Luxury Deccan Odyssey Train – Maharashtra Splendour 9 nts / 10 days

OVERVIEW
DESTINATION INFO

Deccan Odyssey  – The Maharashtra Splendours  – 8-day royal journey through the most beautiful destinations of India. The itinerary includes visit to the Wine capital of India- Nashik, colorful Kolhapur, India’s party capital- Goa, Aurangabad and Jalgaon known for housing UNESCO World Heritage Sites Ajanta & Ellora Caves and the holy city of Ratnagiri. Get ready to travel through the most colorful side of India in a royal passage.

Departure Dates for Deccan Odyssey – Maharashtra Splendour (Arrival Date in Mumbai should be as follows)
For 2020 : 17 January, 07 February, 21 February, 13 March, 10 April, 24 April, 04 December
For 2021 : 15 January, 05 February, 19 February, 12 March, 09 April, 23 April

Day 01 (Friday) Arrive Mumbai

Today you are met at the Mumbai International Airport you are met by our company executive with your name placard who would assist you to the Car and then transfer you to your pre booked Hotel
Overnight stay at Hotel in Mumbai

Day 02 (Saturday) 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 formalitiesfor 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 on board
Overnight on Deccan Odyssey

Day 03 (Sunday) 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 inbetween.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 ‘méthode 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; Dinner on board
Overnight on Deccan Odyssey

Day 04 (Monday) 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 theexceptional Ellora Caves, a World Heritage site. The city itself has deep Mughal influences and there are several monuments of note here; the DaulatabadFort, 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 abasaltic 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. 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.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner on board
Overnight on Deccan Odyssey

Day 05 (Tuesday) 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 areadorned with sculptures and paintings of Buddhist religious art, depicting universal pictorial art and are known to depict the fusion between Buddhist andHindu faith.Lunch will be 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.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner on board.
Overnight on Deccan Odyssey

Day 06 (Wednesday) 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 manyhidden 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 ofthe 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 & Dinner on board
Overnight on Deccan Odyssey

Day 07 (Thursday) 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 Portuguesestyle architecture. Experience the UNESCO World Heritage Walk around Fontainhas with its winding alleyways adorned by tiled-roofed houses inspectacular 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 Ratnagiri 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; Dinner on board
Overnight on Deccan Odyssey

Day 08 (Friday) Ratnagiri

The Deccan Odyssey brings you to Ratnagiri this morning – a veritable jewel on the Konkan coast. A land so blessed by sun and fertile alluvial valleys thatit is abundant with a bounty of cashew nuts, Alphonso mangoes, coconuts, bananas, jackfruits and rice.Disembark after breakfast and head to the Ganpatiphule temple – called thus because of a legend about Lord Ganpati who took umbrage at a remark madeby a native lady, and moved to Pulé (Marathi for a few km ahead of the town) from his original abode of Gulé. Thus the region was named Ganpati-pulé.The 400 yr old idol here is said to have sprung from the soil From here, make your way to beach to enjoy the lovely coastline that the region offers. Have a relaxed morning at the beach. Make your way back to the Deccan Odyssey for lunch and to relax a while. Disembark once more and make your way to a mango and cashew plantation and watch the workers labour at producing the king of all fruits in India. Walk around and soak in the goodness of nature. Post the farm, take a walk through the town and exploring the ‘wadas’ or the local Maharashtrian neighborhood and the markets selling the lovely produce of the region. Head back to Ratnagiri station and board the Deccan Odyssey after a lovely relaxing day. Enjoy dinner on board as the Deccan Odyssey makes its way back to Mumbai
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner on board
Overnight on Deccan Odyssey

Day 09 (Saturday) Disembark in Mumbai

Breakfast on board Early this morning, after breakfast, you will disembark at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Railway Station, Mumbai.Bid farewell to the Deccan Odyssey as your royal passage through the grand vistas of India comes to an end. Our Executive will pick you from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Railway Station and will transfer you in private Car to your pre booked Hotel.
Overnight stay at Hotel in Mumbai

Day 10 (Sunday) Leave Mumbai

After breakfast check out from the hotel and our company executive would assist you and transfer you to the Mumbai International Airport to board flight for onward Journey.
Departure Dates for Deccan Odyssey – Maharashtra Splendour (Arrival Date in Mumbai should be as follows)
For 2020 : 17 January, 07 February, 21 February, 13 March, 10 April, 24 April, 04 December
For 2021 : 15 January, 05 February, 19 February, 12 March, 09 April, 23 April

For the price of the Tour kindly fill out the Price Request Form and submit it to us.

