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Palace on
Wheels Tour
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The Maharaja Train
On 26th January, 1982 a new chapter
in the history of Indian tourism was introduced. It was on this day when the iconic
Palace on Wheels took its inaugural trip and luxury travel got a new dimension
in India in the form of Luxury trains.
It is one of the world’s
most luxuriously built train is Palace on Wheels. This is a charming Palace which
moves on rails. The past splendour’s unique taste is found on this train.
It is a majestic creation of Indian Railways and Rajasthan Tourism Development
Corporation(RTDC). It has 13 saloons and 104 passengers can be accommodated on
this Palace train. The train normally runs from September – April. It leaves
Delhi every Wednesday from Safdurjung Railway Station and returns to Delhi next
Wednesday after 7 Nights / 8 Days tour. It’s a 5* hotel on the wheels and
the cabins are decorated in different styles. The tariff is same throughout the
year(Please check the current tariff) except for the months of April and September
when the tariff is relatively low.
Today, there are five luxury trains
operating across different locations in the country and more are in pipeline.
Palace on Wheels Virtual Tour
Duration :06 Nights - 07 Days
Places Covered : New Delhi - Jaipur
- Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Sawai Madhopur - Chittaurgarh - Udaipur - Bharatpur -
Agra - Delhi
| Day-1
Wednesday | Tour Begins : 09.30 hrs. |
New Delhi
 Join
the tour group for a day tour of New Delhi. Tour includes visit to the India Gate,
Lotus Temple, Qutab Minar, Humayun's Tomb and more. After lunch at a local restaurant,
you will be transferred to the Safdarjung Railway station, New Delhi where
the guests are accorded a warm, traditional welcome before the Palace on Wheels
pulls out into the night ... for a week-long luxury cruise through fascinating
Rajasthan. |
| Day-2 Thursday
| Arrival 02.00 hrs. Departure 19.30 hrs |
Jaipur
The first stop of Palace on Wheels is Jaipur, one of the most well planned
cities of the world of its time. This capital city of Rajasthan, popularly known
as the Pink City, was founded by Maharaja Swai Jai Singh II, in1727 A.D.
 To
explore the city, an air-conditioned coach takes you to Hawa Mahal or the
Palace of Winds, which is a remarkable five storeyed building along the main street
of the old city in pink splendor with semi-octagonal and delicate honey combed
sandstone windows. This is followed by a visit to Amber Fort, eight kms.
away, where rides on caparisoned elephants add to the ambiance. Shop for Jaipur’s
famous jewellery, handicrafts, carpets blue pottery and textiles. Near Ajmeri
Gate is located Rajasthali - the only Rajasthan Govt. Emporium selling genuine
handicrafts at fixed prices.
After lunch at a Palace Hotel, you are off
to the City Palace, home of the erstwhile royal family. Right across the road
from the City Palace is the Jantar Mantar, the largest observatory
built by the Sawai Jai Singh II. The Luxury coaches will take you back to Palace
on Wheels around 6.30 pm. Dinner on Board. |
| Day-3 Friday
| Arrival 08.15 hrs. Departure 23.00 hrs. |
Jaisalmer
 In
the heart of the Thar Desert lies Jaisalmer, founded by Rawal Jaisal, in 1156A.D.
Here the yellow sandstone fort is an imposing sight, towering magnificently over
the city. Discover the painstakingly latticed havelis or mansions with their grand
facades. The Nathmalji-ki-haveli, Patwon-ki-haveli and Salim
Singh-ki-haveli are fine examples of the stone carver’s skill.
Shop at Rajasthali-the only Rajasthan Govt. emporium, for fine pattu shawls,
mirror work & embroidered articles, wooden boxes, trinkets, silver jewellery
and curios. After lunch on board, go for an exciting camel ride on the sand dunes
of Sam, before sipping a refreshing cup of tea.
Enjoy the dinner and
the cultural programmes at a hotel in Jaisalmer.
