Aboard the Deccan Odyssey - 10 days

Aboard the Deccan Odyssey - 10 days

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Aboard the Deccan Odyssey - 10 days

10 Days Starting and ending in Mumbai

Visiting: Mumbai, Nashik, Aurangabad, Kolhapur, Goa, Sindhudurg Fort

Tour operator:

On The Go Tours

Tour code:

303/BBC

Recommended For:

Singles

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

2 - 24

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

None, though not recommended for under 5yrs

Tour operated in:
English
Trip Styles:

Small Group

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

PRIVATE TOUR: Journey through the state of Maharashtra aboard the Deccan Odyssey, an exclusive luxury train. Visiting Mumbai, home of Bollywood, the beaches of tropical Goa, and the stunning caves of Ajanta and Ellora, this is a 5 star holiday to remember!

Highlights

  • Mumbai - Gateway to India, the Prince of Wales museum, Dhobi ghats and Elephanta Caves

  • Tropical Goa - The Convent and Church of St Francis of Assisi and the Basilica of Bom Jesus

  • Ajanta - UNESCO World Heritage Listed Buddhist caves

  • Aurangabad - Visit the beautiful Ellora cave complex

  • Kolhapur - The land of magnificent temples

  • Sindhudurg - Explore Sindhudurg Fort and Town

  • Nashik - Riverside and Panchwati Ghats

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Mumbai

Location: Mumbai

Meals Included: No Meals

Once you arrive into Mumbai, you'll be met and transferred to your hotel where the rest of the day is free to explore Mumbai or relax at the hotel.

Day 2 : Mumbai

Location: Mumbai

Meals Included: Breakfast

Mumbai or Bombay, as it was formerly known - remains India’s city of dreams. Today we embark on a glittering city tour, with a morning visit to the cave temples of Elephanta Island sculpted during the 5th to the 8th centuries. In the afternoon enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city, and in the evening a leisurely horse and buggy ride along Marine Drive.

Day 3 : Mumbai

Location: Mumbai

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Mumbai - Nashik. This morning take a guided heritage walking tour, visiting the main buildings in South Mumbai, which form an integral part of the cities architectural heritage. Late this afternoon transfer to the train station to board the opulent Deccan Odyssey train, which will be your home for the next seven nights. After enjoying a welcome drink and completing formalities your train will depart Mumbai for Nashik.

Day 4 : Nashik

Location: Nashik

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Nashik - Aurangabad. Arriving into Nashik this morning you'll disembark and explore the Godavari Ghats where you can observe Hindu rituals being performed. You'll then continue through the market, observing the hustle and bustle of local life.
Later you'll continue to the Grover Zampa vineyards to tour one of India's finest wine producing vineyards. Grapes such as Chenin, Chardonnay and Shiraz are grown here and your sommelier will introduce you to the different wines produced here.
After a delicious lunch you'll re-board the Deccan Odyssey and depart for Aurangabad.

Day 5 : Aurangabad

Location: Aurangabad

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Aurangabad - Jalgon. After breakfast this morning the train will reach Aurangabad in Maharashtra state, you'll then proceed to the UNESCO-listed Ellora Caves, comprising of 34 cave temples dedicated to three different religions - Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. There 12 Buddhist caves to the south, 17 Hindu caves in the center 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. We return to the train for lunch and a relaxing afternoon as the train makes it's way towards Jalgon.

Day 6 : Aurangabad

Location: Aurangabad

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Jalgaon - Kolhapur. As you enjoy a delicious breakfast, the Deccan Odyssey rolls into Jalgaon station, from here you'll drive to the UNESCO-listed Ajanta Caves. Here discover magnificent caves with exquisite ancient murals and sculptures depicting the life of Buddha. Older than the Ellora caves (200 BC to 650 AD) the Buddhist caves of Ajanta are also cut from the volcanic lava.
Back on board enjoy a delicious lunch and perhaps partake in some of the optional activities available on board, such as a film screening, a traditional game of carrom or a relaxing massage at the onboard spa.

