India Great Train Journeys

Experience the royalty along side the cultural, architectural, natural and traditional richness that India has to offer on this train, the Palace On Wheels. The ambience and the aura make you feel you are living in the regal era. The yesteryears when the Maharajas and the Maharanis used to reign supreme will be recreated for you. The train that is so true to its name is bound to enchant you.

The Palace on Wheels departs every Wednesday night and returns early morning the following Wednesday. This journey can be enjoyed only during the months of September to April. The Palace on Wheels has been planned to be moving during the nights and stop at the destinations during the daytime. This ensures maximum enjoyment and makes the journey more comfortable. The number of services offered inside the Palace on Wheels equals the lifestyle of any palace. The bygone era can be felt on this self-sufficient train. The décor of the train is amazingly beautiful and ethnic.

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  The Palace on Wheels
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  Lounge
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  Restaurant
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  Twin Saloon

ABOUT THE TRAIN

The Palace on Wheels, is fully vestibuled, centrally air-conditioned and truly a "palace on wheels". Completely self-sufficient, its public spaces include two restaurant coaches and a bar coach with an attached library. Deep veneered wood encases large picture windows through which guests can see the "countryside-of-a-thousand-battles" slide past effortlessly.

The 14 coaches are named after former Rajput states. Each evokes visions of those royal kingdoms. The names are romantic, mesmerizing... Kota, Jaipur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Alwar, Sirohi, Kishangarh, Bundi, Dungarpur, Bharatpur, Jhalawar and Dholpur. Each coach has four coupes, done in colours reminiscent of that state, and highlighted by its royal emblem.

Of the four compartments, two feature double beds, while the other two have train beds. A third bed, for an additional person, or an accompanying child, is in the form of a foldaway bed on a higher tier. Each compartment has an attached bath with running hot/cold water and showers, built-in wardrobes, overhead and night lights, piped music, reading lights, etc. The furniture, with its inlaid motifs, has been specially created for the Palace on Wheels.

All coaches and corridors are fully carpeted. At the end of each coach is a separate lounge where passengers can relax when they wish to move out of their bedrooms. Here they can unwind with a book or magazine, engage in conversation, or simply watch the panoramic vista of the great Indian countryside.

The Palace on Wheels has been part of Rajasthan Tourism and Indian Railways since January 1982. The Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation, The Indian Railways, the Tourism Department of Rajasthan and the Government of India launched Palace on Wheels as a special heritage tourist train to provide a unique and memorable experience for tourists visiting Rajasthan.

The concept was derived from the royal background of the coaches, which were originally meant to be the personal railway coaches of the erstwhile rulers of the princely states of Rajputana, Gujarat, the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Viceroy of British India. These coaches were not being used by Indian Railways after independence in normal passenger trains on account of very rich and traditional interiors. The train had its inaugural trip on 26th January 1982. It started to roll on its regular operations from October 1982. In 1991, a new air-conditioned meter gauge train on the lines of the old heritage train was launched with 13 salons, 2 restaurants, kitchen car, Bar cum lounge and 4 service cars. "Khidmatgars & or personal attendants, in each cabin, cater to all your needs.

The eight days and seven nights journey in royal splendour takes you to the territory Maharajas, the "Pink City" of Jaipur; Jaisalmer "the jewel of the desert"; the majestic stronghold of Jodhpur; Sawai Madhopur for the Ranthambore National Park; the city of Chittaurgarh with its countless tales of Rajput chivalry; Udaipur with its lakes and Lake Palaces; Bharatpur - with its remarkable Keoladeo Ghana bird sanctuary; the red stone city of Fatehpur Sikri; and of course, the Taj Mahal in Agra - one of the seven wonders of the world.

On Board the Train

The Palace on Wheels comprises 14 fully air-conditioned deluxe salons equipped with world-class amenities.

The 14 coaches are made up of 104 passenger berths in double bedded cabins, each with channel music, intercom, attached toilet, running hot and cold water and a shower. The coaches are named after former Rajput states matching the aesthetics and interiors of the royal past. Each salon has a mini pantry and a lounge to ensure availability of hot and cold beverages, and refreshments and a place to relax and get together.

The train has two lavish restaurants "The Maharaja" and "The Maharani" with a Rajasthani ambience serving palate tickling Continental, Chinese, Indian and Rajasthani cuisines. The train also boasts a well stocked bar offering the choicest of spirits of Indian and international brands. Each coach also offers a good collection of books to choose from.

The Palace on Wheels is regularly refurbished. The décor in the salons and bar lounge has been changed, keeping in mind the traditionally aesthetic yet modern, train. Each salon lounge has been equipped with a colour television and a CD player.

Luggage Collection

Your luggage is picked up and taken to your respective salons without your worrying about it.

Arrival Kit

Each guest is provided with an arrival kit consisting of stationery items, brochures, cards etc.

Anything additional can be asked for, from the attendant, always available at your service.

