Drsuruchipuri at 19:35, 18 October 2025

2025-10-18T19:35:17Z

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{{short description|Luxury train in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{italic title}}
{{Infobox train
| name = ''Deccan Odyssey''
| image = Deccan-odyssey-logo.png
| imagealt =
| caption = ''Deccan Odyssey'' logo
| service = 2004–present
| manufacturer = [[Integral Coach Factory]]
| assembly = [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]
| yearconstruction = 2002–2003
| yearservice = 2004
| formation =
| diagram =
| code =
| fleetnumbers =
| capacity = 88 passengers
| operator = [[Indian Railways]]<br>[[Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation|MTDC]]

| trainlength = {{convert|700|m|ft}}
| art-sections = 21
| gauge =
}}

The '''''Deccan Odyssey''''' is an [[Luxury rail trains in India|Indian luxury train]] modeled on the ''[[Palace on Wheels]]'' luxury train and put into service to boost tourism on the [[Maharashtra]] route of the [[Indian Railways]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/maha-cabinet-will-meet-on-deccan-odyssey|title=Maha Cabinet will meet on Deccan Odyssey|date=2021-09-28|publisher=The Free Press Journal|last=Jog|first=Sanjay|access-date=2022-06-08}}</ref><ref name=chakraborty/><ref name=dna/> The train, owned by travel company [[Cox & Kings]] since 2014, takes visitors on a variety of seven night, eight day trips across Maharashtra.<ref name=chowdhury>{{cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/travel/cox-kings-gets-five-year-sales-and-marketing-contract-for-luxury-train-deccan-odyssey/articleshow/40903623.cms|title=Cox & Kings gets five year sales and marketing contract for luxury train Deccan Odyssey|date=2014-08-27|last=Chowdhury|first=Anirban|publisher=Economic Times|access-date=2022-06-07}}</ref><ref name=rajesh/>

==History==
[[File:Deccan Odyssey - Train Board.jpg|thumb|left|''Deccan Odyssey'']]
The ''Deccan Odyssey'' was deployed and started by Indian Railways and the [[Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation|Maharashtra Tourism Development Corp]] in 2001 in an effort to increase tourism in Maharashtra.<ref name=financial>{{cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/travel-tourism/deccan-odyssey-becomes-asias-leading-luxury-train/426027/|title=Deccan Odyssey becomes Asia's leading luxury train|date=2016-10-21|publisher=Financial Express|access-date=2022-06-07}}</ref><ref name=fivetimes/><ref name=start>{{cite web|url=https://www.indianluxurytrains.com/blog/deccan-odyssey-india-by-luxury-train/|title=Deccan Odyssey: India by Luxury Train|date=2022-02-10|publisher=Indian Luxury Trains|access-date=2022-06-08}}</ref><ref name=chakraborty/><ref name=dna/> [[Integral Coach Factory]] started construction in 2002 and finished in 2003.<ref name=start/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/deccan-odyssey-all-decked-up-and-nowhere-to-go/articleshow/257998.cms|title=Deccan Odyssey: All decked up and nowhere to go|date=2003-10-30|last=Pate|first=Neil|publisher=Times of India|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>

Its first trip departed on 16 January 2004 for a week-long maiden trip and was [[Flag off|flagged off]] by then Prime Minister [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/deccan-odyssey-to-start-on-jan-16/articleshow/413096.cms|title=Deccan Odyssey to start on Jan. 16|last=Pate|first=Neil|date=2004-01-09|publisher=Times of India|access-date=2022-06-08}}</ref><ref name=chowdhury/><ref name=ndtv>{{cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/business/irctc-deccan-odyssey-10-points-about-indian-railways-premium-luxury-train-pictures-inside-1834712|title=In PICTURES: 10 Points About Indian Railways Premium Luxurious 'Deccan Odyssey' Trains|date=2018-04-16|publisher=NDTV|access-date=2022-06-08}}</ref> Due to lack of booking, later journeys in 2004 were suspended by the state government of Maharashtra. However, its operations restarted after the [[Monsoon of South Asia|monsoon season]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discoveredindia.com/maharashtra/maharashtra-specials/deccan-odyssey/|title=Deccan Odyssey|date=n.d.|publisher=Discover India|access-date=2022-06-08}}</ref>

