Palace on Wheels

Palace on Wheels, the royal carriage of Rajasthan has been fascinating its travellers with a regal charm for over two decades now. The mesmerising charm of Rajasthan has been attracting revellers to explore this majestic land in a truly unique manner.

Rajasthan, earlier the abode of numerous kingdoms, is even today replete with those stories of valour, tales of love and an impressive history. The makers of this impressive legacy have charmed the ages with their style and lavishness and have embellished the history of Rajasthan. With their flamboyant style, the Rulers of princely states of erstwhile Rajputana, created their own luxurious coaches with tasteful and magnificent interiors. The royal families employed the loyal Khidmatgars (attendants) to serve them. With these coaches began a new era of extravagant hospitality. These coaches were the "palaces on wheels" of the royals and were adorned with sparkling chandeliers, Persian carpets and intricately carved silverware. Here, was laid the foundation of The Palace of Wheels.

To cast the spell of chivalry and royalty all over again, the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation and the Indian Railways jointly undertook a venture in 1982 to revive the glorious history of royal carriages. The Palace on Wheels was then evoking vintage magic with 14 luxurious coaches on meter gauge with all modern amenities, plush interiors, finest wines, sumptuous cuisines and diligent attendants. The spirit of the vintage train still continues in the contemporary coaches, exquisitely designed to experience royalty in the seven day passage through arid landscapes, historic forts and fortress, culturally and ethnically rich places in this most majestic land.

With detailed improvisations in 1995, the Palace on Wheels was shifted to the broad gauge. This magnificent train has re-written the ethos of luxury travel and has set high standards of hospitality and service. Palace on Wheels is not just an excursion but an unforgettable experience.

Palace on Wheels: Complete Itinerary

Day 01: Delhi
At Delhi you will be treated like Maharaja & Maharani on welcome by garlanding, Tikka and turban with glass of wine. The Capital city of modern India a city known for its rich valorous and exotic history. Once the fabled city of the heroes of the Mahabharata and ruled by the Rajputs before they were displaced by foreign invaders. The tour starts in the evening with a ceremonial welcome aboard the Palace on Wheels at Safdarjung New Delhi. You will be introduced to your fellow travellers. Feel free to explore your new palace, and acquaint yourself with its various facilities. Relax with a drink at the bar. Dinner will be served on board in its two restaurants.

Day 02: Jaipur
Your tour began at the Hawa Mahal Palace of wind followed the amazing Jantar Mantar-Astronomical Observatory are to be explored at leisure.

The home of the erstwhile rulers. The city palace now a museum of full royal splendor. Jaipur also offers a great shopping experience since the city is the countries capital as far as handicrafts are concerned.

This include a very extensive range as well as a major International center of cutting and polishing of Gems and stone. Also the Jaipur is known all over the world for hand block printing on textile. Lunch at Amber Fort. Soon after reaching at Amber you can enjoy the festively decorated elephant for a ride up to the fort.

After lunch visit of Amber fort the best example of splendid fusion of Rajput and Mugal style of Architecture.

The hall of victory Jai Mandir has a stunning ceiling adorned with mirror work an inlaid panel. Return back to train by bus for fresh n up after rest awhile enjoy sumptuous dinner in one of the best hotel of Jaipur return to Palace on Wheels.

Day 03: Swai Madhopur
The Ranthambhore tiger reserve at junction of the Aravali and the Vindhyas is a unique juxtaposition of natural and historical richness, standing out conspicuously in the vast, arid and denuded tract of eastern Rajasthan, barely 14 Kms from Sawai Madhopur.

A 1000 year old Ranthambhore Fort of great historical importance atop a high hill stand tall remain of the historical part cenotaphs, tombs, stepped well, summer palace etc, have all merged harmoniously in to the sprawling forest.

Three big lakes- Padam Talav, Malik Talav and Raj bag- are alike turquoises studded in the vast tract. Though a delicate eco system, Ranthambhore is dynamic in the diversity and density of fauna it supports. Tiger at the apex of the food chain lords over the kingdom in a subtle way solitary by nature. It operates with stealth. Quite naturally tiger sighting are always a matter of chance, though evidences of its activities are equally exciting other then tigers you may have opportunity to see 24 different species of mammals, spotted deer, sambhar, wild boar, Indian Gazel, Jungal cat, Panthers, Jackal, Hynas Rarely sloth bears, also almost 300 different kind of birds.

The break fast is to be served in Hotel Vinayak in peace and tranquility-Return back to Palace on Wheels. Lunch on Board.

Enjoy the afternoon on train as it travels the lush green country side before arriving to Chittorgarh.

