Train journey through India – From Mumbai to the Taj Mahal, from the Himalayas to Kolkata (2026/2027)

starting at 11.600 €

Flight from Germany to Mumbai.

Arrival in the morning. Transfer to your hotel and time to relax. You will stay at a deluxe hotel for the next two nights. (D)

Today, you will explore India's economic metropolis: from Mani Bhawan, Mahatma Gandhi's residence, you will visit the Prince of Wales Museum and the Gateway of India, the city's landmark. (FA)

Curtains up for the big stage: today you will visit the world-famous Bollywood film studios and walk in the footsteps of Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, and Rani Mukherjee. India's film industry is the largest in the world, producing over 1,000 Bollywood films per year. Before that, you will have the opportunity to photograph the world-famous Dhobi Ghat laundry. In the late afternoon, you will drive to the magnificent Victoria Station, built in 1888, the largest railway station in the world (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Here, India's blue dream train, the Deccan Odyssey, awaits you. The crew will warmly welcome you aboard your rolling home for the next seven nights. While you make yourself comfortable in the beautiful surroundings on board, the Deccan Odyssey rolls through Mumbai's seemingly endless suburbs. Continuing north along the coast of the Indian Ocean, you will reach the border of the state of Maharashtra and enter the neighboring state of Gujarat. (FA)

Today, your train will take you to the university city of Vadodara. Not far away are the largely unexcavated remains of Champaner (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the ancient capital of Gujarat. The city walls enclose mosques and palaces from the pre-Mughal era and combine Islamic and Hindu stylistic elements. A feast for all the senses: at Laxmi Vilas Palace, where the princely family still resides today, you can enjoy dance and music accompanied by delicacies from princely Indian cuisine. In the afternoon, wonderful paintings and sculptures await you at the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum. Then it's back on board the Deccan Odyssey and onward north. (FMA)

Welcome to Rajasthan, the land of the Maharajas! Udaipur is India's most romantic city. Against the backdrop of the Araveli Mountains, palaces are reflected in small lakes. First, you will visit the huge palace complex directly on Lake Pichola. The crystal collection is both unique and curious: have you ever seen chairs, tables, and beds made of crystal glass? Enjoy the dreamlike scenery of Lake Pichola by boat. Alternatively, you can take a stroll through the old town. In the evening, your special train leaves Udaipur and continues through Rajasthan. (FMA)

A day in India's wilderness. In the morning, you will arrive at Sawai Madhopur railway station. First, you will get to know the villages in the surrounding area: men wearing colorful turbans and women wearing colorful saris – a glimpse into everyday life in another world. An excursion takes you to the non-profit Dastkar project, which was founded more than 20 years ago and has two main goals: to preserve traditional craftsmanship and at the same time to secure a livelihood for women in rural areas. From here, it is only a stone's throw to the famous Ranthambore National Park. Antelopes, deer, pheasants, monkeys, and sloth bears populate the wooded plains. Speaking of a stone's throw: it's actually about India's secret ruler, the tiger, for which the national park is famous. Maybe you'll be lucky and spot one of these magnificent predators on your safari. In the evening, you'll return to your palace on rails. (FMA)

In the morning, your train arrives in the pink city of Jaipur. And there you are, standing in front of the famous pink shimmering facade of the Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds. From its latticed balconies, the noble ladies of the city once looked down on the colorful market bustle. You will also visit the magnificent City Palace and the 18th-century Jantar Mantar observatory (UNESCO World Heritage Site). A fascinating excursion takes you to the mighty palace fortress of Amber, which sits picturesquely above Lake Maota. 1,000 mirrors reflect the light of a single lamp, illuminating the huge Hall of Mirrors. In the afternoon, there will be some time left for a shopping spree at Jaipur's handicraft market before your rolling home sets off again. Your next destination: one of the most breathtaking monuments in the world. (FMA)

When the entrance gates open and a snow-white monument of infinite dimensions appears on the horizon, it is a moment you will never forget. The majestic Taj Mahal is rightly considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Mughal emperor Shah Jahan had the building constructed entirely of white marble in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Precious inlays of sparkling semi-precious stones are reflected in deep blue pools. Afterwards, you will admire the Red Fort, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the late afternoon, everyday life in India's green Ganges plain passes by the train window: fields, villages, markets, sacred cows. (FMA)

As the first rays of sunlight fall on the bathing ghats and temples on the banks of the Ganges, you take a boat trip down the holy river. Is this a mirage, a film set, or reality? Pilgrims cleanse themselves of their sins in the murky waters, yogis meditate, and mourners scatter ashes. On a stroll through the narrow streets of the old town, you pass the famous Vishvanath Temple. In the afternoon, your train sets off again and continues eastward. (FMA)

Today, your train arrives at Siliguri station. Here, you bid farewell to the Deccan Odyssey and its charming crew. But your Indian adventure is far from over! Now it's off to Kurseong, where a unique experience awaits you: a ride on India's famous Toy Train up to Darjeeling in the Himalayas. You will travel about 30 km on the line built by the British between 1879 and 1881, which covers a total length of 86 km and climbs over 2,000 m in altitude and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Gentle hills covered with red blooming rhododendrons, white magnolias, and bright green tea gardens nestle against snow-capped mountain giants. There are 554 bridges and a single short tunnel along the entire route! You will spend the next two nights in a comfortable hotel with enchanting flair in Darjeeling. (FA)

In the morning, drive to Tiger Hill and enjoy an unforgettable view of Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain on Earth. On a clear day, you can even see Mount Everest from here! Pure harmony awaits you in the brightly colored Ghoom Monastery. Back in Darjeeling, stroll past colonial villas and follow the ups and downs of Mount Everest climbers at the Mountaineering Institute. Afterwards, spices, tea, and incense sticks beckon you to shop at the mall. (FA)

Today you leave the Himalayas and drive down from Darjeeling to Bagdogra on a scenic route with numerous photo stops. A short flight takes you to Kolkata, where you will spend the next two nights in a comfortable hotel. (FA)

Discover Bengal's exciting metropolis, a city with countless facets ranging from colorful chaos to profound spiritual beauty. After breakfast, enjoy the colorful splendor of the flower market with a view of Calcutta's landmark, the steel Howrah Bridge. The huge white marble Victoria Memorial is the pride of the city, which was the capital of British India until 1911. Other magnificent colonial buildings at BBD Bag and St. Paul's Cathedral also bear witness to this. The blooming gardens of the colorful Jain temple are an oasis of calm. You will visit the mother house and learn interesting facts about the religious work of Mother Teresa, whose grave you will visit. Experience the silhouette of the metropolis from a completely different perspective during a boat trip on the Hugli River, an estuary of the Ganges. (FA)

Flight home and landing in Germany – the end of an unforgettable trip! (F)