Attendant "Khidmatgar"

An attendant or "Khidmatgar" is always available anat your service, to take care of your travel needs.

Meals

An exotic array of dishes to choose from - Continental, Chinese, Indian and Rajasthani cuisines are available on the Palace on Wheels.

Mineral Water

Mineral water is made available to you all through the journey.

Newspapers/Magazines

The leading dailies and newspapers greet you every morning over a simmering hot cup of tea or beverage of your choice. Also available for you is a large collection of magazines.

Toiletries

All essential toiletries like soaps, shampoos, moisturizers etc. are provided in the train.

Wine

A complimentary bottle of fine Indian wine to the royal guests (per cabin), courtesy of the Palace on Wheels.

For Disabled Persons

There is special; assistance available in the form of wheel chairs, crèches and a special attendant for manual assistance.

Indoor Games

Chess, Playing Cards, Chinese Checkers, Carrom Board and Crossword Puzzles are available

Lounge

A lounge for relaxing, interacting, making friends, getting together and indulging in games.

Medical Aid

First Aid is available on the train whereas a doctor can be arranged on call at the very next station.

Restaurants

Two lavish and beautifully done restaurants; "The Maharaja" and "The Maharani" serve mouth watering Continental, Chinese, Indian and Rajasthani cuisines that would definitely make way to your heart through your stomach.

Smoking

The Palace on Wheels is a non-smoking train.

8 days

Depart Delhi Wednesdays between September and April inclusive.

Day 1 Wed. Delhi.
Board the Palace on Wheels at 4:30 pm at Delhi's Safderjung Railway Station. The tour starts in the evening with a ceremonial welcome aboard the Palace on Wheels. You will be introduced to your fellow travellers.Depart for Jaipur at 6:00 pm. Dinner on board.

Day 2 Thu. Jaipur.
Arrive at 3:45 am. Have breakfast on board before sightseeing tour of the Pink City of Jaipur. Discover Hawa Mahal and visit Amber Fort, silent sentinels of a glorious era. Lunch at Amber Fort. Visit Jantar Mantar, the age old Observatory. Dinner will be at the 5star Heritage Hotel. Depart for Sawai Madhopur at 11:30 pm

Day 3 Fri. Sawai Madhopur - Chittaurgarh.
Arrive at 5:30 am. Depart for a safari in Ranthambore National Park. The imposing ramparts of the 10th century fort are surrounded by this Project Tiger Reserve. Breakfast at the Hotel Vinayak. Depart at 10:30 am. for Chittaurgarh. Lunch on board. Visit the Chittaurgarh Fort, lauded in legends of valor and chivalry. This evening, you will enjoy a light & sound show at the fort. Dinner will be served at Panna Hotel along with a cultural programme, music & barbeque. Depart for Udaipur at 2:00 am.

Day 4 Sat. Udaipur.
Breakfast on board. Proceed to Udaipur by motorcoach sightseeing of Udaipur, the city of lakes, palaces, gardens, temples and forts. Lunch at the Lake Palace, the former summer residence of the Princes of Mewar. Enjoy the tranquility of Lake Pichola. Visit the City Palace in all its ancient glory. Back to train at Chittaurgar and depart for Bharatpur at 3:30 pm. Dinner on board.

Day 5 Sun. Jaisalmer.
Arrive at 9:15 am. Breakfast on board. Morning sightseeing of this 12th century city dominated by its sandstone fort of 99 bastions. Visit the exquisitely carved havelis and palaces with their latticed windows, balconies, cupolas and facades. Lunch will be at the Hotel Moomal. -It is the first hotel of Jaisalmer carved in yellow sand stone and the best hotel for sharing mouth watering ethnic Rajasthani food with atmosphere. Depart at 11:45 pm for Jodhpur.

Day 6 Mon. Jodhpur.
Breakfast on board. Arrive at 7:00 am. Visit the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada, the royal cenotaph. Lunch at the Umaid Bhavan Palace. Depart for BhSawai Madhopur at 3:30 pm. Dinner on board.

Day 7. Tue. Bharatpur - Agra.
Arrive 5:00 am. Visit the Keoladeo Ghana National Park, once the preserve of the Maharaja of Bharatpur, now a world heritage site. It is home to 300 species of birds. Breakfast at the bird sanctuary. Depart for Agra at 10:30 am. Enjoy lunch at the Palace Hotel in Agra. Visit the Taj Mahal, one of the most beautiful monuments ever built. Tonight, enjoy a light & sound culture programme in the evening. There will be a Gala Dinner at the Hotel Mughal Sheraton. Depart at 11 pm. for Delhi.

Day 8 Wed. Delhi.
Arrive at 4 am. at Delhi's Safderjung Railway Station. Breakfast on board and the tour concludes at 7:30am.

DEPARTURES:

Wednesdays.

PRICES:

Please request prices for time you wish to travel.

INCLUDES:

Accommodation on the train, all meals, conducted sightseeing in deluxe coaches, entrance fees for monuments and palaces