Maharashtra Wild Trail

(7 Nights/8 Days)

(Mumbai –Ellora Caves – Aurangabad – Pench (Ramtek) – Tadoba – Ajanta – Nashik – Mumbai)

Welcome aboard the Deccan Odyssey, on the Maharashtra Wild Trail, an 8 day ride through the hinterlands of Maharashtra, the majestic Western Ghats, into the Deccan region of the vast and diverse expanse of central India. This exciting journey includes the thrill of chasing tigers at two of the highest tiger density reserves of Maharashtra, the awe inspiring beauty of the art of Ajanta and exquisite sculptures in Ellora; the holy city of Nashik, now also India’s wine capital. A railroad journey like none other, in a land like no other, we welcome you on board the Deccan Odyssey.

Embarkation & disembarkation

The point of embarkation and disembarkation for the specific journeys is as follows:

Journeys	Check-in Venue	Departure Station	Arrival Station
Maharashtra Wild Trail	Chhatrapati Shivaji Station, Mumbai At 1530 hrs.	Chhatrapati Shivaji Station, Mumbai At 1640 hrs.	Chhatrapati Shivaji Station, Mumbai At 0815 hrs.

Day 1(Saturday) MUMBAI / ELLORA CAVES

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 formalities for your Maharashtra Wild Trail 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 Ellora Caves.

Dinner on board

Overnight on Deccan Odyssey

Day 2(Sunday) AURANGABAD / ELLORA CAVES

As you enjoy breakfast, the Deccan Odyssey arrives at Aurangabad, named after the last Great Mughal Aurangzeb, an industrial town in Maharashtra and the stop from where to head out to visit the exceptional Ellora Caves, a World Heritage site. The city itself has deep Mughal influences and there are several monuments of note here; the Daulatabad Fort, Bibi-ka-Maqbara and the city’s 52 gates, each with its own history, amongst them.

The morning is at leisure on board or you may choose the option of enjoying a relaxing massage at a hotel spa. Post an early lunch, disembark for a scenic drive that takes you to the Ellora Caves, carved into the side of a basaltic 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.

Next climb up to explore the lofty Daulatabad fort, occupied since at least 100 BCE, and which houses the remains of Buddhist caves similar to those at Ajanta and Ellora.

You will then return to the Deccan Odyssey to freshen up before heading back to the city for dinner.

Breakfast & Lunch on board; Dinner at a city hotel

Overnight on Deccan Odyssey

Day 3(Monday) AURANGABAD

This morning enjoy a leisurely breakfast before heading out to the Old City of Aurangabad.

Spend the morning visiting Bibi-ka-Maqbara, the mausoleum of Dilras Banu, Aurangzeb’s wife, and a replica of the Taj Mahal at Agra. Built between 1651 and 1661 by her son, Prince Azam Shah, the monument is also called the ‘Taj of the Deccan’ and was intended to rival the splendor of the Taj Mahal, but unfortunately fell short.

Next visit a facility that specialises in the weaving of Himroo fabric. The fabric of choice for the royalty of that age, Himroo has been associated with Aurangabad since the 14^th century, when Muhammad Tughlaq made it his capital. Himroo features Persian designs woven with gold and silver threads and takes its name from Hum-ruh, which means ‘similar’ in Persian, as it is a replica of the Kum Khwab fabric that was popular in royal courts before Himroo gained precedence.

Return to the Deccan Odyssey for lunch on board after which you can enjoy the rest of your afternoon indulging in the recreational activities on board as the hinterland of Maharashtra sweeps past, with its ever-changing colors and landscape making its way to Ramtek for Pench National Park.

In the evening, enjoy a sun downer at the Gateway before dinner is served.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on board

Overnight on Deccan Odyssey

Day 4(Tuesday) PENCH NATIONAL PARK (RAMTEK)

Awaken before sunrise today as the Deccan Odyssey pulls into Ramtek, for your date with nature’s beautiful creations at the Pench National Park. Named after the Pench River, which meanders through it like a mammoth python, splitting it into almost equal halves, the park is immensely rich in biodiversity, its terrain defined by hills, valleys and the occasional precipitous slope, an important ecosystem supporting an abundance of flora and fauna, including a rich variety of aquatic life.

This morning is at leisure.

Post lunch; disembark for your adventure into the wild. The Pench National Park is four different forest regions in one, an extravagance of trees, shrubs, grasses, climbers, weeds and herbs, with teak being the most prominent of the tree species. Birdlife here is equally bountiful, the feathered denizens of Pench including both resident and migratory birds like Malabar pied hornbills, Indian pittas, ospreys, grey-headed fishing eagles, white-eyed buzzards, storks, waterfowls, four endangered vulture species, and the green pigeon, which is the State Bird of Maharashtra.

After an exciting day at Pench drive back to Ramtek station to board the Deccan Odyssey. Enjoy a sumptuous dinner as the Deccan Odyssey departs for Tadoba, the land of the mighty tigers.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner on board

Overnight on Deccan Odyssey

Day 5(Wednesday) TADOBA

Wake up before the sun this morning as the Deccan Odyssey rolls back into Warora station, for your early morning safari into the Tadoba Tiger Reserve, also called the Land of Tigers, for its high tiger density. It is not uncommon to spot tigers and wild dogs here, with plenty of opportunities for close encounters with leopards, sloth bears, gaurs (the Indian bison), the rusty spotted cat, ratels, various species of deer, wild pigs and more.

