Deccan Odyssey FAQs

Deccan Odyssey FAQs

About Deccan Odyssey

Here is the Club information about the Deccan Odyssey.

Who operates Deccan Odyssey?

The Deccan Odyssey is owned by Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation but operated by Zalika Enterprises.

Which are the journeys that Deccan Odyssey offers?

Presently the Deccan Odyssey offers ten different journeys:

1. Indian Odyssey

2. Hidden Treasures of Gujarat

3. Maharashtra Splendour

4. Indian Sojourn

5. Jewels of the Deccan

Do you have triple occupancy cabins available on-board the Deccan Odyssey?

For triple sharing, we recommend our resplendent Presidential Suites which have a double bed in the bedroom and a sofa cum bed in the living room and single en-suite bathrooms. If the third person sharing is a child below 6 years of age, then you could have the family sharing the double bed in a Deluxe cabin; this is of course subject to availability of a double-bedded Deluxe cabin.

Journeys on Deccan Odyssey

What is the duration of the journeys?

All the journeys are 8 days and 7 nights.

What does the journey price include?

1. Accommodation in double / twin bedded cabins with en suite bathrooms.

2. All meals, bottled water, juices and soft beverages

3. Sightseeing including entrance fees, guides, still camera fees (not professional camera) and all entertainment.

4. 24-hour valet service along with porter services at the time of check-in and check-out at the railway station.

What all is not included in the journey price?

1. Laundry, telephone calls, gratuities, all alcoholic beverages or soft beverages

2. Video,and professional still camera fees and any other items of personal nature.

3. All optional tours as mentioned in the itinerary, taxes and insurance.

4. Arrival and departure transfers.

5. International and domestic flight tickets.

6. Pre and post tour accommodation

7. Tour extensions unless specifically mentioned as part of the journeys

8. All activities mentioned as 'options' in the itinerary.

Do you offer part journeys also aboard the Deccan Odyssey?

No, part journeys are not available on board the Deccan Odyssey.

Do the travellers get a traditional Indian welcome?

A traditional welcome, specific to the region is a part of the itinerary at all destinations along the journey.

Can the Deccan Odyssey be chartered on a special date?

Yes, from Train Chartering, subject to availability.

Can the Deccan Odyssey be chartered on a scheduled departure?

Yes, from Train Chartering.

Does Deccan Odyssey provide any Insurance for passengers?

The Deccan Odyssey is comprehensively insured for fire, earthquake, theft and terrorism. All guests are covered under an umbrella insurance cover.

What is the Deccan Odyssey dress code?

o Smart casual clothing and suitable walking shoes for off-train excursions during the day.

o Earth colour light linen clothes teamed with scarves, hats, light jackets for wildlife safaris

o Dress up classy for all onboard dinners.

Facilities on the Deccan Odyssey

What are the public areas on the Deccan Odyssey?

1. Two dining restaurants: Peshwa - I and Peshwa - II that seat 34 persons each

2. One bar: Mumbai Hi- Bar. Bar and lounge with a choice selection of house brands of wines, beer and spirits, snacks and cocktails at a supplement cost.

3. Spa Coach - Spa Plumeria with a variety of spa therapies (dry)

4. Conference cum Entertainment Coach - Samvad

5. Each Accommodation coach has its own lounge with maximum seating of 6 pax

What are the categories and number of cabins on the Deccan Odyssey?

1 Single-Bedded Deluxe Cabin, 33 Twin-Bedded Deluxe Cabins, 06 Double-Bedded Deluxe Cabins and 04 Double-Bedded Presidential Suites.

How many passengers and cabins on the Deccan Odyssey?

*Double bed or Twin bed options, additional guest sofa bed in lounge

What are the sizes of the Deccan Odyssey cabins?

What is the width of corridors & cabin doors on Deccan Odyssey?

The width of the corridor is 22 inches and that of the door is also 22 inches. We have a cabin for people who might need to use a wheelchair and the width of that cabin door is 30 inches, the bathroom door is 31 inches and the corridor leading to the cabin is 27 inches wide.

What is the seating capacity of bar/ lounge?

24 passengers.

Can we control our room temperature on the Deccan Odyssey?

Yes, one can do it, however it is advisable that your valet does it.

How can public area temperature be controlled on board?

There are separate service staff members for public areas. You can inform any one of them on board about your discomfort and it will be taken care of. (Subject to the comfort of majority of guests in that area).

Is there a safe in the Deccan Odyssey cabin?

Yes, every cabin has its own electronic safe.

What are the bed sizes on the Deccan Odyssey?

Following are the sizes of bed available on-board the Deccan Odyssey:

How many bars are there on-board the Deccan Odyssey?

There is one bar, Mumbai Hi- Bar - bar and lounge.

