26 August,2014 08:10 AM IST | | Neha LM Tripathi
Luxury train is all set to start its voyage for this season, with different packages offering tours to different parts of Maharashtra and several other parts of the country like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi
The luxurious Deccan Odyssey is all set to being touring from October. Officials from the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) said there have been no significant changes to the interiors of the train, but the menu has been upgraded to include a variety of cuisines from different parts of India, as well as continental fare.
Deccan Odyssey is offering tour packages covering not only Maharashtra, but several other parts of India
The luxury train operates only seasonally, and from October, it will offer tour packages to not only Maharashtra, but different parts of the country. The completely air-conditioned train will have 40 suites in ten cars, and four presidential suites in two cars. There will be two restaurants and a bar car.
The train is completely air-conditioned and has two restaurants, fully stocked bar, health spa, gym, business centre etc
It is also equipped with a conference car that has a business centre with Internet facilities, ISD and STD lines. Besides this, the health conscious can work out at the gymnasium or go to the health spa car that also has a steam beauty parlour. One can enjoy watching shows on LCD and plasma TVs in two lounge cars, or read a host of daily newspapers. A special valet will be provided for persons with disabilities.
Where to go
The train will cover different parts of the state like Mumbai, Nashik, Sindhudurg, Tarkarli, Aurangabad, Ajanta, Ellora, Kolhapur, and go over to Vasco and other parts of neighbouring Goa.
Other packages offer tours to different parts of the country like New Delhi, Agra, popular attractions in Rajasthan like Udaipur, Jaipur etc, Vadodara, Sasan Gir, Bhavnagar, Rann of Kutch, Ahmedabad in Gujarat, parts of Karnataka like Badami, Bijapur, Aihole Pattadkal etc.
An MTDC official said, "Our main aim is to give the best of services to the guests, so that it will not only be appreciated but will also be recommended to people." MTDC has tied up with a private agency to conduct the entire tour. Bookings can be made through agents or online. Packages begin at $1,070 (approximately R64,700), for single occupancy.
The Deccan Odyssey is inspired by Palace on Wheels, the venture by Rajasthan to promote tourism there. It was first launched in 2004 by IRCTC, but failed to get a good response. After MTDC took over, it has undergone several refurbishments to reinvent itself and make itself more attractive to tourists.
