Jewels of West India with Goa

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 five-star holiday to keep in mind!

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Our Program

Day 1: Mumbai

Once you arrive into Mumbai, you’ll be met & transferred to your hotel where the remainder of the day is free to explore Mumbai or relax at the hotel. Overnight – Mumbai

Day 2: Mumbai

Mumbai or Bombay, as it was formerly known – remains India’s city of dreams. Today they embark on a glittering city tour, with a morning visit to the cave temples of Elephanta Island sculpted in the coursework of the 5th to the 8th centuries. In the afternoon visit the Prince of Wales Museum, Marine Drive and the Mani Bhawan Jain temple. Overnight – Mumbai

Day 3: City Walk

This morning take a guided heritage jogging tour, visiting the main buildings in South Mumbai, which form an integral part of the cities architectural heritage. Late this afternoon embark on further exploration of the city, visiting the Afghani Church & the holy Banganga Tank – an ancient water tank built over a freshwater spring under the Silhara dynasty in the 14th century. The spring is believed to be an underground offshoot of the Ganges, so the waters are thought about as sacred & effective for healing as those of the great river itself. This evening enjoys a leisurely horse & buggy ride along Marine Drive toward Chowpatty beach. Overnight – Mumbai

Day 5: Goa

Mid-morning embark on the elderly city sightseeing tour of the Convent & Church of St Francis of Assisi built in 1661 & the Basilica of Bom Jesus is famous throughout the Roman Catholic world, as it contains the mortal remains of St Francis Xavier who in 1541 spread Christianity among subjects of the Portuguese colonies in the east. Late this afternoon you check in to the Deccan Odyssey – an opulent train comprising ten luxurious carriages, each with about four themed cabins. There’s lounge carriages, a dining carriage, bar, laundry and servant service, staffed to the highest standard to make definite you have the experience of a lifetime. This evening you will enjoy a traditional Goan meal with entertainment at the Beach Resort Hotel Overnight – Train

Day 6: Kolhapur

Goa – Kolhapur Town. Morning arrives at Kolhapur -an ancient city famous for a choice of reasons including its food, headwear, footwear, jewellery, wrestling & religious connections. Later you proceed to visit the 19th century built Royal Palace & museum which houses a number of India’s rarest paintings & archaeological artefacts.Later you visit the exquisitely carved Mahalaxmi Hindu Temple. You will also witness a traditional ancient Martial Arts exhibition locally known as “Mardani Khel” of which written facts of its existence dates back to around the 2nd century BC. Followed by free time, a great opportunity to buy a number of the renowned local products such as Kolhapuri cotton saris, local jewellery, leather sandals & Kolhapuri chappals (the Indian version of flip-flops). Then return to your magnificent train for lunch before the train departs for. Afternoon & evening at leisure. Overnight – Train

Days 7 - 8: Ellora Caves

Kolhapur Town – Aurangabad. Our morning is spent touring the majestic 12th century Fort Daulatabad of the world’s best-preserved forts of medieval times. Later explore the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Ellora caves comprising of 34 cave temples dedicated to different religions – Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. The last cease is Bibi-Ka-Maqbara – a 17th-century mausoleum similar in style to that of the Taj Mahal, afternoon at leisure. Day 8: Morning tour jeep safari through Tadoba National Park, home to Indian bison, tigers, jackals, crocodiles and a variety of other wildlife. This Afternoon visit Mahatma Gandhi’s ashram at Sevagram or the ‘Village of Service’. Gandhi made this his home in later years using it as a base for a quantity of his most significant political decisions in the work of India’s struggle for freedom. Overnight – Train

Day 9: Ajanta

Ellora – Ajanta. Older than the Ellora caves (200 BC to 650 AD) the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Buddhist caves of Ajanta are also cut from the volcanic lava. They reside on the near-vertical, horse-shoe formed gorge known as the ‘Deccan Trap’. Lost to the world after the 7th century it was discovered by accident in 1819, by a party of British officers on a hunting expedition. This morning visit some of the 30 caves, boasting remarkably preserved frescoes created and painted using minerals, ochres and lime. Returning to the Odyssey, lunch is served onboard. As the wagon strikes west you arrive at Nasik – located on the Godavari River, of the holiest rivers of the Deccan. Visit the riverbanks, lined with temples and vibrant bathing ghats witnessing the limitless pilgrims, beggars, sadhus, traders and religious specialists performing their everyday rituals. This evening marks your last night on board as you continue travelling westward arriving in Mumbai in the early hours of the morning. Overnight – Train

Day 10: Mumbai

Ajanta – Mumbai. Breakfast on board & onward transfer & hotel check-in. Free day at leisure, perhaps a final walk along Chowpatty Beach or a spot of shopping in the popular Kalbadevi & Bhuleshwar bazaars. Overnight – Mumbai.

Day 11: Mumbai

Hotel check-out and included onward transfer to airport.

Important notes

Inclusion:

  • All sightseeing program as per the itinerary.
  • All transfers, sightseeing & excursions will be by an AC Vehicle.
  • Services of an English speaking local guide for the monuments as per the program.
  • All entrances to the monuments and activities as per the program.
  • Road taxes, parking fee, fuel charges and interstate taxes as per the program.
  • Mineral water bottles in the vehicle [02 bottles each day]s
  • Wet tissues places in the vehicle for the entire tour.
  • Representative for assistance on all arrival and departure transfers with meet and Assist.
  • All currently applicable taxes, including, GST of 5% applicable on total invoice amount.

 

Little gifts from Travel East:

  • Departure Gift.
  • Free WIFI in Vehicles.

 

Exclusion:

  •  Expenses of personal nature like tipping, laundry, telephone / fax calls, alcoholic beverages, Camera /video camera fees at monuments, medical expenses, airport departure taxes, etc.
  • Any meals, other than those specified above.
  • Any meals other than specified in the quote-supplement mentioned above.
  • Any insurance
  • Any visa fees
  • Any optional activities
  • Any optional activities as mentioned in the program
  • Domestic air-fare.
  • Any other services not mentioned in the inclusion
  • Any additional transfers
  • Early Check-In/Late Check Out
  • Any Tips / Porter charges

Tour Map

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • Mumbai – Gateway to India. The Prince of Wales Museum, Dhobi ghats & Elephanta Caves
  • Kolhapur – the land of magnificent temples.
  • Ajanta – UNESCO World Heritage Listed Buddhist caves
  • Tadoba National Park – Maharashtra’s oldest  largest national park.
  • Tropical Goa – The Convent and Church of St Francis of Assisi and the Basilica of Bom Jesus
  • Aurangabad – Fort Daulatabad ‘The city of fortune’. Ellora caves and Bibi-Ka-Maqbara (17th-century mausoleum)
  • Nasik – riverside and Panchwati Ghats

Like This Itinerary?

To request more information on this itinerary, please provide your name and email address below.

Tour Map

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • Mumbai – Gateway to India. The Prince of Wales Museum, Dhobi ghats & Elephanta Caves
  • Kolhapur – the land of magnificent temples.
  • Ajanta – UNESCO World Heritage Listed Buddhist caves
  • Tadoba National Park – Maharashtra’s oldest & largest national park.
  • Tropical Goa – The Convent and Church of St Francis of Assisi and the Basilica of Bom Jesus
  • Aurangabad – Fort Daulatabad ‘The city of fortune’. Ellora caves and Bibi-Ka-Maqbara (17th-century mausoleum)
  • Nasik – riverside and Panchwati Ghats