Palace on Wheels  

Board the Palace on Wheels at Delhi’s Safdarjung Railway Station at 7:00 pm. 

This evening begins the fascinating journey to the magical sights of India.  You will be treated like Kings and Queens for the next few days.  The Palace on Wheels is a throwback to a more opulent era, an experience that will drift you back in time, very gently and very luxuriously.  The coaches are in the pattern of the more luxurious of the saloons that the Maharajahs and the Nawabs of the Raj rode in almost a century ago. The fantasy begins today as you arrive to a red carpet welcome at the picturesque Safdarjung railway station.  Garlands music and the gracious men and women who will be your hosts for the next week, all add up to a traditional welcome. 

Train departs at 9:45 pm.

Dinner & overnight on board train

 Arrive in Jaipur this morning, popularly known as the Pink City, the capital of the state of Rajasthan. 

This old city is partially encircled with seven gates; the major gates are Chandpol, Sanganeri, and Ajmeri.  The “pink city” applies specifically to the old walled quarter of the Rajasthani capital, while in the northeast of the town, glorious palaces and 11 temples, in an assortment of styles, spanning over many centuries, are scattered throughout the, predominantly, urban area.  The city owes its name, foundations and careful planning, to the great warrior, astronomer, Maharaja Jai Singh II .  

After breakfast on board train you will be escorted on a city sight seeing tour by luxury buses.
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Tour the city of Jaipur this morning including its City Palace, which houses the royal treasures and artifacts. See Hawa Mahal (the Palace of Winds), a magnificent facade that allowed the women of the harem to see the activities of the outside world without being seen, and Jantar Mantar, Jai Singh's astrological observatory.  Your last stop will be at the colorful and active city bazaar. 

Lunch is at a 5 star deluxe hotel in Jaipur.

The afternoon’s excursion will take you to Amber, where you have a unique experience to ride gaily decorated elephant taxis lumber along the ramparts of the ancient fort.  Once inside, explore the Palace of Mirrors, inlaid with millions of tiny glistening mirrors, the hall of Public Audience and the beautiful manicured gardens.  

Return to your luxury train for dinner and overnight on board train. Your train leaves for Jaisalmer.

Arrive in Jaisalmer this morning. 

This is an enchanted city set in the middle of the desert and home of the Batti Rajputs.  From the comfort of  the saloons you can watch the breathtaking view of the serpentine trails of the Kali ghats with its jungle scenario.  Slowly the scene shifts and you will watch the desert rolls by.  Jailsalmer is older than Udaipur and was built in 1156 AD by prince Jaisal, who was following the bidding of a hermit.  Jaisalmer is located in the heart of the Thar desert and is home of the Bhatti Rajputs, in this arid wilderness, former rulers and merchants of Jaisalmer have built some of the most splendid residences out of sandstone.  The beautiful fort, its temples, other royal residences and a settlement that still retains a medieval character, comprise the town’s multifaceted attractions. 

After breakfast on board train you will be escorted on a city sight seeing tour by luxury buses.
           
Start the sightseeing with a visit to Jaisalmer Fort.  Lies deep in the heart of the desert, rising out of the sea of sand, its rounded battlements of golden sandstone, echoing the color of the desert, this 12th century fort has proudly withstood the ravages of time.  Walking down the narrow cobbled stone lanes, one can feel the magnetism of Jaisalmer.

 Within the fort, is a palace located  on the highest point of Tricuta Hill, within a protective  wall of double ramparts.  Four gateways provided protection to the fort, and several tower-like buildings functioned as lookouts. Jaisalmer is also famous for intricately latticed havelis with conspicuous facades. We would also find exquisitely carved temples and havelis built by the Jains, the influential financiers of the Rajput Kings 40 Kms from the city are the sand dunes of Sun. 

Lunch is at a 5 star hotel in Jaisalmer.

