Deccan Odyssey, India's leading luxury train made history at the World Travel Awards (WTA), after being named as Asia's Leading Luxury Train for the 5th time in a row. The country's premier luxury train is known for its majestic journeys and exemplary service. The winners of the prestigious award were announced at a glittering ceremony held at the Intercontinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong on 3rd September 2018.

According to Arup Sen, Director, Special Projects, Cox & Kings, "The Deccan Odyssey has surpassed the definition of luxury with its unparalleled service and stunning design that not only offers unimaginable comfort but also a rare window to tour India. The WTAs acknowledges the train's excellence in offering unique experiences and extraordinary journeys."

The only luxury train in India that traverses through all the major tourist destinations, Deccan Odyssey is also a gateway to the little known cultural secrets of the country. In the palatial train, one discovers more than one facet of India on any of its six enchanting journeys. The moving palace takes passengers through Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Goa and Delhi depending on their choice of itinerary.

The train is also home to four resplendent Presidential Suites with exquisite decor and all modern amenities.

The two gourmet restaurants, Waavar and Utsav on board help the guests taste the local specialities of each of the very diverse states that the train makes its way through. These are supplemented by a full bar, a lounge even a spa and a beauty salon. The royal train also boasts of unique features and amenities such as 24*7 Wi-Fi connectivity, cell phones & LCD TVs in every cabin.

The World Travel Awards is considered by many as the 'Oscars of the Travel Industry' that celebrate excellence in global tourism.

About Deccan Odyssey 

Deccan Odyssey has 21 coaches, out of which 12 are passenger cars that can accommodate 8 people per coach (10 passenger/ deluxe Cars, 4 coupes per coach - 2 Presidential Suite Cars, 2 coupes per coach), 1 Conference/ Entertainment Car, 2 Dining Cars, 2 Generator Cars with Luggage Store, 2 Staff Cars, 1 Spa Car, 1 Bar Car. The capacity of the train is 88 passengers.

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The luxury royal train, Palace on Wheels, has registered nearly 13 per cent rise in income, but had a flat growth of nine per cent in the number of tourists in 2017-18, an official said. A meagre 124 more tourists took the train, from 1,373 in the financial year of 2016-17 to 1,497 last fiscal, said Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) chairman Sanjeev Sharma.

The income from operations rose by around Rs 4.22 crore to Rs 37.44 crore in 2017-18 from Rs 33.22 crore in the year-ago period, a rise of 12.60 per cent, Sharma said. The train was run as Heritage Palace on Wheels this tourism season, RTDC general manager Pradeep Bohra said.

The train rakes were refurbished to give a new look and super-luxury environment, he said, adding that the state hold immense tourism potential for luxury royal trains in the upcoming year.

Source:financialexpress.com

The heritage Palace on Wheels will finally arrive in Jaipur with 24 tourists on board on its maiden tour .

Pradeep Bohra, general manager of the train who is accompanying the tourists, informed that the train left from Delhi's Safdarganj station and will arrive at Jaipur's Gandhinagar station on the last leg of its Golden Triangle circuit tour — which includes Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.

Train officials were exhilarated over the maiden voyage of this train as it took quite some effort to get the tourists on board the luxury train.

The passengers were given a warm departure in Delhi with band playing music and with all the gala celebration. The preparations are now being made at Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) for the train's arrival.

The success of the train is essential for RTDC as it also plans a tour on Shekhwati circuit starting this January .

This is the third royal super luxury train in Rajasthan which is being run by RTDC.

While palace on wheels is a known name, RTDC had for years also run RROW (Royal Rajasthan on wheels) which was discontinued only few months back .

Before starting off on the voyage it was kept at Bais godown railway station and was sent to Delhi few days back .

The train will depart from Jaipur on Saturday itself at 8:30 pm from Durgapura station.

Source: www.dnaindia.com

Maharaja Express, the Royal train, reached Udaipur on Thursday morning. Passengers were given a Red Carpet welcome at the railway station.

Maharaja Express started its journey on 30th September and reached Udaipur at 10 a.m. on 5th October. Tourists aboard have been enjoying all the modern amenities in the royal train. The Express train is on its journey from Delhi to Mumbai via Udaipur.

Upon reaching Udaipur, passengers were given a Red-Carpet welcome. The cheapest fare on the IRCTC train is 1 lakh 93 thousand 490 rupees and the most expensive one is fared at 15 lakhs 75 thousand 830 rupees.

The royal train is basically a five star hotel on wheels. The vessels used for serving food are reportedly coated with a layer of 24 carat gold. The train is equipped with one safari bar and 2 restaurants.

As per Udaipur city station manager SC Verma, the foreign tourists were given a red carpet welcome and then were taken for a city tour in buses. Meanwhile Railway Security Force took care of safe guarding the train.

Source : udaipurtimes

The super luxury train of Maharashtra, the Deccan Odyssey, arrived in Vijayapura on Sunday. It will also halt at Bagalkot on Monday to show enchanting monuments of both the districts to passengers.

The special 21-coach train which covers three States, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, will visit Vijayapura and Bagalkot districts, which are home to some splendid monuments built during the Adil Shahi and Chalukya eras.

This is one of the trains that offer five star facilities on wheels. One could enjoy Jacuzzi, spa, and a variett of cuisines.

The train has all the luxury that one could dream of. This train not only gives the best travelling experience but also takes passengers to various tourist destinations of three States during its sojourn, said Srirang Athale, logistic supplier, in Vijayapura.

Mr. Athale said that the train saves time and energy of the people in booking various modes of transport and hotels during their visit to listed tourists destination.

“Just pay once and all your needs are taken care between Mumbai and Mumbai for eight days,” he said.

He said that the train which operates generally between October and May, carries a maximum of 80 passengers based on booking.

The fair is around Rs. 5 lakh/person for the eight-day tour in which monuments such as Gol Gumbaz, the Badami caves, Aihole, Pattadakal, the Golconda in Hyderabad, the Ajanta-Ellora caves are shown.

Mr. Athale said that though most of the passengers who book are foreigners, some elite Indians also travel by this train for that different experience in life.

He said that States such as Rajasthan and Karnataka have also introduced luxury trains called the Palace on Wheels and the Golden Chariot.

Mr. Athale said that trains such as the Deccan Odyssey have helped in improving tourism industry here and more importantly, made Indian and foreign travellers to know about the ancient monuments of Vijayapura.

Source:http://www.thehindu.com/