| The Program: Day 1 -
Wednesday: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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.
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.
Day 6 - Monday: 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: 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.
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.
|
| The Train |
| An extraordinary train for extraordinary people.
A train with historic charm and modern conveniences.
A royal train is beckoning you to step aboard for
a week of splendor. It takes you on a royal odyssey.
Bringing alive the luxury of princely travel of
the age of the Raj, the Palace- On- Wheels has been
designed to suit modern needs with central air-conditioning,
soothing four channel music, interconnected telephone
system in the train, a separate pantry and lounge
in each coach, comfortable coupes with the privacy
of attached bathrooms, two specialty restaurants
- 'Maharaja and 'Maharani', serving exotic Indian,
continental and Rajasthani cuisine, a well stocked
bar, a reading and relaxing coach and friendly smiling
attendants serving you round the clock. |
| Facilities |
| Feel like the royalty on board the Palace on Wheels
- a completely self-train. Fully air-conditioned,
the train comprises of 14 deluxe saloons, equipped
with class amenities to enhance the pleasure of
travelling. Each saloon is a combination of 4 twin-bedded
chambers with channel music, intercom, attached
toilets, running hot & cold water, shower and
wall to wall carpeting. The lounge car recaptures
the royal style, pomp & pageantry, the quality
of the era gone by. The two dining cars-the Maharaja
and the Maharani have a traditional Rajasthani ambience
serving continental, Indian and Rajasthani cuisine.
The coaches are named after the erstwhile princely
states: Alwar, Bharatpur, Bikaner, Bundi, Dhaulpur,
Dungarpur, Jaipur, Kishangarh, Kota, Sirohi and
Udaipur. What's more, each saloon has personal attendants
or 'Khidmatgars', who are at your call whenever
you need anything. |
| Included is |
Delhi sightseeing tour on Day 01 with the group
including monument entrance fees and
drop-off at the train station
Service of a local English-speaking
guide for all sightseeing tours
Palace on Wheels 7-night tour, including
cost of travel & accommodation per
the itinerary, full catering (morning
tea, breakfast, lunch, evening tea,
and dinner), tea/coffee/bottled water,
conducted sightseeing tours in deluxe
coaches, entrance fees for monuments
and palaces as specified in the itinerary
and cultural entertainment.
NOT included: liquor, soft drinks,
juices, wine or beer; laundry services;
additional toiletries; camera fees at
monuments; sightseeing, transfers, or
other services in Delhi not specified
as included; gratuities; souvenirs;
other items of a personal nature; hotel
accommodations in Delhi; or any expenses
not specifically mentioned as Included.
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