This afternoon, watch the sands light up in a pyrotechnic display at they catch the rays of the setting sun.  We will also enjoy a camel ride in the desert.  This evening, enjoy your dinner with a cultural programme at Moomal Hotel.

Return to your train for departture to Jodhpur.    

Arrive in Jodhpur this morning. 

One of the most distinctive princely settlements in Rajasthan.  Nestling within the depths of the Thar Desert, is the stronghold of the Rathore clan, Jodhpur.  It was once the capital of the former princely state of Marwar, the second largest city of Rajasthan, after Jaipur.  The town was once known as Marwar, which means “Land of Death”, probably, referring to the harsh desert climate.  It is an island of marble palaces, cordoned off from the desert by an immense wall, with eight gates facing different directions.  A flourishing trading center in the 16th century, Jodhpur is still one of the leading centers of wool, cattle, camels and salt.  It showcases some very fine mementos of its glorious past, palaces, temples and other elegant monuments of architectural and historical value.

After breakfast on board train you will be escorted on a city sight seeing tour by luxury buses              

Visit the massive Meherangarh Fort that towers above the city from a hill nearby.  It was founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha when he shifted his capital here from nearby Mandore.  Carved panels and porches, elaborately adorned walls and windows of Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, SheeshMahal, Sileh Khana and Daulat Khana seem to make the medieval splendor come alive.  The palaces in this fort were built in an informal pattern over several centuries.  They have their own peculiar style, with narrow staircases, serving as the only means of access to the royal residences.  A collection of musical instruments, palanquins, furniture and cannons on the fort’s ramparts are well preserved.  

Also visit Jaswant Thada, a white marble cenotaph, built in 1899, in commemoration to Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. Rare portraits of Jodhpur’s rulers are, also to be seen at the Jaswant Thada. 

You will then be driven to Umaid Bhawan Palace for lunch.

Umaid Bhawan Palace is also known as Chittaur Palace because of the particular type of sandstone used to build it - which does not decay in the rain. Surrender yourself entirely to the fantasies of fairy tale royal existence as you drive past the immaculate lawns, enter an imposing lobby & are ushered discretely up sweeping marble staircase directly to the Maharaja's private suite s & regal apartments.  Portions of the Palace have been converted into a hotel and a museum. 

Reurn to your train for dinner.

Train depart for Sawai Madhopur.   

Overnight on board train.

 Arrive Sawai Madhopur this morning. 

Sawai Madhopur retains not only old, spacious buildings but also a distinctive quality of peace.  Closely, steeped in legends, stands the impressive, sprawling 10th century fort of Ranthambore which offers several rewarding hours of exploration.  From the ramparts of the fort which once witnessed so much action, can be glimpsed the lush greenery and shimmering lakes of the Ranthambore National Park, which is said to have the ferocious tigers in India. 

Breakfast on board train.

After a day of excitement seeing the wild animals we get back to the train and depart to Chittorgarh. Its most romantic name in Rajasthan, is Chittaur. Chittaur is more than a ruined citadel; it is a symbol of all that was brave, true and noble in the glorious Rajput tradition.  Chittaur was attacked three times, and on each occasion, the ritual of “Jauhar”, which involved throwing oneself into raging fire or a well, to be spared humiliation at the hands of the enemy, was performed.  The first instance was in 1303, when Allauddin Khilji, Sultan of Delhi, coveted the famous Rajpur beauty, Rani Padmini.  Padmini led the Jauhar, rather than submit to dishonor.  The second instance was in 1533, when the Sultan of Gujarat attacked Bikramjeet of Chittaur.  Rani Kanavati led the Jauhar, in which many women and children were killed.

The Fort with an enigmatic past.  Here the brave Rajput queen Rani Padmini walked with her women into the flames of pyres rather than fall into the hands of the Mughal invaders, who had besieged the fort.    

Return to your train lunch.

Train leaves for Chittaurgarh.

