Do I need vaccinations for traveling in India?
No vaccination certificate or inoculations are required to enter India from the United States of America, Canada, or United Kingdom. If you are coming from Africa, it is crucial to have a proof of inoculation against yellow fever. We highly recommend that you discuss your travel plans with your physician prior to your trip. Anti-malarial pills or malaria vaccination is a common procedure for traveling in India, and water treatment tablets may be wise. For more information we suggest visiting www.cdc.gov or speaking with your doctor.
What is the time difference between my home and India?
India is at GMT +5.5 hours. For example, from New York City (GMT - 5), India is 10.5 hours ahead. From Tokyo (GMT +9), India is 3.5 hours behind.
What is the weather like?
Temperature varies from 8°C to 30°C between September to March and in April it ranges from 26°C to 35°C. The weather during March and April tends to be rather hot, hence light color cottons are recommended. Afternoon sun tends to be rather strong, so do not forget to carry your sun block, sunglasses, caps and hats or umbrellas.
THE TRAIN
What is the total occupancy of the train?
There are 11 passenger coaches which hold a combination of single, double, and triple occupancy rooms and suites. If filled to capacity, the train can accommodate 122 passengers.
Is smoking allowed on the train?
Not in your room, but there is a designated smoking area (the Mumbai Hi bar) for those who enjoy smoking.
Is there a doctor available?
The doctor on-call is available at each station. A medicine chest is available on board for First-Aid requirements.
What facilities are available on the train?
The train has a business center with Internet, fax, and print capabilities and conference hall. It also has a gymnasium, steam room, Ayurvedic spa, laundry services, mailbox, bar, library, and lounge with DVD channels. The leading dailies and newspapers and a collection of magazines is made available for your onboard reading pleasure. Please note that the use of some facilities incurs additional fees (see "Expenses").
Tell me more about the business center.
It is well-equipped with computers, secretarial services, photocopying, telecommunication and internet, and equipment rental is available on board. There is a conference car/library with all amenities and connectivity designed to match the best if you wish to have a conference on board. Additional charges will be incurred for using the business center.
Tell me more about the spa.
There are body massages, facials with Ayurvedic oils and a steam bath available to rejuvenate you. A gymnasium is also there for your routine workouts. Additional charges will be incurred for using the spa facilities.
Is there a dress code on the train on in the restaurants?
There is no enforced dress code, but due to the upscale clientele, business casual attire is preferred. Krutapajamas and sarees are also acceptable.
What clothing is recommended for the tour?
Please carry clothing according to the average local temperatures (see "The Tour"), i.e. light tropical/woolens. Please bring your swimsuits, if desired, for visiting local beaches and hotel pools, and sunglasses/hats/caps. We highly recommend that you avoid wearing leather at any time. Comfortable clothing and tennis shoes are recommended for sightseeing. Please be aware that when visiting temples, it is recommended to fully cover your legs and shoulders. You will also be required to remove your shoes inside the temples and we suggest you carry your shoes with you (do not leave them at the door). No special evening attire is required, but you may carry it if you need it for any special personal occasion. In winter months of December through February, we suggest a light coat.
Do you need a reservation for the restaurants? How many restaurants are on the train?
No, you do not need a reservation. Guests are seated on a first-come, first-served basis in the two restaurants on board the train.
If I have a diet restriction, whom shall I contact?
You can always inform us prior to your trip. Also, you should speak with the chef or train manager about your special dietary needs so they can accommodate you accordingly.
What kind of food is served on the train?
Indian, Continental, Maharashtrian, Goan and Chinese cuisines are offered as fixed multi-cuisine menus, varying daily.
What type of electrical sockets are on the train?
The three pin round sockets are available on the train. The voltage is 240V in the cabins and 110V in the bathrooms. Kindly carry any transformers or converters per your specifications.
Can I drink the water aboard the train?
We advise that you abstain from drinking the tap water. Packaged water is provided complimentary throughout your tour for drinking.
THE ROOMS
What are the rooms like?
The fully air-conditioned deluxe coaches each have a combination of 4 twin-bedded chambers with channel music, intercom, attached toilets, running hot and cold water, shower, wall to wall carpeting and other amenities.
