info@lotusofindia.com

English

Deccan Odyssey (Weekly departures)

  • Mumbai – Ratnagiri – Sindhudurg – Goa – Pune City – Aurangabad – Ajanta Caves & Nashik – Mumbai
  • 0 booked
  • Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights
  • Language: English
  • Tour type: Indian Rail Tours
  • Transport: Luxury Train, Air-Conditioned Buses, Boats & Road Transfers
  • Accommodation: Luxury Train Cabin
  • Meals: 7 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 7 Dinners (Morning tea, breakfast, lunch, evening tea, and dinner included)
  • Group size: 1 to 39 people

Hightlight tour

Comida West
Rich Cultural Activities
Comida West
Cuisine
Comida West
Sightseeing

Itinerary

1

Day 01: Mumbai

Your memorable journey on the Deccan Odyssey starts from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in Mumbai in the evening at 16.40 hrs. Enjoy tea and dinner served onboard as the train departs.

2

Day 02: Ratnagiri

Arrive at Bhoke Railway Station in the morning. Enjoy breakfast onboard before traveling by air-conditioned bus to Rai Jetty for a boat ride to Jaigad Fort, followed by a scenic drive along the Konkan coast to Ganapatipule beach and a resort lunch. Afterward, visit Ratnadurg Fort, Lokmanya Tilak Smarak, and Ratnagiri Bazaar before returning to the train for dinner and an overnight stay.

3

Day 03: Sindhudurg

Arrive at Sindhudurg Nagari Railway Station in the morning. Travel by bus to Malvan Jetty to visit the Sindhudurg Sea Fort by boat, followed by leisure time at Tarkarli Beach and a creek boat cruise to Kalsa Jetty. Continue to Sawantwadi to shop at the Shilpagrama crafts village before boarding the luxury train for dinner and an overnight stay.

4

Day 04: Goa

Arrive at Karmali Railway Station in the morning and take a bus to Old Goa to visit the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Se Cathedral, and the Church of St. Francis of Assisi. Proceed to Panjim for lunch at Fort Aguada Beach Resort, visit Dona Paula beach and the Latin quarters of Fontanhas, and board the train from Madgaon Railway Station in the evening.

5

Day 05: Pune City

Arrive in Pune, the cultural capital of Maharashtra, in the morning. Take a bus to visit the Kelkar Museum and the Osho Ashram. Enjoy lunch at Hotel Le Meridien, explore the Tribal Museum, drive past the synagogue, visit the Aga Khan Palace, and attend the Sound and Light Show at Shaniwarwada before boarding the train in the evening.

6

Day 06: Aurangabad

Arrive in Aurangabad in the morning. Board a luxury bus to visit Daulatabad Fort and the world-famous Ellora Caves. After lunch at Hotel Taj, visit the Shivaji Museum, Aurangabad Caves No. 7 and 8, and Bibi Ka Maqbara before boarding the train late in the evening.

7

Day 07: Ajanta Caves & Nashik

Arrive at Jalgaon Railway Station in the morning and travel by bus to explore the Buddhist cave temples of Ajanta. Afterward, board the train at Bhusawal Railway Station toward Nashik to visit Panchawati Ghat and Sula Winery Yard. Late at night, board the train for a farewell dinner as it departs for Mumbai.

8

Day 08: Mumbai

Enjoy breakfast onboard as the luxury train arrives back in Mumbai in the morning, concluding your unforgettable journey.

Experience the regal charm of western India aboard the luxurious Deccan Odyssey, journeying from the vibrant city of Mumbai through the historic landscapes of Maharashtra and the pristine beaches of Goa. Guests enjoy world-class hospitality, magnificent heritage excursions, and seamless travel in an exclusive five-star rail experience.

  • Explore: Discover UNESCO World Heritage sites including the rock-cut cave temples of Ellora and Ajanta, historic forts, ancient holy cities, and the cultural capital of Pune.
  • Experience: Indulge in scenic boat cruises along coastal creeks, explore local crafts villages and spice plantations, and relax along the golden beaches of the Konkan coast and Goa.
  • Enjoy: Travel in supreme comfort aboard a luxury train featuring private cabins, fine dining, guided sightseeing tours in air-conditioned coaches, and seamless rail and road transfers.

 

Price includes

  • A guided tour of important places.
  • A two-person English-speaking Travel Director and Driver team with you for the duration of your journey. 
  • Beautifully illustrated souvenir map.
  • Current Hotel Taxes and Service Charges.
  • Entrance tickets to monuments and museums mentioned on the itinerary.
  • Sightseeing and activities as described in your itinerary. 
  • All accommodations – First class or best available hotels in the area based on the hotel price category booked.
  • Breakfast daily and some evening meals as described in your trip itinerary.
  • Meals, unless expressly states.
  • Observation and participation in allowed activities.
  • Professionally guided tour.
  • Arrival and Departure Airport transfers.
  • Transport to and from hotel listed on itinerary
  • Bottled water.

