Indian Rail Adventure - Maharashtra Splendour

Your adventure commences in Mumbai, exploring the British history, its rich past that still has strong footprints embedded in the city’s daily life, from the world largest washing launderette to neo classic buildings, the British Train Station and much more.

Boarding a luxury train at India busiest train station and leaving the organized chaos of the city behind, while being able to absorb a journey you are travelling through many window frames which are changing all the time.

Having the ability to not only look through the windows of culture, but exploring and touching India’s daily life, waking up to new cities, smells and cultures that perhaps are far away from what many of us experience every day! 

Day 1/2 Depart UK/Arrive Mumbai 

Transfer time from Mumbai International Airport to the Hotel is approx. 1 hour.

(Depending on time of arrival and traffic).

Meet and Greet by your hosts WingsItaly and then a private transfer to your hotel.

Please note – depending on arrival time it may not be possible to check in to your hotel straight away so we may stop off on the way to the hotel.

Group evening meal at your own expense will be arranged.

Day 3 City Sight Seeing

After breakfast your day will be full of exploring in the city all near the location of your hotel, it’s a full day sightseeing (a group lunch at your own expense can be arranged).

Here are some of the highlights of the day (if time permits!)

Fort Heritage Walk - This is a great way to explore Mumbai’s British history and architecture. The ‘Fort’ refers to a fort built by the British East India Company, hugging the eastern coast, which was demolished in the 1860’s. Walking enables you to see a variety of historic landmarks in different styles of architecture. Each building tells a fascinating story about those who built it, and the historic events associated with it.

The Prince of Wales Museum - Founded in the early 20th century by prominent citizens of Bombay commemorating the visit of Prince of Wales; the building is constructed in the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture, incorporating elements of styles of architecture like the Mughal, Maratha and Jain. The museum is surrounded by a garden of palm trees and flower beds.The museum houses approximately 50,000 exhibits of ancient Indian history.

Marine Drive - Marine Drive is a 3km long, six lane road in southern Mumbai which stretches north along the coastline, forming a natural bay. This C-shaped road links Nariman Point to Babulnath and is situated at the foot of Malabar Hill. The scenic beauty of the perfectly lined palm trees offers its visitors an enthralling experience. Marine Drive is also referred to as 'Queen's necklace', because the streetlights make the road look like a string of pearls and create an illusion of a necklace, at night.

Mani Bhawan- Home to Gandhi

Mani Bhavan is a simple old-style building & was home to Mahatma Gandhi when he visited Mumbai, it is now a museum and research centre. Visitors can view the room that Gandhi occupied, its Picture Gallery, the Library Hall and the Terrace from where he was arrested.

Dhobi Ghat- World largest launderette

Mahalaxmi dhobi ghat was formed in 1890 to service the city's large English and Parsi population. It's owned by the council, which charges the washermen rent and maintenance costs for the troughs. Most of the washermen are migrants from other parts of India. There are hundreds of them who live at the dhobi ghat, and their families have been doing the washing work for decades. The dhobi ghat is actually a registered organization, called the “Dhobi Kalyan and Audyogik Vikas Co-op Society” and it even appears in the Guinness Book of Records. In March 2011, it achieved the world record for the largest number of people (496) simultaneously hand-washing clothes at a single location.

Crawford Market - Crawford Market has been at the centre of market life in South Mumbai since it was built in the days of the British Raj. Completed in 1869, this indoor marketplace was the first building in India to be lit up by electricity in 1882.

Colaba Market - Originally built in mid-19th Century to connect the isolated Old Women’s Island to Mumbai. Now this road is famous for its up-market retail shops, everything from electronic goods, cosmetics, music, it also is famous for a book stall dating back several decades, small shops artifacts, shawls, carpets , antiques and even slippers!

Gateway of India - The Gateway of India is a monument built during the British Raj in Mumbai, it is located on the waterfront in South Mumbai, overlooking the Arabian Sea. The structure was erected to commemorate the landing of King George V and Queen Mary when they visited India in 1911. Built in Indo-Saracenic style, the foundation stone for the Gateway of India was laid in 1911, the construction of the monument was completed in 1924.

