Rajasthan Travel Guide

Palace on Wheels is one of the ten best luxury trains in the world. The train Palace on Wheels happens to be one of the finest ways to visit the matchless, incomparable, inspirational land of royal & rich India. The name "Palace-on-Wheels" (POW) was derived from its royal back-ground of the coaches & first introduced in 1982. A new meter gauge air conditioned Palace-on-Wheels was introduced in 1990 & had 13 Saloons, 2 Restaurant cum Kitchen car, one Bar cum Lounge and 4 Service Cars. The Rajas and Maharajas of the past used to travel on the Palace on Wheels. It offers an unforgettable way of travelling, just in a kinglike way. The Palace on Wheels takes you to a wonderful royal land of Rajasthan. In addition to this, you can also dig into the royal history of Taj Mahal in Agra and the historic capital city of India - Delhi.

In the past 20 years of operations, the Palace-on-Wheels has been rated as one of the best ten luxurious rail journeys in the world.
From Sunday,11 Jan 2009, a new luxury version of present 8 Days Palace on Wheels Train Tour -called Royal Rajasthan on Wheels Train Tour,will launch it's commercial operations. This new 8 days luxury train tour will depart from New Delhi every Sunday Evening & cover a revised Rajasthan Tourist Circuit of Jaipur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Chittorgarh,World Heritage Wetlands of Bharatpur & eternal"Taj Mahal.", before returning to New Delhi, next Sunday morning. The Royal Rajasthan on Wheels train is a joint venture of the Indian Railways, State Government of Rajasthan & Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India.

Features:

This new upgraded luxury version of the present Palace On wheels has beem made to cater to needs of the high end clientele.It offers more spacious deluxe cabins & a new concept of super deluxe cabins with bath tubs.Oher additional facilities include Two Restro-lounges, One Spa Saloon & the new train is Internet Wi-Fi enabled. The Air-Conditioned broad gauge, Royal Rajasthan on Wheels Train has 14 passenger saloons, out of which 39 are deluxe cabins & two suite cabins. Maximum passenger capacity of this new luxury train is 82 passengers, against 104 passengers of present Palace On Wheels. To mantain exculsiveness of this new luxury palace on wheels,there is no facility available for triple occupancy.

Tour Program:
Day 01 : SUN : NEW DELHI Depart :
Report by 1600 hrs at Safderjung Railway Station (Near Moti Bagh Flyover) for traditional welcome & board the Luxuriously furnished Royal Rajasthan on Wheels Train Tour.

Day 02 : MON : JAIPUR-The Pink City
After photo stop at Palace of Winds(Hawa Mahal) proceed for excursion to 15th century built Amber Palace & enjoy joy ride on colourfully decorated elephants.
Lunch in the private dining quaters of H.H. Maharaja of Jaipur.
Afternoon discover,on foot,the 18th century built City Palace,well preserved Museum & the functional Sun Observatory (Jantar Mantar).
For Shopper's; Jaipur offers hand printed textiles & semi-precious stones.

Day 03 : TUE : JAISALMER: Oasis in Desert
The 13th century built,Golden Fort town ,has been the tradtional water-hole for traders travelling on famous Silk Route.Morning walk through the bylanes of the living fort town,is an experience to be long cherished.Late afternoon excursion to the shifting Sand Dunes-to enjoy camel ride. Dinner & cultural show in Heritage Palace Hotel.

Day 04 : WED: JODHPUR-The Blue Town
Morning visit to imposing 16th century built Mehrangarh Fort Palace complex; & 19th century built Jaswant Thada complex ,with intricately carved canopies built in memory of Royal Family members.
Lunch at world famous Umaid Bhawan Palace Hotel,residence of H.H. Maharaja of Jodhpur.
For Shopper's ;Jodhpur offers camel leather products & wooden furniture.

DAY 5: THURS: RANTHAMBHORE (Morning)
Early morning excursion to Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve with it's unique flora & fauna.

DAY 5: THURS: CHITTORGARH (Afternoon)
Afternoon excursion to the ruins of 12th century built Chittaurgarh Fort ,built atop a plateau.

Day 06 : FRI : UDAIPUR
Morning visit17th century built City palace,museum & enjoy boat ride in Lake Pichola.
Lunch at Palace hotel & visit crystal gallery.
For shoppers,udaipur offers miniature paintings.

Day 07: SAT: BHARATPUR (Morning)
Early morning cycle richshaw ride through Keleodeo World heritage site,-wetlands habitat to more than 200 species of Avians.

DAY 07: SAT: AGRA (Afternoon)
After lunch at 5 star hotel,proceed for visit to World Heritage Site of 15th century built.
Agra fort & poetry in white marble- eternal "The Taj Mahal"
For shoppers interest-intricately carved marble momentous.

Day 08 : SUN : Return DELHI
Early morning Royal Rajasthan on Wheels Train returns to Safderjung Railway Station.
Check-out after optional breakfast by 0715 hrs.