Day 7 : Kolhapur

Location: Kolhapur

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Kolhapur - Goa. Take in the beautiful surroundings of Maharashtra state as your train rolls into the city of Kolhapur this morning. Today you'll explore Kolhapur - an ancient city with a mythical past. First stop is the 19th century built Royal Palace and museum which houses some of India's rarest paintings and archaeological artifacts. You'll then visit the Town Hall museum before some time to shop at the local market. Later visit the exquisitely carved Mahalakshmi Hindu Temple, this 1,300 year old temple is dedicated to the Goddess Shakti. There may also be the opportunity to witness a traditional ancient Martial Arts exhibition locally known as “Mardani Khel". This evening the Deccan Odyssey will depart for the party capital of India, Goa.

Day 8 : Goa

Location: Goa

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Goa - Sindhudurg. Enjoy a day in the former Portuguese enclave of Goa with some fun in the sun. Start by visiting Fontainhas, the Latin Quarters of Panjim that have some well-preserved houses built in the Portuguese architectural style. You'll experience the culture of this UNESCO World Heritage area on a walking tour. Next we visit Ribandar, the former capital of Goa. Take a walk through ancient churches 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 will have influence from 400 years of Portuguese rule. 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 before you return to the train and travel through the incredibly scenic Konkan region en route to Ratnagiri.

Day 9 : Sindhudurg Fort

Location: Sindhudurg Fort

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sindhudurg - Mumbai. Today the train enters Sindhudurg, after breakfast you'll disembark and visit the Sindhudurg Fort, located off the shores of Malvan on the Arabian Sea. Built by Shivaji Maharajthe, it was an attempt to curb the rise in influence from foreign colonisers. This afternoon you'll take a tour of the highlights of the holy city of Sindhudurg before rejoining the train to take the journey to Mumbai.

Day 10 : Mumbai

Location: Mumbai

Meals Included: Breakfast

Arrive in Mumbai where your journey on the Deccan Odyssey comes to an end. Breakfast onboard before transfer to airport for onward travel.
If you'd like to extend your stay, we offer a variety of hotels, short stays and add-ons for you to choose from. Please read our best places to visit or [[best things to see each month|126647]] for suggested places to visit on your holiday. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please let us know so we can accommodate your request.
For information about visas, top travel tips, best time to travel and much more, browse our [[travel guide|126581]].

What's Included

  • Breakfast daily, 6 lunches and 7 dinners

  • 2 nights SUPERIOR hotels. DELUXE hotel options are also available upon request. Accommodation rating – See Trip Notes for details

  • 7 nights - Deccan Odyssey luxury train

  • Boat excursion to Elephanta Caves

  • Touring and excursions as per itinerary

  • Services of a licensed English speaking tour guide at some sites

  • Entrance fees to all included sights

  • An airport arrival transfer day 1 and a departure transfer day 10

  • Chauffeur driven air-conditioned vehicles and touring coaches for all relevant transfers

What's Not Included

  • International flights and visa

  • Tipping - An entirely personal gesture

Check out our Q&As

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    An airport arrival transfer day 1 and a departure transfer day 10

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1998

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

Reviews of this Operator

Calvin  

Wonderful experience

05-Jan-2023

Jamal is our tour guide. Right from the start, he created a group chat in whatsapp and if any issues to make sure we contact him. He was on the ball with every issue thrown at him. Luggage being left behind, stragglers wondered off in a different path, hotel room etc. He explains the various site along our route to give us a better understanding of the local cultures. We had a great time, thanks to Jamal.

Trustpilot
Norma Sullivan  

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10-Sep-2021

The Land of Northern Lights tour was a triumph! My tour of Southern Iceland was absolutely wonderful. The venues chosen, the timing allotted at each venue and the variety of things to experience was nearly perfect. Our guide, "Thor", was smart, amusing, full of history and anecdotal stories as well as being incredibly hospitable and helpful. This small group experience was my first, but not my last thanks to On the Go.

Trawls (Google Reviewer)  

On The Go Tours Sri...

05-Feb-2024

On The Go Tours Sri Lanka was an incredible experience that was made even better by our tour guide Akthar. He was incredibly knowledgeable about his country and he loved sharing it with us. The tour covers a wide range of activities so you can truly experience what Sri Lanka is all about. The beautiful 4-5 star hotels at the end of every day was an absolute bonus. Thanks for a great trip OTGT I’m sure this won’t be my last

Xtreme Floor Care (Google Reviewer)  

Traveled through Egypt with On...

