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Orient Rail Journeys · Luxury train tour

Maharashtra Splendor (Deccan Odyssey)

Eight-day luxury train journey through Maharashtra caves, vineyards, and coastal India

Illustration of Maharashtra Splendor (Deccan Odyssey)

Orient Rail Journeys operates the Maharashtra Splendor tour aboard the Deccan Odyssey, a luxury train that departs Mumbai and travels through Maharashtra and Goa over eight days and seven nights. Every night is spent in a cabin aboard the train, which serves as your hotel and base for daily excursions. The journey includes visits to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Ellora Caves, home to the carved Kailash temple, and Ajanta Caves with their ancient Buddhist monuments. You will walk the Godavari Ghats in Nashik and tour vineyards with wine tasting, explore markets and the New Palace Museum in Kolhapur, visit a spice plantation in Goa, and tour Sawantwadi Palace near Sindhudurg. All meals are included, from dinners served on the train to lunches at vineyards and palaces. This tour suits luxury travellers seeking history and cultural immersion with the comfort of an all-inclusive train experience and guided excursions at each stop.

What to know before you look closer

  • All seven nights are spent aboard the train with no hotel stays; confirm cabin size and amenities with Orient Rail Journeys before booking.
  • The itinerary includes multiple coach transfers from the train station to attractions (Ellora, Ajanta, Kolhapur sites, Goa beach, Sawantwadi Palace); the exact duration of each coach journey is not specified in the operator's published details.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Onboard the train

    Mumbai

    Assemble at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus at 15:30 hours for check-in formalities. Royal Indian-style welcome and refreshing drink. Escorted to cabins. Train leaves for Nashik. Dinner served on board.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Onboard the train

    Nashik

    09:00 Hrs: Disembark and walk along the Godavari Ghats. 12:00 Hrs: Leave for Sula/Grover Zampa vineyards tour. 12:45 Hrs: Walk among the vines. 14:00 Hrs: Lunch at the vineyards with wine tasting. Departure at 18:30. Dinner served on board, train leaves for Aurangabad.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Onboard the train

    Ellora Caves (Aurangabad)

    08:30 Hrs: Disembark for Ellora Caves (UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kailash temple). 09:30 Hrs: Tour of Ellora Caves. 12:30 Hrs: Reach station and board Deccan Odyssey. 13:00 Hrs: Lunch on board. Departure at 14:30. Evening cocktails in cabins, dinner on board, train rolls towards Jalgaon.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Onboard the train

    Ajanta Caves

    08:00 Hrs: Disembark for Ajanta Caves (UNESCO World Heritage Site). 10:00 Hrs: Visit of Ajanta Caves. 14:00 Hrs: Reach railway station and board Deccan Odyssey for lunch. Departure at 14:30, train proceeds towards Kolhapur. Onboard leisure (movie, carrom, spa). Dinner served on board.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Onboard the train

    Kolhapur

    12:45 Hrs: Disembark for city tour of Kolhapur. 13:00 Hrs: Visit the New Palace Museum. 14:00 Hrs: Local markets for Kolhapuri chappals. 15:45 Hrs: Tea venue and Lavanya Sandhya folk performance. 17:15 Hrs: Visit the 1300-year-old Mahalakshmi temple. 18:50 Hrs: Board Deccan Odyssey. Departure at 19:30, train proceeds to Goa.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Onboard the train

    Goa

    08:30 Hrs: Disembark and drive to Fontainhas. 12:15 Hrs: Lunch and Spice Plantation tour (with Feni tasting). 15:30 Hrs: Leisure time at the nearest beach. 18:30 Hrs: Return to the Deccan Odyssey for dinner as it departs for Sindhudurg via the Konkan railway route. Departure at 19:30.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Onboard the train

    Sindhudurg

    08:30 Hrs: Disembark and drive to Pinguli village and Sawantwadi Palace. 12:00 Hrs: Lunch at Sawantwadi Palace. 16:00 Hrs: Reach railway station and board Deccan Odyssey. Departure at 18:00, train proceeds to Mumbai. Dinner served on board.

  8. Day 8rail

    Mumbai

    Breakfast served, then detrain at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Railway Station, marking the end of the Maharashtra Splendor tour.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Walk along the Godavari Ghats in Nashik, then tour Sula or Grover Zampa vineyards with lunch and wine tasting.
  • Day 3Day tour of Ellora Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring the carved Kailash temple.
  • Day 4Visit Ajanta Caves, another UNESCO World Heritage Site with ancient Buddhist monuments.
  • Day 5In Kolhapur, tour the New Palace Museum, shop for Kolhapuri chappals, and attend a Lavanya Sandhya folk performance.
  • Day 6Travel the scenic Konkan railway route to Goa; visit a spice plantation with Feni tasting and spend leisure time at a beach.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in this package?
Yes. All travel aboard the Deccan Odyssey luxury train is included, as are all guided coach excursions, meals, and activities listed in the itinerary.
Will I spend nights in hotels?
No. All seven nights are spent onboard the Deccan Odyssey. You disembark for day excursions but return to your cabin each evening.
Is the tour escorted?
Yes. Orient Rail Journeys provides guided escorted tours at each destination, including the Godavari Ghats, both UNESCO cave sites, Kolhapur, the spice plantation, and Sawantwadi Palace.
What meals are included?
Dinner is served onboard most nights. Lunches at day destinations include vineyard meals with wine tasting in Nashik, lunch at Sawantwadi Palace near Sindhudurg, and lunch during the Goa spice plantation tour. Breakfast is served before disembarkation on the final day.
Which caves are visited?
The tour includes day excursions to both Ellora Caves (featuring the carved Kailash temple) and Ajanta Caves, both designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Does the train travel along scenic railway routes?
Yes. Between Goa and Sindhudurg on Day 6, the Deccan Odyssey travels the Konkan railway route, which is noted for coastal scenery.

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