7 Nights - 8 Days
Specific Tour
2 people
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The Palace on Wheels luxury train takes you on a scintillating journey into the royal land of sand dunes and regal palaces. Voted as the 4th best luxury train in the world, the Palace on Wheels carries with it an intrinsic ambience that goes perfectly well with the majestic charm and beauty spread so lavishly across the Indian terrain.
The essential premise of India’s first luxury rail vacation remains the same today: overnight travel in luxurious AC sleeping chambers on the train and pre-arranged group sightseeing by AC vehicles during the day.
The rulers of the princely realms of Rajputana and Gujarat, as well as the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Viceroy of British India, went by these opulent coaches. After independence, these coaches were parked and remained in this state for a quarter-century until 1981-82, when the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation and Indian Railways launched a special heritage tourist train to provide tourists visiting Rajasthan with a unique and memorable experience.
The term Palace on Wheels was inspired by the coaches’ regal heritage. Many infrastructure upgrades were implemented gradually in the coaches while maintaining the same aesthetics of the interiors, which matched the interiors of the royal state. The original passengers saloons of the Ex Maharajas were replaced in the late 1980s with Metre Gauge trains with AC Cabins and shared restrooms. Then, in 1996, due to the conversion of train tracks in India. In 1996, a Broad Gauge version of the Palace On Wheels train was introduced, with all Cabins having private connected restrooms.
In September 2017, the Palace on Wheels luxury train received new carriages that are more luxurious in size, and visitors may now book Deluxe or Super Deluxe Cabins.
Report to Safdarjung Railway Station by 4:30PM for a traditional greeting, including garlanding, tikka, and turban, as well as check-in for the 'Week in Wonderland' train journey. Time is set aside for a picture session with the Palace On Wheels employees in traditional garb. Personal attendants will accompany you to your saloon cabins for a briefing on cabin amenities. Proceed to the Bar Lounge at your leisure for a complimentary welcome drink. Dinner is served onboard the train, which departs at 6:30 p.m.
Breakfast is served on board, and you will be greeted by a royal elephant at Jaipur Railway Station. Then explore the St. Albert Museum, the Pink City Palace, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jantar Mantar (sun observatory). After a quick picture break at the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), the sightseeing trip continues to the afternoon excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hill Fort Palace of Amber. Enjoy an elephant ride up the fort's rugged ramparts. Lunch is served in the 1135 AD Boutique Restaurant, which is located on the Fort grounds. Later, experience the splendor of the 16th century Fort Palace, with its massive courtyards and uncommon combination of Rajput and Mughal architecture. Visit the lively local market for some shopping about 5 p.m. Return board the Palace on Wheels train at 6:00PM and continue on to your next destination. Dinner is provided aboard the ship.
After breakfast at a forest lodge at 6:30 a.m., go on a jungle safari in 15-seater canters inside Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve. The forest is home to Tigers, Panthers, Sloth bears, Pythons, Marsh crocodiles, hundreds of deers, and various birds and is one of India's most popular reserves with a long history. A true joy for nature enthusiasts. Return to the Sawai Madhopur Railway Station and board the train at 10:00 a.m. Onboard, lunch is prepared.
The Palace on Wheels train arrives at Chittorgarh Railway Station around 4:00 p.m. Begin your tour with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Chittorgarh Hill Fort, which is stretched across a vast plateau and has a history reaching back to the 11th century. It is regarded to be India's biggest fort. In the evening, enjoy the Sound and Light presentation in the fort complex before returning to the train for dinner. The train leaves after midnight.
The train arrives at 8:00 a.m. After breakfast on board, go to the 17th century City Palace complex, which has eleven component Mahals, balconies, turrets, and cupolas. Visit the Crystal Gallery, which houses the personal collection of H.H. of Udaipur. Later, take a boat trip around the world-famous "Lake Palace Hotel," which is perched on a tiny island in the midst of Lake Pichola. Lunch will be served at the magnificent Fatehprakash Palace Hotel. You will then have time to shop before visiting the Royal Gardens at Saheliyon Ki Bari. Return to the train at 3 p.m. and depart. Dinner will be served on board.