Day 4 After breakfast checkout and private transfer to board the Train

Deccan Odyssey Train - Maharashtra Splendour Tour how better to start this epic journey at the famous CST Railway Station where you board the train.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site was designed by Frederick William Stevens with influences from Victorian Italianate Gothic Revival architecture and traditional Mughal buildings. Built in 1887 to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria, it is the busiest railway station in India, serving as a terminal for long-distance trains and commuter trains, it has now been renamed as Chhatrapati Shivaji Rail Terminus. Here you will have a guided tour approx. 1 hour .

It here in the chaos of this vibrant station that you will board one of the leading luxury trains in India, The Deccan Odyssey, set to take you on a royal journey through the most beautiful destinations of this region of India. The itinerary includes visit to the Wine capital of India- Nashik, colourful Kolhapur, Goa, Aurangabad and Jalgaon known for UNESCO World Heritage Sites Ajanta & Ellora Caves and the holy city of Ratnagiri.

At the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in the late afternoon your guides will be at hand completing the registration process for the Maharashtra Splendour journey. Once onboard enjoy a traditional welcome and later a refreshing welcome drink. Relax into your cabins and then it’s your first dinner on board.

Day 5 The holy city of Nashik

Breakfast onboard, then disembark with a stroll along the Godavari Ghats. Observe different Hindu rituals being performed at the Ghat. Continue through the market set by the Ghats. 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. Explore the classic well-known 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 favourite wine with delicious food. After enjoying your lunch, return to the Deccan Odyssey, as it departs for Aurangabad. Dinner on board.

Day 6 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. 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 centre 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. Lunch back on board. Relax and then the Deccan Odyssey departs for Jalgaon. Dinner on board.

Day 7 Ajanta Caves, another UNESCO World Heritage site

The site has 30 rock-cut Buddhist caves that are carved and feature sculptures and paintings of Buddhist religious art. These paintings and sculptures depict universal pictorial art. lunch onboard the Deccan Odyssey as it leaves for the colourful city of Kolhapur.  Take some rest for the day and enjoy recreational activities onboard. Watch a movie, enjoy a game of carrom, or a relaxing massage in the spa on board. In the evening, enjoy your favourite drink with dinner. Dinner on board & overnight on Deccan Odyssey.

Day 8 The city of Kolhapur.

Breakfast onboard, then disembark for a city tour of Kolhapur after having your lunch onboard.

Visit to the New Palace Museum a beautiful octagonal Palace dating 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 sombre neo-Gothic building. Go for some shopping at the local market of Kolhapur. Buy yourself a pair of beautifully handcrafted Kolhapur 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 to the Deccan Odyssey for dinner. The Deccan Odyssey departs for India's party capital, Goa. Dinner on board & Overnight on Deccan Odyssey. 

Day 9 Goa

Have your breakfast and then on 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 capital of Goa. Take a walk-through ancient church 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 routes as the Deccan Odyssey transverses through the Konkan region. Dinner on board. Overnight on Deccan Odyssey.

Day 10 Sindhudurg, placed on a rugged island, just off the coast of Malvan

Savor breakfast on-board the train. Later, disembark the Deccan Odyssey 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 11 Disembark and return flights to the UK

It’s an early morning breakfast and then disembarking back at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Railway Station, Mumbai. Saying goodbye to your royal passage the Deccan Odyssey as your adventures comes not to an end, but, a start of a new beginning with many memories of windows, travelled , explored and lived. Transfer back to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

Your home for the 7-night adventure is the Deccan Odyssey Train

Echoing the penchant of the Maharajas, all the 12 guest accommodation coaches of Deccan Odyssey are fitted with cozy furniture and personalized guest amenities. Complemented by the very best of personal services, travelling on the private cabins of this deluxe rail is a unique rail tour experience in India. When you travel in these elegant class cabins of the train, you can feel that the inside décor reflects several moods to suit the outside views of the landscape.

All the cabins are spacious enough where guests can roam freely. The decoration of each coach reflects a particular era of the Deccan milieu and is creatively outfitted with facilities like personal safe, telephone, attached bathroom, air-conditioning and a personal attendant on the round the clock service of the guests.