Day 03: Chittorgarh
Chittorgarh Fort is considered as the largest fort of India, built by various Mauriyan rulers during 5th to 8th century period, this for covers an area of 680 acres most of the structures in side the fort premises are in ruins. But a glimpses at this giant abodes of Rajput still fills on with thrill. The fort is accessible after ceremony seven gates. Rana Kumbha palace and Padamini Palace in the fort are considered as master pieces of Rajput architecture Padmini Palace had been the residence of beautiful queen Rani Padmini.

Day 04: Udaipur
The capital of the sirodia Maharanas, enjoy pre-eminen among the Rajput clams of Rajasthan spend the day sight seeing at Udaipur Maharana Udai Singh, Laid the foundation for a new kingdom Udaipur situated at Lake Pichola where the impressive city palace was lavished with aesthetic and imaginative work of art miniature painting was encouraged.

Subsequently the princes built the seemingly floating Irland Palace, the royal summer retreat, offering a spectacular view of the lake and surrounding mountains.

Day 05: Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer The golden city of Rajasthan has a charm of its own, Rawal Jaisal a Bhati Rajput ruler founded the city in 1156 AD. The western most citadel of the desert, Jaisalmer has an ancient history linked with its development as a trading center. Located en-route one of the two passages, that connected India with persia, egypt Africa and West. The Bhati Rajput sole guardians of the city accumulate enough wealth through tax levied on the passing carwans. Jaisalmer amid picturesque a marvel of beautiful culture and harsh climate conditions. The Sonar Quila Fort, made of yellow sand stone will immediately command your attention here.

The city is also known for its old mansion better known as havelies. Patwon Ki Haveli and Nathmalgi Ke Haveli, Salim Singh Ji Ki Haveli most striking architecture a fine blend of ancient and the medieval era. Shopping and lunch at Moomal Hotel. The sweeping sand dunes, enjoy the romance of solitude at Kuldhara and your camel takes you deep in the thar desert, the set hare is the most awaited experience. As the sum sets the rolling golden dunes the surreal experience is worth. Though the winter, followed by the cultural performance - campfire with dinner in dunes.

Day 06: Jodhpur
Special welcome on arrival and sight seeing of mighty fort followed by lunch at Gorgious Umaid Bhawan Palace.

The city best known for its indigo-hued homes and buildings, Jodhpur is the former capital of the Marwar. The Mehrangarh Fort was built by Rao Jodha in 1459 and later his successions also added new structures. The forts is situated 120 meters high rocky hill, this fort is witness the lavish and royal history of Rathore.

Fort stands on strong and wide walls, which are 20 to 120 feet high and 12 to 70 feet thick its gigantic structure and finely carved intricate sculpture are a treat for eye.

The royal structure boast their own saga of security and beauty the perl palace has a delicately carved stone screen, umaid vilas displays the Rajput miniature paintings and the ajit vilas exhibits musical instruments and the royal costumes. Shopping of local handicrafts.

Umaid Bhawan Palace worlds finest and largest palace in the world Maharaja Umaid Singh utilized the services of a well known Edwardian architect, henry vaughan lanchester for the construction of this palace. There are 347 rooms in the palace that boast about its grandness and splendor the central dome that has become the identity of the palace 110 feet high. The royal family in still lives a part of the palace also having the old clock museum.

Lunch at 5 Star Hotel. After lunch back to Palace on Wheels, dinner on board.

Day 07: Bharatpur
Bharatpur A royal kingdom where the jats, rather than the Rajputs, ruled. Bharatpur's Jat History is not too old, with Suraj Mal establishing a firm stronghold in a region contested by both the Rajputs and the Mughals. Suraj Mal exploits are legendary, and the fort, Lohargarh, or Iron Fort, has a history that recounts it with pride. The only fort in the state to have bastions of mud, these proved meritorious because they simply swallowed up the cannon shells not allowing them to impact.

The Keoladeo Ghana National Park one of the finest bird sanctuary in the world was developed by a royal edict when dykes were created so that water could be canalized for the hunting preserve as the Maharaja of Bharatpur wished to create.

Over three hundred species of birds many of them migrant species that come from parts as distant as Siberia and China.

Day 07: Agra
Agra A visit to the world's most well known monument and well worth its fame. The Taj Mahal built in the memory of his beloved empress by emperor Shah Jahan, this marble mausoleum is the greatest gesture of love known to mankind and is breathtakingly, bewitchingly beautiful. Land for the building of the Taj Mahal in Agra came fromthe Maharaja of Jaipur and the marble used in its construction was from the mines of Makrana, also in Rajasthan. The precious stones used in its inlay, and the craftsmen employed for the twenty two years its construction took, came not only from India, but from all over the World.