Maharashtra Splendor

Deccan Odyssey, A Tryst with India on a Luxury Rail

Since the advent of railways in India, train journeys have been synonymous with enigma and allure. It was common practice for the British aristocracy and Indian Royalty to travel in the luxury of their private palaces on wheels, to go on a shikaar or to attend celebrations. This legacy of princely sojourns across the wilderness, mountains and deserts of India is now continued by the Deccan Odyssey. Its captivating journeys beautifully cover the exotic landscape of India, for an experience that's hard to forget.

Cabins and Services
The Deccan Odyssey treats each of their guests to unprecedented luxury on wheels with the help of 21 superlative, luxury coaches. Out of these, eleven are guest cabins. Each coach has four cabins. In order to ensure a comfortable journey, each Deccan Odyssey cabin is well-equipped with a range of modern amenities. They are spacious, elegant and seamlessly designed to radiate the various eras of the Deccan dynasties. The Deccan Odyssey is also home to four splendid Presidential Suites. Each of these sophisticated suites is exquisitely designed and comes with all modern facilities.

 

We also offer a specially equipped cabin, for the comfort of our differently-abled guests. The ultimate aim is to ensure all guests make the most of their Deccan Odyssey journey.

 

The Deccan Odyssey's two gourmet restaurants, Waavar and Utsav have been designed to keep the element of Indian royalty intact. Our chefs ensure the cuisine keeps pace with the train's journey, by creating local specialties of the very state that the train travels through. So you discover every location with all your senses, including your taste buds! Each meal also includes an International menu to choose from. In order to further enhance the gourmet experience, Deccan Odyssey presents travelers with a well-stocked bar - Gateway. This is the ideal spot to meet and know your fellow travellers, over an evening drink & snacks.

After a long day of exploration, head to Deccan Odyssey's wonderful spa "Ayush". The salon's well-trained masseurs, incorporate ancient Indian techniques to help you relax your body and rejuvenate your mind.

If work requires your time and attention, then our conference car, "Pankh" will take care of all your business needs. Equipped with the latest facilities, it ensures you manage your work efficiently even while you're away travelling.

While you're on the Deccan Odyssey, our well-organized staff ensures your every need is taken care of. For an incredibly relaxed journey, valets are accessible round-the-clock; one for every Presidential Suite and one for each coach.

 

 

Maharashtra Splendor: Mumbai To Mumbai

Welcome to a fascinating journey aboard the Deccan Odyssey, the 8 day ride will take you across the spectacular side of Maharashtra, Deccan and the Konkan regions. Be prepared to encounter diverse terrains and wonderful experiences. This includes delicious wine in Nashik, marvel at the astounding architecture of the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, step back in time with the historical city of Kolhapur, visit the party state of Goa and finally explore theholy city of, Sindhudurg! In simple words, this rail journey is like none other, in a land like no other, we welcome you on board the Deccan Odyssey.

•  Discover the jewels of ancient Indian architecture as you visit the spectacular Ajanta and Ellora Caves, both World Heritage sites
•  Tour the New Palace and marvel at the martial arts of the Marathas, "Mardani Khel"
•  Embark on a Wine Tour in Nashik
•  Relish the spicy Goan cuisine and step inside a 400 years old Portuguese villa, a slice of living history
•  Explore the holy town of Sindhudurg

Tour Name: Maharashtra Splendor  

Destinations: Mumbai – Nashik - Ellora Caves - Ajanta Caves - Kolhapur - Goa - Sindhudurg – Mumbai

Duration: 07 Nights & 08 Days

 

Day 01 – Thursday

Board the Deccan Odyssey at MUMBAI - ON TO NASHIK

 

Welcome aboard the Deccan Odyssey.

Early this evening assemble at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus at approximately 1530 hours to complete the registration process and check in formalities for your Maharashtra Splendor journey.

After the process is complete, a traditional Indian welcome awaits you! Sip on refreshing drink as you are guided to your cabins. As you settle in, the Deccan Odyssey will begin its journey from Mumbai to Nashik.

 

Welcome drink and dinner on board.

 

Overnight on board Deccan Odyssey

 

Day 02 – Friday

NASHIK

This morning the Deccan Odyssey brings you to the holy city of Nashik, which is rapidly gaining the status of being the wine capital of the country.

After breakfast, disembark and spend the morning walking along the Godavari Ghats observing several important Hindu rituals being performed. Continue on through the lively market by the Ghats which sells everything from vegetables to lentils, dried seafood to cow dung cakes and many things in between.

 
Thereafter drive to the Grover Zampa vineyards for an exclusive tour of one of the finest Indian wine producing facilities. Walk through vines laden with Chenin, Chardonnay and Shiraz grapes. Be taken through the age old 'methode traditionnelle' used to make one of the best known brands of sparkling wines in India. Allow the sommelier to acquaint your taste buds with their finest creations of white, red, rose and sparkling wines and experiment pairing them with your meal at the vineyards.

 
After a sumptuous lunch, return to the Deccan Odyssey and set forth for Aurangabad.

 

Breakfast on board, lunch at the vineyard and dinner on board.

Overnight on board Deccan Odyssey

 

Day 03 – Saturday

AURANGABAD - ELLORA CAVES

 

Aurangabad, named after the last Great Mughal Aurangzeb, is an industrial town in Maharashtra and the stop from where to head out to visit the exceptional Ellora Caves, a World Heritage site. The city itself has deep Mughal influences and there are several monuments of note here; the Daulatabad Fort, Bibi-ka-Makbara and the city's 52 gates, each with its own history, amongst them.

