As you enjoy breakfast this morning the Deccan Odyssey arrives at the capital of the Gaekwads – Vadodara, located along theseasonal river Vishwamitri.Breakfast over, you will disembark and proceed to visit Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritagesite and the only complete and unchanged pre-Mughal Islamic city in India. This concentration of largely unexcavatedarchaeological, historic and living cultural heritage properties is cradled in an impressive landscape. Marvel at the Jami Masjid(Great Mosque) built in 1513 representing a perfect blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture which was a model for later mosque architecture in India.

Drive back to Vadodara for a leisurely lunch on board the Deccan Odyssey. After lunch, you will visit the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum, originally constructed as a school for the Maharaja’s children. Today, art lovers can view a large number of works of art displayed in the museum including a collection of the paintings of Raja Ravi Varma and other renowned European Masters as well as a collection of sculptures in marble and bronze.

Enjoy high tea at the resplendent Laxmi Vilas Palace, built in 1890, and the residence of the Royal family even today. Reputedly four times the size of Buckingham Palace, its overwhelming Durbar Hall boasts a Venetian mosaic floor, Belgian stained glass windows and walls with intricate mosaic decorations. The palace also houses a remarkable collection of old armoury and sculptures in bronze, marble & terracotta by Fellici. Witness a folk performance typical of the region as you savour some of the special delicacies from the Royal kitchens. Return to the Deccan Odyssey for dinner as it departs for Palitana.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner onboard; High tea at Laxmi Vilas Palace

Rise early this morning and after breakfast head out to explore one of the world’s largest temple complexes, Palitana, famed forits spectacular cluster of Jain temples exquisitely carved in marble.Spend the day exploring the most significant of the over 900 temples located on a hilltop at Palitana – considered to be the most sacred pilgrimage of the Jains. After a full morning with the Jain Tirthankars, return to the Deccan Odyssey for a sumptuous lunch as it makes its way to SasanGir, the sole home of the Asiatic Lion.

The afternoon is at leisure for you to relax and enjoy some of the activities available on board. Watch a movie, learn the rules of ‘carrom’, a popular Indian board game, from a Deccan Odyssey team member or book yourself a relaxing massage in our spa on board.

Relax and watch the tapestry of rural India unfold as you sip a sun downer before dinner.

Wake up to a golden dawn and after an early breakfast, disembark for your drive to Sasan Gir - The Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary. A guide will accompany you for your morning game drive into the Gir forest keep your fingers crossed for a sighting of the majestic and extremely rare Asiatic lion! Experience the magic of the wild all around you as you venture deep into this natural habitat, with everything from tiny wild birds, not easily seen, but heard, singing in the forest canopy, to crocodiles sunning themselves in marshy waters.

After the excitement of the morning, enjoy a relaxed lunch followed by a tribal dance at the Gateway hotel.
Return to the Deccan Odyssey and unwind with a drink before dinner on board, as you set off for the Little Rann of Kutch.

Breakfast on board, lunch at the Gateway hotel - Gir forest and dinner on board.

On fifth day, have breakfast as the luxury train arrives in Viramgam Railway Station. From the station, disembark to drive to a particular stop and further get transferred to a jeep for a safari to Little Rann of Kutch; a seasonal salt marsh, which is spread over 7500 square km. During monsoon this salt marsh turns into a salty sea. Discover the location of Rann on jeep. You may visit Wild Ass Sanctuary which is home to endangered species of desert fox, jungle cat, jackal and few avifaunas. You may also get to spot Indian wild ass.

Afterwards, lunch is served at Rann Riders resort. The menu here will serve you the regional specialties of the Maliks of Rann and delicious Gujarati fare. Done with lunch, you may stroll around the lodge and spend time with Marwari and Kathiawari horses.

Further, take a village safari and meet varied communities. Here, you get to see the Agarias and saltpanners, busy in their work drying out the salt and beaded bangles made by Mirs and Dasada. You may also visit home of Rabari tribe and get to know about their everyday life and local school of the place where children greets you and share their experiences.

Return back to the comforts of Deccan Odyssey. Dinner is served onboard followed by overnight stay as the train leaves for Patan

Breakfast on board, lunch at the Rann Riders Safari Resort and dinner on board.

Today, we visit the medieval capital of Gujarat, Patan, the 8th century fortified town. After breakfast, we will drive to the Sun temple in Modhera. This sandstone temple is dedicated to the sun god and was built in the 11th Century by the Solanki Dynasty. Explore the various elaborate carvings as the resident priest enlightens you about the legends associated with it. The front of the temple has a steep tank that has about 108 shrines that lead down to the water.

After your visit to the Sun temple, unwind in the lovely village of Patan where you'll visit the famous 11th century step well Rani ki Vav. This step well is a fine example of subterranean well architecture. As you make way down the step well, you will encounter hundreds of delicate carvings and statues of Parvati, Shiva, Vishnu and other gods that have been etched into the side walls. This monument is clearly more than just a place to save water, it doubles up as an ancient worshipping site where people met for community gatherings.

Its shopping time, head towards the Patola house for some exquisite Patola sarees. The Patola house is the centre of the Salvi family's traditional craft of weaving! They have been weaving since the 12th century and have been identified by the royalty of Gujarat.

After an eventful morning, head back to Deccan Odyssey for lunch. With the train proceeding to Nagpur, you have the afternoon to yourself.

As the day comes to an end, admire the colourful vistas the rural India has to offer and sip on a sun downer as you await your dinner.

On Day 7, the Deccan Odyssey will halt at the holy city of Nashik also known as the wine capital of the country.

Start your day early as you head to Pandu Leni after breakfast to explore one of the most ancient Jain and Buddhist cave temples in India. Out of the 24 caves, some caves date back to the 1st century BC while the others were built around 13th century AD.

After an exploring session, drive to the Grover Zampa vineyards, where an exclusive tour of India's finest wine producing facilities awaits you! Let your hair down as you stroll through the vines laden with Chenin, Chardonnay and Shiraz grapes and get acquainted with the age old 'method traditionally' used to make one of the best known brands of sparkling wines in India. Later, treat your taste buds with some delicious white, red, rose and sparkling wines in the company of a sommelier.

Relax for a while at the Deccan Odyssey.

Reserve your evening for a trip to the Godavari ghats, where you will witness the various Hindu rituals related to birth, death and initiation.

Enjoy dinner aboard the Deccan Odyssey post which you will retire to your cabins as the train begins its journey towards Mumbai

On eight and last day of your Hidden Treasures of Gujarat tour, enjoy a hearty breakfast onboard and disembark at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Railway Station, Mumbai. Reaching Mumbai marks the end of your luxurious journey. Bid farewell to Deccan Odyssey.