Palace Tours − Luxury Tours Collection the Deccan Odyssey − Luxury Roundtrip Journey from Mumbai the Deccan Odyssey − Luxury Roundtrip Journey from Mumbai
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Palace Tours − Luxury Tours Collection The Deccan Odyssey − Luxury Roundtrip Journey from Mumbai The Deccan Odyssey − Luxury Roundtrip Journey from Mumbai This Royal Indian train has been benchmarked against the best luxury trains in the world, such as the Blue Train of South Africa, The Orient Express of Europe, and the Eastern and Oriental of South East Asia. The Deccan Odyssey takes you on a week−long journey to some of the best places in Maharashtra in southwest India. ITINERARY Children between 5−12 years of age at time of travel enjoy 50% tariff Infants under age 5 at time of travel are complimentary Your tariff includes: • 07 Nights accommodation on board the Deccan Odyssey • All meals daily (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and bottled water • Transportation and sightseeing by air conditioned deluxe coaches • Services of an English speaking guide for all sightseeing tours • Entrance fees and still camera charges at monuments, palaces, boat cruises, etc. during the tour Your tariff does not include: • Domestic or international airfare • Travel insurance or visa fees • Liquor, soft drinks, juices, wine or beer • Video camera fees at monuments, palaces and temples • Laundry services, additional toiletries, gratuities, souvenirs or any items of a personal nature • Use of the Spa, telephones and business center facilities • Any services in Mumbai such as sightseeing, transfers to/from CST station, or hotel accommodations • Any items not specifically mentioned as included. *A 10% surcharge is levied on departures during Christmas and/or New Year. Above rates are inclusive of the surcharge and all taxes. Any leg of minimum of 2 nights subject to availability will be given at the current per−night rates. Mumbai−Goa and Goa−Mumbai sector are sold as available segments to clients. However, if the client undertakes the day program at Goa and/or Mumbai, an extra $135 USD per person plus tax at each location will be charged. • Day 1 − Welcome to Mumbai Wednesday: Mumbai is a city of dreams that 300 years ago was an agglomeration of seven islands. A short drive through the city reveals that modern Mumbai still preserves its antiquities as well. Board the Deccan Odyssey train in the late afternoon at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, undoubtedly one of the most 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 through Maharashtra. 1 • Day 2 − Behold Sindhudurg Fort and relax at Tarkarli beach resort Thursday: Alight the train this morning at the Sindhudurg Nagari Railway station and transfer to Malvan Jetty for a comfortable boat ride. Enjoy the mesmerizing view of flora, birds and caressing waves on the ride to Sindhudurg Fort, strategically located on a rocky island. Marvel at the craftsmanship of the solid structure of this one−time naval base which is of the best−preserved forts of the Marathas and dates back to the year 1664. Apart from the huge stones, other building material involved 2000 khandis (72,576 kg) of iron, comprising the massive curtain wall and bastions. A notable feature is that the foundation stones were laid down firmly in molten lead. Later this afternoon, proceed to Tarkarli beach resort via luxury A/C bus. The virgin beach of Tarkarli boasts soft silver sands, pristine clear waters, and a wonderful location at the confluence of the river Karli and the Arabian Sea. The wide river, beautiful sailboats, tiny islands and hamlets at the river bank all contribute to the picture−postcard beauty of Tarkarli. Enjoy a relaxed lunch, after which you have some free time to unwind in this idyllic setting. Your next stop is Dhamapur village, stopping en route to visit a Cashew factory. At Dhamapur, visit the ancient temple of Goddess Bhagawati and Bharadi Devi situated on the banks of a beautiful lake. Rejoin the train at Kudal Railway Station and enjoy dinner on board. • Day 3 − History, culture and tradition come alive at Goa Friday: As the train pulls into Goa's Karmali station, get ready to explore an exotic destination frequented by tourists from all corners of the globe. Admire the lush green fields surrounding villages and hamlets and white washed churches standing out against occasional empty patches of startling red soil. Welcome to Goa, the land of India's finest golden sand beaches, jungle clad hills, imposing ancient churches and elegant mansions, splashed with the colors of bougainvillea. Goa is indeed a great collage of sights, experiences and history. Start off with a tour of Old Goa as you take a walk amid the ruins