As you enjoy breakfast, the Deccan Odyssey arrives at Aurangabad, from where a scenic drive takes you to the Ellora Caves, carved into the side of a basaltic hill 30 km from the city. The finest specimen of cave-temple architecture in India, the site encompasses 34 rock-cut shrines representing Buddhist, Jain and Hindu art dating from the 4th to 5th century AD. The 12 caves to the south are Buddhist, the 17 in the centre Hindu, and the 5 caves to the north are Jain. The most remarkable is the Kailash temple, meant to be a replica of Shiva's celestial abode on Mt. Kailash. It is the best example of rock cut architecture and an engineering marvel.

Savour a leisurely lunch on board as the hinterland of Maharashtra sweeps past, with its ever-changing colors and landscape.

 

Breakfast, lunch and dinner on board.

Overnight on board Deccan Odyssey

 

Day 04 – Sunday

AJANTA CAVES

 

The Deccan Odyssey arrives at Jalgaon station this morning from where, after breakfast on board, you will disembark and drive to the Ajanta Caves, another World Heritage site and an architectural marvel of its time.

 

The 30 rock-hewn Buddhist caves at Ajanta have been masterfully carved and are adorned with sculptures and paintings of Buddhist religious art, depicting universal pictorial art and are known to depict the fusion between Buddhist and Hindu faith.

Lunch will be on board the Deccan Odyssey as it continues on to the multifaceted city of Kolhapur.

 

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner on board.

Overnight on board Deccan Odyssey

 

Day 05 – Monday

KOLHAPUR

 

Watch the hinterlands of Maharashtra sweep past as you relish breakfast. Enjoy time at leisure as the Deccan Odyssey rolls into Kolhapur, a city of many hidden treasures, all waiting to be discovered!

After an early lunch on board, disembark for a tour of the city.

Visit the New Palace Museum, a lovely basalt and sandstone octagonal Palace from the 19th century. Behold its beautiful architecture and memorabilia of the Kolhapur rulers. Continue to the Town Hall Museum, a somber neo-Gothic building, its front porch flanked by towers with steeply pyramidal metal roofs.

Explore the local markets for a pair of beautifully handcrafted Kolhapuri chappals that you can carry back with you as a souvenir, before you proceed to a special venue for tea followed by Lavanya Sandhya, a vibrant folk performance.

You will then visit the 1300 year old Mahalakshmi temple, also called Shakti Pethas, or place associated with the Goddess Shakti, said to be the consort of Lord Vishnu. Following your temple visit, witness a traditional martial arts performance called 'Mardani Khel' literally translated to mean masculine games.

After your sojourn into Kolhapur, you return to the Deccan Odyssey for dinner as we depart for India's most happening destination - Goa.

 

Breakfast, lunch and dinner on board.

Overnight on board Deccan Odyssey

 

Day 06 – Tuesday

GOA

 

Today you arrive at Goa, India's smallest state, with strong Portuguese influences, having been a colony of Portugal till as late as 1961.

After breakfast, you will disembark and drive to Fontainhas, the Latin Quarters in Panjim which still has some well preserved houses built in Portuguese style architecture. Experience the UNESCO World Heritage Walk around Fontainhas with its winding alleyways adorned by tiled-roofed houses in spectacular shades of blue and red.

Continue to Ribandar, the erstwhile capital of Goa, for a walk through ancient churches and the ruins of the once lofty St. Augustine tower that continues to valiantly withstand the vagaries of nature.

Drive to the Sahakari spice plantation for a traditional Goan feast, a meal that has Hindu origins but is heavily influenced by 400 years of Portuguese rule and pays ode to the fruits of the Arabian sea - shrimps, kingfish and mackerel washed down with some 'feni', a potent liquor made from cashew. After lunch, enjoy a Goan folk performance and a tour of the plantation.

Complete your day in Goa with a visit to an old Portuguese house and get another peek into Goan life.

Return to the Deccan Odyssey for dinner as it departs for Sindhudurg traversing through the Konkan, one of the most scenic railway routes in the country, bound by the Arabian Sea on the West and Sahyadri hills on the East, a marvelous feat of engineering, that made it possible to tunnel the tracks through the seemingly insurmountable hills.

 

Breakfast on board, Lunch at the spice plantation, High Tea at Palacio de deao and Dinner on board.
Overnight on board Deccan Odyssey

 

Day 07 – Wednesday

SINDHUDURG

 

Arrive in Sindhudurg, which lies on a rocky island just off the coast of Malvan.

A visit to Sindhudurg's Pinguli Village and Sawantwadi Palace is on the cards today. Get a glimpse of the traditional Thakar folk arts and crafts at the local museum, then head towards the Sawantwadi Palace for a delicious luncheon.

Enjoy dinner on board as the Deccan Odyssey makes its way back to Mumbai.

 

Breakfast on board, lunch at a city palace and dinner on board.

Overnight on board Deccan Odyssey

 

Day 08 – Thursday

MUMBAI

 

Early this morning, after breakfast, you will disembark at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai.

Bid farewell to the Deccan Odyssey as your royal passage through the grand vistas of India comes to an end.

 

Breakfast on board.

• Accommodation in double / twin bedded cabin with en suite bathrooms.
•  Meals as per itinerary.
•  Soft beverages including juices, mineral water and aerated drinks during the journey.
•  Valet service at train stations.
•  Still camera fees.
•  Guided off board excursions on seat in coach basis for deluxe cabins and private car for presidential suites (Except game drives where the client has to share vehicle with other guests).
•  Entrance fees, park fees.
•  Services of an English speaking local guide.

•  GST (5%)
•  Travel insurance.
•  Gratuities.
•  Laundry and alcoholic beverages.
•  Video and professional Still camera fees.
•  Arrival and departure transfers.
•  International and domestic air tickets.
•  Pre and post tour accommodation.
•  Tour extensions unless specifically mentioned as a part of the journey.
•  All activities mentioned as 'options' in the itinerary.