Our Expert Team will get back to you within 12 – 24 Hours with the complete day to day detailed itinerary, tour price, tour Inclusions and a full accommodation list.

Alternatively, you may call us on 01753 577330 and we would be happy to assist you with any further enquiries you may have.

Our holiday itineraries are planned with utmost care. In case you wish to modify any part of the Itinerary, our experts will help you to meet your requirements.

Tailormade Journey is a Specialist for Private Individual Holidays. All our Holidays are Fully Protected Under ATOL 9967.

All the tours are tailored as per our clients requirements and you may choose your own date of departure from the United Kingdom, your own choice of hotels and your own duration of travel.

Kindly Fill the Price Request Form and do mention all your requirements e.g type of hotels ( 3 , 4 , 5 Star ) , Departure Airport , etc in the Comment Box in the form and Submit.

Please do not forget to give us your correct e-mail address and your contact telephone number.


Ramada Plaza Palm Grove Mumbai

Ramada Plaza Palm Grove offers 5-star luxury on Juhu Beach. Providing free parking and buffet breakfast, it has a fitness centre and hot tub. Boasting views from oversized windows, rooms at Palm Grove Ramada have a flat-screen TV, safe and seating area. Private bathrooms come with separate shower and bath areas. Guests can relax at the hotel’s steam rooms or enjoy soothing massages. Other facilities include a book and handicraft store, beauty salon and internet cafe. European, Italian and Indian cuisines are served at the Tangerine Cafe. Asian dishes are available at the Oriental Bowl Restaurant. The Shooters Bar offers drinks and snacks. Ramada Plaza Palm Grove is 5 km from Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. The popular Pali Hill is located within 4 km from the hotel. Hotel offers 115 Rooms

The Oberoi Mumbai

The Oberoi offers luxury and convenience with its 24-hour spa, fitness and concierge service. It also features 5 food and beverage options offering a variety of cuisines. Free WiFi is available for 30 minutes. The Oberoi Mumbai's elegant rooms feature wooden floors, large windows offering beautiful views and en suite bathroom separated by a glass panel with electronic blinds. Rooms are equipped with an LCD TV, tea/coffee maker and iPod docking station. Free local newspapers are available. Guests can relax with a swim at the outdoor heated pool or enjoy shopping at the high-end shopping arcade. The Oberoi Spa offers a variety of treatments and therapies. Guest services include 24-hour laundry service and babysitting. European, Asian and Indian specialities are featured on the menu at Fenix, alongside traditional Japanese delicacies. Vetro serves Italian dishes, while Indian cuisine can be savoured at Ziya. The Eau Bar overlooks the Arabian sea and features a live Jazz band. The Champagne Lounge serves an extensive selection of Champagne and teas. Situated at Nariman Point at the end of Marine Drive, The Oberoi Mumbai is a 45-minute drive from Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. A 20-minute drive leads to the railway station. Hotel Offers 287 Rooms

Trident Bandra Kurla Mumbai

Trident Bandra Kurla provides an outdoor swimming pool and full spa services. Concierge services and room service are available 24 hours. Stylish with accents of red, the air-conditioned rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV, DVD Player and iPod connections. A well-stocked minibar and a personal safe are also included. En suite bathrooms come with either a shower or a bathtub. Trident Bandra Kurla is located in North Mumbai, a 15-minute drive from the domestic airport. It is a 20-minute drive from Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport and a 40-minute drive from Western Railway Terminus. Botticino restaurant serves fine wine and Italian dishes, while 022 restaurant offers an interactive sushi bar, as well as Western and Asian food. Other dining options include regional Indian food at Maya restaurant and salads at Trident Patisserie & Delicatessen. At Trident Spa & Fitness Centre, guests can look forward to relaxing massage treatments or a good workout at the gym. Hotel offers 436 Rooms

