Indulge in a 24-day luxury train journey: Delhi to Rajasthan, Goa.

On arrival at the airport, be met and transferred to your hotel. Night stay is in Kolkata

In the morning enjoy a rickshaw ride through the town centre of Kalna to visit the enchanting Rajbari Temple Complex, which has the highest concentration of temples in the region.

Visit the Nabakailas Temple, built in 1809 by the Bardhaman Maharaja, which contains 108 eight slope-roofed shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. Other temples in the complex feature diverse architecture and terra cotta plaques depict themes of Hindu epics, mythical life of Sree Chaitanya, images of Durga, and various aspects of day-to-day life in the region.

We also visit a local Weaver’s home to see the traditional Weaving of Muslin Cloth. Muslin or “malmal” is a cotton fabric of plain weave made in a wide range of weights from delicate sheers to coarse sheeting. Early muslin was handwoven of uncommonly delicate hand-spun yarn.

Return to the ship walking through the local market and sail onward to arrive at the shore-side village of Matiari.

The day is to admire the terracotta art and temple architecture of the region and get an insight into the weaving heritage of Bengal.

Overnight onboard.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Early this morning enjoy a walk in the village to see and experience the craftsmen at work. The village is known for manufacturing beautiful handcrafted brass items, utilizing traditional methods passed down for generations. These master craftsmen utilize recycled copper to create exquisite pots, platters and more

from their workshops in the village.

Sail onward to the village of Plassey, which was the site of the famous battlefield, where Robert Clive of British East India Company defeated the Mogul Nawabs in 1757. The rulers of Bengal and their French allies established the company rule in India, which spread through much of South Asia for the next 190 years.

Early evening we visit Khushbagh, a charming riverside village surrounded by scenic fields. Walk through the farmland to visit the peaceful Khush Bagh, the Moghul-style garden built by Nawab Ali- Wardi-Khan. The complex houses his family's private mosque and the tomb of the last Nawab of Bengal Siraj-ud-Daula who was defeated by the British East India Company at the Battle of Plassey.

Overnight onboard.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today we sail to the sleepy village of Baranagar where we take a walk to experience rural India at its most idyllic. A lovely example of life in rural India, this village is home to several temples dating from the 18th century (1714-1793). Interact with villagers in Baranagar.

Built by Rani Bhabani, the landlady of Natore (now in Bangladesh), the Char Bangla temple here is considered to be among the best examples of Bengal terra cotta art.

Once you're back on board, enjoy the afternoon to unwind as the ship glides along the Ganges, twisting and turning between banks lined with mustard fields and mango orchards to arrive at Murshidabad, a hidden architectural gem with dramatic whitewashed colonial era structures.

We visit the Hazarduari Palace (closed on Fridays), which dominates the waterfront, built during the reign of Nawab Nazim Humayun Jah (1824-1838 AD) by an English architect, McLeod Duncan, in the Greek “Doric” style. The palace has more than a thousand real and false doors in the vast corridors, and is filled

with colonial era antiques, artwork and manuscripts.

Opposite to the Palace is a vast Imambara – built by the Nawab for worship.

Ride the local buggy (horse cart) to the Katra mosque. Built by the first Nawab of Murshidabad – Murshid Quli Khan in the 1724-25, this mosque has distinctive minarets from which the muezzin calls the faithful to Friday prayers.

Overnight onboard

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After a restful morning, observing the local life along the riverbanks, we stop in the village of Mayapur.

Known as the birthplace of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486) and considered an incarnation of Lord Krishna. Mayapur is also the headquarters of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) movement with a new temple comparable in size to the Vatican and largely funded by Alfred B. Ford, the great grandson of car maker Henry Ford.

Meet Krishna followers and walk through the pilgrim’s bazaar.

Overnight onboard

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Morning sail to Chandernagore, established as a French colony in 1673. The French obtained permission from Ibrahim Khan, the Nawab of Bengal to establish a trading post on the riverbanks of this city, which became a permanent French settlement in 1688.

Explore the French colonial buildings along the promenade, including the former French governor's residence, now converted into the Dupleix Museum (closed on Thursdays & Saturdays) that features an exhibition of items that depict life during this period. Also visit the Sacred Heart Church, designed by French Architect Jacques Duchatz. The church was inaugurated in 1884 and stands for over two centuries to mark the beauty of the architecture during the French period.

We then return to the ship and continue our journey to Kolkata.

Overnight onboard

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After enjoying breakfast disembark and proceed for overnight stay in Kolkata.

Meals: Breakfast.

Morning checkout and get transferred to Kolkata airport to board your flight for Varanasi. On arrival at Varanasi get transferred, then check in at pre booked hotel.

Situated on the banks of the massive Ganges, the holy city of Varanasi, one of the ancient in India, symbolizes much of the mythos and culture of Hinduism and has been a center for the devotion of Shiva for over 1,200 years.

Many trusts that this is the site where the divine and significant worlds collide, offering it a mystical property that is heightened by the countless thousands of believers who voyage here to bathe in the sanctified waters of the River Ganges.

In the evening join a memorable aarti ceremony on the banks of the river Ganges. The stunning ceremony comprises rituals accomplished by numerous priests, to the sound of bells, drums, cymbals, and Sanskrit mantras. Your opinion on Hinduism and the worship of the River Ganges will be much richer after the ritual and it is not to be ignored.

Night stay is in Varanasi

Meals: Breakfast

A spectacular along the holy Ganges past some of the numerous ghats that line the banks, involving some that are used exclusively for public cremations.

Return to your hotel for breakfast.

