DECCAN ODYSSEY Major Attractions : Bar/ Restaurant, Spa/ Gym, TV/ Conference Room Duration : 8 days/ 7 nights When It Starts : October to March Destinations Covered : Konkan, Sindhudurg, Goa, Ajanta - Ellora Caves and Nasik

Deccan Odyssey - The Class Above Royalty

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Waiter outside the Deccan Odyssy Train

Deccan Odyssey is the train of dreams for some and for some it is the fantasy itself. A week long journey in Deccan Odyssey is the most splendid way to discover the breathtaking interiors of Maharashtra and closely witness the lives of People of Konkan.

The sleek blue and gold streaked train starts from the urban sprawl of Mumbai and toots down the Konkan coast, taking in the lesser known yet pristine beaches of Ganapatipule and Tarkarli. Here the Sindhudurg sea fort seems to float like a ghostly gallows on the water before crossing into the more popular Goa, famous for its soaring cathedrals and powder sand beaches.

From here, your fairy ride swings up north in to the heart land of Maharashtra, making stop at Pune, the cultural capital of the state, then continues its journey to the 2 BC to 10 AD art galleries of cave temples of Ajanta and Ellora both listed as World Heritage Sites and Aurangabad where you stumbled upon the Bibi-ka- Maqbara whose delicate lines have been inspired by the Taj Mal and further into the pilgrim town of Nashik which is also famous for its fruit orchids and vineyards.

The Great Interiors

This queen on tracks acquires its name from the rocky and irregular Deccan plateau. It has 21 most pampering carriages which are also named suggestively after the monuments and different sites of Maharashtra except for the bar which is named Mumbai High, quite logically.

As and when you enter this blue pearl to start of your dream journey, you will be awe struck by the magical beauty of Deccan Odyssey's splendid work of art. The interiors are heavily dominated by rich and royal woodwork which prove to be quite successful in recreating an era of Peshawas. The Deccan odyssey is bombarded with fantastic facilities like a bar saloon with smoking area, a conference room equipped with satellite communication, Internet facility and a telephone exchange. But most importantly, the business room can be redesigned into a dance floor at night. It has 2 dining cars which serves the most palatial meals with a range of cuisines like Indian, Continental, Maharashtrian, Goan, and Chinese. Other major facilities are mini gym, a spa with a view, a restaurant, special suite for handicapped, beauty parlor, steam bath, Plasma TV in lounge car and 6 channel music system. All the attendants are professionals and take the best possible care of their guests. If that is not enough, every coupe has its own valet too to provide you his services without any delays.

Timings and the Durations

Deccan Odyssey Inside

The Deccan odyssey is scheduled on every Wednesday. It leaves from Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminal(CST) and returns to Mumbai, after a magnificent one week journey the next Wednesday. Due to the weather conditions in Mumbai, the services of Deccan Odyssey are only rendered from early October to late March. It covers around 2400 Km in 8 days and touches all the exotic destinations in day time only. The distance between these sites is covered in overnight journeys.

The Magical Fairy Tale Ride Begins

Mumbai Landscape - Away You Go

Your trip will start from CST in the Suburbs of Mumbai at around 2.30 pm. On Day 1, not much will be happening in regard to sightseeing. In fact this is the time you can explore the extravagant interiors of the train. Get relaxed in your own coupe and watch the Mumbai landscape hurl past.

Visiting Konkan Into The Lap Of Nature

Start with a lavish breakfast in one of the two dining cars and peep out of the window to notice the difference in the surrounding from yesterdays pinching Mumbai suburbs to today's scenic valleys of Konkan. At 8 am, reach Bhoke station, the first halt in Konkan . There awaits a traditional welcome by women clad is sarees flowering you with rose petals and smearing a red tilak on your forehead and this will be same on all stations. Move on to Bhatgaon jetty for a ride in the ravishing backwaters till Jaigarh fort.. After lunch on the grand Ganapatipule Beach resort, visit the Ratnagiri town where you will see Ratnadurg Fort and Lokmanya Tilak Smarak. In the evening, board the train from Ratnagiri Station.

Backwater Treat

Day 3 will take you to the Sindhudurg Sea Fort situated in the middle of Arabian Sea which is delightfully majestic. Visit Tarkali, a small fishing village and have lunch in the magnificent Tarkali Beach Resort. Enjoy another pleasing boat ride in the resplendent Malvan backwaters to Sawantwadi, Maharashtra's first heritage village where you can shop for marvelous handicrafts and painting. Back on train, you can unwind by enjoying a soothing steam bath or by getting an Ayurvedic massage in spa.

Arriving Goa - Onto The Beaches and Churches

Goa Beach

Arrive at Karmali, Goa, the most exotic part of India, famous for its beaches and thronged by travelers throughout the year. By bus proceed towards Old Goa where you can explore the Basilica De Born Jesus, the cathedral and the famous church of St. Francis of Assisi, an archaeological museum for Goan antiques. Move on to Panjim by bus. Utilize the time by shopping in the city and bazaar for exemplary paintings and handicrafts. Time to go for lunch at the grand Fort Aguada Beach Resort. Even after lunch, you have time to discover places like Dona Paula and a 250 year old house.

Discovering Pune - The Cultural Capital

Come to the one time capital of Maharashtra Pune, now called the cultural capital of Maharashtra. Start the day by Visiting the Mahatma Phule Mandai and the old central market. Other places that you will be Visiting are Raja Dinkar Kelkar that contains artifacts from 17th and 18th century and David Synagogue. Lunch will be at the famous Hotel Le Meridian after which you will step into the Tribal Museum which has an impressive collections of articles connected to the tribal life of Maharashtra. Time to visit the famous Aga Khan Palace, known as the place where Mahatma Gandhi was imprisoned along with his wife and other national leaders. In the late evening, enjoy the sound and light show at Shaniwarwada.

Historic Aurangabad - Sighting the Past

Start the day at Aurangabad station, and move to the alluring ruins of Fort Daulatabad. Go to the world heritage site and more popular Ellora caves. Founded accidentally, these caves have made there mark as a precious Indian possession. After having lunch at the Taj hotel, you will be taken to Bibi Ka Maqbara, a replica of Taj Mahal and Shivaji Museum. In the evening, board the train at Aurangabad station and prepare yourself for another eventful day

Watch the Ancient Ajanta Ellora Caves - The Most Special Day

After a royal breakfast on board at Jalgaon station. A luxury bus will ferry you to the one of the oldest spectacle on Indian soil, the Ajanta caves. The walls and ceilings of these caves are engraved with paintings which are so scintillating that they are sure to take you into the yesteryears and become a part of your memory. Back on train for the lunch from where, proceed to the Holy land of Maharashtra, Nasik for a quick layover. In Nasik, visit the Panchavati Ghat, the splendid Sula Winery and Gangapur Dam which offers a mesmerizing view. For the last meal of the day, move to the Sula vineyard which is surrounded by beautiful grape trees.

There is an End to Every Start

As all good thing have to come to an end, your journey through the most enchanting parts of Maharashtra is also nearing its completion. On the last day you will enter the city of Mumbai where you will be taken leave of at the Chattrapati Shivaji Terminal, the place where it all started.

The words put in here are just the mere reflection of the luxury, royalty and pampering that you are bound to receive on this dream journey through times. Apart from the most delightful stay on board and most sumptuous delicacies, you will get the chance to experience the world's richest heritage as closely and as elaborately as is possible. So don't let this opportunity pass by you, grab it and book yourself a berth on the grandest set of wheels to ever roll on land