Palace on Wheels

Trip Route
Delhi - Jaipur - Jaislamer - Jodhpur - Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambore) - Chittorgarh - Udaipur - Agra - Bharatpur – Delhi

Welcome aboard The Palace on Wheels on its splendid and enchanting royal journey through the bygone era of the erstwhile Maharajas. 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.

Trip Plan

Day 01 Wednesday New Delhi Reporting Time 1600 hrs. Dep. 1830 hrs.
The journey of a lifetime begins at the Delhi Safdarjung station 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 02 Thursday Jaipur Arrival 0200 hrs. Departure 19.30 hrs
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 in 1727 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 03 Friday Jaisalmer Arrival 0815 hrs. Departure 2300 hrs.
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.

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.

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 05 Sunday Sawai Madhopur Arrival 0400 hrs. Departure 1030 hrs
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 Ranthambore 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, jackal and fox are among those constituting the carnivorous population here. Sawai Madhopur is known for its ethnic ornaments and costumes. Upon return to the Palace on Wheels, you leave for Chittorgarh, when one gets an opportunity to watch the colourful countryside passing by in the daylight.

Day 05 Sunday Chittorgarh Arrival 1600 hrs.
After lunch on board you are in Chittorgarh. Images of love and valour, scars of battles lost and won….thrice-besieged, Chittorgarh Fort is all this and more.

Day 06 Monday Udaipur Departure 0530 hrs from Chittaurgarh for Udaipur
Arrive in Udaipur, the Lake City at 0730 hrs. It was founded by Maharana Udai Singh of Mewar, after the Sisodia dynasty was driven away by the Mughals, in 1559 A.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 at Lake Palace hotel a visit to City Palace is exhilarating. In the evening visit the crystal gallery. Later proceed to Bharatpur on board Palace on Wheels

Day 07 Tuesday Bharatpur Arrival 0630hrs. Departure 1145 hrs
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 07 Tuesday Agra Arrival 1430 hrs Departure 2300 hrs
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 a good night’s sleep.

Day 08 Wednesday Arrive at Delhi Safdarjung station at 0600 hrs
In the morning and let the pleasant memories of the past week linger on your mind for a long long time.

The train does not operate from May to August due to annual maintenance.

1. Service Tax @ 3.09% and commercial tax US$ 15 per person extra as applicable.
2. There will be a 10% surcharge levied on the tariff for the trips falling during Christmas (25th December) and New Year (1st January)
3. The above tariff and itinerary is subject to revise without prior notice.
4. Tariff is inclusive of cost of travel and accommodation, catering (morning tea, breakfast, lunch, evening tea and dinner), conducted sightseeing tours in deluxe coaches, entrance fee for monuments and palaces and cultural entertainment. Tariff does not include liquor, laundry, video cameras and other items of personal nature.
5. No Charter can be booked during X-mas & New Year period.
6. Booking is as per first come first serve, since the seats are limited kindly book in advance.
   

Reservation

1. 50% of ticket value at the time of confirming the booking.
2. Remaining 50% of ticket value 60 days prior to departure.

Cancellation
(a) In case of FITs

1. 5% of ticket value 60 days prior to departure.
2. 20% of ticket value 30-59 days prior to departure.
3. 100% of ticket value between less than 30 days prior to departure.