of St. Augustine Church, once the largest cathedral in Goa. You may also visit the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Se Cathedral and the Church of St. Francis of Assisi which began as a mosque but now is an archaeological museum for Goan antiques. It's time for an afternoon laced with heady traditional music, dance and finger−licking Goan delicacies. Visit Fontanhas, the Latin quarters at Panjim, the state capital, before returning to the train at Verna railway station. Enjoy lunch on board and spend your afternoon at leisure before departing by bus to a beach hotel. Here, enjoy a scrumptious traditional meal and return to the waiting train at Madgaon railway station later this evening. No matter how much time you spend in Goa, it will always seem like too little. • Day 4 − Prominent temples of Goa Saturday: Enjoy breakfast on board followed by a sightseeing tour of Mahalasa Temple, one of the most popular temples in Goa and is visually appealing and amplified by the six−storied 'Deepstambha' or ornamental lamp pillar in the courtyard. This splendid pillar is 40 feet in height and has 21 rings with 150 lamps. A fascinating spectacle unfolds when it is lit up with oil wicks on the annual festival day or Jatra. Continue on and visit another prominent temple called Mangeshi, set amidst natural beauty and pleasant surroundings. Mangeshi, a little village along Goa's Panaji−Ponda road is not only a point of pilgrimage for the followers of the Lord, it attracts hundreds of tourists from all over India and abroad. Next stop is the Sahakari Spice Farm at Ponda Villa, one of the biggest and finest spice farm in the country. Enjoy a welcome drink and snacks on arrival before a guided tour of the farm and discover a variety of herbal and medicinal trees as the guide explains their medical values. A typical Goan lunch is served at the farm and enjoy some free time in the afternoon. From the farmhouse, proceed to Meneses Branganza House, one of the finest heritage houses in the 16th century. Rejoin the train in Magdaon Railway Station and prepare to depart for your next destination. • Day 5 − Immerse yourself in the heritage of Kolhapur Sunday: Alight the train this morning in Kolhapur, a city with a multifaceted present and a mythical past. Situated on the banks of the river Panchaganga, Kolhapur has survived regimes of various rulers from the legendary past to the modern age; the Satavahana Kings, the Shilaharas, the Marathas and the British have all left their imprint here. Your first stop is at The New Palace, an Indo−Sarecenic architectural marvel that was built in 1881 and houses the Chhatrapati Sahu Museum, a curious array of the former Maharaja's possessions. Next, head to the Bhawani Mandap (the town hall) followed by a trip to the Mahalakshmi Mandir, a temple complex that is artfully adorned with horizontal moldings and 2 vertical offsets, creating a rich light and shade pattern. Travel to Shalini Palace on the west bank of the picturesque Rankala Lake to witness a display of traditional martial arts known locally as "Mardani Khel." Kolhapur is known for its textiles and cottons, and its Kolhapuri saris in particular, but is most famous for its jewelry, leather sandals and chappals. These items and more are displayed at stalls in the Palace, where you have some time for shopping. Return to the train for lunch and spend the remainder of the afternoon on board at leisure as the train travels to Aurangabad via Pune. Enjoy a fabulous dinner as you anticipate the next day's destination: the 6th century. • Day 6 − Revisit the history of Mughal India Monday: This morning as the train passes along the rolling hills and picturesque ruins of the past, you travel way back in time to Aurangabad. After breakfast on the train, a luxury bus takes you to the majestic fortress of Daulatabad. An impregnable defense in its day, it still stands tall and proud, rising dramatically 600 feet above the Deccan Plain. Walk around the ruins, which tell you extraordinary stories of bravery and valor. 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. Your next stop is the Ellora Caves, a World Heritage Site located just 26 km from Aurangabad. Lying on the ancient trade route, the caves are thought to be the work of priests and pilgrims who used the route. Abandoned and forgotten for several centuries, the 34 cave temples and monasteries were excavated out of the vertical face of an escarpment. These 17 Hindu (800−1000 AD), five Jain (1000 −1300 AD) and 12 Buddhist (600 to 700 AD) caves at Ellora are among the finest in India, the latter of which belong to the Vajrayana sect of the Mahayana School. The caves include 'viharas' (monasteries) and 'chaityas' (chapels) where the monks worshipped.