Day By Day Itinerary

Day 01: 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, as you receive a traditional Indian welcome and enjoy a refreshing welcome drink.

After completion of all formalities, you will be shown to your delightful cabins. As you settle in, the Deccan Odyssey shall depart Mumbai for Nashik.

Dinner

Day 02: Nashik

Walk through the Godavari Ghats followed by a visit to Grover Zampa vineyards (Luxury AC bus).

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.

Day 03: Aurangabad - Ellora Caves

Explore the Ellora caves (Luxury AC bus).

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 are 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.

In the evening, 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.

Day 04: Ajanta Caves

Visit the Ajanta caves (Luxury AC bus).

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 served on board the Deccan Odyssey as it continues on to the multifaceted city of Kolhapur.

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.

In the evening, watch the tapestry of rural India unfold as you sip a sun downer before dinner.

Day 05: Kolhapur

Visit the New Palace Museum, Mahalaxmi Temple and the Town Hall Museum (Luxury AC bus).

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, you will 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 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.

Day 6: Goa

Explore the city of Goa (Luxury AC Bus).

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.

Day 07: Sindhudurg

Visit the holy town of Sindhudurg (Luxury AC bus).

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

Visit the holy town of Sindhudurg.

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

Day 08: Disembark in Mumbai

Early this morning, after breakfast, you will disembark at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Railway Station in Mumbai. Bid farewell to the Deccan Odyssey as your royal passage through the grand vistas of India comes to an end.

Inclusions:-

• Accommodation In Double / Twin Bedded Cabin With En Suite Bathrooms.
  
• Soft Beverages During The Journey.
  
• Meals: All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch And Dinner) As Per The Itinerary. High Tea As Per The Itinerary.
  
• Valet Service.
  
• Still Camera Fees.
  
• All Currently Applicable Taxes I.E. Hotel Tax And Transportation Tax.
  
• Guided Off Train Excursions And Game Drives As Illustrated In The Itinerary - Inclusive Of Entrance Fees, Park Fees, Transport And Services of An English Speaking Local Guide.

Note:

• Departure from Mumbai only on Saturdays.
  
• Do carry comfortable walking shoes.
  
• As the train runs on the tracks of the Indian Railways, the itineraries are subject to change in case of any changes in the routing, weather conditions, and political conditions in the destination.
  
• Prices are subject to change in case of any amendment in the routing or other hikes such as fuel, taxes etc.
  
• All the prices are for Indian nationals only, unless specified.
  
• The cabin confirmed will be as per the brochure or an alternate cabin of similar category.
  
• Child with bed - not possible in Deluxe cabins.
  
• It is mandatory to carry a valid photo identity card (Passport / Driving License / Voter ID card).

PAYMENT & CANCELLATION TERMS

Payment:

• 20% of the ticket value at the time of booking
  
• 80% of the ticket value 60 days before the departure date
  
• Name with details required at the time of booking except as provided. Name change is not allowed post booking.

Cancellation:

• Any cancellation must be advised immediately by Email and subsequently confirmed by letter to the Central Reservation Division
  
• Retention of 20% of ticket value on cancelling 59 - 45 days prior to the departure date
  
• Retention of 50% of ticket Value on cancelling 44 - 30 days prior to the departure date
  
• Retention of 100% of ticket value on cancelling 29 days prior to the departure date

 

Exclusions:-

• Any Transport To Mumbai / From Mumbai. Your Tour Price Starts Ex Mumbai.
  
• Air, Train Or Bus Fare From / To Your Originating City Of Stay, Unless Specified.
  
• Items Of Personal Nature Viz, Tips, Porterage, Room Service, Laundry, Mineral Water, Alcoholic Or Non Alcoholic Beverages, Phone Calls, Additional Sightseeing Tours
• And Excursions Not Included In The Itinerary, Still Or Video Camera Fees Etc.
  
• Any Increase In Fuel Cost, Government Taxes, Entrance Fees, Intra And Interstate Taxes Etc, The Tour Price Will Be Amended In Accordance.
  
• Gratuities.
  
• Laundry, Alcoholic Beverages, Soft Beverages During Non Meal Hours.
  
• Any Items / Services Not Specifically Mentioned In The ’Tour Price Includes’ Column.
  
• Video And Professional Still Camera Fees.
  
• Arrival And Departure Transfers.
  
• Pre And Post Tour Accommodation And Any Tour Extensions Unless Specifically Mentioned As A Part Of The Journey.
  
• Travel Insurance.
  
• Supplement Charges Applicable For Long Weekends And Festivals.
  
• Goods And Services Tax Of 5%

Season 2018-2019 (Price in USD)
Cabin	Single Occupancy	Twin/Double Occupancy	02 Children (in a separate deluxe cabin)
Deluxe Cabin	USD 6,100	USD 8,750	USD 6,565
Presidential Suite	USD 13,210	USD 13,210	USD 6,565