Though times have changed and the winds have shifted, the Palace On Wheels cruises along in Royal Style, the kind only the Maharajas of yesteryears could have perpetuated and enjoyed.
It stands on its tracks; a gleaming sealed carriage, every bit is royal. The air-conditioning works silently, creating a space where only the excitement of the history of the Rajput kingdoms permeates through, clearly captured in a contemporary mode. In all, there are fourteen saloons, each equipped with two twin-bedded and two double-bedded chambers, with attached baths that have running hot and cold water and showers. The modern conveniences have been thoughtfully provided, sofas to sink into, strategically placed lights to read by, wonderfully appointed beds with comfortable furnishings, inbuilt wardrobes for the storage of one’s clothes and bags, and huge plate glass windows to watch the countryside roll past. Outside the bedrooms, each coach also has a seating lounge where passengers can get together, just sit watch the cities as they glide past outside the windows, or enjoy a quiet cup of tea. An attached pantry with each saloon helps provide beverages and refreshments to the accompaniment of soothing piped music.
There is the comfortable bar cum lounge where you can relax over your favourite drink, burrow in a book or converse with fellow passengers. Attached to it are two restaurant cars, Maharaja and Maharani respectively, with opulently draped curtains, exquisitely crafted lights and table settings. Here accompanying chefs serve up a delicious choice of Indian, including Rajasthani, Continental and even Chinese cuisine that are a feast for the palate.
The train chugs out of Safdarjung Railway Station New Delhi cantonment on a week-long run through Rajasthan every Wednesday night, with a trip also inbuilt to Agra and the Taj Mahal. Turban-wearing attendants take over from the moment you arrive at the platform, assigning you your coupes and detailing all the facilities that are on board. The train moves by night and arrives each morning at a new destination where new experiences await you.
Places Covered: New Delhi - Jaipur - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Sawai Madhopur - Chittaurgarh - Udaipur - Bharatpur - Agra - Delhi
| Day |
Places | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday - Day 1 | Delhi | |
| Welcome on arrival at Safdarjung Railway Station. | 16:00 hrs | |
| Departure for Jaipur | 18:30 hrs | |
| Dinner on Board | ||
| Thursday - Day 2 | Jaipur | |
| Arrival at Jaipur | 02:00 hrs | |
| Breakfast on Board | 07:00 hrs | |
| Welcome with Shenai & Garland | 08:00 hrs | |
| Departure by coach for Sight Seeing | 08:15 hrs | |
| Visit to Albert Hall Museum, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, City Palace, Shopping, Elephant ride and Lunch at Amber Fort | 13:30 hrs | |
| Visit of Amber Fort | 15:00 hrs | |
| Shopping | 17:00 hrs | |
| Return to train | 19:00 hrs | |
| Dinner on Board | 19:30 hrs | |
| Departure for Sawai Madhopur from Durgapura Railway Station Jaipur | 20:00 hrs | |
| Friday - Day 3 | Sawai Madhopur/Chittorgarh | |
| Arrival at Sawai Madhopur | 04.45 hrs | |
| Departure for Ranthambore National Park (Sanctuary visit) | 06:00 hrs | |
| Break Fast on Board | 10:00 hrs | |
| Departure for Chittorgarh Lunch on Board | 10.20 hrs | |
| Arrival at Chittorgarh | 15:00 hrs | |
| Departure for Sight Seeing, Evening Tea at Fort. | 16:00 hrs | |
| Evening Tea & Light & Sound Programme at Fort | 18:00 hrs | |
| Return to Train | 20:00 hrs | |
