INDIAN FRONTIERS - OFFERING TOURS TO INDIA, NEPAL, BHUTAN, PAKISTAN, BANGLADESH, CHINA & MYANMAR
The Deccan Odyssey
An
Introduction
The
Deccan Odyssey is a joint venture between the Indian
Railways and the Government of Maharashtra represented
by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC).
The train showcases the tourism assets of Maharashtra,
the grandeur of Konkan coast, the art, culture, the
heritage of Maharashtra as well as local arts, crafts
and cuisine of the state during the journey. It takes 80
passengers on a tour of the Konkan region, including
Goa, and northwestern Maharashtra. It will halt at
Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Goa, Pune, Aurangabad, (for
Ajanta and Ellora) and Nashik. On the itinerary will be
visits to forts, other historical places, museums,
beaches and boat rides in the backwaters.
As the wind whispers through the halo of legends
crowning the land of the mighty Marathas, a lone
majestic whistle blows its salutation of honour as it
gracefully traverses this land of fantastic fantasy.
Welcome to the mesmerizing Maharashtra experience aboard
the luxurious Deccan Odyssey. The weeklong Deccan
Odyssey tour includes several exotic destinations
covering the vast expanse of Maharashtra and a pinch of
Goa. Experience the finest and the best of train
journeys of the world. The Deccan Odyssey is much more
than a mere luxury train cruise. It's a 'classical
odyssey' of time beyond the realms of the present.
Welcome aboard!
The Itinerary
Day 01 - Wednesday
Departure Mumbai In the evening depart from CST
Terminus. Wine and dine in the luxurious comforts of
this train and whistle off on your royal voyage.
Day 02 - Thursday: Jaigadh - Ganapatipule - Ratangiri
Morning arrival at Bhoke railway station. Reach Rai
Bhatgaon Jetty by a/c bus for Backwater Cruise up to the
historical Jaigad Fort. Thereafter travel by road to
Ganapatipule. Free time & lunch at Ganapatipule
beach resort. Noon board the bus for sight seeing tour
of Ratnagiri town. Visit the Ratnadurg Fort, Lokmanya
Tilak Smarak and free time in Ratnagiri Bazar. Board the
train at Ratnagiri railway station.
Day 03 - Friday: Sindhudurg - Tarkarli - Sawantwadi
Morning arrival at Sindhudurg Nagari railway station.
Departure by a/c bus to Malvan Jetty to see the
Sindhudurg Sea Fort. From jetty proceed to Tarkarli
beach resort for lunch & free time. After lunch Back
Water Cruise through the Tarkarli creek up to Kalse
Jetty followed by visit to Sawantwadi town by bus to
witness fabulous lacquer handicrafts, paintings and
furniture at the "Shilpagrama" in the town.
Late in the evening board the train at Sawantwadi
railway station.
Day 04 - Saturday: Goa
Morning arrival at Karmali railway station in Goa. The
most frequented tourist spots in India. Board the bus to
reach Old Goa to witness; Basilica De Born Jesus, Se
Cathedral, Se Cathedral and the Church of St. Francis of
Assisi, that began as a mosque but now is an
archaeological museum for Goan antiques. Proceed to
Panjim by bus. Free time for short walk in city and
bazaar followed by lunch at Fort Aguada Beach Resort.
After lunch visit the Dona Paula & 250 years old
House. Late in the evening board the train from Madgaon
railway station.
Day 05 - Sunday: Pune
Morning arrival at Pune, the Erstwhile Capital of
Maharashtra. Board the bus to visit the Mahatma Phule
Mandai, the old central market, Raja Dinkar Kelkar
Museum, Sir David Sasoon Synagogue built in 1867, the
Osho International Commune. Lunch & free time at
Hotel Le Meridian. Thereafter visit the Tribal Museum,
Aga Khan Palace, a place where Mahatma Gandhi was
incarcerated during freedom struggle presently converted
in to a Museum dedicated to Gandhi family. Witness a
Sound and Light Show at Shaniwarwada. Late in the
evening board the train from Pune railway station.
