicopter ride to Gangtok. |
| Day 13, Darjeeling, Calcutta |
| Our final morning in this haven of tranquillity; full English breakfast is served in the hotel. We then embark on a private transfer from Darjeeling to Bagdogra airport for a 1 hour flight to Calcutta. From here we are escorted to the Hotel Taj Bengal for a two night stay. |
| Day 14, Calcutta |
| Breakfast is served in the hotel. The day is spent on a sightseeing tour of Calcutta, the cultural capital of India, with a trip to the ‘Black Hole’, Victoria Memorial, Dalhousie’s Square and South Park Cemetery. Farewell dinner in served in a local restaurant. |
| Day 15, Calcutta |
| Airport transfers are included for all guests. |