How many restaurants are on-board the Deccan Odyssey?

There are two restaurants, Peshwa - I and Peshwa -II, both with a seating capacity of 34

Do you have hot water facilities available in the bathrooms on-board the Deccan Odyssey?

Yes. All cabins are provided with an individual water heater. They would need to be switched on a few minutes before you need to use hot water

Do you provide wheelchairs on Deccan Odyssey?

If you let us know in advance, we might be able to organise a wheelchair on board. We would recommend that guests with limited mobility and other such constraints should be accompanied by an able-bodied passenger. However, our valets will be available to provide additional assistance. Kindly specify any special requirements at the time of booking.

Is smoking allowed on the Deccan Odyssey?

In accordance with Indian Law, smoking is not permissible on board the train. Smoking is also prohibited in all public places such as railway stations, restaurants, airports, shopping malls, monuments etc.

What kind of electrical sockets are on the Deccan Odyssey?

Deccan Odyssey is equipped with 110/230 V sockets. We have 3 point Indian Socket; however, we do have International adaptors available as well. On request, valet can provide you the same in the cabin.

Yes, the train is fully air-conditioned.

SERVICE

The Presidential Suites are assigned a personal valet each, dedicated to its occupants. For the other cabins, there is one valet assigned per coach comprising four cabins each. The number of cabins per coach varies according to the type of cabin: -

o Deluxe Cabin: 4 cabins per coach

o Presidential Suite: 2 Suites per coach (personal valet for every cabin)

Yes, we do help with money changing facilities while on tour, at certain destinations subject to availability.

Yes, we do provide laundry service, at a supplementary cost.

Yes, we have Wi-Fi connectivity through the Deccan Odyssey

Tea/ coffee can be served in all rooms, however full room service is available in Presidential Suite. Clients in other cabins dine at the restaurants.

Yes, we provide airlift for a medical emergency in case required.

Yes, spa facilities are available on-board the Deccan Odyssey at a supplementary cost. You would need to book your treatments with the spa manager

Yes, we do provide hairdresser facilities on board the Deccan Odyssey, at a supplementary cost. You would need to contact the salon manager for the same once onboard

Porters will be available at the starting and terminating stations to assist you with your luggage.

OFF BOARD

For all passengers in Deluxe Cabins, a deluxe coach is provided with an English-speaking guide. For guests occupying our Presidential Suites, a private luxury car is provided with a guide. All vehicles are equipped with complimentary sightseeing kits like mineral water with bottle coolers, wet wipes and shoe covers.

Yes, you do have the option to book a private car and a guide for yourself in case you are booked in a Deluxe Cabin. This can be arranged at a supplementary cost. You may contact your Guest Relations Officers onboard to book the same. As this request is subject to availability at a short notice, it is recommended to book it in advance.

The train moves out of the platform once the clients disembark & goes to the yard for maintenance & is inaccessible, so it is not recommended to return before schedule. However, we do make all possible efforts to bring you back on board in case of emergencies.

Yes, you may relax on board if you wish to skip any sightseeing trip. We have all services (e.g. valet services, bar services) available always.

Yes, tips for all off board services viz. guides, drivers, off board meal service etc. are included in the cost price. However, if you may wish to tip them, you may do so.

Yes, on all off-train excursions, you will be accompanied by a professional and qualified English-speaking local guide.

Yes, we can. Please let us know of your requirement at the time of booking as language speaking guides can be arranged in select cities subject to availability. Booking the same will incur an additional cost.

Yes, you may deviate from the scheduled sightseeing. Kindly inform Guest Relations onboard for the same. You may book a car & a guide if you may wish to do so at a supplement (Subject to availability). However, you will miss out on the local welcome & off board entertainment planned for you.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE

We serve International cuisine with a fair share of regional cuisine.

No, both the restaurants serve the same menu.

Yes, the food is prepared on the train

Bottled water, soft beverages, juices etc. Are complimentary on board as well as off board. However, all other beverages like wines, liquors, spirits, cocktails are at supplementary cost.

Yes, we do. Kindly specify any special dietary requirements at the time of booking to avoid disappointment during your journey. Every effort will be made to accommodate all culinary requests; however, we are unable to provide meals requiring strict religious observance in the preparation.

No, it is not required to reserve tables in either of the restaurants or the bars. Seats are available on first come first serve basis.

