Times
have changed and winds have shifted, but the Palace On
Wheels cruises along in its unique style, the kind only
the Maharajas of yesteryears could have perpetuated and
enjoyed. Today, of course, each traveller on board is
treated like royalty in his or her own right.
The exquisite & exclusive Palace on Wheels has
luxurious cabins, wall-to-wall carpeting, a well stocked
bar, two dining cars, and a very personalised service.
Infact everything that could comprise of heaven on earth
for a whole week.
The festive fervor of Christmas catches up even amidst the
sandy and earthy terrain of Rajasthan while you are aboard
the Palace-On-Wheels. All passengers sing dance and make
merry within the comfortable confines of the train. When
the music is pulsating and spirits soaring, it is
difficult to keep in control and you tend to go with the
flow.
Day
1 Wednesday
Delhi - Journey of A Lifetime Begins .........
1645 Hours: Report Delhi Cantonment Railway Station
and board on Palace On Wheels, The Maharaja train tour.
1800 Hours: Departure for a Week in Wonderland
Tour.
2000 Hours: Dinner on board
The journey of a lifetime begins at the Delhi cantonment
station where the guests are accorded a warm, traditional
welcome before the palace-on-wheels pull out into the
night. For a week long luxury cruise through fascinating
Rajasthan.
Day 2 Thursday
Attraction - Jaipur
0000 Hours: Arrival in Jaipur.
0730 Hours: Breakfast on Board.
0830 Hours: Sightseeing.
1300 hours: Lunch at the Rambagh Palace Hotel.
When you reached at Jaipur, a gala reception awaits you at
the Pink City. With traditional Indian music of the
shehnai, playing in the background, you will be welcomed
like a Royal Celebrity. And why not.... this is the first
stop of the Palace on Wheels in the land of Maharajas,
magnificent Palaces and impressive forts. And this is just
the start; from this time on, every moment that you spend
on the Palace On Wheels will leave memories that will last
for a lifetime.
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, 8-km away, where rides on caparisoned
elephants add to the ambience.
And yes, how can you miss the shopping in your Jaipur
tour. Jaipur is the place to shop until you drop ! It has
a plethora of handicrafts ranging from grimacing
papier-mache puppets to exquisitely carved furniture,
jewellery, handicrafts, carpets, blue pottery and
textiles. The luxury coaches will take you back to palace
on wheels around 6.30 pm. Dinner on board.
1900 Hours: Departure for Jaisalmer.
2000 Hours: Dinner on Board.
Day
3 Friday
Attraction - Jaisalmer
0615 Hours: Arrival in Jaisalmer.
0730 Hours: Breakfast on Board.
0830 Hours: Sightseeing.
Welcome to Heart of Thar Desert - Jaisalmer. Founded by
Rawal Jaisal in 1156. Sharply etched against the sky,
Jaisalmer is a splendid sight with its yellow sand stone
walls and bastions that seem to rise from the golden
sands. Visit the intricately latticed havelis with their
elaborate facades. The superb craftsmanship of the stone
carved is illustrated in Nathmalji-ki-haveli,
Patwon-ki-haveli and Salim Singh-ki-haveli. After a
sumptuous lunch, experience the exhilaration of a camel
ride on the golden sand dunes at Sam, the most picturesque
dunes. No trip to Jaisalmer is complete without a visit to
these fascinating dunes which is followed by evening tea.
The Palace on Wheels departs for Jodhpur at night.
1300 Hours: Lunch on board and rest.
1700 Hours: Visit the sand dunes and experience the
thrill of a camel safari.
1930 Hours: Dine while enjoying a cultural
programme.
2300 Hours: Departure for Jodhpur.
Day 4 Saturday
Attraction - Jodhpur
0730 Hours: Breakfast on Board.
0800 Hours: Arrival in Jodhpur.
0830 Hours: Sightseeing.
1300 Hours: Lunch at the Umaid Bhawan Palace.
Welcome to the Blue City - Jodhpur founded in 1459 AD and
is the second largest City in Rajasthan. It was also on
the ancient Silk route. The formidable Mehrangarh fort,
rising as high as man's unflinching will, atop a hill,
dominates the city. Umaid Bhawan also known as Chittaur
Palace, is another landmark of the region. It was
conceived as part of famine relief operations, at the
beginning of the century, by Maharaja Umaid Singh. The
palace took 16 years to build, and provided employment to
the famine stricken. A portion of the palace has been
converted into a hotel.
