Maharashtra Wild Trail
The Train
The Deccan Odyssey is a special luxury train based on the model of Palace on Wheels. In addition to being a train that touches tourist spots, this aims to be a complete 5-star hotel on wheels.
General Information
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.
Deccan Odyssey Train operates on six different 7 Nights circuits that includes several exotic destinations covering the vast expanse of Maharashtra and North India. Covering Mumbai, Aurangabad, Udaipur, Sawai Modhopur, Jaipur, Agra and Delhi.
Coaches
The Deccan Odyssey comprises 21 superlative, royal coaches. Eleven of these contain the guest cabins and are named after significant regions of Maharashtra. Each cabin on the Deccan Odyssey is spacious and equipped with every modern amenity to make sure that your journey is comfortable and memorable. The cabins are elegantly designed to reflect the various eras of the Deccan dynasties, beginning your introduction to the Deccan region of India. Each coach has four cabins and a common lounge.
The Deccan Odyssey also offers four resplendent Presidential Suites, the pinnacle of style and sophistication, with exquisite decor and all modern amenities.
To help our differently abled guests to enjoy their journey on Deccan Odyssey, we offer a specially equipped cabin for their comfort. Peshwa 1
| Cabin Type | Description | Occupancy | No. of Cabins |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double | Queen Size Bed | Double | 13 |
| Twin | Single bed X 2 | Double / Single | 15 |
| Triple | Single bed X 2 + An attached foldable bunker | Double /Single/Triple | 15 |
| Disable | Sofa cum bed + An attached foldable bunker | Double / Single | 1 |
| Total no of cabins | 44 |
Nala and Ruchi Restaurants
The train has two restraints in board that dish out vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisines. The vegetarian restaurant is named after Nala the mythological chef. While the non-vegetarian restaurant Ruchi means fine taste in Sanskrit, the language of ancient India. The interior décor of the restaurants is based in the ruins of Hampi and Halebid. The restaurants have two/four seater cabins that ensure privacy and comfort during your meals.
Peshwa 1 and Peshwa 2 Restaurants
In keeping with the tradition of royal repasts, the Deccan Odyssey has two gourmet restaurants on board, Peshwa 1 and Peshwa 2, which ensure that the cuisine keeps pace with the train’s journey. Chefs whip up the local specialties of each of the very diverse states that the train makes its way through, so you experience every new location with all your senses – taste buds included. There is also a continental menu at each meal.
Conference Coach
The Deccan Odyssey ensures that even while traveling amongst the historical sites in Karnataka, its privileged passengers do not let their work suffer. The train has all the modern facilities and equipments that make it an office on the move. The train has a separate conference coach that has a seating capacity for up to thirty business leaders. The coach also has a forty two inch LCD television and offers high speed internet connection so as to allow its passengers connected with the world outside.
Mumbai-Hi – Bar
The well-stocked bar, called the Mumbai-Hi, will keep you in high spirits through this incredible journey. It’s the perfect place to try Indian snacks and swap stories with your fellow travelers.
Samwad – Conference Coach
The train has all the modern facilities and equipments that make it an office on the move. The train has a separate conference coach that has a seating capacity for up to thirty business leaders. The coach also has a forty two inch LCD television and offers high speed internet connection so as to allow its passengers connected with the world outside.
Plumeria – Spa
The Deccan Odyssey comes equipped with a delightful spa, “Plumeria”, with well-trained masseurs to help you relax your body after a long day of exploration. Using ancient Indian techniques and skills, the salon is a great place for some pampering and sprucing up.
Duration: 7 Nights & 8 Days
Operational Season: October to April
Destinations Covered
Mumbai-Aurangabad-Pench (Ramtek)-Tadoba-Ajanta -Nashik – Mumbai
Itinerary
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 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 a World Heritage Site. Dinner and overnight on board.
As you enjoy breakfast, the Deccan Odyssey arrives at Aurangabad, named after the Mughal king Aurangzeb, today industrial town in Maharashtra and the stop from where you 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.
The morning on board is at leisure or you may choose the option of enjoying a relaxing massage at a 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, this 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 BC, 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.
Overnight on board.
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 famous Taj Mahal. 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 14th 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 Mumbai-Hi before dinner is served.
Overnight on board.
Wake up before the sun this morning as the Deccan Odyssey rolls back into Chandrapur 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 Chandrapur 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 Jalgaon to visit the exquisite Ajanta Caves.
Overnight on board.
After breakfast, the Deccan Odyssey arrives at the Jalgaon station this morning from where 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 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.
Overnight on board.
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 ‘methode 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 fine 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.
Dinner and overnight on board.
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.
