PALACE ON WHEELS Managed By : Indian Railways Listed Among : 10 most luxurious trains in the world Itinerary : Jaipur - Chittaurgarh - Udaipur - Ranthambhore - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Bharatpur and Agra Departs from : Delhi Cantonment Station on every Wednesday night at 22:45 hours

Palace on Wheels - A Journey Through The Heart Of Rajasthan

Jaipur Jodhpur Ranthambhore

Udaipur Chittorgarh

Jaisalmer Bharatpur

"Travel is more than the seeing of thoughts;
it is a change that goes on,
deep and permanent, in the ideas of living."
-- Miriam Beard

Welcome aboard the Royal Retreat, the pride of India, the stupefying, nonpareil, affluent and immortal journey to the heart of Rajasthan. Yes indeed! It is the "The Palace on Wheels", which snares the sumptuous 10th position among the eminent luxurious trains in the world. One of the world's most exotic odysseys, the Palace on Wheels is famous as much for the regal ambiance of the train and the comforts bestowed on board, as for the sovereign holiday destinations in Rajasthan, it embraces everyday. And what a train it is! It may not be historic, but it wears the blanket of history sublimely, with inspiration clearly drawn from past. Book yourself on the most famous luxury train that brilliantly exhibits a savour of palace comforts, with its splendidly carved interiors, opulently crafted lights and superb table settings. Turbaned staff, in red Rajput-style 'sherwanis' (overcoats) are always present by your side to take care of everything - dining, lodging, sightseeing as well as organized shopping, there is nothing much to do, but sit aback, soaked in the colours of Rajasthan and enjoy the luxury in a grand maharajah style. Take a tour of Palace of Wheels to enjoy the memorable itinerary that starts from the Delhi Cantonment station and returns back to the capital after snaking through Jaipur - Chittaurgarh - Udaipur - Ranthambhore - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Bharatpur and Agra, in order. Travelling in the Palace on Wheels is a life-time experience indeed and is the finest channel to enjoy a much awaited holiday vacation in Rajasthan.

Regalia on The Rails - Royal Stay

Take a tour of Palace on Wheels to enjoy a royal stay in Rajasthan. The Rajasthan maharajas travelled in style, which is why their saloons were so luxurious. Pick up the cubicles were wood-panelled, had separate bedrooms, libraries, lounges, carpeted corridors and voluminous dining halls, the assortments of the mlost luxuruios train of India. Attendants sojourned in separate alcoves and catered to their every regal taste, whether banquets or services. It was in this fashion that they caravaned to Calcutta to dine with the viceroy, or to other princely estates to attend weddings, or chaperoned their honoured guests to their hunting lodges for shooting interest. Today these saloons are the pedestals of the romantic, royal journey that attempted to recreate once more, the grandeur of the past.

A Utopian Tour of The Real World

It takes about five minutes of jaunt, amidst jostling people and screaming hawkers, towards the last platform, before one catches a glimpse of the striking marble white, 14-carriage Palace on Wheels. Enter the royal train, mesmerized at the luxury flavor, embossed at every corner. Opulence finds it's way through the red carpets sprawled on the floor, gauzy curtains dangling from the windows, sofas to sink into and embroidered bed-sheets draped over ponderous divans. While on the famous PAlace of Wheels look for the pleasantries that have been thoughtfully provided; air-conditioned vestibule compartments with attached baths that have running hot and cold water, strategically placed lights to read by, inbuilt wardrobes, and huge plate glass windows to watch the countryside whizzing past; reality rolling fast as you enter the realms of fantasy. In all there are 14 saloons, and each coach has a seating lounge where 'guests' can chat on board or just enjoy a quite cup of coffee. In the morning one can sit at the grand lounge provided with each saloon and embellished with beautiful artifacts, and refresh himself over a cup of hot herbal tea together with the euphony of a soothing piped music. Enjoying the royal stay in Palace of Wheels in Rajasthan is great, but the best part of the train is that it evokes a feel of royal grandeur of the Rajput maharajahs at every minute of the journey. Should somebody seek some serenity, there is a comfortable bar-cum-lounge where one can relax over a favourite drink, burrow in a book taken from the shelves which boasts of a rich collection of multi-lingual literature. Walk over the red carpets to reach the spacious dining hall, a radiant coupe displaying the colourful taste of Rajasthan. Here again turbaned men with long overcoats will greet you, eager to surpass the amplitude of a modern day restaurant. The hall displays a regal array of mouth-watering delicacies in different formats; Rajasthani, North Indian, Continental and even Chinese cuisines that are a feast for the palatte. The best deal among them should be the typical Rajasthani cuisine. Try it for once and the aroma will linger your memories throughout your life. The palace moves silently on the rails, creating an arena where only the esprit of the history of the Rajput kingdoms permeates through, aptly tangled up in synchronous mode.

And The Journey Continues

The luxury train instigates out of Delhi Cantonment, after a ceremonial welcome, on a week-long cruise through Rajasthan, every Wednesday night. Rajasthan toursim on Palace of Wheels will introduce you to tall men with lavish beards, dressed in traditional Rajput attire take over from the moment you arrive at the platform, apportioning you, your respective coupes, and recapitulating all the facilities available on board. Feel free to explore your new home on the first evening, and acquaint yourself with its various appurtenances. The train moves by night, and arrives each morning at a new destination, where a newer excitement awaits you.

