Palace on Wheels

Experience the majestic journey

Imagine a majestic journey experiencing the rich heritage of India through Rajasthan, the land known for its magnificent forts, exquisite palaces, brave kings and exuberant people. Yes, Palace on Wheels, one of the best ten luxurious train journeys of the world will fulfil your dream, a journey palpable with glories and relics of the majestic past.

Palace on Wheels is a train built in the style of the tavern coaches of the former maharajahs. The interior of the train is embellished with intricate carvings and paintings with a royal touch. The amorous names of 14 coaches of the palace train are named after the former Rajput states. The names are Kota, Jaipur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Alwar, Sirohi, Kishangarh, Bundi, Dungarpur, Bharatpur, Jhalawar and Dholpur.

The journey begins from Delhi and passes through places like - Jaipur - Chittorgarh - Udaipur - Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambor) - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Bharatpur - Agra - Delhi. Duration of this magnificent journey is 8 days and seven nights. The facilities in each luxury coach include a saloon, mini-bar and kitchenette. Each cabin has its own toilet with shower and hot and cold running water. Indian and European foods will be served and each saloon coach will be having a chief steward and an assistant to look after the traveller. The other facilities include public announcement system, library, first aid room and medical assistance at every stop. The travelling palace houses 52 air-conditioned and gorgeous sleeping car compartments with two beds. The Palace On Wheels moves in a very leisurely manner so that the passenger can relax and enjoy every moment to the fullest.

The programme schedule:

Day 1
Delhi. Dinner at Delhi Cantonment Station between 19.30 and 22.30.
Departure 22.45.

Day 2

Jaipur. Arrival 08.30. Breakfast on board. Sightseeing trip round town followed by lunch in hotel. Cultural show and dinner at Nahargarh Citadel, a former royal fort, or in Man-Singh Hotel. The sightseeing includes City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Sawai-Man-Singh Museum, Jantar-Mantar Observatory and so on. The festival palace of Amber lies 12 km (7.5 miles) from Jaipur and is visited by travelling on the backs of elephants.

Day 3

Chittorgarh/Udaipur. Arrival 07.30. Breakfast on board. Visit to Chittorgarh Fort followed by bus journey to Udaipur to the Lake Palace Hotel on Lake Pichola, originally the summer palace of the Maharana of Udaipur. Boat trip followed by lunch at the Lake Palace Hotel. Sightseeing in Udaipur. Evening meal on board train.

Day 4
Ranthambor. Arrival in Sawai Madhopur at 06.30. Travel to Ranthambor (14 km - 9 miles) to the well-known game park with its tigers, leopards, crocodiles, deer, gazelles, nilgais and hyenas. Depart at 12.00.

Day 5
Jaisalmer: Arrival 10.00. Breakfast on board, followed by sightseeing in town. Lunch on train or in tourist bungalow. Visit to the cenotaphs of famous heroes and rulers, which are beautifully decorated with fine stonemasonry work. Camel rides to experience the real desert. Dinner at the Moomal Tourist Bungalow, then on with the train to Jodhpur.

Day 6
Jodhpur. Arrival 09.00. Breakfast on board. Sightseeing in town. Lunch at Umaid Bhawan Palace Hotel, originally the Royal Palace of the Maharajas of Jodhpur. Evening tea and dinner on board.
Departure 17.00.

Day 7
Bharatpur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra. Arrival 07.15. Breakfast in Bharatpur bird sanctuary and boat trip. By coach to Fatehpur Sikri and Agra. Lunch at hotel. Sightseeing in Agra and tea at Taj Restaurant, Agra or on board. Dinner on board.
The climax of the journey will surely be the visit to Agra to see the Taj Mahal, one of the seven modern wonders of the world. Diwan-e-Khas (private reception hall), Diwan-e-Am (public reception hall) and other sights worth seeing.

Day 8, Wednesday
Delhi. Breakfast on train and end of journey. Arrive Delhi 7.30

The tour commences every Wednesday evening and concludes on the
next wednesday morning from / at Delhi (Cantt. Railway station)

For more details:

Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation Ltd.
Hotel Swagatam Campus, Near Railway Station,
Jaipur 302 006 (India)

E-mail: jaipur@palaceonwheels.net