Home ģ West India Tourism ģDeccan Odyssey

Step aboard one of the most luxurious trains, the Deccan Odyssey and begin a journey to India's most spectacular destinations. Recapture the romance and atmosphere of traveling into the Kingdom of Marathas, where you will experience its magic and mystery in a relaxed and elegant fashion. Deccan Odyssey has earned an international reputation for its truly world-class travel experiences.

Built for the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, the 21-coach luxury train has all the facilities of a five-star hotel, except a swimming pool. The train has an air-conditioned suite car (coach), 11 air-conditioned cabin cars, a conference car, two restaurant cars with bar attached, and a health car with a gym, beauty salon and yoga centre. There is also space for ayurvedic treatment and massage. Deccan Odyssey is capable of running at a speed of 110 km per hour. However, it maintains 75 to 80 kmph.

Facilities and services aboard this luxury train include two tastefully designed lounge and conference cars allowing passengers to mix business with pleasure. This royal tour will take you to various historic forts and temples, the the ocean front and a trip to the beautiful village of Tarkarli. All meals reflect the specialty coastal cuisine of Maharashtra. Goa will definitely prove to be the most enjoyable destination due to its stunning beaches, historic churches and temples, among many other attractions. Passengers will revel in a traditional Goan cultural extravaganza on a luxury boat cruise down the meandering Mandovi River.

The destination of Deccan Odyssey also include Pune - erstwhile capital of Maharashtra and the seat of power of the Peshwas, the prime ministers of Maharashtra. Followed by an excursion to the battle-scarred yet intimidating Sinhagad fort is expected to make tourists relive an era. Finally the train will take you to Aurangabad. A place abundant with Mughal architecture, rich food and lavish experiences. Besides, the Ellora caves, a World Heritage site, tourists will be greeted by the Bibi ka Maqbara, a mausoleum built to be a replica of the Taj Mahal. The renowned Buddhist caves of Ajanta, now a World Heritage Site, will take you back in time to around second century AD, which sports some stunning paintings and sculptures.

Duration : 08 Days / 07 Night
Places to visit : Mumbai Jaigad - Ganapatipule - Ratnagiri - Bhatye - Sindhuburg - Tarkali - Sawantwadi - Goa - Pune - Aurangabad - Ajanta - Nashik

Day 01- Mumbai
Tour starts from Mumbai, a city of dreams that 300 years ago was an agglomeration of seven islands. Modern, yet preserving its antiquities as a short drive through the city will reveal. Board the train in the evening at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, one of Mumbaišs most famous gothic landmarks. Wine and dine in comfort as the train sets about its voyage.

Day 02 - Jaigad - Ganapatipule - Ratnagiri - Bhatye
Alight at Ukshi station and enjoy a short ride to Rai jetty. Cut through the backwaters, accompanied by exotic birds, to historical Jaigad Fort, high on a cliffside overlooking the ocean. View Konkan village life, unreachable by road. Travel to Ganapatipule by road, a scenic drive. On arrival feast on a vast spread of ŒKonkanš cuisine, spending time with local people. Visit the holy temple shrine dedicated to Lord Ganesh and walk the beach amongst swaying palms. Head out to Ratnagiri by air-conditioned coach. This was the internment home of the last king of Burma. Visit Lokmanya Tilak Smarak, Rtanaburg Fort followed by a swim off Bhatye beach. Depart in the evening on the next stage of our journey.

Day 03 - Sindhuburg - Tarkali - Sawantwadi
Travel to the tip of the Konkan coast arriving at Sudhuburg Nagari station. Travel to Sundhuburg Fort by boat. On arrival walk the two-mile long rampart walls with views of the open sea. Head to Tarkali beach by luxury coach, a virgin beach at the confluence of the River Karli. Enjoy a ŒMalvaniš lunch at MTDC Beach resort. Take a ferry ride up the Tarkali Creek moving on to Sawantwadi by coach, the entrance point to Goa and home to the Chitar Ali and Jagannathrao Bhosale Garden. You may also visit Shilpa Gram village to watch local craftsmen go about their work. A traditional meal on board the train during the evening as we head for Goa.

Day 04 - Goa
Morning arrival in Goa, home to Indiašs finest beaches, jungle clad hills and ancient architecture. Take a walk amongst and amidst the ruins of Old Goa visiting the Basilica of Bom Jesus, the Cathedral and the Church of St. Francis of Assissi, now an archaeological museum. Move on to Priol, home to one of the Mangeshi Temples. A boat cruise down the Mandovi river follows featuring entertainment and Goan delicacies. Visit Fontanhas, the latin quarter of Panjim, Goašs capital, followed by Dona Paula, a small palm fringed beach. In the evening head back to the station for wining and dining on board.

Day 05 - Pune
Morning arrival in Pune, former capital of the Marathas and home to poets, writers and artists. Following breakfast the first stop is Phule Mandia, the old central market. We then visit Rajar Kelkar museum, a Rajasthani-style building with some interesting artefacts dating from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Next is the Iyengar Yoga Institute, famous the world over. After lunch at the Taj Blue Diamond we visit the Osho Ashram commune, focusing on meditation. Next comes the tribal museum and the David synagogue. Board a luxury coach to visit the Aga Khan Palace, an historical monument where Gandhi and his wife were imprisoned. In the evening comes the light and sound show at the Shaniwarwada Palace. A sumptuous meal is prepared on board the train prior to departure for Aurangabad.

Day 06 - Aurangabad
Following breakfast on the train board a luxury coach to visit the fortress of Daulatabad. Next stop is the world famous Ellora Caves, a world heritage site consisting of a series of Hindu, Jain and Buddhist caves originating from the 7th to the 14th centuries. Return to Aurangabad for lunch before visiting the Shivaji museum followed by the Aurangabad Caves and the Bibi-Ka-Maqbara, a replica of the Taj Mahal. Return to the train for an evening meal and departure to our next port of call.

Day 07 - Ajanta - Nashik
After breakfast alight at Jalgaon station for a visit to the Ajanta Caves, which date from the 3rd to the 7th centuries. The caves contain some of the finest buddhist murals and sculptures ever found. We return to Jalgaon station to board the train for Nashik where we depart for the Sula winery at Govardhan park visiting the vineyards along the way. Wine and dine in comfort as the sun sets before heading back to Nashik Road station to board the train to Mumbai.

Day 08 - Mumbai
Enjoy breakfast on board as we arrive in Mumbai, Indiašs commercial capital. Alight at Chhatrapati Shivaji rail terminus as the tour draws to its conclusion.