Day 06 - Monday: Aurangabad
Morning arrival at Aurangabad railway station. Proceed
by road to witness the historical Daulatabad Fort,
Ellora Caves, a World Heritage site. Lunch and Cultural
programme at Hotel Taj. After lunch visit to the Shivaji
Museum, Aurangabad Caves No. 7 & 8, Bibi-ka-Maqbara.
Free time for shopping Paithani, Himroo, Bidriwork from
showrooms for a perfect memorabilia. Late in the evening
board the train from Aurangabad railway station.
Day 07 - Tuesday: Ajanta & Nashik
Morning arrival at Jalgaon railway station. Board the
bus to reach Fardapur resort. After break fast proceed
to visit renowned Buddhist caves of Ajanta a World
Heritage Site. At noon board the train at Bhusawal
Railway Station. Proceed to Nashik. Lunch on-board.
Arrival at Nashik railway station. Departure to visit
Panchawati Ghat and Sula Winery Yard. Wine and dine at
the winery yard. Late in the night board the train at
Nashik railway station.
Day 08 - Wednesday: Morning arrival at (Mumbai) CST Terminus
Journey Ends. Enjoy the breakfast on board as the sun
rises over the commercial capital of India. The royal
journey is over, the memory of which, will live on
forever.
Tour
Ends
Other
Information
The Deccan Odyssey Tour starts on every Wednesday of the
week* from Mumbai.
Months of Operation (October till April next year)
Train thus does not operates in the months of May, June,
July, August and September.
The Saloons
The Deccan Odyssey has 21 coaches out of which 11 are
passenger cars with 4 coupes each. There are two
Presidential Suite Cars with 2 coupes each car. The cars
have channel music, intercom, CD/MP3 player, attached
toilets, running hot and cold water, shower,
wall-to-wall carpeting and other amenities. The train
also has a conference car (can be redesigned as dance
floor in the night) and two restaurant cars. There is
also a lounge/bar car and one surprising addition is a
Spa Car. Apart from the above there are generator cars
with luggage store and staff car or spare car. The
Deccan Odyssey has exclusive non-smoking suite cars and
separate suite cars for the guests who love to smoke.
On
Board Facilities
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A
complimentary bottle of wine courtesy the Deccan Odyssey
in all the rooms.
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Each
guest is provided with an arrival kit consisting of
stationery items, brochures, cards, etc. Anything
additional can be asked for, from the attendant, always
available at your service.
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The
two restaurant cars, serve a range of Indian,
Continental, Maharashtrian, Goa and Chinese cuisines.
Menus are changed seasonally.
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A
well stocked bar serves wine, liquor and spirits of
Indian and international brands.
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Conference
Room with capacity to host 50 guests with facility for
satellite communication, Internet, computer with printer
and fax, and telephone exchange.
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The
leading dailies and newspapers greet you every morning.
Also available for you is a large collection of
magazines.
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Ayurvedic
Massage Centre, Steam Bath, Gymnasium, Beauty Parlour.
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Business
Centre.
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Special
Suite for Physically challenged.
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Fully
loaded mini pantry in each coach.
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Telephone
in each saloon.
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Television
in each coach.
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Plasma
TV in Lounge Car.
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PA
System / 6 Channel Music System.
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Lounge
in each passenger car.
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Money
exchange facility / credit cards.
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Complimentary
mineral water on board/in the coach during sightseeing
and at hotels.
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Voltage
available on the train 110/230 V.
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Adequate
safety and security arrangements.
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Wide
collection of CD's/MP3.
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All
essential toiletries like soaps, shampoos, moisturisers
etc. are provided in the train.
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An
attendant is always available at your service, to take
care of all your travel needs.
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A
mailbox is provided on board, which discharges your mail
with utmost care and efficiency.
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Doctor
on call at the next station.
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For
physically challenged persons special assistance is
available in the form of wheel chairs, creches and a
special attendant for manual assistance.
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Assistance
for travel arrangements on completion of the tour.