The train was briefly renamed the ''Indian Maharaja-Deccan Odyssey'' under Thomson Cook.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}} It was not in service for the majority of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] and is expected to start operations again in October 2022.{{update after|2022|12|01}}<ref name=maverick/>

==Design and amenities==
[[File:India (Mumbai) Welcome ceremony for The Deccan Odyssey guests (32065545283).jpg|thumb|right|A traditional welcome ceremony in Mumbai before boarding]]

===Design===
The train is {{convert|700|m|ft}}-long and painted in royal blue. It gets its name from the [[Deccan Plateau]] which is located in Maharashtra.<ref name=chakraborty/><ref name=ndtv/><ref name=maverick>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-01-05-the-decadent-odyssey-a-train-in-blue-and-gold-livery-of-unparalleled-luxury/|title=The Decadent Odyssey: A train in blue and gold livery of unparalleled luxury|date=2022-01-05|last=Pinnock|first=Don|publisher=Daily Maverick|access-date=2022-06-07}}</ref> The design is meant to emulate the luxuries enjoyed by 16th century [[Maharaja]]s.<ref name=dna/><ref name=maverick/> The train has 21 coaches, each named after places in Maharashtra and can accommodate up to 88 passengers.<ref name=dasgupta>{{cite web|url=https://mediaindia.eu/news-india-you/deccan-odyssey-indias-premium-luxury-train/|title=Deccan Odyssey, India's premium luxury train|date=2017-07-19|publisher=Media India Group|access-date=2022-06-07}}</ref><ref name=chakraborty/>

===Amenities===
Suite amenities include an en suite bathroom, Wi-Fi, a TV, and a cell phone "with all emergency numbers fed in."<ref name=econ/> Guests are serviced by an onboard butler and each suite is marked with a custom nameplate.<ref name=kulkarni/> In addition to accommodation amenities, the train is fully air-conditioned and has a small gym, a spa, salon, library, [[Foreign exchange market|foreign exchange services]], a bar, and a conference room, which can be converted into a dance floor.<ref name=econ/><ref name=chowdhury/><ref name=goyal/><ref name=maverick/><ref name=chakraborty/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irtsociety.com/train/deccan-odyssey/save-pdf/6000|title=Deccan Odyssey|date=n.d.|publisher=The Society of International Railway Travelers|access-date=2022-06-08}}</ref>

There are two restaurants in the train, Waavar and Utsav, which are managed by [[Taj Hotels]].<ref name=maverick/><ref name=econ/><ref name=dna/><ref>{{cite news |title=Take a luxury train ride on the Deccan Odyssey |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/infrastructure/take-a-luxury-train-ride-on-the-deccan-odyssey/waavar/slideshow/54625025.cms |access-date=21 February 2023 |work=[[The Economic Times]]}}</ref>

==Journeys==
[[File:Ellora Caves, India, Rock-cut monastery temple cave complex.jpg|right|thumb|Part of the [[Ellora Caves]], a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]] and stop on several 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]].<ref name=goyal/><ref name=chakraborty>{{cite web|url=https://www.salonprivemag.com/welcome-aboard-the-deccan-odyssey/|title=Welcome Aboard The Deccan Odyssey|last=Chakraborty|first=Subhasish|date=2022-04-19|publisher=Salon Privé Magazine|access-date=2022-06-07}}</ref><ref name=econ>{{cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/infrastructure/take-a-luxury-train-ride-on-the-deccan-odyssey/slideshow/54625021.cms|title=Take a luxury train ride on the Deccan Odyssey|date=2016-10-06|publisher=The Economic Times|access-date=2022-06-07}}</ref><ref name=rajesh/><ref name=maverick/>

