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India Train Tour
Duration :- 18 Days Tour
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Day 01:
Arrive Mumbai:
Namaste! We are welcomed the traditional Indian way with hands clapped together. Arrival at Mumbai International Airport, and you are in India. After immigration and custom formalities, we are assisted and driven through the city to our hotel. Overnight: Hotel Fariyas – 4 Star

Day 02:
Mumbai / Aurangabad (By Train) Train # 1003 – Devagiri Express Overnight at Train: Departure: 21:05 HRS. Arrival: 04:40 (Next Day)
Mumbai is an easy city to enjoy, and that the longer you spend here, the better it gets. It lacks the history of Delhi or the raw chaos of Kolkata (Calcutta), but makes up for it with its progressive, vibrant atmosphere. This is India's finance center, the economic powerhouse of the nation, and heart of the Hindi film industry, one of India’s biggest software producers and the industrial hub of everything from textiles to petrochemicals. Mumbai can be the glamour of Bollywood cinema, watching afternoon cricket on the maidans (open grassed areas), admiring the sublime colonial architecture. The islands that now form Mumbai were first home to the koli fisherfolk as far back as the 2nd century BC; Koli sanities occupy parts of the city shoreline today. The islands were ruled by a succession of Hindu dynasties from the 6th century AD, invaded by Muslims in the 14th century and then ceded to Portugal by the sultan of Gujarat in 1534. The Portuguese did little to develop them before the major island of the group was included in Catherine of Barganza's dowry when she married England's Charles II in 1661. The British Government took possession of the islands in 1665, but lease them three years later to East India Company for the paltry annual rent of UK £ 10. Today after breakfast at 12:00 Noon we check out of our hotel and start the city tour of Bombay with English Speaking Guide. Bombay - The Gateway of and the chief entry port of India is the largest industrial center and is reputed to be the most cosmopolitan city in the east. With it's beautiful natural harbor, studded with emerald islands and palm - fringed shore that rises gradually to the mountain peaks. It is one of the finest waterfronts. Highlights of the city sightseeing include the Gateway of India, Hanging gardens, the bustling Crawford Market, Flora Fountain and the Dhobi Ghats - a vast outdoor laundry, Prince of Wales Museum. In the evening after the sightseeing tour we are transferred to Mumbai Railway Station to begin our onward journey to Aurangabad. Overnight: Train. (B)

Day 03:
Arrive Aurangabad:
We arrive Aurangabad at 04:40 A.M in the morning. On arrival in Aurangabad we are transferred to our hotel “Ambassador” – A 5 Star Property. Relax for a while. After breakfast we leave for Ajanta Caves A World Heritage Site- Ajanta Caves are 106 kms from Aurangabad and date back to the 2nd century BC. The 30 rock hewn caves are adorned with Buddhist sculpture and the frescoes portray in epic form the religious and secular life through eight centuries. Overnight Aurangabad, hotel: Ambassador (B)

Day 04:
Aurangabad:
After breakfast we start our day with a visit to Ellora caves – A world Heritage Site. Ellora Caves (29 kms) encompassing 34 rock-cut shrines representing Buddhist, Hindu & Jain art dating from the 4th to 9th century A.D. The most remarkable among them is the Kailash Temple, meant to be a replica of Lord Shivas celestial abode - Kailash is the best example of Rock cut architecture and an engineering marvel. Overnight Aurangabad, hotel: Ambassador. (B)

Day 05:
Aurangabad/Hyderabad (By Train) Train # 7063 – MMR SC Express- Departure: 19:20 Arrival: 8:30 A.M (Next Day)
After breakfast we check out from our hotel at 12:00 Noon. We can leave our baggages in the hotel and the day is free on your own. In the evening we are transferred to railway station to catch our train for Hyderabad. Overnight: Train. (B)

Day 06:
Arrive Hyderabad: We arrive Hyderabad at 10:20 A.M, on arrival we check in to our hotel “Quality Inn- Residency – 3 Star”. After breakfast, we leave for sightseeing tour of Hyderabad. Hyderabad – City of pearls, once seat of the mighty Vijaynagar Empire and birthplace of the famous Kohinoor diamond, has obviously seen better days. The capital of Andhra Pradesh, it combines influences from Hindu and Islamic traditions. It’s a busy place. Centuries-Old Islamic monuments stand alongside modern buildings. We start our tour by first visiting Charminar - Rectangular Four Arched Monumental Gate often described as the -The Arch of Triumph of the East, The Mecca Mosque & visit the Salar Jung Museum - one man collection of Manuscripts, ancient weapons, costumes & curios. Visit the High Court buildings. Overnight Hyderabad.

