Welcome to the mesmerizing Maharashtra experience aboard the luxurious Deccan Odyssey - Pan India Tour.
The weeklong Deccan Odyssey - Pan India Tour includes several exotic destinations covering the vast expanse of Maharashtra and North India. Covering Mumbai, Aurangabad, Udaipur, Sawai Modhopur, Jaipur, Agra and Delhi
The Deccan Odyssey Luxury Train project is a joint venture of the Ministry of Railway, Government of India and MTDC (Maharashtra Tourist Development Corporation). The Deccan Odyssey has been benchmarked against the best luxury trains in the world like the Blue Train of South Africa, The Orient Express of Europe and the Eastern and Oriental of South East Asia.
The Deccan Odyssey's sheer luxury is a sight to behold. Everything in the train reflects the ways of Indian Royalty - "Maharaja". The plush interiors, an awesome cuisine and grate sites to see makes the journey memorable. Welcome aboard!
Deccan Odyssey has 21 coaches out of which 11 are passenger cars with 4 coupes each. There are 2 Presidential Suite Cars with 2 coupes per car. 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.
Fine Indian and Continental cuisine is served on board in two restaurant cars. The high level of on-board service is delivered by one of the prestigious hotel chain of India.
Conference Room with capacity to host 50 guests with facility for satellite communication, Internet, computer with printer and fax, and telephone exchange
• Library
• Bar
• Channel Music
• Ayurvedic Massage Centre
• Steam Bath
• Gymnasium
• Beauty Parlour
• Business Centre
• Special Suite for Physically challenged
• Fully loaded mini pantry in each coach
• Telephone in each saloon
• Television in each coach
• Plasma TV in Lounge Car
• PA System/ 6 Channel Music System
• Lounge in each passenger car
Saturday
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 Hidden Treasures of Gujarat 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 Vadodara.
Sunday
As you enjoy breakfast this morning the Deccan Odyssey arrives at the capital of the Gaekwads, Vadodara, located
along the seasonal river Vishwamitri.
Breakfast over, you will disembark and proceed to visit Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, a UNESCO
World Heritage site and the only complete and unchanged pre-Mughal Islamic city in India. This concentration of
largely unexcavated archaeological, historic and living cultural heritage properties is cradled in an impressive
landscape. Marvel at the Jami Masjid (Great Mosque) built in 1513 representing a perfect blend of Hindu and
Muslim architecture which was a model for later mosque architecture in India.
Drive back to Vadodara for a leisurely lunch on board the Deccan Odyssey.
After lunch, you will visit the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum, originally constructed as a school for the Maharaja's children. Today, art lovers can view a large number of works of art displayed in the museum including a collection of the paintings of Raja Ravi Varma and other renowned European Masters as well as a collection of sculptures in marble and bronze.
Enjoy high tea at the resplendent Laxmi Vilas Palace, built in 1890, and the residence of the Royal family even today. Reputedly four times the size of Buckingham Palace, its overwhelming Durbar Hall boasts a Venetian mosaic floor, Belgian stained glass windows and walls with intricate mosaic decorations. The palace also houses a remarkable collection of old armoury and sculptures in bronze, marble & terracotta by Fellici. Witness a folk performance typical of the region as you savour some of the special delicacies from the Royal kitchens.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner onboard; High tea at Laxmi Vilas Palace
Monday
Rise early this morning and after breakfast head out to explore one of the world's largest temple complexes, Palitana,
famed for its spectacular cluster of Jain temples exquisitely carved in marble.
Spend the day exploring the most significant of the over 900 temples located on a hilltop at Palitana - considered to
be the most sacred pilgrimage spot of the Jains.
After a full morning with the Jain Tirthankars, return to the Deccan Odyssey for a sumptuous lunch as it makes its
way to Sasan Gir, the sole home of the Asiatic Lion.
The afternoon 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.
Tuesday
Wake up to a golden dawn and after an early breakfast disembark for your drive to Sasan Gir - The Gir Forest
National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary. A guide will accompany you for your morning game drive into the Gir forest;
keep your fingers crossed for a sighting of the majestic and extremely rare Asiatic lion! Experience the magic of the
wild all around you as you venture deep into this natural habitat, with everything from tiny wild birds, not easily
seen, but heard, singing in the forest canopy, to crocodiles sunning themselves in marshy waters.
After the excitement of the morning, enjoy a relaxed lunch at the Gateway hotel before heading back into the forest for your next adventure.
As the afternoon melts into evening it is time to head back to the Deccan Odyssey where you can relax with a drink before dinner on board, as the Deccan Odyssey sets off for the Little Rann of Kutch.
Wednesday
Breakfast at the first blush of dawn today as the Deccan Odyssey pulls into the Viramgam station where you will
disembark to drive to a stop over point and transfer to jeeps for a safari into the deceptively named Little Rann of
Kutch.
The Rann is a seasonal salt marsh, the largest in the world at over 7500 sq. km, a saline desert where the dry air whips your face, mirages abound and parched earth unfolds as far as the eye can see. During the monsoons, these arid flatlands fill with water creating a still, salty sea.
Explore the Rann on your jeep safari; the Wild Ass Sanctuary here is one of the few places to spot the ghudkar, or Indian wild ass. Other species here include the desert fox, jungle cat, jackal and several birds. Since there is virtually no vegetation for animals to hide behind, they are easy to spot while driving around.