The Passion of The Pink

On your trip on Palace of Wheels, the arrival at Jaipur junction on Thursday, is a dreamy affair and the guests are greeted by caparisoned elephants, spruced up with colorful paintings on the trunk and a ringing bell in the neck. Tourists are honoured with educated guides who provide a vivid description of the myths and legends, associated with the Pink City during the tour. Visit the seven-tiered palace of the royal clan, the Hawa Mahal, and the summit of astronomical architecture, the Jantar Mantar observatory. Jaipur also offers a great shopping rampage since the city is India's capital as far as handicrafts go. Just name it, and it's there. Metal ware, furniture, jewellery, textiles, potteries, every item endorsing painstaking craftmanship, always offered with a smile, and at prices that can bewitch any traveller.

Hide And Seek Amidst Romance

The next day will witness your presence in the capitals of the Sisodia Maharanas, Chittaurgarh and Udaipur. On this luxurious train in India, the start is similar; a grand welcome by local villagers, beautifully dressed in colorful attires, greeting you with garlands, sprinkling rose water and applying (tilak) red colour on your forehead. Visit Chittaurgarh, one of India's most valiant forts, with sprawling ramparts and ambrosial palaces, singing a never-ending saga of passion, chivalry and romance. Spend the rest of the day at the Lake Palace, a beautiful island mansion, afloat on Lake Pichola. Feel the excitement of a medieval kingdom in the ramparts of City Palace, lavished with aesthetic embellishments all over. Don't forget to enjoy the lifetime experience of boat safari on the emarald blue waters of the lake.

Royal Den of The Jungle King

While travelling on Palace of Wheels, next day, the train coils back through the tropical wilds of Ranthambhore, the world famous reserve, particularly known for its tiger sightings, the Royal Bengal tiger. Travel through the deep drenched forests on a jeep safari and witness the picturesque moments, herds of deer foraging on the wet grasslands while crocodiles take a siesta in the sun

The Sun And The Sands

See the Sunday sun in the desert city Jaisalmer, housing the Golden Fortress, architecturally one of the greatest royal bastions of the world. Elope from here to the pristine desert sands, sprawled around the fort and see them drift in the warm afternoon breeze. Take a camel ride amidst the dunes, or simply enjoy the bedazzling dance performances by the folk musicians over a bonfire lit dinner. The royal heritage of Palace of Wheels can be best enjoyed this way.

Explore Footprints on The Sands of Time

Monday is always a fun day, when the royal carriage will take it's gueests to yet another desert kingdom, Jodhpur. One can spend the morning exploring the various corners of the majestic Mehrangarh Fort, that towers over the city like an eagle's darling, and then come downhill to lunch at the Umaid Bhawan Palace, the largest art decorated residence in the world. The grounds of the palace has a western sense of symmetry strategically amalgamated with a restrained sense of ornamentation.

Fly With The Siberians Till The Monument of Love

If it's Tuesday, then it must be at Bharatpur. Visit the world famous Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary, earlier a hunting preserve later transformed into a favoured hub of not less than 300 species of birds. Plan a vacation trip in December, and one can experience the rejoicing of the much-publicized, but extinct species of the Siberian cranes in the lush green grasslands of Bharatpur. After visiting the reserve in the morning, visitors travel by coach to Fatehpur Sikri, the red sandstone city built by Emperor Akbar sheltering the exquisitely carved pulchritudinous gateway, the Buland Darwaza. From here to Agra, first for lunch at Welcomegroup Mughal Sheraton and then for a visit to the world's most admirable mausoleum, the Taj Mahal. Built in the memory of the beloved Mumtaz Mahal by the emperor Shahjahan, this marble monolith is said as "having been designed by giants and finished by jewellers".

One can find Rajasthani women exhibiting their 'rangoli' making adroitness on the desolate platforms. It is complete exotica, meant specifically for those who come to India with a desire to explore India's age-old culture and traditions. Even Rajasthani men selling cheap bangles, earrings and colorful ribbons and astrologers agog to predict your future can be seen.

Back To Square One

On day 8, the famous luxurious train - Palace on Wheels pulls back into Delhi Cantonment, after a week-long journey through some of the most enchanted, mundane and culturally rich parts of Rajasthan. As everybody step on the platform, encompassed with the humdrum existence of modern life, they feel the lamp of royal memories illuminating their minds at every second henceforth.

Don't Miss The Opportunity

Travel to Rajasthan on the Palace on Wheels that departs from Delhi Cantonment station on every Wednesday night at 22:45 hours. Online booking options are also available, and payment can be made via Mastercard, Visa, American Express or personal cheques drawn on emiment banks. It will be a better option to book early in order to avoid disappointment later, because during peak seasons coupes get engaged roughly 8-10 months before the scheduled departure. While on a tour, it is advisable to keep a track of time, to enjoy a hassle-free holiday vacation.