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) following
a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of February 7, 2001. Prime Minister
Atal Bihari Vajpayee flagged off this beauty on January 16, 2004 at
the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in Mumbai. The train showcases the
tourism assets of Maharashtra, the grandeur of Konkan coast, the art,
the culture, the heritage of Maharashtra as well as local arts, crafts
and cuisine of the state during the journey. It will take 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 1
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. |
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Day 2
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. |
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Day 3
Friday
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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. |
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Day 4
Saturday
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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 visits
to; Dona Paula & 250 years old House. Late in the evening
board the train from Madgaon railway station. |
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Day 5
Sunday
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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. |
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Day 6
Monday
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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. |
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Day 7
Tuesday
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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 Bhusalwal 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. |
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Day 8
Wednesday
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Morning arrival at
CST Terminus.
Journey Ends. Enjoy the breakfast on board as the sun rises
over the commercial capital of India. The royal journey is over,
but the
memory of which, will live on forever. |
OTHER INFORMATION
| Climate |
Varies from 8o C to
30o C between September to March and in April it is around 35
o C. |
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| Clothing
recommended |
Light tropical/light
woollens. |
The Deccan Odyssey Tour starts on every
Wednesday of the week* from Mumbai.
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Months of Operation
(October till April next year) |
As this palatial train requires a lot
of renovation and maintenance the Train thus does not operates in
the months of May, June, July, August and September.
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Half fare for children
between 5 and 12 years. |
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Rates Subject to change
without notice. |
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Indian passengers
can pay in equivalent Rupee amount against US $ at the exchange
rate prevalent at the time of payment. |
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Tariff is inclusive
of travel/catering/conducted sight-seeing/ entrance fee at Monuments
/ Parks / Palaces / Cultural Programmes / Boat Ride. |
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The guest has to pay
for video cameras, liquor, laundry and other items of personal
nature. |
Note:
10% Surcharge shall be levied on departure
during Christmas / New Year.
Passenger reservations/cancellation
on the Deccan Odyssey may be done as per the following terms and
conditions:
BOOKING
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25% of
ticket value at the time of booking |
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75% of
ticket value 45 days before departure of the tour |
CANCELLATION
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10% of the Ticket
Value if the request is received before 60 days. |
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25% of Ticket Value
if cancellation is received within a period of 45-59 days from
schedule date of departure. |
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40% of ticket value
if cancellation request is received within the period of 24-44
days from schedule date of departure. |
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60% of ticket value
if cancellation request is received within the period of 8-23
days from schedule date of departure. |
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100% of ticket value
if cancellation request is received within the period of 7 days
or before the schedule date of departure. |
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.
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
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.
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. |
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