After your visit to the sanctuary, lunch will be at the Rann Riders Resort with time to relax and refresh yourselves. Enjoy the regional specialties of the Maliks of Rann, and delicious Gujarati fare in this charming resort surrounded by the desert.
Spend some time walking around and meeting the other species of the lodge which include the unique to the region Marwari and Kathiawari horses.
Having taken in your share of this great white vastness, return to the Deccan Odyssey for dinner and head for Patan.
Breakfast & Dinner on board; Lunch at the Rann Riders Safari Resort.
Thursday
This morning the Deccan Odyssey rolls into Patan, the 8th century fortified town, the capital of Gujarat in medieval
times.
Breakfast over, disembark and drive to the sun temple at Modhera. This grand, awe-inspiring 11th century
sandstone monument was built by the Solanki dynasty and is dedicated to the sun god. The complex is full of
elaborate carvings and the resident priest enjoys explaining the legends they depict. A step tank in front of the
temple has 108 shrines that lead down to the water.
After visiting the sun temple, drive to Patan to visit the lovely 11th century step well called Rani ki Vav, a fine example of subterranean well architecture. Walk down into the depths of this extravagant step well, one of the biggest in Gujarat, passing hundreds of delicate carvings and statues of Parvati, Shiva, Vishnu and other gods etched into its side walls. It is evident that this well was constructed not just to store water but was also a site for worship and community gatherings.
Thereafter, visit Patola house, the centre of the Salvi family’s traditional craft, the creating of exquisite silk Patola sarees. Weavers since the 12th century, the Salvi’s have enjoyed the patronage of the royalty of Gujarat as the sarees created by them have gained the reputation of works of art.
Having visited Patola house, drive back to the Deccan Odyssey for lunch on board. The afternoon is at leisure as you proceed towards Ahmedabad.
After the utensils museum, it is time for your lovely themed dinner at the Vishalla Village restaurant. With no closed rooms or halls, lanterns used instead of artificial lighting, fresh open air replacing air-conditioners, folk songs being sung, muddy lanes and homely food served on a tree leaf, your servers welcome you dressed in dhotis and topis. Sit legs crossed Indian style and allow the servers to overwhelm you with the endless rounds of mouth watering Gujarati cuisine
After dinner return to the Deccan Odyssey which will be stationed at Ahmedabad for the night.
Friday
Rise early this morning and after breakfast disembark to explore some more of the beautifully planned city of old
Ahmedabad or Amdavad, as it was called.
Later visit the serene Sabarmati Ashram, built by Mahatma Gandhi, which played a pivotal role in India’s fight for freedom.
Return to the Deccan Odyssey for lunch as it pulls out for the last leg of your journey.
Saturday
Early this morning, after breakfast, you will disembark at Delhi Cantt Railway Station, New Delhi.
Bid farewell to the Deccan Odyssey as your royal passage through the grand vistas of India comes to an end. Breakfast on board
The Deccan Odyssey will immerse your senses to soak in India’s vibrant hues, embarking on a majestic voyage unfolding a valiant past of the legendary Marathas. Traversing across magnificent landscapes, its sprawling forts, palaces, and beautifying experiences, the Deccan Odyssey offers you a peek into the Indian soul, redefining the art of elegant travel, en route exotic destinations via Ganpatipule, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Goa, Pune, Ajanta and Ellora(Aurangabad). Spread out into 21 coaches that facilitate 4 coupes each and 2 Presidential Suite Cars, it has a lounge and a state of the art Spa Car too.
• Visit the World Heritage Site of Champaner-Pavagadh
• Admire the historic monuments at Palitana and Modhera
• A Kodak moment with the Asiatic Lions in Sasan Gir
# The tariff is inclusive of cost of travel, accommodation, all meals, sightseeing tours, entrance fee
(excluding video camera fee) for monuments & palaces and entertainment.
# Tariff does not include liquor, laundry and other items of personal nature.
• All Costs are in US Dollars
• The above costs are per cabin per Journey
• Presidential Suite can accommodate up to 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children
• (Applicable for Children below 12 years)
• Government Service tax of 3.57% is additional and will be charged extra on the published tariff
• Prices are subject to change incase of any amendment in the routing or other hikes such as fuel, taxes etc.
• Child rates are applicable from 6 to 12 years.
INCLUSION :
• Accommodation in double / twin bedded cabin with en suite bathrooms
• Soft Beverages during meals(B, L,D)
• Valet Service
• Still Camera fees
• Guided off train excursions and game drives as illustrated in the itinerary - inclusive of entrance fees, park fees, transport and services of an English speaking local guide
EXCLUSIONS:
• Taxes, Insurance , Gratuities
• Laundry, Alcoholic Beverages, Soft beverages during non meal hours
• Video and professional Still Camera fees
• Arrival and Departure transfers
• International and Domestic air tickets
• Pre and Post tour accommodation and any tour extensions unless specifically mentioned as a part of the journey
Booking Policy:
30% of ticket value at the time of confirming the booking.
Remaining 80% of ticket value 60 days prior to departure.
5% of ticket value 60 days or more prior to departure.
20% of ticket value between 59 to 16 days prior to departure.
100% of ticket value 15 days prior to departure.
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.
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