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IRT Owners Scout India’s Top Spots

By Eleanor Flagler Hardy

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Owen and I recently returned from a scouting trip to India ahead of IRT’s 35th anniversary trip featuring the Deccan Odyssey this November. The verdict: India is better than ever, and more than ready for our group!

(If you’re thinking about joining us, please contact us ASAP, or visit our website here for itinerary details. Only two cabins remain.)

The Deccan OdysseyWe were thrilled to meet with top management for the Deccan Odyssey and Cox & Kings, our wonderful partners helping us plan our group trip. The best news from the Deccan Odyssey: they have put in brand-new suspension, which should make for a much smoother ride. And new carpets and finishes give the train interior an updated look.

Owen and Bunky meet with Soma, other Deccan Oddysey Cox Kings rep
Left to Right: Nidhi Gopan, senior general manager of the Deccan Odyssey, Eleanor Hardy, IRT President, Owen Hardy, IRT CEO, and Soma Paul, senior manager, destination management for Cox & Kings.

The Imperial Hotel in New Delhi: The dining and service was superb. White marble and tropical flowers and plants everywhere. The spa is one of the best I have ever visited: quiet, gorgeous, & well-run.

Imperial hotel spa entrance
Entrance to the spa at the Imperial Hotel in New Delhi. IRT Photo by Eleanor Hardy.

Cochin: We loved wandering around Cochin, in Kerala, South India. The atmosphere here is much slower-paced than Delhi, and very lush and green, with beautiful views of the ocean. Cochin’s nickname is ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’ — very fitting, we thought!

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Lush, green, Cochin, ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea.’                IRT Photo by Eleanor Hardy.

We are offering a pre-tour extension to Cochin prior to our group trip. Click here for more information.

Darjeeling: We actually got to ride the historic blue Darjeeling Himalayan Toy Train this time, which was a huge kick. The tiny train was full of visitors, mostly families and couples out for a weekend ride. IRT travelers joining our post-tour extension will get to experience the toy train for themselves. Click here for Darjeeling extension details.

The Windamere: The colonial charm of this place seeps into your soul — and the panoramic views of the entire environs will sweep you off your feet. Walk down a few steps from the Windamere, and you’re on the “mall,” a paved path that circles Observatory Hill. Walk a sharp left, up, to find a joint Buddhist/Hindu temple, fluttering with prayer flags. Stroll down to the left, and you reach some of the most remarkable views of the snow-capped Himalayan mountains in the near distance.

To all guests already signed up for our group trip: we can’t WAIT to see you in India!

And to everyone else considering joining: only two cabins remain, so contact us ASAP.

Call us at 1-800-478-4881, or 1-502-897-1725 if outside the US / Canada — or e-mail us at tourdesk@irtsociety.com.