30-Nov-2023

Traveled through Egypt with On the Go Tours, professional service, very informative and helpful tour guides. The choice of hotels was excellent... Definitely recommend this company

Gavin Harrigan  

King Tutankhamun 10 day tour of Egypt

16-Sep-2021

I have just returned from my tour with On The Go and it was an amazing trip! From arriving at the airport and meeting the OTG representative, everything was well organised and hassle free.  Our tour guide was Amir. He is awesome!! From the beginning he was so friendly and enthusiastic about showing us around Egypt, giving us loads of information at each place and time to explore ourselves. Learnt so much from him about this fascinating place, and he was always happy to answer more questions.   The trip itself was amazing. There's lots of travelling on this trip, but it's really not too bad, and the sights you see when you get to where you are going are worth it. I'm not a big fan of boats, but the Felluca ride across the Nile was pretty fun too.  On the first day I also did the optional tour of Cairo with Ahmed Helal - another excellent guide from OTG. It's worth doing this add on as you don't spend much time in Cairo, and you go to three very different places.  I'm so glad that I decided to do this trip. It was just ace.  If you're thinking about it too, you should probably just book it. And hopefully you get Amir as your guide.

Paul Kelly (Google Reviewer)  

TOTALLY MOROCCO We booked a 9...

26-Feb-2023

TOTALLY MOROCCO We booked a 9 day tour of Morocco visiting many main cities and places of interest. The coach was very comfortable and we felt safe with the driver Suliman. The guide was Hicham Touraouine and he was fantastic. He spoke perfect English as well as French, Arabic and Berber. He was so kind and considerate and made a good tour great. We particularly enjoyed ‘glamming in the Sahara Desert. So much to see and do and great food and company. We would definitely use On The Go Tours again, especially if Hicham was the guide. Paul & Penny

Rolly Hay hay (Google Reviewer)  

Gallipoli tour. The guide was...

28-Sep-2023

Gallipoli tour. The guide was awesome. Everything went like clockwork.. My complaint is that you expect 4 people to cramp together on the back seat of the van for 4 hours. That is poverty travel. Not really acceptable for the price paid. So uncomfortable. If was to do this trip again I'd just rent a car. Although the guide was amazing, but that's 3 hours of the trip.

Sarah Paterson (Google Reviewer)  

Terrible tour of India. For...

27-Dec-2023

Terrible tour of India. For some reason On the Go hadn't realised that my room mate had booked her own room for the first night of tour. So the hotel in Delhi had tried to put me in her room after midnight, by wheeling in an extra bed. She went Crazy!! I then had to sit in hotel reception for hours. While the tour guide said he couldn't find me a room. Throughout the tour the guide consistently ask me and my room mate for money for my room, causing more friction between us. Don't book with this company had the worst experience ever. Go with Intrepid or G Adventure

brandy hoffman (Google Reviewer)  

I had used them once...

09-Aug-2023

I had used them once before and loved them. I decided to try them again for a Baltic tour not knowing that they put me on another Tour group- Baltic vision. Loved that tour but was not impressed they marked up the cost for me over 100%. I understand taking some for yourself because of paperwork, but over double the cost everyone else paid on the tour. Just double check before you book with them that you’re not over paying.

Giovanni Guidi (Google Reviewer)  

I booked three tours with...

19-Aug-2023

I booked three tours with this agency. While the first two experiences were very nice, with well-thought-out itineraries and knowledgeable guides, the third tour was an absolute nightmare for us. Due to the unavailability of an hotel from the trip notes, the agency opted to replace it with another they claimed was "similar." To our dismay, this alternative was nothing short of a decrepit, filthy establishment that threatened to ruin our entire safari experience in South Africa. But the fiasco didn't end there. This so-called hotel began proposing and organizing activities starkly different from what we were promised in the trip notes, together with an awful services of their guides and vehicles. And when this disaster struck and we desperately needed their support? The agency ghosted us. It took them an entire day to respond, and when they did, they simply shrugged off our concerns, asserting it was too late to fix anything, even though three nights of our trip were still ahead. The level of unprofessionalism was staggering. Forced to salvage our experience, we took matters into our own hands, leaving that awful place to book another hotel and activities for the remainder of our trip—all at my own expense. Based on my experience, I suggest travelers to think twice before considering this agency. Seek out reputable companies known for their commitment to customer service and integrity.

Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    On The Go Tours allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform on the go tours, 60 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.

    Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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