After lunch at a Palace hotel, return to the
Palace-On-Wheels. While in Jodhpur, shop for exquisite
handcrafted articles including the famous breeches,
embroidered shoes, metal curios, silverware, paintings and
tie and dye fabrics.
1530 Hours: Departure for Sawai Madhopur.
2000 Hours: Dinner on Board.
Day 5 Sunday
Attraction - Sawai Madhopur
Morning: Ranthambore Tiger Sanctuary
0615 Hours: Arrival in Sawai Madhopur.
0630 Hours: Breakfast on Board.
0700 Hours: Visit the Ranthambhore National Park.
Excitement is in the air as the Palace on Wheels touches
Sawai Madhopur, a city fortified in 1765 and named after
its founder Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I. One can almost
sense a life of the wilderness here . After breakfast a
visit is arranged to the Ranthambhor National Park, where
in 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 also known for its exclusive toys,
ethnic ornaments and costumes. Upon return to the palace
on wheels, you leave for desert citadel Jaisalmer, when
one gets an opportunity to watch the colourful countryside
passing by the daylight. Lunch and dinner are served on
board.
Afternoon: Chittaurgarh Fort
1100 Hours: Departure for Chittaurgarh.
1300 Hours: Lunch on board.
1530 Hours: Arrival in Chittaurgarh.
1600 Hours: Sightseeing.
The afternoon starts with a visit to Chittaurgarh, the awe
inspiring Chittisgarh fort renowned for innumerable
legends of valour and chivalry. Images of love and valour
scars of battles lost and won thrice besieged,
Chittaurgarh Fort is all this and more. Moving legends of
honour and pride will echo in your mind as you proceed to
Udaipur.
Day 6 Monday
Attraction - Udaipur
0645 Hours: Breakfast on Board.
0730 Hours: Depart for Sightseeing.
1230 Hours: Lunch at the Lake Palace Hotel.
Welcome
to the 'City of Lakes'. One of the most romantic places in
India, it is situated around the shimmering clear blue
water lakes, which whisper the mood of a bygone era.
Udaipur was founded by Maharana Udai Singh of Mewar, after
the Sisodia dynasty was driven away by the Mughals, in
1559 AD. 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 at Lake Palace
Hotel, a visit to the City Palace is exhilarating.
1800 Hours: Return from Sightseeing.
2000 Hours: Departure for Bharatpur.
2000 Hours: Dinner on Board
Day
7 Tuesday
Attraction - Bharatpur, Agra
Arrival - 6:00 AM.
Bharatpur
After bidding good-bye to Udaipur day of its trip the
Palace-on-Wheels arrives at the beautiful Bharatpur. The
city of Bharatpur is an Avian paradise and is renowned for
the bird sanctuary. So great is the pull of the Keoladeo
Ghana Bird Sanctuary, Bharatpur, that people spare not a
thought for the state that gave birth to it. This superb
waterfowl habitat, one of the finest in the world, was
actually created by a Maharaja. Bharatpur, the nesting
place for thousands of Egrets, Siberian Cranes, migratory
Water Fowl and other species of birds.
Lunch
: On Board
Afternoon - Agra ( Taj Mahal )
After a splendid visit to the Ghana National Park, the
Palace On Wheels arrives at Agra. Where Fatehpur Sikri,
the red sandstone Mughal palatial complex. Within the
enclosure is a mosque built by the Mughal emperor Akbar
and dedicated to Sheikh Salim Chishti, a museum 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 Jehan in memory of his
beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal. Agra is known for its splendid
marble inlay work like the Pietra Dura work in the Taj,
leather goods and jewellery.
Day
8 - Wednesday
Delhi - The Memories For A Lifetime Begins ....
Welcome back to Delhi Cantonment Railway Station to step
back from fantasy to reality