In 2019, Golden Eagle Luxury Trains is debuting two rail journey introduced aboard the gleaming Deccan Odyssey: one in the north and another in the south.
The Madras Mail offers the opportunity to join Golden Eagle’s president and founder Tim Littler on a one-off President’s Tour in celebration of the company’s 30th anniversary, and covers the very best of southern India, from Mumbai to Hyderabad. The Darjeeling Mail travels coast to coast from Mumbai to Kolkata, taking in the hill plantations of Darjeeling, the bazaars of Delhi, the famous sites of Agra and spiritual Varanasi.
The Madras Mail—President’s Tour
Discover a land of contrasts on this 2-week rail odyssey across southern India, from vibrant cities to peaceful backwaters, and immaculate beaches to rolling foothills. Revealing a slower, peaceful and more exotic side of India, this special President’s Tour, in the company of Littler, showcases India’s innumerable ancient monuments and World Heritage sites.
After a stay at the five-star Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, your clients will join the luxury Deccan Odyssey as it weaves its way southwards to Kanyakumari in Kerala, mainland India’s southernmost point. Highlights along the way include the beaches and temples of Goa; a trip on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, India’s only rack and pinion railway; and a Kathakali Dance performance in Cochin where elaborately made-up dancers, accompanied by drummers and musicians, act out a dance drama. Looping north towards the main cities of Tamil Nadu, passengers will witness an Aarti Ceremony in the Meenakshi-Sundareswarar Temple at Maduri, the landmarks of Pondicherry, and the colonial heritage of Chennai (Madras) on the Coromandel Coast. In Chennai, your clients will swap the Deccan Odyssey for a few nights at the beachfront Taj Fisherman’s Cove Resort, before continuing the journey by air to Hyderabad for a final spot of sightseeing to complete the adventure.
Priced from $14,995 pp, including 7-night Deluxe Class accommodations on the Deccan Odyssey, 7-night hotel accommodations (two in Mumbai, three in Chennai, two in Hyderabad), and all meals, wine, beer and soft drinks. Depart: Dec. 5, 2019.
The Darjeeling Mail
Your clients will be able to unravel the color, character and diversity of India over 14 nights, traveling from Mumbai to Kolkata on this new trip. It starts off with a 2-night stay at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, and continues aboard the Deccan Odyssey as it weaves eastwards across India. The first port of call is Udaipur to discover the city’s tapestry of lakes and palaces, before exploring the finest sites of Jaipur and Delhi. There is plenty of time devoted to the magnificent Agra Fort and Taj Mahal too, ahead of the train’s arrival in Varanasi. Situated on the banks of the River Ganges, this cultural center is one of India’s most spiritual places, where Hindu pilgrims bathe in the sacred waters and perform funeral rites. Golden Eagle guests will have the privilege to witness these time-honored ceremonies before departing for a private river cruise.
Taking leave of the Deccan Odyssey, clients will continue on another spectacular rail passage to the hill station of Darjeeling, this time aboard the narrow-gauge Darjeeling Himalayan Railway’s “Toy Train.” With three nights here, passengers will learn about the colonial history of the town, visit a local tea plantation to sample the freshest cup of tea, and take an early morning trip up Tiger Hill to watch the sunrise over the snow-capped Himalayas. A flight to Kolkata signals this remarkable journey’s end, with the final days spent absorbing the sights and sounds of India’s former capital.
Priced from $14,995 pp, including 7-night Deluxe Class accommodations on the Deccan Odyssey, 7-night hotel accommodations (two in Mumbai, three in Darjeeling and two in Kolkata), and all meals, wine, beer and soft drinks. Depart: Feb. 7 or Dec. 14, 2019; or Feb. 6, 2020.
All prices are per person based on two sharing and additionally include a fully guided off-train excursions program, porterage, arrival and departure airport transfers, the services of a Tour Manager and all gratuities. Upgrade to Presidential Class available.
For more information, visit goldeneagleluxurytrains.com. For more rail coverage, visit recommend.com/get-inspired/rail-travel.