DECCAN ODYSSEY FACILITIES

The perfect touch of delicacy and royalty can be seen in every detail of the Deccan Odyssey. The state-of-the-art amenities available onboard this royal Indian train makes every day a unique experience for travellers. Facilities onboard Deccan Odyssey covers an array of services that include regal class cabins, multi-cuisines restaurants, a sitting lounge, high-tech conference car and a rejuvenating health spa.

Since its initiation, this luxury Indian train has refurbished its facilities and services from time to time so that a better experience can be shared with travellers. The introduction of more high-tech amenities in the later period made the journey more alluring. With the introduction of the Deccan Odyssey, a tour to Maharashtra on the rolling iron wheel gets more exciting and mesmerizing.

The Deccan Odyssey has two multi-cuisine restaurants- Waavar & Utsav. The brilliantly decorated interiors of these restaurants add on more flavours to each gourmet dish served by the restaurant stewards in traditional Maharashtrian attire. The large selection of Indian, oriental and continental delicacies offers the travellers the freedom to choose their favourite one from the list. The fresh aroma of varied dishes welcomes the guests to the restaurant cart of Deccan Odyssey. The relaxed ambience of the restaurants, the fragile hospitality of the stewards and the ever-changing views of the outside world make the guests savour each bite of their food to its fullest extent. Each day you are treated to new delights. The menu keeps changing according to the landscape and the region.

The bar of Deccan Odyssey, Mumbai Hi, is the ultimate place to taste some of the best varieties of wines and spirits collected from all around the world. Along with that the bar also serves non-alcoholic beverages in a relaxing ambience.

The train also has a sitting lounge where guests can relax and chat with their fellow travellers while on the go. You can also pick up a book available in this lounge.

Every voyager expects their traveling days to be relaxing and in Deccan Odyssey we understand this need quite well. The health spa centre onboard gives the voyagers a chance to discover the refreshing side of your personality and appearance with pampering spa and massage therapies.

Deccan Odyssey Train Tour includes:

• Traditional Indian Welcome at Time of Check in;
• Overnight travel & stay in luxuriously furnished cabins with attached bathrooms;
• Daily three meals with bed tea/coffee service;
• Bottled drinking water;
• Group sightseeing tours & excursions in Air-conditioned buses with English speaking guide;
• Monument entrance fees, complimentary use of dongle connected Wi-Fi;
• Complimentary use of onboard Mini-Gym Facility. 
• Two glasses of complimentary local wine per day 

Provisional flight information

19/03/25 London Heathrow T5 to Mumbai T2 Dep: 1625 Arr: 0655(+1)

30/03/25 Mumbai T2 to London Heathrow T5 Dep: 0930 Arr: 1455

19/03/25 Edinburgh to London Heathrow T5 Dep: 1110 Arr: 1245

19/03/25 London Heathrow T5 to Mumbai T2 Dep: 1625 Arr: 0655(+1)

30/03/25 Mumbai T2 to London Heathrow T5 Dep: 0930 Arr: 1455

30/03/25 London Heathrow T5 to Edinburgh Dep: 1650 Arr: 1815

19/03/25 Manchester to London Heathrow T5 Dep: 1210 Arr: 1325

19/03/25 London Heathrow T5 to Mumbai T2 Dep: 1625 Arr: 0655(+1)

30/03/25 Mumbai T2 to London Heathrow T5 Dep: 0930 Arr: 1455

30/03/25 London Heathrow T5 to Manchester Dep: 1650 Arr: 1755

NB - Flights from Manchester & Edinburgh are indirect.

Passport validity

For UK passport holders your passport must be:

• Issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’)
• valid for at least 6 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

You must check your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date

• 2 clear blank pages for your visa

Travel Insurance

Please ensure that you have adequate personal travel insurance to suit your requirements in place before you travel. Spice Escapes have arranged a scheme with Staysure who are fully authorised and regulated by the FCA (firm reference number 663617) full details of which can be found on the FCA website www.fca.org.uk. For an instant online quotation please click here.

The latest FCO travel guidance for India

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/india

Indian Evisa - https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html