Guests can adhere to pre-arranged sightseeing tours or explore each stop on their own.<ref name=rajesh>{{cite web|url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-train-trips-in-india|title=India's best train trips are a journey to the soul of the subcontinent|last=Rajesh|first=Monisha|date=2022-03-11|publisher=Lonely Planet|access-date=2022-06-07}}</ref><ref name=kulkarni/> Trips typically run between October and May.<ref name=hindu>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/Deccan-Odyssey-arrives-in-Vijayapura/article16760953.ece|title=Deccan Odyssey arrives in Vijayapura|date=2016-12-05|work=The Hindu|access-date=2022-06-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Want to experience royalty? Here are five luxurious Indian trains to hop on |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/want-to-experience-a-regal-journey-here-are-luxurious-trains-indian-railway-to-hop-on-5119263/ |work=[[The Indian Express]] |date=1 April 2018 |language=en}}</ref>

As of 2022, the journeys include:
* Maharashtra Splendor: [[Mumbai]], [[Nashik]] ([[Grover Zampa]] Vineyards), [[Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar]] ([[Ellora Caves]]), [[Ajanta Caves]], [[Kolhapur]], [[Goa]], [[Sindhudurg]], Mumbai. [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]]s on this journey include the Ajanta and Ellora Caves.<ref name=splendor>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccan-odyssey-india.com/maharashtra-splendor.html|title=Maharashtra Splendor Journey|date=n.d.|publisher=Deccan Odyssey|access-date=2022-06-08}}</ref><ref name=maverick/><ref name=goyal>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/things-to-do/spending-seven-nights-in-the-luxurious-train-deccan-odyssey/articleshow/53192617.cms|title=Spending seven nights in the luxurious train 'Deccan Odyssey'|last=Goyal|first=Anudradha|date=2016-07-14|publisher=Times Travel|access-date=2022-06-07}}</ref><ref name=dasgupta/><ref name=chowdhury/><ref name=chakraborty/>
* Indian Odyssey: Delhi, [[Sawai Madhopur]] ([[Ranthambore National Park]]), [[Agra]], [[Jaipur]], [[Udaipur]], [[Vadodara]], Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Ellora Caves, Mumbai. UNESCO World Heritage Sites on this journey include [[Amber Fort|Amer Fort]], the [[Taj Mahal]], [[Jantar Mantar]], [[Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park]], and Ellora Caves.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccan-odyssey-india.com/indian-odyssey.html|title=Indian Odyssey Journey|date=n.d.|publisher=Deccan Odyssey|access-date=2022-06-08}}</ref><ref name=rajesh/><ref name=dasgupta/>
* Jewels of the Deccan: Mumbai, [[Bijapur|Vijayapura]], [[Aihole]], [[Pattadakal]], [[Hampi]], [[Hyderabad]], Ellora Caves, Ajanta Caves, Mumbai. UNESCO World Heritage Sites on this journey include the Ellora and Ajanta Caves and Hampi.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccan-odyssey-india.com/jewels-of-the-deccan.html|title=Jewels of the Deccan Journey|date=n.d.|publisher=Deccan Odyssey|access-date=2022-06-08}}</ref><ref name=dasgupta/>
* Maharashtra Wild Trail Journey: Mumbai, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Ellora Caves), [[Ramtek]] ([[Pench National Park]]), [[Tadoba]], Ajanta Caves, Nashik, Mumbai. UNESCO World Heritage Sites on this journey include the Ellora and Ajanta Caves.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccan-odyssey-india.com/maharashtra-wild-trail.html|title=Maharashtra Wild Trail Journey|date=n.d.|publisher=Deccan Odyssey|access-date=2022-06-08}}</ref><ref name=goyal/><ref name=dasgupta/>
* Hidden Treasures of [[Gujarat]]: Mumbai, [[Vadodara]], [[Palitana]], [[Sasan Gir]] & [[Somnath]], [[Little Rann of Kutch]], [[Modhera]] & [[Patan, Gujarat|Patan]], Nashik, Mumbai. UNESCO World Heritage Sites on this journey include the [[Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary|Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary]], [[Rani ki vav]], and [[Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccan-odyssey-india.com/hidden-treasures-of-gujarat.html|title=Hidden Treasures of Gujarat|date=n.d.|publisher=Deccan Odyssey|access-date=2022-06-08}}</ref><ref name=goyal/><ref name=dasgupta/>
* 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccan-odyssey-india.com/indian-sojourn.html|title=Indian Sojurn Journey|date=n.d.|publisher=Deccan Odyssey|access-date=2022-06-08}}</ref><ref name=rajesh/><ref name=dasgupta/>