At Chittaurgarh the Images of love and valour; scars of battles lost and won….thrice-beseiged, Chittaurgarh Fort is all this and more.
 
Return to your train for dinner and overnight stay. Train now leaves for Udaipur.

Arrive Udaipur this morning. 

After breakfast on board train a guided city sight seeing tour is conducted by luxury bus.

Udaipur known as the "City of Lakes".  The city’s inherent romance and beauty, and its remarkable past, bristling with episodes of heroism and splendor, continue to enthrall the visitor.  Udaipur, the City of Dawn, looms up like a vision in white.  Surrounded by hills and mountains, and on the edge of three lakes, which give on to a fertile plain, is bewitching in all its details-narrow streets lined by vivid colored stalls, gardens, temples and palaces-every feature mirrored in the placid blue waters of Lake Pichola.  It is one of the most beautiful cities in India. There is no place in India which appeals more to the imagination of poets and painters, travelers and writers, than Udaipur, the lovely lake side capital of Mewar. 

Tour the city, including Sahelion-Ki-Bari, this garden of the maids of honor brings to the fore, visit the magnificent City Palace, completely white and majestic, stands on a hill surrounded by crenellated walls.  At Lok Kala Mandal, a folklore museum, we are treated to a delightful traditional string puppet show

Lunch at Lake Palace Hotel, the once royal island retreat, which seems to float upon the waters of the Lake Pichola. 

Return to your train by late afternoon.

Your train now leaves for Bharatpur.

Dinner & overnight on board train.

 Arrive Udaipur this morning. 

After breakfast on board train visit the World Heritage Bird Sanctuary- Ghana National Park.

A tribal stronghold in the 17th and 18th centuries, Bharatpur today is a wonderland of birds.  Its Keoladeo Ghana National Park, once the preserve of the Maharaja of Bharatpur, is now listed as a World Heritage site.  More than 300 species of birds - some flying in from as far as Siberia and China, have been sighted at Bharatpur.

Later we will drive to the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri.

Built by Akbar the Great in the 16th century. Fatehpur Sikri was mysteriously abandoned 13 years later. Today it’s a perfectly preserved Mughal city built at the height of the empire’s splendor. 

Continue by road to Agra.  Upon arrival at Agra, lunch is at a 5 star deluxe hotel follwed by an escorted tour of the Fort and Taj Mahal.

Explore the 16th century Agra Fort, seat of the Mughal dynasty in the 16th century. It lies on the bend of the River Yamuna, almost in the heart of the town. Akbar built it as his citadel over the year 1565-73 in the finest architectural style. It has imposing gates and walls red sandstone and a moat. 

Followed by a visit to the magnificent Taj Mahal, this incredible lacy white grandeur built by Emperor Shahjehan in memory of his loving wife Mumtaz Mahal, the “lady of the Taj”. It has been described, as the most extravagant monument ever built for love for the emperor was heartbroken when his wife Mumtaz died. The Taj Mahal has recently been immortalized by the inclusion as one of the “Seven Wonders of the World”.

Return to your train for dinner and overnight on board train.

 Arrive in Delhi this morning at 7:30 am.  Disembark PALACE on WHEELS after breakfast and you will be met by our representative and will be escorted to your hotel.

After checking in at the hotel, our representative will accompany you for a sightseeing tour of New & Old Delhi.You begin the tour with visit of the Qutab Minar Complex, dominated by the 234-foot Victory Tower, followed by the spectacular Rajpath, passing the triumphant House of Parliament, Diplomatic Enclave, President’s House and the India gate. You will also visit the famous Birla Mandir.

In the afternoon, you enter into the second leg of the full day tour; Old Delhi.

Visit the great Red Fort which was the opulent residence of Shah Jehan, builder of the Taj Mahal and the magnificent Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) which dominates the skyline. 

We take you to the main shopping areas in Delhi, and then after a farewell dinner our representative will escort you to the International airport for your onward flight.