The train leaves for Jodhpur
at night. |
| Day-4 Saturday
| Arrival 07.00 hrs. Departure15.30 hrs |
Jodhpur
 Next
morning the Palace on wheels is in Jodhpur, a city ringed by a high stone wall
with seven gates and several bastions. This second largest city of Rajasthan,
founded by Rao Jodha in 1459 A.D. is known for its rock-solid Mehrangarh Fort.
The grand palaces within- Moti Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sileh Khana and
Daulat Khana are impressive examples of architectural excellence. Near the fort
complex lies Jaswant Thada, and a group of royal cenotaphs made of white marble.
After lunch at a royal Palace hotel, return to the Palace on Wheels.
While in Jodhpur shop for the exquisite handcrafted articles including the famous
breeches, embroidered shoes, metal curios, silverware, paintings and tie and dye
fabrics. |
| Day-5 Sunday
| Arrival 04.00 hrs. Departure 10.30 hrs |
Sawai Madhopur
 One
can almost sense a life of the wilderness, as the Palace on Wheels arrives in
Sawai Madhopur, a city named after its founder Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I. After
breakfast a visit is arranged to the Ranthambhor National Park, wherein
are located the ruins of a 10th century fort. This wildlife sanctuary is considered
to be the country’s best for observing and photographing the activities of
the tiger. The park, covering an area of 392 sq.kms. is home to more than 300
species of birds. The tiger, hyena, ratel, jackal and fox are among those constituting
the carnivorous population here. Sawai Madhopur is known for its exclusive toys,
ethnic ornaments and costumes. Upon return to the Palace on Wheels, you leave
for Chittaurgarh, when one gets an opportunity to watch the colourful countryside
passing by in the daylight. |
| Day-5 Sunday
| Arrival 16.00 hrs. |  Chittaurgarh
After lunch on board you are in Chittaurgarh. Images of love and valour; scars
of battles lost and won.thrice-beseiged, Chittaurgarh Fort is all this and more.
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| Day-6 Monday
| Departure 05:30 hrs. from Chittaurgarh for Udaipur |
 Udaipur
Arrive in Udaipur, the Lake City at 7:30 AM. It was founded by Maharana Udai Singh
of Mewar, after the Sisodia dynasty was driven away by the Mughals, in 1559A.D.
Perhaps the two most beautiful sites of Udaipur are the dream-like marble Palaces-the
Jag Niwas (Lake Palace) and the Jag Mandir, which appear to rise from the
blue waters of Lake Pichhola. After lunch a visit to City Palace is
exhilarating.
In the evening visit the crystal gallery. Later proceed
to Bharatpur on board Palace on Wheels |
| Day-7 Tuesday
| Arrival 06.30hrs. Departure 11.45 hrs |
 Bharatpur
Early next morning, the Palace arrives in Bharatpur, the capital of Maharaja
Suraj Mal. After breakfast pay a visit to the world famous bird sanctuary, Keoladeo
Ghana National Park, the nesting place of thousands of Egrets, Siberian Cranes,
migratory Water Fowl and other species of birds. |
| Day-7 Tuesday
| Arrival 14.30 hrs Departure 23.00 hrs |
Agra
 Arrive
at Fatehpur Sikri-the red sandstone Mughal palatial complex. Within the
enclosure is a mosque built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar and dedicated to the Sheikh
Salim Chisti, a muslim Sufi Saint who blessed him with a son. After lunch move
on from the Red Fort and arrive at the Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders
of the world. A pristine monument of undying love. It was built by Emperor Shah
Jahan in memory of his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal.
Agra is known for
its splendid marble inlay work like the Pietra Dura work on the Taj, leather goods
and jewelry.
After dinner on board and a good night’s sleep, arrive
at Safdarjung Train Station, New Delhi at 6.00 hrs the next morning and
let the pleasant memories of the past week linger on your mind for a long, long
time. | | Your
tour ends here |
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