Are all the rooms the same?
The rooms in each category are the same but vary in décor. Deluxe suites measure 9'4'' by 7'7'' plus the restroom which measures 6'9'' by 3'6''. The Presidential suites are approximately twice the size of the standard deluxe cabins, each suite containing one bedroom and one sitting room.
Is there room service available?
Yes, an attendant is on-call for your service at all times.
Is there a safe deposit box in each room?
There is an electronic safe in each cabin for storing your valuables.
Is there TV/DVD/music in the rooms?
There are 6 channels of music available in standard rooms. Suites enjoy TV/DVD facilities. The lounges have 6 channels of DVD for your viewing pleasure.
What amenities are provided in the room?
All essential toiletries like soaps, shampoos, moisturizers etc. are provided. Each guest is also provided with an arrival kit consisting of stationery items, brochures, cards, etc. There is a hairdryer available in every cabin's bathroom. Anything additional can be requested from the attendant, who is always available at your service.
Are all rooms pre-assigned or do you choose your own?
The rooms are assigned on-site on the date of departure. If you have any specific room requirements, please contact us at least one month prior to departure so we may forward your request to the Operations team. We also suggest you make your requests known to the train manager upon arrival at the train station.
EXPENSES
What expenses will I have during my trip?
Deccan Odyssey is a very inclusive experience. The Tariff includes all meals, bottled water, transportation and sightseeing by air-conditioned deluxe coaches, entrance fees and still camera charges at monuments, palaces, boat cruises etc. during the paid portions of your tour. Tariff does not include liquor, beverages, laundry, smokes, video camera charges at monuments, palaces, temples and other items of personal nature on board or outside, use of Spa, telephones and business center facilities, or gratuities. You will also pay additional for any services in Mumbai (i.e. hotels, sightseeing, transfers to/from CST Station).
Any leg of minimum of 3 nights subject to availability will be given at the current per-night rates. Thus Mumbai-Goa and Goa-Mumbai sector will be sold as available segments to clients. However, if the client undertakes the day program at Goa or Mumbai, an extra $105 USD per person will be charged.
How are my expenses settled on the train?
You can keep a tab on your room account until the completion of your journey, at which time you are welcome to pay by major credit card, U.S. dollars, or Indian rupees.
Should I give money to the poor/destitute that I see in the towns that we visit?
Beggars and hawkers are to be strictly discouraged.
How can I exchange currency?
We recommend using banks or authorized exchange centers. Foreign exchange facilities are available at Mumbai and Pune.
How much should I expect to tip?
If you are taking the roundtrip journey from Mumbai, you should plan to tip approximately $200 per room. You are welcome to tip in either US dollars or Indian rupees. Begin the trip on a good note by giving each of your two cabin attendants $25. We strongly urge you not to tip the cabin attendants for each service throughout the journey. At the conclusion of your trip, you might present $75 to each of the attendants. You may desire to increase the final gratuity if the attendant has provided a special personal service to you. The tips to the cabin attendants are pooled and shared among the train staff. Of course, the gratuities are a personal decision that should be extended to reflect your enjoyment of the journey.
MISCELLANEOUS
Can you deliver my tickets directly to the hotel?
No, the train tickets are not issued until the date of departure. The tickets will be available during your embarkation reception at the train station.
Is the train accessible for persons with physical challenges?
Special assistance is available in the form of wheelchairs for off-train excursions; however, the train's corridors are too narrow to accommodate wheelchairs. On board, there are crutches and a special attendant for manual assistance.
Are there opportunities for shopping while on the tour?
Certain handicrafts and other special items of Maharashtrian origin can be bought while you visit the places covered by the Deccan Odyssey. There is also a small shop on the train for postcards and similar items.
Is mobile phone service available throughout the tour?
Mobile telephones can be rented upon arrival at the Mumbai International Airport for approximately US$25 per week, plus airtime charges.
For more information about The Deccan Odyssey, please visit www.thedeccanodyssey.com or feel free to call one of our customer service associates who will be happy to assist you.