Taj Mahal Palace , Mumbai

Standing majestically opposite the Gateway of India, this iconic 5-star hotel features a landscaped pool, fitness facilities and a first-rate spa. The hotel provides 11 dining options. Hotel offers 560 Rooms. The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower is 2 km from Mumbai’s city centre and 32 km from Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. Free parking is available. Featuring a private balcony, elegant rooms are tastefully furnished with fine linen and classic wood furnishings. They offer the comfort of a flat-screen TV, sofa and luxurious bathrooms that feature a bathtub. Enjoy the use of steam rooms and sauna facilities after an energizing workout at the well-equipped gym. Attentive staff at Taj Mahal Palace offer childcare, tour and concierge services. Hearty meals featuring Indian specialities are availabe at Masala Kraft. Other dining highlights include Golden Dragon Chinese restaurant, Mediterranean fare at Souk and Wasabi Japanese restaurant.

Deccan Odyssey – Deccan Odyssey

Deccan Odyssey comprises of 21 luxuriously appointed coaches. Out of these 21 coaches,11 are to accommodate guests and the rest are used for different purposes such as dining,lounge, conference car and health spa. Inspired by the imperial carriages used by the Maharajas of the yore for traveling, each of the coaches of this luxury train is inspired from a different royal eras of Maharashtra ruled by diverse dynasties.All the cabins of Deccan Odyssey are fully equipped with facilities like air-conditioning, internet connectivity and personalized guest amenities that make sure that your journey would be a comfortable and memorable one. Moreover, the multi-cuisine restaurant, well stocked bar, high-tech conference cart and a spa & massage cabin onboard add on the colors of merriment to your entire jaunt.Echoing the penchant of the erstwhile Maharajas, all the 12 guest accommodation coaches of Deccan Odyssey is outfitted with cozy furniture and personalized guest amenities. Complemented by the very best of personal services, travelling on the private cabins of this deluxe rail is a unique rail tour experience in India. When you travel in these elegant class cabins of the train, you can feel that the inside décor reflects several moods to suit the outside views of the landscape. All the cabins are spacious enough where guests can roam freely. The decoration of each coach reflects a particular era of the Deccan milieu and is creatively outfitted with facilities like personal safe, telephone, attached bathroom, air-conditioning and a personal attendant on the round the clock service of the guests. The Deccan Odyssey has two multi-cuisine restaurants- Peshwa I & Peshwa II. The brilliantly decorated interiors of these restaurants add on more flavors to each gourmet dish served by the restaurant stewards in traditional Maharashtrian attire. The large selection of Indian, oriental and continental delicacies offer the travelers the freedom to choose their favorite one from the list. The fresh aroma of varied dishes welcome the guests to the restaurant cart of Deccan Odyssey. The relaxed ambience of the restaurants, the fragile hospitality of the stewards and the ever changing views of the outside world make the guests savor each bite of their food to its fullest extent.The onsite bar of Deccan Odyssey, Mumbai Hi, is the ultimate place to taste some of the best varieties of wines and spirits collected from all around the world. Along with that the bar also serves non-alcoholic beverages in a relaxing ambience. The decoration of the bar is simple yet elegant that exhausts the entire day fatigue of the excursion tours to different forts and palaces. Unwind and relax in Mumbai Hi of Deccan Odyssey with a fine glass of wine in your hand. The train also has a sitting lounge where guests can relax and chat with their fellow travelers while on the go. You can also pick up a book available in this lounge and take a deep plunge into the writings of the eminent authors.

Deccan Odyssey – Maharashtra Splendor – TJ – IN TR 14