Apart from the trip list, the ''Deccan Odyssey'' also goes on other shorter "special journeys". 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 [[Panj Takht|Sikh takhts]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sikhnet.com/news/luxury-train-trip-across-sikh-takhts|title=A luxury train trip across Sikh Takhts|date=2010-12-14|publisher=SikhNet|last=Bajwa|first=Harpreet|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref> In 2017, the Susegado Goa special journey explored the [[Konkan Coast]] through Mumbai, Goa, [[Thivim]], [[Karmali]], and [[Verna, Goa|Verna]].<ref name=kulkarni>{{cite web|url=https://www.cntraveller.in/story/ideas-nye-mumbai-goa-deccan-odyssey/|title=Ideas for NYE: Mumbai-Goa on the Deccan Odyssey|date=2017-11-18|publisher=Traveller|access-date=2022-06-07}}</ref> In 2022, an abbreviated Indian Odyssey journey—Delhi, Sawai Madhopur, Agra, Jaipur—was available.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccan-odyssey-india.com/journeys.html|title=Indian Odyssey Special Journey|date=n.d.|publisher=Deccan Odyssey|access-date=2022-06-08}}</ref>

Most passengers are international travellers and are charged US$7,320 per single occupancy deluxe cabin for a seven night, eight day trip, while Indian nationals pay [[Indian rupee|₹]]5,12,400.<ref name=dna>{{cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/photo-gallery-one-ticket-costs-upto-rs-38-lakhs-deccan-odyssey-maharajas-express-golden-chariot-buddha-express-palace-on-wheels-step-inside-india-most-luxurious-trains-2897473/the-golden-chariot-2897475|title=One ticket for Rs 38 lakhs! Take a look at India's most luxurious trains|date=2021-06-26|publisher=DNA|access-date=2022-06-07}}</ref><ref name="rajesh" /><ref name=maverick/><ref name=hindu/><ref name="splendor" />

==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. In 2018, the train earned recognition for being the first to win the Asia's Leading Luxury Train award five consecutive times.<ref name=fivetimes>{{cite web|url=https://www.indianluxurytrains.com/news/deccan-odyssey-wins-the-title-of-asias-leading-luxury-train-5-times-consecutively-23609/|title=Deccan Odyssey wins the title of Asia's Leading Luxury Train 5 Times Consecutively|date=2018-09-04|last=Chakraborty|first=Debasree|publisher=Indian Luxury Trains|access-date=2022-06-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Five luxury trains that redefine happy journeys |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/specials/five-luxury-trains-that-redefine-happy-journeys-1127504.html |access-date=19 February 2023 |work=[[Deccan Herald]] |date=17 July 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite news |title=Do You Want To Ride On Asia's Most Luxurious Train? Hint: It's In India |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/travelnews/story/68991/guess-which-is-asias-leading-luxury-train-hint-its-in-india |access-date=19 February 2023 |work=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)]] |language=en}}</ref>

The train 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).<ref name="financial" /><ref name=dasgupta/><ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite web |date=2021 |title=Deccan Odyssey |url=https://www.worldtravelawards.com/profile-29440-deccan-odyssey |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506102519/https://www.worldtravelawards.com/profile-29440-deccan-odyssey |archive-date=2021-05-06 |access-date=2022-06-08 |publisher=World Travel Awards}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Indian Luxury Trains}}
{{Indian Railways}}
{{Central Railway}}
{{Railways in Western India}}

[[Category:Tourist attractions in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Luxury trains in India]]
[[Category:2004 establishments in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Goa]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Delhi]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Rajasthan]]

Deccan Odyssey - Revision history

Drsuruchipuri at 19:35, 18 October 2025