After breakfast onboard, depart at 09:30AM for the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jaisalmer Fort, which appears to be right out of an Arabian Nights story. Enjoy a leisurely stroll around the 15th century-built living Fort complex, which stands hundreds of meters above Jaisalmer town and shines golden in the afternoon light. The fort is accessed by a foreboding sequence of enormous gates that lead to a vast courtyard. Then go to Patwon ki Haveli, one of the largest and most exquisite mansion residences, with five storeys and intricate carvings. A set of magnificently carved 15th century Jain temples are nearby, as is a library housing some of India's oldest manuscripts. Proceed to a 5-Star Hotel for lunch, and then return to the train for a quick break and tea. At 4:30 p.m., go for an excursion to Sam sand Dunes in Thar Desert for a camel pleasure ride at sunset. After that, enjoy a Cultural Program and Dinner at a 5-Star Hotel. Return to the train by 10:00 p.m. and depart.
After arriving at Jodhpur at 08:00 AM, travel for tour of the 16th century Mehrangarh Fort, which is built atop a rocky hill 125 meters above Jodhpur town. The Palace complex is accessed by a series of gates positioned at an angle so that hostile forces cannot rush successfully. After passing through the Fort gates, you will have access to breathtaking Palatial Apartments (Mahal) with views of broad courtyards. Within the fort complex is a museum with a large and magnificent collection of royal gowns and medieval weaponry. The late-nineteenth-century Jaswant Thada, a cluster of royal cenotaphs in white marble, is located near the Fort complex. Later, visit the Umaid Bhawan Palace museum, which houses personal treasures of H.H. Maharaja of Jodhpur. Hanwant Mahal Boutique Restaurant serves lunch. Return to the Palace on Wheels train and board at 3:30 p.m. Dinner is provided aboard the ship.
At 06:30 AM proceed to UNESCO world Heritage Site of Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary& enjoy cycle rickshaw ride to view many of 375 species of both local & migratory birds (from places like Sri-Lanka, Europe, Siberia, China and Tibet). Return to train for breakfast & depart by 08:45 AM.
At 10:30 a.m., the train arrives at a railway station on the outskirts of Agra. The sightseeing tour begins with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Agra Fort, the once-mighty Mughal Empire's center of power. Lunch at the ITC Mughal Hotel is followed by a visit to the magnificent Taj Mahal, one of the contemporary world's seven wonders and a faultless architectural marvel made in white marble. Following that, visitors are free to go shopping. Then return to the train for an onboard meal before departing.
The Palace on Wheels train returns to Delhi’s Safdarjung Railway Station by 05:30AM. Check-out by 07:15 AM after early breakfast.
On board Palace on Wheels, there are 14 attractively themed designed saloons that can accommodate 82 persons in a single departure.
Palace on Wheels visits India's most important cities, including Delhi, Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bharatpur, and Agra.
It is advisable to arrive in Delhi at least a day or two before the train departure date to void any inconvenience.
No, there is no required attire for passengers onboard. The passenger may bring sophisticated casual and comfy attire onboard.
Onboard the guest may choose from Chinese, American, Continental and Rajasthani cuisines onboard. If you have any special dietary requirement or food allergy, communicate the same with onboard train manager or chef at the commencement of the journey.
The Palace on Wheel luxury train travel is inclusive of all cost. Thus, you need not to pay any charge for meals, tea / coffee / water, monument entrance, sightseeing, and accommodation. Additional charges are only applicable on the purchase of wine, soft-drink, alcohol, or juices. Facilities and services like additional toiletries, laundry services, camera fees at monuments, etc., also require additional charges.
Member Since 2023
Charming 'Old School' Train Voyage Across Rajastan