MAHARASHTRA SPLENDOR JOURNEY (The Deccan Odyssey)

DAY 01: MUMBAI (ARRIVAL)

Welcome aboard the Deccan Odyssey. Assemble at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus at around 1530 hours to complete the registration process and check in formalities for the Maharashtra Splendor journey. Enjoy a traditional welcome and later savor a refreshing welcome drink.

After completing all the formalities, settle in as the Deccan Odyssey leaves from Mumbai to Nashik. Enjoy dinner onboard and stay overnight.

DAY 02: NASHIK

Deccan Odyssey reaches the holy city of Nashik this morning. Munch your breakfast onboard and then disembark to enjoy a stroll along the Godavari Ghats. Observe different Hindu rituals being performed at the Ghat. Further, walk through the market set by the Ghats. Right from vegetables to cow dung cakes, lentils to dried seafood, everything is sold in the market.

Later, drive towards Grover Zampa vineyards and take a tour into the one of the finest Indian wine producing vineyards. Have a look at the vines lined up with Chenin, Chardonnay and Shiraz grapes. The tour gives you an insight of the ancient methods- 'méthode traditionnelle' that are still used for preparing the best sparkling wines in India. The sommelier at the vineyard will serve you from the finest collections of white, red, rose and sparkling wines. Pair your favorite wine with some delicious food.

After enjoying your lunch, get back to the Deccan Odyssey. Deccan Odyssey leaves for Aurangabad. Dinner on board & Stay overnight on Deccan Odyssey.

DAY 03: AURANGABAD – ELLORA CAVES

This morning, Deccan Odyssey enters Aurangabad, the industrial town of Maharashtra. Taking its name from the last Great Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb, the city features Mughal culture in every nook and corner. Savor your breakfast onboard and then disembark. Start driving towards Ellora Caves, UNESCO World Heritage Site and the star attraction of Aurangabad. One of the finest examples of cave temple architecture in India, the site of Ellora Caves has 34 rock-cut shrines that represent Buddhist, Jain and Hindu art that date back to the 4th and 5th centuries AD. There 12 Buddhist caves to the south, 17 Hindu caves in the center and 5 Jain caves to the north. The star attraction of the caves is Kailash temple, which is believed to be a replica of Lord Shiva's celestial abode on Mt. Kailash. Enjoy Lunch onboard as the Deccan Odyssey. Lay back and relax with your favorite cocktails from the bar onboard. Follow this by some delicious food and take rest. Deccan Odyssey leaves for Jalgaon where you get to visit the spectacular Ajanta Caves. Dinner on board & Overnight on Deccan Odyssey.

DAY 04: AJANTA CAVES

As you treat yourself with delicious breakfast onboard, the Deccan Odyssey arrives at Jalgaon station. Disembark after having your breakfast and start driving to Ajanta Caves, another UNESCO World Heritage site. The site has 30 rock-cut Buddhist caves that are beautifully carved and feature sculptures and paintings of Buddhist religious art. These paintings and sculptures depict universal pictorial art. Savor lunch onboard the Deccan Odyssey as it leaves for the colorful city of Kolhapur. Take some rest for the day and enjoy recreational activities onboard. Watch a movie or enjoy a game of carrom or get a relaxing massage in the spa on board. In the evening, enjoy your favorite drink with dinner. Dinner on board & Overnight on Deccan Odyssey.

DAY 05: KOLHAPUR

Have a look at the surroundings of Maharashtra as the Deccan Odyssey rolls into the city of Kolhapur. Relish breakfast onboard and spend some time at leisure. Disembark for a city tour of Kolhapur after having your lunch onboard. Pay a visit to the New Palace Museum, a beautiful octagonal Palace that dates back to the 19th century. Flip back the pages of Kolhapur's history with the architecture of the palace. Visit the Town Hall Museum, which is a somber neo-Gothic building. Go for some shopping at the local market of Kolhapur. Buy yourself a pair of beautifully handcrafted Kolhapuri chappals, the main attraction of the city. Leave for your special venue where you will be served tea. Enjoy Lavanya Sandhya, a folk performance. Seek blessings at Mahalakshmi temple, 1300 year old temple, also known as Shakti Pethas. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Shakti, the consort of Lord Vishnu. Post this, witness a traditional martial arts performance called 'Mardani Khel'. Return back to the Deccan Odyssey for dinner. The Deccan Odyssey departs for India's party capital, Goa. Dinner on board & Overnight on Deccan Odyssey.

DAY 06: GOA

Today, you arrive in India's most happening state, Goa. Have your breakfast and then get down and begin with Goa's sightseeing tour. Drive to Fontainhas, the Latin Quarters in Panjim that has some well-preserved houses built in complete Portuguese style of architecture. Explore the culture and architecture of the Portuguese with UNESCO World Heritage Walk around Fontainhas. Thereafter, leave for Ribandar, the erstwhile capital of Goa. Take a walk through ancient churches and the ruins of the St. Augustine tower which was once the pride of Goa. Enjoy a drive to the Sahakari spice plantation for a traditional Goan feast which is a meal taking major influence from 400 years Old Portuguese rule. Feni, shrimps, kingfish and mackerel are most important portions of the meal. After lunch, enjoy a Goan folk performance and a tour of the spice plantation. Take a sneak peek into Goan life with a visit to an Old Portuguese house. Go back to the Deccan Odyssey for dinner as it departs leaves for Ratnagiri. Have a look at one of the most scenic railway route as the Deccan Odyssey transverses through the Konkan region. Dinner on board. Overnight on Deccan Odyssey.

DAY 07: SINDHUDURG

On day 7 of the journey, the train enters Sindhudurg, placed on a rugged island, just off the coast of Malvan. Savor breakfast on-board the train. Later, disembark the Deccan Odyssey for exploring the holy town of Sindhudurg. Back to the luxury train for lunch, followed by second leg of sightseeing. Return to the train in the evening. As the train starts its journey back to Mumbai, enjoy dinner. Overnight stay on Deccan Odyssey.

DAY 08: MUMBAI (DEPARTURE)

This early morning, have your breakfast and disembark at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Railway Station, Mumbai. Say goodbye to your royal passage the Deccan Odyssey as your beautiful journey comes to an end.