Day 07:
Hyderabad/ Chennai (By Train) Train # 2760 – Charminar Express – Departure: 20:10, Arrival 10: 20 A.M (Next Day)
After breakfast we check out of the hotel. We can leave our baggage in the hotel and the day is free on your own. In the evening we are transferred to railway station to catch our train for Chennai. Overnight: Train. (B)

Day 08:
Arrive Chennai: As we will be arriving Chennai late morning we will not be able to have breakfast in the hotel. We will have our breakfast in the train – (On your own). On arrival in Chennai we are transferred to our hotel. Later Full day tour of Mahabalipuram & Kanchipuram.
Kanchipuram (64 kms from Chennai) is the ancient capital of the Pallavas famous as a city of 1000 Temples and still has 124 shrines. The first temple dedicated to Shiva was built in the 7th and 8th century and has paintings on the walls. Temples of Ekambaswara, Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy are of interest. Kanchipuram is also famous for its silks. The city of Mahabalipuram is famous for the seven pagodas. Here on the seashore is an interesting group of ancient rock hewn temples, which are the examples of Dravidian style of Architecture. Overnight: Radha Park Inn – 3 Star Hotel

Day 09:
Chennai/Trichy (By Train) Train # 6177- Rock Fort Express- Departure 22:30 Arrival 05:30 (Next Day): After breakfast we check out of the hotel, board our baggage in our Tempo Traveler and start our city tour of Chennai by first visiting Museum to see the Art and Bronze Gallery (Closed on Fridays and Public holidays). Drive through the Flower and Fruit market, High court, Fort museum, Marina Beach, Santhome Cathedral and Snake Park. Check-out at 1200 hrs from the hotel. Late evening transfer to rail-station for Trichy night train. Overnight: Train (B)

Day 10:
Arrive Trichy: On arrival in Trichy we check in at our hotel “Royal Residency – 3 Star”. After breakfast we start our tour of Trichy. Trichy was the citadel of the Chola dynasty in the medieval period. In the 18th century it witnessed the Carnatic wars fought between the French and the English. Lord Robert Clive's house is still there to see and so is the Danish Church. The Rock-Fort is the landmark of Trichy. A climb of 434 steps leads to the ancient temple of Ganapati on top and a further climb to a Shiva temple. Overnight: Royal Residency – 3 star. (B)

Day 11:
Trichy/Tanjore/Madurai (Drive 241 Kms/185 Miles).
After breakfast we leave for Madurai Enroute visiting Tanjore. At Tanjore, the beautiful Chola Temple of Brihadeeshwara is capped by a monolithic cupola made of a single granite block weighing 80 tons which was taken to the top with the help of a 6 km long ramp, an old technique used by the Egyptians for building pyramids. Its bronzes and handicrafts make Tanjore one of the highlights of a visit to South India. On arrival in Madurai, check in at Hotel Madura Park Inn – 3 star property. Overnight: Madura Park Inn. (B)

Day 12:
Madurai: After breakfast we start our tour of Madurai city by visiting the great Meenakshi Temple dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva with its towering gopurams (rising high above the surrounding country side). Later, visit the Tirumala Nayak Palace - A gracious building in the Indo Saracenic style, famous for the Stuccowork on its domes & arches. Also visit the Alagar Hills and Tirupara Kundran Rock temple. Afternoon free. Overnight Madurai. (B)

Day 13:
Madurai/Periyar (Drive 134 Kms/ 90 Miles)
After breakfast we leave for Periyar National Park. Set up in 1934,it extends to 777 square kms & forms part of the high mountain ranges, the Western Ghats. Wild life can be seen while cruising on Periyar Lake in a motorboat. Amongst the animals, which can be seen, are elephants, wild boar, Sambar, Tiger, leopard, wild dog, langur monkeys, etc. After a beautiful scenic drive we reach Thekkady. On arrival in Thekkady we check in at – Taj Garden Retreat. In the afternoon we visit the Periyar National Park. Overnight: Taj Garden Retreat. (B)

Day 14:
Periyar / Cochin (Drive 180 Kms/125 Miles): After breakfast we leave for Cochin. On arrival in Cochin check in at hotel, in the afternoon we start our sightseeing tour of Cochin. Cochin is the natural harbor created by the famed underwater Malabar mud-banks whose quality ensures that the rougher the seas are outside the calmer the waters are within the Harbor. Vasco-de-Gama placed it on the world map. It has a Jewish synagogue, Portuguese churches, mosques & Hindu temples. Watch the Chinese Fishing Nets. Overnight: Gokulam Park Inn – 3 star. (B)

Day 15:
Cochin / Bangalore (By Train) Train # 6525 – Bangalore Express- Departure: 14:35 Arrival: 05:00 (Next Day).
After breakfast we check out from our hotel and are transferred to railway station to catch our train to Bangalore. Overnight: Train. (B)

Day 16:
Bangalore/Mysore (Drive 150 kms /105 Miles): On arrival in Bangalore we straightaway proceed to Mysore. After about 4 hours drive we reach Mysore. On arrival in Mysore, check inn at hotel Ramnashree – 3 star, rest of the day free to relax and explore the city on your own. Overnight: Hotel Ramnashree.

Day 17:
Mysore: After breakfast we start our city tour of Mysore by first visiting the palace of the Maharaja built in 1911 - 1912. The palace is of harmonious syntheses of the Hindu and Saracenic styles of architecture with archways, domes, turrets, colonnades and sculptures which are magnificent. Visit the Art Gallery; drive Upto Chamundi hill to see Chamundeshwari Temple and a panoramic view of Mysore. On the way back, see the Nandi Bull. Afternoon free. Overnight: Hotel Ramnashree (B)

Day 18:
Mysore/Bangalore (Drive 150 Kms/ 105 Miles): Bangalore/Mumbai (By Air) Flight # 9W 448- Departure 6:05 P.M, Arrival: 7:40 P.M.: After breakfast we leave for Bangalore airport to connect our flight to Mumbai (Bombay). On arrival in Bombay we straight proceed to International airport to connect our flight back home. (B)

End of our services.

P.S: Once you finalize the tour, we shall provide you additional information regarding trains stoppages etc. However please note Beddings are provided on the train.