Maharashtra Splendor

(7 Nights/8 Days)

(Mumbai – Nashik – Ellora Caves – Ajanta Caves – Kolhapur – Goa – Sindhudurg – Mumbai)

Welcome to a fascinating journey aboard the Deccan Odyssey, an 8 day ride through the hinterlands of Maharashtra, the majestic Western Ghats, into the Deccan and Konkan regions of a vast and diverse continent. This itinerary includes visits to some of the most prominent & unexplored destinations of west-central India, with a trip to the holy city of Nashik, now also India’s wine capital; to the unrivaled Ajanta & Ellora Caves; the historical city of Kolhapur with its many experiences, to Goa, India’s most popular holiday destination; finishing with a visit to the holy city of Sindhudurg. 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 Splendor	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 / NASHIK

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 Splendor 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 Nashik.

Dinner on board

Overnight on Deccan Odyssey

Day 2(Sunday) 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 market by the Ghats which sells everything from vegetables to lentils, dried seafood to cow dung cakes 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 Shiraz 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 Aurangabad

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

Overnight on Deccan Odyssey

Day 3(Monday) AURANGABAD / ELLORA CAVES

Aurangabad, named after the last Great Mughal Aurangzeb, is 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-Makbara and the city’s 52 gates, each with its own history, amongst them.

As you enjoy breakfast, the Deccan Odyssey arrives at Aurangabad, from where a scenic drive 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.

Savour a leisurely lunch on board as the hinterland of Maharashtra sweeps past, with its ever-changing colors and landscape.

In the evening, 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 Ajanta Caves.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner on board

Overnight on Deccan Odyssey

Day 4(Tuesday) AJANTA CAVES

The Deccan Odyssey arrives at Pachora station this morning from where, after breakfast on board, you will disembark and drive to the Ajanta Caves, another 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 and are known to depict the fusion between Buddhist and Hindu faith.

Lunch will be on board the Deccan Odyssey as it continues on to the multifaceted city of Kolhapur.

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.

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

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner on board.

Overnight on Deccan Odyssey

Day 5(Wednesday) KOLHAPUR

Watch the hinterlands of Maharashtra sweep past as you relish breakfast. Enjoy time at leisure as the Deccan Odyssey rolls into Kolhapur, a city of many hidden treasures, all waiting to be discovered!

After an early lunch on board you will disembark for a tour of the city.

Visit the New Palace Museum, a lovely basalt and sandstone octagonal Palace from the 19th century. Behold its beautiful architecture and memorabilia of the Kolhapur rulers. Continue to the Town Hall Museum, a somber neo-Gothic building, its front porch flanked by towers with steeply pyramidal metal roofs.

Explore the local markets for a pair of beautifully handcrafted Kolhapuri chappals that you can carry back with you as a souvenir, before you proceed to a special venue for tea followed by Lavanya Sandhya, a vibrant folk performance.

You will then visit the 1300 year old Mahalakshmi temple, also called Shakti Pethas, or place associated with the Goddess Shakti, said to be the consort of Lord Vishnu. Following your temple visit, witness a traditional martial arts performance called ‘Mardani Khel’ literally translated to mean masculine games.

After your sojourn into Kolhapur, you return to the Deccan Odyssey for dinner as we depart for India’s most happening destination – Goa

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner on board

Overnight on Deccan Odyssey

Day 6(Thursday) GOA

Today you arrive at Goa, India’s smallest state, with strong Portuguese influences, having been a colony of Portugal till as late as 1961.

After breakfast, you will disembark and drive to Fontainhas, the Latin Quarters in Panjim which still has some well preserved houses built in Portuguese style architecture. Experience the UNESCO World Heritage Walk around Fontainhas with its winding alleyways adorned by tiled-roofed houses in spectacular shades of blue and red.

Continue to Ribandar, the erstwhile capital of Goa, for a walk through ancient churches and the ruins of the once lofty St. Augustine tower that continues to valiantly withstand the vagaries of nature.

Drive to the Sahakari spice plantation for a traditional Goan feast, a meal that has Hindu origins but is heavily influenced by 400 years of Portuguese rule and pays ode to the fruits of the Arabian sea – shrimps, kingfish and mackerel washed down with some ‘feni’, a potent liquor made from cashew. After lunch, enjoy a Goan folk performance and a tour of the plantation.

Enjoy your evening with a visit to the most sought out aspect of Goa – one of its world famous beaches. Relax, unwind and marvel at the serenity and dynamism of the winds and the waves.

OR indulge in an optional visit to an Old Portuguese house and get another peek into Goan life.

Return to the Deccan Odyssey for dinner as it departs for Sindhudurg traversing through the Konkan, one of the most scenic railway routes in the country, bound by the Arabian Sea on the West and Sahyadri hills on the East, a marvelous feat of engineering, that made it possible to tunnel the tracks through the seemingly insurmountable hills.

Breakfast on board; Lunch at the spice plantation; High Tea at Palacio de deao; Dinner on board

Overnight on Deccan Odyssey

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on board.

Overnight on Deccan Odyssey

Day 7(Friday) SINDHUDURG

Arrive in Sindhudurg which lies on a rocky island just off the coast of Malvan.

A visit to Sindhudurg’s Pinguli village and Sawantwadi Palace is on the cards today. Get a glimpse of the traditional Thakar folk arts and crafts at the local museum, and then head towards the Sawantwadi Palace for a delicious luncheon.

Enjoy dinner on board as the Deccan Odyssey makes its way back to Mumbai

Breakfast & Dinner on board, Lunch in the Sawantwadi Palace.

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	31
November, 2020	21
December, 2020	05
January, 2021	16
February, 2021	06 & 20
March, 2021	13
April, 2021	10 & 24
May, 2021	–

Maharashtra Splendor 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.