Maharashtra Wild Trail

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 Wild Trail: Mumbai To Mumbai

Welcome aboard the Deccan Odyssey, on an 8 day wild trail, through the hinterlands of Maharashtra's majestic Western Ghats. This exciting journey includes the thrill of chasing tigers at two of the highest tiger density reserves of Maharashtra, the awe inspiring beauty of the art of Ajanta and exquisite sculptures in Ellora; the holy city of Nashik, now also India's wine capital. A railroad journey like none other, in a land like no other, we welcome you on board the Deccan Odyssey.

•  Visit the wondrous and fascinating cave temples of Ajanta and Ellora along the western seaboard of India, both World Heritage sites, showcasing the ancient skill of India's painters and sculptors
•  Experience thrilling game drives in the wildlife parks of Tadoba Tiger Reserve where you get an opportunity to spot the Royal Bengal Tiger as well as various other species of birds and mammals.

Tour Name: Maharashtra Wild Trail

Destinations: Mumbai - Ellora Caves – Aurangabad - Ramtek-Pench – Tadoba - Ajanta Caves – Nashik – Mumbai

Duration: 07 Nights & 08 Days

 

Day 01 – Thursday

Board the Deccan Odyssey at MUMBAI - ELLORA CAVES

 

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 Wild Trail 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 Ellora.

 

Welcome drink and dinner on board.

Overnight on board Deccan Odyssey.

 

Day 02 – Friday

AURANGABAD - ELLORA CAVES

 

Spend time in leisure this morning. You also have the option to enjoy a relaxing massage at a spa.

Today, the Deccan Odyssey will arrive at Aurangabad. After you enjoy a delicious breakfast, head out to explore this lovely city named after the last Great Mughal Aurangzeb, an industrial town in Maharashtra and the stop from where to head out to visit the exceptional Ellora Caves, a World Heritage site. Witness the deep Mughal influence on city as you explore the Daulatabad Fort, Bibi-ka-Maqbara and the city's 52 gates, each with its own history.

Post an early lunch, disembark for a scenic drive that 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.

Next, climb up to explore the lofty Daulatabad fort, occupied since at least 100 BCE, and which houses the remains of Buddhist caves similar to those at Ajanta and Ellora.

You will then return to the Deccan Odyssey to freshen up.

Later, head back to the city for dinner.

 

Breakfast and lunch on board and dinner at a city hotel.

Overnight on board the Deccan Odyssey.

 

Day 03 – Saturday

AURANGABAD

 

This morning, enjoy a leisurely breakfast before heading out to the old city of Aurangabad.

Spend the morning visiting Bibi-ka-Maqbara, the mausoleum of Dilras Banu, Aurangzeb's wife, and a replica of the Taj Mahal at Agra. Built between 1651 and 1661 by her son, Prince Azam Shah, the monument is also called the 'Taj of the Deccan' and was intended to rival the splendor of the Taj Mahal, but unfortunately fell short.

Next, visit a facility that specialises in the weaving of Himroo fabric. The fabric of choice for the royalty of that age, Himroo has been associated with Aurangabad since the 14th century, when Muhammad Tughlaq made it his capital. Himroo features Persian designs woven with gold and silver threads and takes its name from Hum-ruh, which means 'similar' in Persian, as it is a replica of the Kum Khwab fabric that was popular in royal courts before Himroo gained precedence.

Return to the Deccan Odyssey for lunch on board.

Enjoy the rest of your afternoon indulging in the recreational activities on board as the hinterland of Maharashtra sweeps past, with its ever-changing colors and landscape making its way to Ramtek for Pench National Park.

In the evening, enjoy a sundowner at the Gateway before dinner is served.

 

Breakfast, lunch and dinner on board.

Overnight on board Deccan Odyssey.

 

Day 04 – Sunday

PENCH NATIONAL PARK (RAMTEK)

 

Awaken before sunrise today as the Deccan Odyssey pulls into Ramtek, for your date with nature's beautiful creations at the Pench National Park. Named after the Pench River, which meanders through it like a mammoth python, splitting it into almost equal halves, the park is immensely rich in biodiversity, its terrain defined by hills, valleys and the occasional precipitous slope, an important ecosystem supporting an abundance of flora and fauna, including a rich variety of aquatic life.

After an exhilarating game drive, return to the Deccan Odyssey for a leisurely brunch on board.

Disembark again in the afternoon for your second adventure into the wild. The Pench National Park is four different forest regions in one, an extravagance of trees, shrubs, grasses, climbers, weeds and herbs, with teak being the most prominent of the tree species. Birdlife here is equally bountiful, the feathered denizens of Pench including both resident and migratory birds like Malabar pied hornbills, Indian pittas, ospreys, grey-headed fishing eagles, white-eyed buzzards, storks, waterfowls, four endangered vulture species and the green pigeon, which is the state bird of Maharashtra.

After an exciting day at Pench, drive back to Ramtek station to board the Deccan Odyssey.

Enjoy a sumptuous dinner as the Deccan Odyssey departs for Tadoba, the land of the mighty tigers.

 

Breakfast, lunch and dinner on board.

Overnight on board Deccan Odyssey.

 

Day 05 – Monday

TADOBA

 

Wake up before the sun this morning as the Deccan Odyssey rolls back into Chandrapur station, for your early morning safari into the Tadoba Tiger Reserve, also called the Land of Tigers, for its high tiger density. It is not uncommon to spot tigers and wild dogs here, with plenty of opportunities for close encounters with leopards, sloth bears, gaurs (the Indian bison), the rusty spotted cat, ratels, various species of deer, wild pigs and more.

After an exciting morning, a late breakfast will be served at the Tiger Trails Lodge, following which you can relax, view a documentary on wildlife or interact with our naturalist.

Enjoy lunch at the lodge before you drive back to Chandrapur station to board the Deccan Odyssey.

Sit back, unwind and enjoy cocktails fixed by our bartender onboard, followed by a sumptuous dinner and a well deserved rest as the Deccan Odyssey proceeds towards Jalgaon to visit the exquisite Ajanta Caves.

 

Breakfast and lunch at the Tiger Trails Lodge; dinner on board.

Overnight on board Deccan Odyssey.

 

Day 06 – Tuesday

AJANTA CAVES (JALGAON)

 

The Deccan Odyssey arrives at Jalgaon Station this morning from where, after breakfast on board, you will disembark and drive to the Ajanta Caves, a 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 as well as the fusion of Buddhist and Hindu faith.

After exploring Ajanta, return to the Deccan Odyssey for lunch as it takes you towards Nashik.

The rest of the day is at leisure for you to relax and enjoy some of the activities available on board. Watch a movie, learn the rules of 'carrom', a popular Indian board game, from a Deccan Odyssey team member or book yourself a relaxing massage in our spa on board.

Relax and watch the tapestry of rural India unfold as you sip a sundowner before dinner.

 

Breakfast, lunch and dinner on board.

Overnight on board the Deccan Odyssey.

 

Day 07 – Wednesday

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 Wednesday market which sells everything from cow dung cakes to freshly caught catfish 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 Pinot Noir 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 Mumbai, the last leg of the journey.

The rest of the day is at leisure on board.

 

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

Overnight on board the 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 and game drives as illustrated in the itinerary.
•  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.