Deccan Odyssey

The ''Deccan Odyssey'' is an Indian luxury train modeled on the ''Palace on Wheels'' and put into service to boost tourism on the Maharashtra route of the Indian Railways. The train, owned by travel company Cox & Kings since 2014, takes visitors on a variety of seven night, eight day trips across Maharashtra.

History

The ''Deccan Odyssey'' was devised by Indian Railways and the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corp in 2001 in an effort to increase tourism in Maharashtra. Integral Coach Factory started construction in 2002 and finished in 2003. The first trip departed on 16 January 2004 for a week-long maiden trip and was flagged off by Prime Minister Vajpayee. Journeys were suspended the same year, however, due to unprofitability. Service restarted following monsoon season. It was briefly renamed the ''Indian Maharaja-Deccan Odyssey'' under Thomson Cook. The train was not in service for the majority of the COVID-19 pandemic and is expected to start running again in October 2022.

Design

The -long, royal blue train gets its name from the Deccan Plateau which is located in Maharashtra. The design is meant to emulate the luxuries enjoyed by 16th century Maharajas. The train has 21 coaches, each named after places in Maharashtra and can accommodate up to 88 passengers. Suite amenities include an en suite bathroom, Wi-Fi, a TV, and a cell phone "with all emergency numbers fed in." Guests are serviced by an onboard butler and each suite is marked with a custom nameplate. In addition to accommodation amenities, the train is fully air-conditioned and has a small gym, a spa, salon, library, foreign exchange services, a bar, and a conference room, which can be converted into a dance floor. Waavar and Utsav, the restaurants on board, are managed by Taj Hotels.

Journeys

The ''Deccan Odyssey'' offers six different seven day, eight night trips around Maharashtra, typically starting and ending in Mumbai at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus with the exception of the Indian Odyssey journey, which starts in New Delhi and ends in Mumbai, and the Indian Sojourn journey, which starts in Mumbai and ends in Delhi. Guests can adhere to pre-arranged sightseeing tours or explore each stop on their own. Trips typically run between October and May.

As of 2022, the journeys include:
* Maharashtra Splendor: Mumbai, Nashik ( Grover Zampa Vineyards), Aurangabad (Ellora Caves), Ajanta Caves, Kolhapur, Goa, Sindhudurg, Mumbai. UNESCO World Heritage Sites on this journey include the Ajanta and Ellora Caves.
* Indian Odyssey: Delhi, Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambore National Park), Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Vadodara, Aurangabad, Ellora Caves, Mumbai. UNESCO World Heritage Sites on this journey include Amer Fort, the Taj Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, and Ellora Caves.
* Jewels of the Deccan: Mumbai, Bijapur, Aihole, Pattadakal, Hampi, Hyderabad, Ellora Caves, Ajanta Caves, Mumbai. UNESCO World Heritage Sites on this journey include the Ellora and Ajanta Caves and Hampi.
* Maharashtra Wild Trail Journey: Mumbai, Aurangabad (Ellora Caves), Ramtek (Pench National Park), Tadoba, Ajanta Caves, Nashik, Mumbai. UNESCO World Heritage Sites on this journey include the Ellora and Ajanta Caves.
* Hidden Treasures of Gujarat: Mumbai, Vadodara, Palitana, Sasan Gir & Somnath, Little Rann of Kutch, Modhera & Patan, Nashik, Mumbai. UNESCO World Heritage Sites on this journey include the Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary, Rani ki vav, and Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park.
* Indian Sojurn: Mumbai, Vadodara, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Agra, Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambore National Park), Jaipur, Delhi. UNESCO World Heritage Sites on this journey include Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, Amer Fort, and the Taj Mahal.

''Deccan Odyssey'' also goes on shorter "special journeys," which vary from the set list. In 2010, the Spiritual Journey to the Guru's Abode explored Kiratpur Sahib, Anandpur Sahib (Keshgarh Sahib), Amritsar (Akal Takht Sahib), Bathinda (Damdama Sahib), Jaipur, Agra, Nanded (Hazur Sahib), Mumbai, Patna (Patna Sahib), and Delhi, with a focus on Sikh takhts. In 2017, the Susegado Goa special journey explored the Konkan Coast through Mumbai, Goa, Thivim, Karmali, and Verna. In 2022, an abbreviated Indian Odyssey journey--Delhi, Sawai Madhopur, Agra, Jaipur--was available.

Most passengers are foreigners and are charged $7,320 USD per single occupancy deluxe cabin for a seven night, eight day trip, while Indian nationals pay ₹5,12,400.

Awards

The ''Deccan Odyssey'' has won the title of Asia's Leading Luxury Train at the World Travel Awards in 2010-2012, 2014, and 2015-2019. It was also named World's Leading Luxury Train in 2019. Previous nominations include World's Leading Travel Experience by Train (2009-2012), World's Leading Luxury Train (2010-2018, 2020), and Asia's Leading Luxury Train (2013, 2020-2021).} In 2018, the ''Deccan Odyssey'' earned recognition for being the first to win the Asia's Leading Luxury Train award five consecutive times.

References

{{Railways in Western India

Tourist attractions in Maharashtra
Rail transport in Maharashtra
Luxury trains in India
2004 establishments in Maharashtra
Rail transport in Goa
Rail transport in Delhi
Rail transport in Rajasthan