This article is second of the seven part series – ‘Luxury trains of India’.
About The Deccan Odyssey – The Maharajas of yore travelled in luxury. The Deccan Odyssey is designed to give you the exact experience of travelling like a Maharaja of the kingdoms of Deccan. On board The Deccan Odyssey, you get to travel a bit more than a maharaja because you also get to enjoy the luxury of a spa, lounge and dining halls while travelling.
After the enormous success of Palace on Wheels, the government of Maharashtra conceptualized the Deccan Odyssey to cover various destinations and grand history of Maharashtra. The designs were initiated in 2002, and the train was completed in later part of 2003. It is often called the blue limousine and its design is aligned with that from Blue train of South Africa.
The 12 residential coaches of Deccan Odyssey are immaculately designed to compliment the mood of various landscapes that you see from your window. An attendant or Khidmatgar is always available to cater to your requirements. You also get the daily newspaper along with the morning tea to remain updated with the latest news.
The in-house restaurants named Peshwa-I and Peshwa-II offer a wide range of cuisine served by the stewards dressed in traditional Maharashtrian attire.
Journeys of the Odyssey – The Deccan Odyssey runs on six different tastefully crafted heritage routes of India across Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan
- Maharashtra Splendor: (Mumbai – Nashik – Ellora caves – Ajanta caves – Kolhapur – Goa – Ratnagiri – Mumbai)
The itinerary includes visit to the Wine capital of India- Nashik, colorful Kolhapur, India’s party capital- Goa, Aurangabad and Jalgaon known for housing UNESCO World Heritage Sites Ajanta & Ellora Caves and the holy city of Ratnagiri. Get ready to travel through the most colorful side of India in a royal passage
- Indian Odyssey: (New Delhi – Sawai Madhopur – Agra – Jaipur – Vadodara – Ellora caves – Mumbai)
While the Ranthambore National Park will thrill you, the Taj Mahal will soothe your senses. On one hand the streets of Udaipur and Jaipur will fill your sight with hues, and then the rusty rugged landscape of Ellora Caves would pick your collar-backs and slowly land you on the land of history. That is just a glimpse of all that Indian Odyssey holds for you. Deccan Odyssey with its luxurious amenities and gracious services is reminiscent of the lifestyle lived by the maharajas in the erstwhile era
- Jewels of the Deccan: (Mumbai – Bijapur – Aihole – Pattadakal – Hampi – Hyderabad – Ellora caves – Ajanta caves – Mumbai)
Deccan Odyssey is all set to take you through the real jewels of India. With Jewels of Deccan, get ready to explore the true beauty of India, that lies in its popular tourist destinations. Visit the historic monuments at Bijapur, seek blessings at holy shrines of Aihole and Pattadakal, enjoy sightseeing at Badami, have a look at the architectural marvels of Hampi, shop for bangles and ittars in Hyderabad and visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites- Ajanta and Ellora Caves. Get an insight of India’s glorious history and rich culture with this royal journey.
- Maharashtra Wild Trail: (Mumbai – Ellora caves – Aurangabad – Pench – Tadoba – Ajanta caves – Nashik)
One of the finest luxury trains of India, Deccan Odyssey, offers a well-planned itinerary of 8 days that takes you to the neighborhoods of Maharashtra, the charming Western Ghats, the majestic Deccan region and the varied stretch of the central region of India. Some of the highlights of the tour include a visit to the world heritage sites of Ajanta and Ellora caves, a visit to the wine capital of India-Nashik, a rendezvous with the wildlife at Pench and Tadoba and more. During the tour, enjoy world-class comforts, a royal treatment and sumptuous food while you are on-board the Deccan Odyssey
- Hidden Treasures of Gujarat: (Mumbai – Vadodara – Palitana – Sasan Gir & Somnath – Little Rann of Kutch – Modhera & Patan – Nashik – Mumbai)
The 8 day Hidden treasures of Gujarat tour is meant to explore the spectacular vistas of this vibrant land in one of India’s most luxurious trains, the Deccan Odyssey. On the royal journey, we wish to take you across the spell binding destinations of Gujarat that include the medieval capital of Vadodra, the holy city of Nashik, the wild sojourn of the Little Rann and pilgrim spots of Palitana
- Indian Sojourn: (Mumbai – Vadodara – Udaipur – Jodhpur – Agra – Sawai Madhopur – Jaipur – Delhi)
Deccan Odyssey, one of the leading luxury trains of India, offers a well-planned itinerary Indian Soujourn, offering a memorable journey for a span of 8 days. The journey offers you a chance to explore some of the best destinations of northern and western India including Vadodara, Udaipur, Agra, Mumbai, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Delhi and Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambore). Some of the highlights of the tour include a rendezvous with the big cats, a visit to the celebrated Taj Mahal, exploring historical architectural gems, a boat ride in the placid waters of Lake Pichola etc. Enjoy a grand welcome, indulge in world-class comforts aboard the Deccan Odyssey, relish sumptuous food, admire the impeccable royal interiors of the train and more
Cost – The cost of one cabin starts from USD 5810 + Service Taxes
Basic Information –
Featured Image: The Deccan Odyssey by Simon Pielow, is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
So, who’s in to get spoiled by luxury?
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Luxury Trains of India – Maharajas’ Express
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About the author:
Gaurav Bhatnagar is a Software Engineer turned professional Travel Writer, Photographer, and Public Speaker on Responsible Travel @ The Spunky Traveler. Published in National Geographic Traveller, The Hindu, Travel Secrets and Huffington Post. Director at The Folk Tales, a company specializing in Responsible Rural Travel in India