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The Deccan Odyssey
From
 440 pp/pn
Period:  Till February 2012
Departure:  Wednesdays
Feb, 2012: 01 Feb


Day 1 Wednesday: Tour Begins 16:40 Hrs
The Train starts its journey from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Mumbai at 1640 Hrs.

MUMBAI: Welcome to Mumbai, a city of dreams that 300 years ago was an agglomeration of seven islands. Modern, yet preserving its antiquities, a short drive through the city will reveal this inherent truth. Board the train in the evening at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, undoubtedly one of the famous Gothic buildings and an integral part of Mumbai's skyline. Wine and dine in the luxurious comforts of this train and whistle off on your royal voyage...
Day 2 Thursday: Arrival 07:00 Hrs - Departure 20:00 Hrs
SINDHUDURG: Morning – Alight the train at the Sindhudurg Nagari Railway station. Drive to Malvan Jetty in an air conditioned coach. From Jetty take a boat ride up to Sindhudurg, the Ocean Fort and one time naval base of Maratha empire

Sindhudurg fort stands on a rocky island, known as Kurte, barely a kilometer, from the Malvan Town. Sindhudurg Fort was built in 1664-67 AD by King Shivaji. One of the best preserved forts of the Marathas, the 48 acre Sindhudurg fort has a four kms long zigzag wall 9 meters high and 3 meters wide rampart with 42 bastions. Apart from the huge stones, the building material involved 2000 khandis (72,576 kg) of iron erecting the massive curtain wall and bastions. A notable feature is that the foundation stones were laid down firmly in molten lead. It also houses some twenty Hindu-Muslim hereditary families.

TARKALI: Return to the jetty and proceed to Tarkarli beach resort. Tarkali is a virgin beach at the confluence of river Karli and Arabian Sea. The major attraction here is the long and narrow stretch of beach, with its pristine water. On a clear day, you can see the sea bed through a depth of 20 ft.Have lunch at the Tarkarli beach resort.

DHAMPUR: Later drive to Dhamapur village. On way visit the Cashew factory. At Dhamapur visit ancient temple of Goddess Bhagawati and Bharadi Devi situated on banks of beautiful lake. After this visit proceed by coach to board the train at Kudal Railway Station. Dinner on board.
Day 3 : Friday: Arrival 07:00 Hrs - Departure 21:15 Hrs

GOA: Morning arrival at Karmali – Goa. The most frequented tourist spot in India. You will be transferred to Old Goa. At Old Goa visit the ruins of St. Augustine Church once largest cathedral in Goa. Also visit Basilica of Bom Jesus, a 16th Century Church which contains the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier. Then visit the cathedral and the church of St. Francis of Assissi that began as a mosque but now is an archaeological museum for Goan antiques. Visit to Fontanhas the Latin quarters at Panjim.

Transfer to Verna Railway Station to board the train. Lunch & free time onboard.

This evening you will be transferred by coach to a beach hotel to enjoy Goan culture and traditional meals. Board the train from Madgaon railway station. Over night halt at Vasco Station.

Day 4 Saturday: In GOA Arrival 07:00 Hrs – Departure 20:00 Hrs

KOLHAPUR: After breakfast board, proceed for excursion to Mangeshi Hindu Temple, enjoy Spice Plantation in Ponda. Later enjoy a traditional Goan style lunch in plantation farm house.

Proceed to Chandoli village & visit 16th century built Menezes Braganza House. By evening reach Madgaon Railway Station to board deccan Odyssey train.

Dinner on board

Day 5 Sunday: Arrival 07:00 Hrs - Departure 20:00 Hrs

KOLHAPUR: MArrival at Kolhapur city. Situated on the banks of river Panchaganga, Kolhapur is also known as Karveer or Dakshin Kashi of Maharashtra.

Enjoy a sightseeing of Kolhapur by coach. The sightseeing includes a visit to the New Palace, a royal palace partly converted into museum which houses rare paintings and artifacts used by the royal family. Also visit the Bhawani Mandap (The Town Hall), The Mahalaxmi Temple - a temple of goddess Ambabai visited by millions of pilgrims and Shalini Palace built of intricately carved black stone & Italian Marble.