 


 

Price does not include

  • All hotel tips, charges, and local taxes.
  • Departure Taxes.
  • Visa processing arrangements.
  • Extra pre and / or post hotel nights for before and after your trip. These can be booked through Lotus of India and or your Travel Agent and be added during the booking process.
  • Handling fees.
  • Excess baggage charge.
  • Increases in airfares or Government imposed taxes.
  • International Air, unless expressly paid for.
  • Medical Travel  insurance and emergency insurance.
  • Visas and Travel Insurance.
  • Other International and domestic flights not mentioned on the itinerary.
  • Personal expenses.
  • Porterage for a maximum of two bags per person.
  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities.
  • Services not specifically stated in the itinerary.
  • Tips to guide and driver.
  • Optional Experiences. Optional Experiences are additional add-on experiences unique to the destination that are booked and paid for (credit card or cash) when you are on your tour. As Optional Experiences are pre-bookable, this allows you the flexibility to pick and choose what you feel like when you’re on your trip.
  • Any taxi fares or personal spending money including for non-included items, meals.

 


 

Level of Physical fitness required for the Lotus of India tour?

  • A moderate amount of walking is involved at both attractions.
  •  Check recommended level for travelers with back problems or any other issues.
  • Check the dress codes for proper vestments for religious sites or county customs.
  •    Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, comfortable clothes and hiking or tennis shoes.

 


 

Guidelines for Different Religious Sites

Typical Dress Code for Churches and Cathedrals

  • Churches, particularly in Europe, often require covered shoulders and knees. Bringing a scarf or shawl can be handy if you need to cover up quickly.

Dress Codes in Mosques

  • Mosques typically require women to cover their hair with a scarf or hijab and both men and women to wear long pants or skirts. Some mosques provide appropriate attire at the entrance.
  • Typical Dress Code for Temples and Shrines.
  • In Hindu and Buddhist temples, it is respectful to wear long sleeves and long skirts or pants. Removing shoes is often mandatory, and wearing socks might be required in some places.

Tips for Respectful Attire

  • Removing Hats or Headwear
  • While head coverings may be required in some religious sites, hats and caps are generally considered disrespectful and should be removed before entering.

Layering for Comfort and Respect

  • Bringing a lightweight layer, like a cardigan or shawl, allows you to adapt your outfit as needed. This is especially useful when transitioning from a hot climate outside to a cool interior within religious buildings.

Understanding Local Customs

  • Researching or asking about local customs before visiting can prevent unintentional disrespect. Each religious site may have unique expectations regarding dress code.

 


 

Additional Information

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking and payment
  • Tours can be customized, by request with a multi-lingual guides option: (English, Spanish, French, Italian, German and Portuguese).
  • Daily Tours departures times will be announced by your guide a day prior to the tour date.
  • The tour starts times ranges based on the activity booked.
  • Waiver will need to be signed attesting to good health conditions

 

Cancellation and Refunds Policies

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours after booking payment.
  • In the event of cancellation, Traveler should notify Lotus of India in writing at – least 60 days prior to travel.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made after paid booking before the experience’s start date / time will be subject to modification fees.
  • If the experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers ( 2 ). If it’s canceled because the minimum wasn’t met, you’ll be offered options and recalculated prices.
  • A cancellation fee will be charged by Lotus of India for all cancelled bookings, as per the following cancellation terms.

Land Portions Refund Datelines:  ( Hotels, Tours services, Sightseeing tours )

Number of days prior to Departure Cost of Cancellation (Minimum Cancellation after booking)
120 days or more 15% of the total tour cost
119 to 60 days 25% of the total tour cost
59 to 30 days 50% of the total tour cost
Below 30 days 100% of the total tour cost

Map

Frequently Asked Questions - Deposits, Payments & Customers:
  • Foreign travelers often worry about physical strain, especially seniors and couples. Physical comfort is managed proactively rather than reactively. Private tours control walking distances. Vehicles drop travelers close to sites, and visits are planned during less crowded hours.

  • Food concerns are extremely common. Travelers worry about hygiene, food spice levels, and digestive issues. Private tours ensure meals are taken in reputable restaurants and hotels where hygiene standards are controlled. Spice levels are adjusted, and dietary needs are respected. Most food-related problems occur when travelers eat randomly or without guidance.

  • Travel anxiety often peaks around “what if” scenarios. Delays, illness, missed connections, or fatigue worry travelers before booking. Private tours include contingency handling. Drivers, guides and operators respond immediately to changes without traveler involvement. This safety net is one of the strongest reasons foreign travelers choose private tours.

  • Fear of rushed itineraries is common, especially among travelers who have seen aggressive group tour schedules. Private tours are paced according to traveler energy, not preset checklists. Days are balanced, and sightseeing is spread logically. Foreign travelers often say they see less but understand more, which improves satisfaction.

  • India requires more planning than many destinations because of its scale and diversity. Foreign travelers often underestimate travel times, climate differences, and regional variations. Private tour planning absorbs this complexity. Routes are optimized, rest is built in, and seasonal factors are considered. Good planning reduces surprises, which is essential for confidence.

  • There is a misconception that private tours are only for ultra-luxury travelers. Private tours exist across comfort levels. The defining feature is personalization, not price. Even mid-range private tours offer better control and ease than budget independent travel. Luxury private tours simply enhance comfort further through premium hotels and experiences. Foreign travelers choose private tours not to show wealth, but to avoid friction.

Review

0/5
0 Reviews
5 stars
0
4 stars
0
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0

No hay valoraciones aún.

From

    Extras

      Fill up the form below to tell us what you're looking for

      Write a review