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Destinations:
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DELHI » JAIPUR » JAISALMER » JODHPUR » SAWAI MADHOPUR
» CHITTAURGARH » UDAIPUR » BHARATPUR » AGRA
The Palace
on Wheels
comprises of 14 fully air-conditioned deluxe saloons, equipped
with world class amenities to enhance the pleasure of traveling.
The Coaches
::
The 14 coaches are named after former Rajput states matching the
aesthetics and interiors of the royal past. Each saloon has a mini
pantry and a lounge to ensure availability of hot and cold
beverage, and refreshments and a place to relax and get together.
Rooms ::
14
fully air-conditioned deluxe saloons, each a combination of 4 twin
bedded chambers with channel music, intercom, attached toilets,
running hot and cold water, shower, wall to wall carpeting and
other amenities. The furniture with its inlaid motifs has been
specially created for the Palace on Wheels.
Restaurants
::
The
train has two lavish restaurants "The Maharaja" and "The Maharani"
with a Rajasthani ambience serving palate tickling Continental,
Chinese, India and Rajasthani cuisines.
Bar ::
The
train also boasts of a well stocked bar offering the choicest of
sprits of Indian and international brands. Each coach also offers
a good collection of books to choose from.
Facilities ::
The
Palace on Wheels is regularly refurbished to a great extent. The
decor in the saloons, bar lounge has been changed, keeping in mind
the traditionally aesthetic yet modern, Palace on Wheels. Toilets
have been redone and are maintained sparkling clean. Each saloon
lounge has been equipped with color television and a CD player. A
satellite phone is on the way to make you communicate anywhere in
the world from the train.
Day 1 -
Delhi
(Wednesday)
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 - Jaipur (Thursday)
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 -
Jaisalmer
(Friday)
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
programs at a hotel in Jaisalmer.
The train
leaves for Jodhpur at night.
Day 4 - Jodhpur (Saturday)
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 - Sawai Madhopur (Sunday)
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 Ranthambore
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, rattle, 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.
Day 5 - Chittaurgarh (Sunday)
After lunch
on board you are in Chittaurgarh. Images of love and valor; scars
of battles lost and won….thrice-besieged, Chittaurgarh Fort is all
this and more.
Day 6 - Udaipur (Monday)
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 - Bharatpur (Tuesday)
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.
Day 7 - Agra (Tuesday)
Arrive at Fathepur
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.
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