Later visit the Buddhist places at Sarnath where Buddha conveyed his first sermon after getting enlightenment. In time you will be transferred to Varanasi railway station to board your day train journey for New Delhi. On arrival at New Delhi you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight stay is in New Delhi

Meals: Breakfast

Arrive and transfer to your hotel. Later discover Jagdish Temple and the City Palace, one of the largest royal palaces in India. Attend a Rajasthani cultural show on Gangaur Ghat.

Night stay is in Udaipur

Today explore the pleasures of this royal city which highlights India’s most important cultural treasures.

We will start by viewing the facade of the Hawa Mahal, the famous ‘ Palace of the Winds’, whose astonishing frontage of red and pink sandstone towers some 5 storeys over the city streets. Constructed at the end of the 18th century its 935 windows were planned to allow the women of the harem to stare out on the city scene below without themselves being seen, the openings offering the added bonus of generating a refreshing breeze (hawa), which kept the palace cool even in the hot summer months.

Carry on to visit the mighty Rajput capital of Amber and its outstanding fortress. Overseeing Maotha Lake, the fort is a spectacular creation of white marble and red sandstone that contains a dazzling mix of Hindu and Muslim embellishment, embracing the magnificent mirrored halls of the Sheesh Mahal. It was from these lofty walls that the Kachchawahas ruled over their kingdom for around 7 centuries, until its prominence was eclipsed by nearby Jaipur.

This afternoon visit the amazing observatory of Jantar Mantar. Our added visit is to the luxurious grandeur of the City Palace, a stunning complex of gardens and courtyards that presents a rich blend of Mughal and Rajasthani design and houses an armory and a museum that is home to a stunning array of costumes, manuscripts and inlaid splendor. Spend your night in Jaipur

Meals: Breakfast

Full day is for leisure and rest. If you want then you can enjoy the day on your own. See more of Rajasthan city. Opt for Bollywood Movie at Raj Mandir. Visit this impressive cinema and watch a song-and-dance Bollywood film.

Overnight is on board (The train is confirme in 1st air conditioned sleeper class with overnight beds)

Meals: Breakfast

Arrive and transfer to your hotel. Later discover Jagdish Temple and the City Palace, one of the largest royal palaces in India. Evening enjoy Rajasthani dance show in Udaipur. Night stay is in Udaipur

Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy a free day in Udaipur. There’s loads to explore and do in Udaipur, and we sought to make sure that you had some time to take it all in.

Feel free to rest or try optional happenings such as discovering the Monsoon Palace, and visiting the Saheliyon-ki-Bari Garden.

In the evening board your train for Bundi. On arrival at Bundi check in at your hotel for overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast

One of the unexplored cities with a rich historical wealth. Bundi is surrounded by the Aravalli hills on the three sides and is circumscribed by a massive wall with four gateways. Interesting monuments including impressive medieval forts, palaces, havelis, temples with beautiful stone idols and chattris with carved pillars, along with a picturesque lake in the heart of the town, add to its charm.

Bundi is very famous for its intricate carvings and murals.

Visit Step-wells of Bundi:

For anyone who wants to see the beauty of different types of stepwells, a visit to the township of Bundi is recommended. A number of stepwells have been made over a period of three centuries by members of the royal families as well as the people of Bundi who took interest in a worthwhile cause.

Out of around 20 stepwells in the area, those worth a mention are Naval Sagar, Sisodiaji ki Baori, Purushottam ki Baori, Sukhi Baori, Manoharji ki Baori and Rami ki Baori.

Taragarh Fort:

The serpentine Taragarh Fort and its palace is what immediately strike visitors on arrival in Bundi. Rudyard Kipling who visited here a century ago wrote, “No human hand can create such a splendour; for only angels have that skill”. Taragarh is Bundi’s pride. This imposing fort was raised at a height of 500 meters atop a hill by Rao Bar Singh in the 13th century.

In time get transferred a near by station which is 1.5 hours drive and board your overnight train for Mumbai. Night is on board.

Meals: Breakfast

Made up of seven islands on the eastern periphery of the Arabian Sea, Mumbai attracts people from all over the country to its prosperous streets.

Mumbai is also the abode of ‘Bollywood’, an industry that creates more films per year than any other city in the world.

After freshen up we will be exploring city this morning, watching the honey-coloured Gateway of India arch and the macabre Towers of Silence. Built by the Parsis escaping persecution in Persia during the 17th century, the Towers were a mortuary for the dead. Being Zoroastrians the Parsis were not allowed to bury or cremate their dead, so in its place they were left in these towers to allow nature to dispose of them. We also visit the Prince of Wales Museum, which has an outstanding compilation of Indian miniatures from the Mughals and Rajasthan schools, whilst at the Mahatma Gandhi Museum we’ll learn a slight of the great man’s life and ideas, because of an notable collection of books, photographs and letters.

Meals: Breakfast

Leaving the city timely this morning we travel by train to Goa, following the Konkan Railway to the station at Thivim. Travelling along this line offers us an occasion to rightly realize some of the most stunning scenery tendered by any of the Indian rail networks as we surpass through the amazing scenery of the Western Ghats.

The palm fringed shores of Goa were colonised by the Portuguese in the 16th century, who seized the original Arab trade settlement and began building a city on the Arabian Sea sprinkled with houses, gardens monasteries and churches, lots of which unluckily no longer remain.

Goa ultimately became the commercial centre for East and West, where traders could purchase pearls, coral, rubies, golden jewellery, silks, China porcelain, lacquered furniture, ambergris and exotic spices. The Portuguese influence is still very much apparent – the main religion is still Roman Catholic and siestas are still widely applied in the hot afternoons. Like most parts in India, Goa also has its own food specialities, the most well-liked is pork vindaloo! You may also want to sample the locally prepared spirit feni – a spine-tingling drink made from coconut or cashew apples.

Meals: Breakfast

We have a comfortable start to the day with the free morning. If you wish to spend some time on the beach it is just a short ride away.

Meals: Breakfast