Kolhapur is well known for its textiles and cottons, in particular Kolhapuri saris. But it is of course most famous for its jewellery and leather sandals and Kolhapuri chappals. The selected and famous items would be displayed in the stalls at the Palace so one can leisurely enjoy shopping.

At noon board the train at Kolhapur station for Daulatabad/Aurangabad via Pune. Enjoy lunch and leisure time onboard. Dinner onboard.

Day 6 Monday: Arrival 06:45 Hrs - Departure 20:00 Hrs

DAULATABAD: Morning arrive at Daulatabad station. Proceed by road to visit the majestic Fort Daulatabad. Rising dramatically over 600 ft above the Deccan plain is the arresting sight of Daulatabad. Once known as Devgiri, this fort served as the head quarters of the powerful Yadava rulers. In the 13th century, Mohammed bin Tughlak, the Sultan of Delhi, made it his capital and renamed it Daulatabad, or City of Fortune.

ELLORA CAVES: Your next stop is Ellora caves, a World Heritage site, having 34 cave temples dedicated to three different religion - Hinduism, Buddhism & Jainism. The cave temples and monasteries at Ellora, excavated out of the vertical face of an escarpment, are 26 km north of Aurangabad. Extending in a linear arrangement, the 34 caves contain Buddhist Chaityas or halls of worship, and Viharas, or monasteries, Hindu and Jain temples. Spanning a period of about 600 years between the 5th and 11th century AD, the earliest excavation here is of the Dhumar Lena (Cave 29).The most imposing excavation is, without doubt, that of the magnificent Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) which is the largest monolithic structure in the world.

AURANGABAD: After lunch visit the Bibi-ka-Maqbara, a replica of Taj Mahal and a grand piece of Moghul architecture. Free time for shopping Paithani, Himroo, Bidriwork from showrooms. Evening board the train from Aurangabad railway station. Dinner onboard.

Day 7 Tuesday: Arrival 06:30 – Departure 22:00 Hrs

AJANTA: Detrain to visit Ajanta Caves, aWorld Heritage Monument by A/c.Coach.
Ajanta Caves, one of India’s most impressive archeological sites. Here Buddhist art attained the peak of its development, in frescoes and wall paintings revealing a fascinating lifestyle. Carved out of horse shoe-shaped rocks over a period of 900 years, the Ajanta caves date back to the 3rd century.

At noon board train at Jalgaon railway station. Proceed to Nashik. Lunch on-board. Leisure time onboard till evening.

NASHIK : Alight at Nashik Road railway station to board your coach to Panchawati Ghat, a holy place known for the famous Kumbh Mela. Next, visit to Kala Ram Temple built in 1794.

Evening board the train at Deolali railway station. Enjoy farewell dinner on-board.

Day 8 Wednesday: Arrival 07:30 Hrs
MUMBAI: Morning arrive at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai and bid goodbye to the Deccan Odyssey.
About the Train

Coaches:
The train has 21 coaches, out of which 13 are passenger cars accommodating 8 people per coach (11 passenger Cars, 4 coupes per coach - 2 Presidential Suite Cars, 2 coupes per coach), 1 Conference Car, 2 Dinning Cars, 2 Generator Cars with Luggage Store, 1 Staff, spare Car, 1 Spa Car, 1 Bar Car.

Rooms:
11 fully air-conditioned Deluxe Cabin saloons, each with combination of 4 twin bedded chambers and 2 fully air-conditioned Presidential Suite saloons each with 2 suites with combination of living room & bed room. Saloons are equipped with channel music, intercom, player, attached toilets, running hot and cold water, shower, wall-to-wall carpeting and other amenities

Restaurants:
The Train has two lavish and beautifully done restaurants Peshwa I and Peshwa II which serves mouth watering Indian cuisines that would definitely make way to your heart through your stomach.

Bar:
A well stocked bar, Mumbai Hi serves wine, liquor and spirits of Indian and International Brands, to keep you in `high spirits'

Facilities:
The Deccan Odyssey is well furnished with modern facilities like Conference Room with satellite communication, Internet, computer with printer and fax, and telephone exchange, Library,Channel Music, Ayurveda Massage Centre, Steam Bath, Gymnasium, Beauty Parlour, special Suite for Physically challenged etc

Terms and Conditions apply. Agents are welcome. Contact us for details