Train Tour - Deccan Odyssey
Duration : 7 Nights / 8 Days
Destinations : Mumbai - Ratnagiri - Ganapatiphule - Jaigadh - Sindhudurg - Tarkarli Backwaters - Sawantwadi - Goa - Kolhapur - Pune - Aurangabad - Ellora Caves - Jalgaon - Ajanta Caves - Nasik - Mumbai
Day 1 : Depart Bombay – Deccan Odyssey Luxury Train
Board "Deccan Odyssey" from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the train departs at 16:40 hrs. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 2 : Ratnagiri – Ganapatiphule – Jaigadh
Morning - Alight at Ratnagiri Railway Station. Departure by AC bus for Ratnagiri Town excursion. Over view of Thibaw Palace. The next stop is Bhatye view point to watch scenic beauty of Bhatye coast. Pass through the landmarks of town, local markets. Proceed to Ganapatipule Beach. Ratnagiri is a land of Alphonso mango. On way visit to see Mango, Cashew Nut, Mud Apple and Coconut plantation. Lunch & free time at Ganapatiphule beach resort.
Noon (Optional): Tuk-Tuk ride in and around Malgund a small typical coastal village and the native place of the famous poet, Keshav Sut. Visit to memorial of poet; see traditional houses. Late in the afternoon proceed to Jaigadh Jetty for backwater cruise around the 17th century historical fort Jaigadh and Konkan villages alongside of the fort. Board the bus for Ratnagiri railway station. Arrive in Train. Dinner onboard.
Day 3 : Sindhudurg – Tarkarli Backwaters – Sawantwadi
Morning - Alight at the Sindhudurg Nagari Railway station. Departure by AC Bus to Malvan Jetty to witness Sindhudurg the Ocean Fort & one time naval base of Maratha empire. From jetty proceed to Tarkarli beach resort. Lunch & free time at Tarkarli beach resort. Next, romantic Back Water Cruise through the Tarkarli creek up to Walaval Jetty.
Visit to ancient village temple of Laxmi Narayana, followed by visit to Sawantwadi town by A.C bus to witness fabulous lacquer handicrafts, paintings and furniture at the "Shilpagrama" the art & craft centre in the town. Watch cultural programme performed by local artist. Late in the evening board the train at Sawantwadi railway station. Dinner on board.
Day 4 : Goa
Morning arrival at Karmali - Goa. The most frequented tourist spots in India. Board the bus to reach Old Goa to witness; the ruins of St. Augustine Church once largest cathedral in Goa. Basilica of Bom Jesus, this is 16th Century Church, the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier is enshrined here.
Visit Cathedral and the Church of St. Francis of Assissi that began as a mosque but now is an archaeological museum for Goan antiques. Visit to Fontanhas the Latin quarters at Panjim. Departure to Hotel. Lunch & Free time on the beach. Evening board the train from Madgaon railway station.
Dinner on board.
Day 5 : Kolhapur – Pune
Morning - Arrival at Kolhapur City, known as Karveer or Dakshin Kashi of Maharashtra. Board the bus to visit;
New Palace, a royal palace partly converted into museum. Leisure time till evening. Evening arrive at Pune. Board the bus to visit Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum, houses variety of artifacts of the 17th, 18th & 19th Centuries. Board the train from Pune railway station. Dinner on board.
Day 6 : Aurangabad – Ellora Caves
Morning Arrival at Daulatabad station. Proceed by road to visit; Majestic fort Daulatabad. Next stop is Ellora caves, a World Heritage site, having 34 cave temples dedicated to three different religion - Hinduism, Buddhism & Jainism. Lunch & free time. After lunch move on to see; Bibi-ka-Maqbara, a replica of Taj Mahal is a grand piece of Moghul architecture.
Optional: Back to train. Free time for shopping Paithani, Himroo, Bidriwork from showrooms for a perfect memorabilia. Evening board the train from Aurangabad railway station. Dinner on board.
Day 7 : Jalgaon – Ajanta Caves – Nasik
Morning - Arrival at Jalgaon railway station. Board the bus to reach Ajanta Caves. At noon board train at Jalgaon railway station. Proceed to Nashik. Lunch on – board. Leisure Time onboard till evening. Alight at Nashik Road railway station to board the bus for departure to Panchawati Ghat a holy place known for Kumbh Mela.
Next, visit to Kala Ram Temple built in 1794. Evening board the train at Nasik railway station. Farewell dinner on-board.
Day 8 : Mumbai
Morning - Arrival at CST - at around 07.30 hrs.