BATHROOM AMENITIES

We provide bathroom amenities of a very high quality such as: -

1. Shampoo

2. Hair conditioner

3. Handwash

4. Body and shower gel

5. Soap

6. Face tonic splash

7. Hand and body lotion

8. Facial cleanser

9. Nail care Sanitary bags

10. Toilet rolls

11. Face tissue box

12. Bathrobes on hangers

13. Hand and body lotion

14. Shower cap

15. Hair dryer

16. Cotton buds

17. Cotton pads

18. Sewing kit

19. Comb (on request)

20. Dental kit (on request)

21. Shaving kit (on request)

22. Body polisher (only in the Presidential suites)

23. Bath crystals (only in the Presidential suites)

24. Body and shower oil (only in the Presidential suites)

ROOM AMENITIES

Following room amenities are provided on board the Deccan Odyssey: -

1. Two pairs of slippers/shoe bag (for shoeshine services)

2. Eye mask/Ear plugs

3. Daily fresh fruit basket

4. Coasters

5. At your service booklet

6. Quintessential experiences (or spa booklet)

7. Diary

8. Post cards

9. Envelopes

10. Letter heads

11. Pen

12. GM Notes

13. Anecdotes

14. Tipping Envelopes

We provide the following wardrobe amenities

1. Six coat hangers with covers

2. Two coat hangers without cover

3. Two skirt hangers

4. Automatic lock safe box

5. Laundry bags

6. Shoe bag (for shoeshine services)

7. Shoeshine

8. Shoe mitten (on request)

In your room you can choose from among the following pillow menu:

Hard Pillow

Micro Fibre Pillow

Contour Pillow

Neck Pillow

Down Feather Pillow

Yes, you certainly may bring your electric shavers along with you. There is a separate socket available for them in each bathroom. Voltage available on the train is 110 volts. International adaptors are also available on board.

There is limited storage space in the cabins. We recommend that each guest travels with one check-in baggage and one cabin bag. It is also advisable to carry soft-topped luggage as it is easier to store. Luggage storage is provided under the bed. If there is any extra luggage, it can be locked and handed over to our team for storage in the luggage hold. Please note we are not liable for any loss to your baggage during the tour.

TIPPING

No. Individual tipping to staff is not recommended. Providing gratuities for small services is part of the culture in India. This is additional to the tour package price and is completely at your discretion. An envelope will be provided in each cabin on the last night of the journey towards gratuities for all the staff.

No, gratuities/tips are not included in the total price. Providing gratuities for small services is part of the culture in India. Gratuities for off-board drivers and guides are included in the tour cost. Gratuities for Deccan Odyssey staff and on-board escorts are at the guests' discretion. We recommend that you do not tip the staff individually but drop your gratuity into the common tipping box provided on the Deccan Odyssey, at the end of your tour.

All off board services viz. guides, drivers, off board meal service etc. are included in the total price/ cost. However, if you wish to tip them, you may do so

Yes, tips can be charged on the credit card. American Express, Master, Visa credit cards are accepted.

SECURITY

Deccan Odyssey features adequate security measures, with security personnel on board 24*7.

At the end of each journey, the train proceeds for servicing and it shall be in the yard area. However, you may leave your luggage on board as we always have ample security available.

We have the following emergency measures against natural hazards -

1. The Deccan Odyssey is equipped with fire extinguishers

2. Public areas have a chain pulling mechanism to stop the train in case of any emergency.

No, due to security reasons all guests are required to assemble in either of the public areas (Will be mentioned onboard) for disembarkation & embarkation.

GENERAL

No, we do not allow pets on the train.

Minibars are not available

Yes, it is advised to carry mosquito/ insect repellent in India, however on the train we do have mosquito/ insect repellent diffusers in all cabins & public areas.

Hard mattresses

Yes, you would get the opportunity to take a walk in the local bazaars at select cities on some itineraries

The cities that we cover during the Indian Odyssey journeys are extremely famous for shopping. Each city is special & has unique souvenirs to offer like -

o Agra - Pietro Dura Marble & Mughal Jewellery

o Jaipur - Gem stones, Silver Jewellery, Block Printed textiles, Blue Pottery etc.

o Udaipur - Miniature paintings

It is a comfortable ride on the train. However, on certain terrain, the train may jostle a bit

Yes, we do have a gym onboard.

The required travel documents are mentioned below -

o A confirmed ticket vouchers.

o An updated pre-departure information document.

o A scanned copy of the passport & visa.

o A copy of the travel insurance.

We have varied sources of entertainment. The same are highlighted as under -

o Copies of local English dailies are provided in public areas

o You could enjoy our collection of handpicked novels, coffee table books and magazines on board.

o Enjoy variety of SPA therapies on board

o We also have board games like chess, carom, playing cards, gammon etc.

o We also have pre-programmed content that you can view/listen to on your individual television sets in your cabin

It is not recommended to walk in the city without being accompanied by a guide. You may explore the stations accompanied by our security guards.

Yes, we do organize a cake & flowers if informed in advance & can either place them in the room or serve the same depending on your preference. Any other special requests can be discussed with the Guest Relations & the same can be arranged subject to availability.

We have about 45-60 personnel onboard the Deccan Odyssey.