Day 1: (Wednesday) Mumbai
Departure in the evening from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Mumbai
DAY 2: (Thursday) Sindhudurg Nagari
Morning - Arrive at the Sindhudurg Nagari Railway station.
Departure by AC Bus to Malvan Jetty. On way walk through local Weekly Market at Katta Village. From Jetty boat ride up to Sindhudurg the Ocean Fort & one time naval base of Maratha empire. Sindhudurg fort stands on a rocky island, known as Kurte, barely a km, from the Malvan Town. Sindhudurg Fort was built in 1664-67 AD by King Shivaji. One of the best preserved forts of the Marathas, the 48 acre Sindhudurg fort has a four kms long zigzag line of 9 metres high and 3 metres wide rampart with 42 bastions. Apart from the huge stones, the building material involved 2000 khandis (72,576 k.g) of iron erecting the massive curtain wall and bastions. A notable feature is that the foundation stones were laid down firmly in molten lead. It also houses some twenty Hindu-Muslim hereditary families.
Return to jetty and proceed to Tarkarli beach resort.
Tarkarli a virgin beach at the confluence of river Karli and Arabian Sea. The major attraction here is the long and narrow stretch of beach, with its pristine water. On a clear day, you can see the sea bed through a depth of 20 ft.
Lunch & free time at Tarkarli beach resort.
Next, bus ride up to Dhamapur village. On way visit to Cashew factory. At Dhamapur visit ancient temple of Goddess Bhagawati and Bharadi Devi situated on banks of beautiful lake.
After this visit proceed by bus to board the train at Kudal Railway Station. Dinner onboard.
Dinner onboard.
DAY 3: (Friday) Goa
Morning arrival at Karmali - Goa. The most frequented tourist spots in India.
Board the bus to reach Old Goa to witness;
the ruins of St. Augustine Church once largest cathedral in Goa. Basilica of Bom Jesus, this is 16th Century Church, the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier is enshrined here. Se Cathedral and the Church of St. Francis of Assissi that began as a mosque but now is an archaeological museum for Goan antiques. Walk through Fontanhas, the Latin quarters at Panjim.
Departure to Verna Railway Station for typical Goan lunch on board the train.
Free time onboard.
Evening depart by bus to beach hotel and enjoy Goan culture and traditional meals.
Board the train from Madgaon railway station.
Day 4: (Saturday) Kolhapur
Morning - Arrival at Kolhapur City, known as Karveer or Dakshin Kashi of Maharashtra. Situated on the banks of river Panchaganga. Board the bus to visit;
New Palace, a royal palace partly converted into museum, The museum houses rare paintings and artifacts used by the royal family. Royal weapons and a tableau depicting court life of the last century create an aristocratic ambience. Next visit to Bhawani Mandap (The Town Hall). Aantiques found during the excavations at Brahmagiri, old sculptures, filigree work in sandal wood and ivory, old coins and paintings of master artists of the region are all displayed here. Then move on to see an exquisitely carved Mahalaxmi Temple, a temple of goddess Ambabai visited by millions of pilgrims. From temple proceed to Shalini Palace built of intricately carved black stone & Italian Marble stands on the west side of lake Rankala, Witness traditional Martial Art locally known as "Mardani Khel" at Palace and cultural programme.
Kolhapur is well known for its textiles and cottons, in particular Kolhapuri saris. But it is of course most famous for its jewellery and leather sandals and Kolhapuri chappals. The selected and famous items would be displayed in the stalls at the Palace so one can leisurely do shopping.
At noon board the train at Kolhapur station.
Lunch and Leisure time onboard.
Dinner onboard.
Day 5: (Sunday) Aurangabad
Morning Arrival at Daulatabad station.
Proceed by road to visit;
Majestic fort Daulatabad. Rising dramatically over 600 ft above the Deccan plain is the arresting sight of Daulatabad. Once known as Devgiri, this fort served as the head quarters of the powerful Yadava rulers. In the 13th century, Mohammed bin Tughlak, the Sultan of Delhi, made it his capital and renamed it Daulatabad, or City of Fortune.
Next stop is Ellora caves, a World Heritage site, having 34 cave temples dedicated to three different religion-
Hinduism, Buddhism & Jainism. The cave temples and monasteries at Ellora, excavated out of the vertical face of an escarpment, are 26 km north of Aurangabad. Extending in a linear arrangement, the 34 caves contain Buddhist Chaityas or halls of worship, and Viharas, or monasteries, Hindu and Jain temples. Spanning a period of about 600 years between the 5th and 11th century AD, the earliest excavation here is of the Dhumar Lena (Cave 29).The most imposing excavation is, without doubt, that of the magnificent Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) which is the largest monolithic structure in the world.
Lunch & free time.
After lunch move on to see;
Bibi-ka-Maqbara, a replica of Taj Mahal is a grand piece of Moghul architecture. Free time for shopping Paithani, Himroo, Bidriwork from showrooms for a perfect memorabilia. Evening train from Aurangabad railway station. Dinner onboard.
Day 6: (Monday) Chandrapur (Tadoba) & Wardha
Morning arrive at Chandrapur Railway station. After breakfast leave by jeeps for visit to Tadoba Wildlife Sanctuary. Tadoba Wildlife Sanctuary is among the most attractive sanctuary in the country. The park was established in 1935 and declared as a National Park in 1955 and since 1995, the area comprising the Tadoba National Park and Andhari wildlife Santuary together was designated as Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve. It is the second Tiger Reserve project in the State. The park consists around 50 Bengal Tigers. Along with this other frequently spotted wildlife are Sambar, Gaur, Chinkara, Leopard cat, Pangolin, Panther, Spotted deer, Sloth bear, Chausinga, Nilgai, Barking deer, Indian bison, Wild dog, Hyena, Jackals etc. Tadoba National Park also an ornithologist's paradise with a varied diversity of Migratory birds and Water Birds. Python, Bengal monitor lizard and crocodiles are other inhabitants of this park.
Before noon return on Deccan Odyssey.
Lunch onboard. Free Time.
Late afternoon alight at Wardha Railway Station.
Proceed by Bus to Sevagram. Sevagram or the 'Village of Service' is a small and unpretentious village symbolizing the Gandhian way of life. Gandhiji made this his home in later years and many momentous political decisions taken during India's freedom struggle were made here. Today Gandhiji's Ashram in Sevagram is a National Institution and his cottage, where his personal belongings are preserved, has become place of pilgrimage. At Sevagram Ashram one can see Adi Nivas (First Residence), Prayer Ground, Bapu Kuti, Ba Kuti, Gandhiji's Secretariat, Bapu's Kitchen, Akhari Niwas (Last Abode) and Gandhiji's Exhibits.
Evening return on Deccan Odyssey. Dinner onboard.
Day 7: (Tuesday) Ajanta Caves / Nasik
Morning - Arrival at Bhusawal railway station. Board the bus to reach Ajanta Caves.
Renowned Buddhist caves of Ajanta are World Heritage Site. Witness some of the finest paintings and sculptures of the second century AD. 'Bodhisattva Padmapani', 'Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara', The Birth of the Buddha' & 'Thousand Buddha's are a few amongst the many fine murals & sculptures. At noon board train at Jalgaon railway station. Proceed to Nashik. Lunch on-board.
Leisure Time onboard till evening.
Alight at Nashik Road railway station to board the bus for departure to Panchawati Ghat a holy place known for Kumbh Mela. Next, visit to Kala Ram Temple built in 1794. Evening board the train at Deolali railway station.
Farewell dinner on-board.
Day 8: (Wednesday) Mumbai
Morning - Arrival at CST - Mumbai. Journey Ends.
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