DAY 1 - Tuesday -
Mumbai
Arrive Mumbai. Meeting and transfer to hotel. Afternoon city sightseeing tour.
Overnight: Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai.
DAY 2 - Wednesday -
Mumbai -
Deccan Odyssey
Morning boat excursion to Elephanta Island. Transfer to Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus to board the train in
the evening, undoubtedly one of the famous Gothic buildings and an integral part of Mumbai’s skyline.
Wine and dine in the luxurious comforts of this train and whistle off on your royal voyage.
DAY 3 - Thursday
- Sindhudurg -
Deccan Odyssey
Alight at the Sindhudurg Nagari Railway station. Departure by AC Bus to Malvan Jetty. On the way walk through local weekly Market at Katta Village. From Jetty boat ride up to Sindhudurg
- the Ocean Fort & one time naval base of Maratha empire. Sindhudurg fort stands on a rocky island, known as Kurte, barely a km from the Malvan Town. Sindhudurg Fort was built in 1664-67 AD by King Shivaji.
Return to jetty and proceed to Tarkarli beach resort. Tarkarli a virgin beach at the confluence of river Karli and Arabian Sea. The major attraction here is the long and narrow stretch of beach with its pristine water. On a clear day, you can see the sea bed through a depth of 20 ft. Lunch & free time at Tarkarli beach resort.
In the evening depart to Dhamapur village by AC bus. On the way, a visit to Cashew factory. At Dhamapur visit ancient temple of Goddess Bhagawati and Bharadi Devi situated on banks of beautiful lake. After this visit proceed by bus to board the train at Kudal Railway Station. Dinner on board.
DAY 4 - Friday -
Goa -
Deccan Odyssey
Arrive 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. Se Cathedral and the Church of St. Francis of Assissi that began as a mosque but now is an archaeological museum for Goan antiques. Walk through Fontanhas, the Latin quarters at Panjim.
Departure to Verna Railway Station for typical Goan lunch on board the train. Free time on board.
Evening depart by AC bus to beach hotel and enjoy Goan culture and traditional meals. Return to board the train from Madgaon railway station by AC bus.
DAY 5 - Saturday -
Kolhapur -
Deccan Odyssey
Arrive at Kolhapur City, known as Karveer or Dakshin Kashi of Maharashtra.
Situated on the banks of river Panchaganga. Board the AC bus to visit New
Palace, a royal palace partly converted into museum, The museum houses rare
paintings and artifacts used by the royal family. Royal weapons and a tableau
depicting court life of the last century create an aristocratic ambience. Next a
visit to Bhawani Mandap (The Town Hall). Antiques found during the excavations
at Brahmagiri, old sculptures, filigree work in sandal wood and ivory, old coins
and paintings of master artists of the region are all displayed here. Then move
on to see an exquisitely carved Mahalaxmi Temple, a temple of goddess Ambabai
visited by millions of pilgrims. From temple proceed to Shalini Palace built of
intricately carved black stone & Italian Marble stands on the west side of lake
Rankala, Witness traditional Martial Art locally known as "Mardani Khel" at
Palace and cultural programme.
DAY 6 - Sunday - Aurangabad
-
Deccan Odyssey
Arrival at Daulatabad station. Proceed by road to visit Majestic fort Daulatabad. Rising dramatically over 600 ft above the Deccan plain is the arresting sight of Daulatabad. Once known as Devgiri, this fort served as the head quarters of the powerful Yadava rulers. In the 13th century, Mohammed bin Tughlak, the Sultan of Delhi, made it his capital and renamed it Daulatabad, or City of Fortune.
Next stop is Ellora caves, a World Heritage site, having 34 cave temples dedicated to three different religion - Hinduism, Buddhism & Jainism. The cave temples and monasteries at Ellora, excavated out of the vertical face of an escarpment, are 26 km north of Aurangabad. Extending in a linear arrangement, the 34 caves contain Buddhist Chaityas or halls of worship, and Viharas, or monasteries, Hindu and Jain temples. Spanning a period of about 600 years between the 5th and 11th century AD, the earliest excavation here is of the Dhumar Lena (Cave 29).The most imposing excavation is without doubt that of the magnificent Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) which is the largest monolithic structure in the world.
Lunch & free time.
After lunch move on to see Bibi-ka-Maqbara, a replica of Taj Mahal is a grand piece of Moghul architecture. Free time for shopping. Evening board the train from Aurangabad railway station. Dinner on board.
DAY 7 - Monday - Chandrapur (Tadoba) & Wardha -
Deccan Odyssey
Arrive at Chandrapur Railway station. After breakfast
leave by jeeps for visit to Tadoba Wildlife Sanctuary. Tadoba Wildlife Sanctuary
is among the most attractive sanctuary in the country. The park was established
in 1935 and declared as a National Park in 1955 and since 1995, the area
comprising the Tadoba National Park and Andhari wildlife Santuary together was
designated as Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve. The park consists around 50 Bengal
Tigers. Tadoba National Park also an ornithologist's paradise with a varied
diversity of migratory birds and water birds. Python, Bengal monitor lizard and
crocodiles are other inhabitants of this park.
Late afternoon alight at Wardha Railway Station. Proceed by Bus to Sevagram. Sevagram or the 'Village of Service' is a small and unpretentious village symbolizing the Gandhian way of life. Gandhiji made this his home in later years and many momentous political decisions taken during India's freedom struggle were made here. Today Gandhiji's Ashram in Sevagram is a National Institution and his cottage, where his personal belongings are preserved, has become place of pilgrimage. Evening return on Deccan Odyssey. Dinner on board.
DAY 8 - Tuesday -
Ajanta Caves -
Deccan Odyssey
Arrive at Bhusawal railway station. Board the bus to reach Ajanta Caves. Renowned Buddhist caves of Ajanta are World Heritage Site. Witness some of the finest paintings and sculptures of the second century AD. 'Bodhisattva Padmapani', 'Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara', The Birth of the Buddha' & 'Thousand Buddha's are a few amongst the many fine murals & sculptures. At noon board train at Jalgaon railway station. Proceed to Nasik. Lunch on board. Leisure time on board till evening.
Alight at Nasik 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. In the evening board the train at Deolali railway station.
Farewell dinner on board.
DAY 9 - Wednesday - Mumbai
This morning enjoy the breakfast on board as the sun rises over the commercial capital of India. Alight at the Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus in the morning enriched with the rich legacy of this land. The royal journey is over.
Meeting and
transfer to Airport. Depart on your onward journey.
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