| Dinner on Board | ||
| Saturday - Day 4 | Udaipur | |
| Departure from Chittorgarh | 02:00 hrs | |
| Arrival at Udaipur | 07:00 hrs | |
| Breakfast on Board | 07:30 hrs | |
| Departure for Sight Seeing by coach Saheliyon Ki Bari, shopping and City Palace & Crystal Gallery | 09:00 hrs | |
| Lunch at Fateh Prakash Hotel | 13:00 hrs | |
| Boat Ride, Tea at Jagmandir Palace | 14:00 hrs | |
| Arrival at Station | 15:00 hrs | |
| Evening Tea on board | 15:30 hrs | |
| Departure for Jaisalmer | 16:00 hrs | |
| Dinner on board | ||
| Sunday - Day 5 | Jaisalmer | |
| Break Fast on Board | 07:30 hrs | |
| Arrival at Jaisalmer | 09:00 hrs | |
| Departure for Sight Seeing - Visit of Gadsisar Lake, Fort, Patwon ki Haveli & Nathmal ji ki Havelies and City Walk | 09:30 hrs | |
| Lunch on board | ||
| Departure for Sam duns and camel ride & tea | 16:00 hrs | |
| Arrival on train | 19:00 hrs | |
| Dinner & Cultural Programme at 05 star Hotel | 19:45 hrs | |
| Departure for Jodhpur | 23:45 hrs | |
| Monday - Day 6 | Jodhpur | |
| Arrival at Mandor Railway Station, Jodhpur | 07:00 hrs | |
| Break Fast on Board | 07:30 hrs | |
| Departure for Sightseeing | 09:00 hrs | |
| Visit of Meharangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada, Visit of Umaid Bhawan Museum& shopping | ||
| Lunch at Ajit Bhawan Palace | 13:30 hrs | |
| Return to train | 16:00 hrs | |
| Departure for Bharatpur | 16:30 hrs | |
| Dinner on board | 19:30 hrs | |
| Tuesday - Day 7 | Bharatpur/ Agra | |
| Arrival at Bharatpur | 06:00 hrs | |
| Departure for Keola Deo National Park (Ghana Bird Sanctuary) | 06:30 hrs | |
| Return to Train | 08:45 hrs | |
| Breakfast on Board | 09:00 hrs | |
| Departure for Agra | 09:00 hrs | |
| Arrival at Agra Cant (Agra) Railway Station | 11:00 hrs | |
| Departure for Sightseeing-Visit to Fort of Agra. | 11:00 hrs | |
| Lunch at Hotel Clarks shiraz | 13:30 hrs | |
| Visit to Taj Mahal | 15:00 hrs | |
| Shopping | 18:00 hrs | |
| Dinner on Board | 19:30 hrs | |
| Departure for Delhi from Agra Cantt. Railway Station | 20:45 hrs | |
| Wednesday - Day 8 | Delhi | |
| Arrival at Safdarjung Railway Station | 02:30 hrs | |
| Breakfast on Board | 06:00 hrs | |
| De board/ Checkout | 07:30 hrs |
Day 1 - Wednesday, Delhi
The guests are given a traditional welcome at the Safdarjung Railway Station at 4 PM where they proceed with the check-in formalities. At 6.30 PM the vibrantly decorated Palace on Wheels begins its eight-day odyssey cutting across the scenic landscapes and rich heritage of India with its first stop at Jaipur. A sumptuous dinner is served on board.
Day 2 - Thursday, Jaipur
The guests enjoy a delectable breakfast aboard The Palace on Wheels as it royally marches into the pink city. After a grand welcome by shenai and garlands, the guests depart by coach to experience the treasure trove of artefacts at the Albert Hall Museum followed by a host of architectural marvels - Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, City Palace etc. A pleasant lunch is served around 1.30 PM at 1135 AD Restaurant followed by a visit to the Amber Fort - adorned with red sandstone and marbles standing testimony to its perennial charm. At 3PM the guests can shop in the buzzing atmosphere of the local markets that sell a huge array of items including handicrafts, sweets and savouries pertaining to the local culture. Around 8PM the travellers return back to the train for dinner on board. The odyssey continues to Sawai Madhopur from Durgapura Railway Station in Japiur at 8PM.