After an exciting morning, a late breakfast will be served at the Tiger Trails lodge, following which you can relax, view a documentary on wildlife or interact with our naturalist.

Enjoy lunch at the lodge before you drive back to Warora station to board the Deccan Odyssey.

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 Pachora to visit the exquisite Ellora Caves.

Breakfast and Lunch at the Tiger Trails lodge; Dinner on board

Overnight on Deccan Odyssey

Day 6(Thursday) AJANTA CAVE

The Deccan Odyssey arrives at the Pachora station this morning from where, after breakfast on board, you will disembark and drive to the Ajanta Caves, a World Heritage site and an architectural marvel of its time. The 30 rock-hewn Buddhist caves at Ajanta have been masterfully carved and are adorned with sculptures and paintings of Buddhist religious art, depicting universal pictorial art as well as the fusion of Buddhist and Hindu faith.

After exploring Ajanta, return to the Deccan Odyssey for lunch as it takes you towards Nashik.

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.

Relax and watch the tapestry of rural India unfold as you sip a sun downer before dinner.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on board.

Overnight on Deccan Odyssey

Day 7(Friday) 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 Wednesday market which sells everything from cow dung cakes to freshly caught catfish and many things in between.

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 Pinot Noir 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 Mumbai, the last leg of the journey.

The rest of the day is at leisure on board.

Breakfast on board; Lunch at the vineyard; Dinner on board

Overnight on Deccan Odyssey

Day 8(Saturday) MUMBAI

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.

Departure dates

Season 2020-21
Months	Departure Dates
September, 2020	–
October, 2020	03
November, 2020	28
December, 2020	12
January, 2021	–
February, 2021	13
March, 2021
April, 2021	17
May, 2021	01

Maharashtra Wild Trail Price for 2020-21 (USD)

Foreign National Per Cabin per Journey Price for 07 nights/ 08 Days

Occupancy	Deluxe Cabin	Presidential Suite	Description
Single	US$ 7320	US$ 15855	Single Cabin
Twin	US$ 10500	US$ 15855	Twin Sharing Cabin
2 Children	US$ 7878	US$ 7878	In a Separate Deluxe Cabin

Important Note

5% GST will be extra as applicable.
USD 500 + 5% GST additional supplement for double bedded deluxe cabin
Presidential Suite can accommodate upto 3 adults or 2 Adults and 2 children ( One child upto 5 years of age and second child up to 12 years)
The tariff is inclusive of cost of travel, accommodation, all meals, soft breverges, sightseeing tours, entrance fee 10% of the prevailing tariff will be charged for the children below 05 years.
(excluding video camera fee) for monuments & palaces and entertainment.
Tariff does not include liquor, laundry and other items of personal nature

Child Policy

Deccan Odyssey does accommodate children but we ask parents to be mindful of the sophisticated
adult atmosphere we endeavor to maintain.
One child up to 5 years of age shall be allowed free of cost in the Deluxe Cabin, subject to sharing of double bed with parents. This is subject to availability of double bed at the time of booking.
For families, with a child between 6-12 years of age, or, with two children with one child below 5 years and another between 6-12 years, we recommend the Presidential Suite which has a double bed in the bedroom and can be shared with a child below 5 years and a sofa cum bed in the living room which can accommodate the older child. In this case, the child/children will be accommodated free of cost.
In case of two children between 6-12 years of age travelling with their parents, you will have to take 2 cabins. The first child pays 25% of the adult fare and the second child will have to pay 50% of the adult fare. One of the parents will have to be present with the child / children in the cabin.

The above Tariff is subject to change without notice.

GST is subject to change as per the government of India directives.

Reservation / Cancellation – Terms & Conditions

Booking Policy:
20% of ticket value at the time of confirming the booking.
Remaining 80% of ticket value 45 days prior to departure date.
Cancellation Policy:
No cancellation on cancelling 60 days prior to the departure date.
Retention of 20% of ticket value on cancelling 59-45 days prior to the departure date.
Retention of 50% of ticket value on cancelling 44-30 days prior to the departure dat
Rentention of 100% of ticket value on cancelling 29 days prior to the departure date.
.

For USD bookings: The payable amount in INR should be credited in our account as per the rate of exchange

(ROE) of the previous day of the date (www.rbi.org.in) of transferring the amount by the agent.

No show/ En route termination of tour/amendment:

No Show – In case of No Show / Non-arrival of the guest, no refund or adjustment in future travel will be possible. The whole amount shall be treated as forfeited
En route termination of tour – In case of termination of tour by the guest, for any reasons, no refund or adjustment for future travel will be possible. The amount for unused portion of the tour shall be treated as forfeited.
Amendment – Is only possible under the circumstances like Natural Disaster / Natural Calamity Or Serious Health Problem’s (this needs to be supported by doctor’s certificate) and is subject to availability. No refunds are possible and every case will be decided on merits on a case to case basis. No amendment will be permissible in case of booking of groups or complete train.