Day 3 - Friday, Sawai Madhopur - Chittorgarh
The guests disembark for a safari in the Ranthambore National Park located in the heart of the Aravalli and Vindhya Range. Amidst picturesque locales, the sanctuary offers a fine view of the animals, in particular the Bengal tigers which could be seen in their natural habitat. The entourage leaves for Chittorgarh at 10.20 AM with breakfast served on board. During the course of the journey, guests can have a leisure time at the bar, enjoy a few drinks and converse with fellow passengers over their inherent love for travel. The Palace on Wheels reaches Chittorgarh at 3 PM and on arrival the guests explore the forts and castles of a bygone era that echoes the heroism and pride of the Rajput clan. The guests go for a quick exploration of the city, revelling in the various sightings the city has to offer and return to the fort for Tea and a fun-filled light and sound programme. Dinner is served on board the train.
Day 4 - Saturday, Udaipur
The entourage leaves for Udaipur at 2AM in the morning and breakfast at 7.30AM. The guests are taken for a tour around the city’s historical garden – Saheliyon Ki Bari regarded as the most popular tourist space replete with kiosks, a lotus pool and marble elephants followed by a visit to the city palace and the crystal gallery that provide a breath-taking view of its cultural significance. A sumptuous lunch awaits the guests at the Fateh Prakash Hotel after which they proceed to a boat ride to the resplendent Jagmandir Palace for tea. The Palace on Wheels set on its journey cutting across Rajasthan and moving towards its northwestern frontier of Jaisalmer at 4 PM.
Day 5 - Sunday, Jaisalmer
The last princely bastion of Rajasthan, tucked deep in the Thar Desert, The Palace on Wheels reaches the quaint city of Jaisalmer around 9.00 AM. The guests embark on a sightseeing tour to the serene spot of Gadsasir Sagar Lake, stunning forts and the innumerable havelis – including the eponymous Patwon ki Haveli and the Nathmal ji ki Haveli - that project the strong valour of its rulers and an aesthetic representation of its times. The guests get to enjoy refreshing lunch on board and embark for camel rides and tea on the sam sand. At 11.45 PM the prestigious Palace on Wheels leaves Jaisalmer and heads towards Jodhpur.
Day 6 - Monday, Jodhpur
The Palace on Wheels journeys into the Blue City of Jodhpur at 7 AM and breakfast is served at 07.30AM. Upon reaching, the guests explore the architectural and magnificent marvel of Mehrangarh Fort and the surrounding cenotaph of Jaswant Thada. Celebrate a glimpse of the history at the Umaid Bhavan Museum and cap it all off by shopping in the nearby local markets. A grand lunch is served at the royal Ajit Bhawan Palace. The train sets off for Bharatpur soon after.
Day 7 - Tuesday, Bharatpur - Agra
The train arrives in the early hours of the morning for a recreational visit to the Keola Deo National Park, the erstwhile duck-hunting reserve of the Maharajas for bird-watching and photography. The guest is served breakfast on board the train and departs for the onward journey to Agra at 9 AM. On arrival at Agra Railway Station around 11 AM, the guests visit the historic Agra Fort. A delightful lunch is served at Hotel Clarks Shiraz at 1.30PM. At 3 PM, the journey moves to the famed marvel of Mughals – Taj Mahal.. This is followed by shopping and exploration of the local markets. The Palace on Wheels begins its journey towards Delhi at 8.45 PM.
Day 8 - Wednesday, Delhi
The incredible travel aboard the Palace on Wheels reaches its finale on arrival at the Safdarjung Railway Station at 2.30 AM. The guests are served breakfast at 6.00 AM after which the staff bid a fond farewell to the travellers.
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Starts: Delhi
Ends: Delhi
Grade: Easy Paced
Departs: Every Wednesday
07 nights’ accommodation on board
Complete travel
All Meals
Sightseeing tour
Entrance fee at monuments
Cultural programs
Camel ride at Jaisalmer
Wildlife safari at Ranthambhore
Boat ride at Udaipur
Rickshaw ride at Bharatpur
All current taxes