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| The Great Indian
Rail Journey
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 1981 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.
As most traveling is done at night, your days are left free – for discovering the delights of Rajasthan.
09 Nights / 10 Days
to Delhi - Jaipur - Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambore) - Chittorgarh - Udaipur - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Bharatpur - Agra - Delhi
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Day1
- Monday - Arrive Delhi
Traditional welcome on arrival at Delhi international airport by Travel Pals executive and transferred by air-conditioned exclusive car to hotel for over night stay.
Delhi is the capital of the modern India, though it is made up of seven ancient cities, spanning over a period from 11th to 20th centuries.
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Day2
- Tuesday - Delhi
After breakfast, a guided tour of historic city of old Delhi to include the Jama Masjid - one of Asia’s largest mosque, Rajghat - the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi - the "Father of the Nation". Afternoon, tour of New Delhi to include Humanyun's Tomb, Qutub Minar, India Gate, President's House and drive through Connaught Place. Dinner at 'Chor Bizarre', an Indian speciality restaurant (Optional). |
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Day3
- Wednesday - Board the Palace on wheels (POW)
After breakfast day at leisure to explore the local bazaars till transfer to the Safdarjung Railway station, New Delhi where the guests are accorded a warm, traditional with ceremonial welcome aboard the Palace on Wheels. You will be introduced to your fellow travellers. Feel free to explore your new home, and acquaint yourself with its various facilities. The train departs for Jaipur at 1800 hrs. Relax with a drink at the bar. Dinner will be served on board in its two restaurants. Overnight in your exclusive cabin of POW. |
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Day4
- Thursday – Arrive Jaipur
Arrival: 03.45 hrs at Jaipur. Departure: 23.30 hrs for Sawai Madhopur. Met & introduced with your guide, provided by the management of Palace on Wheels for visiting Jaipur city visit Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds, followed by a visit to the Amber Fort, riding on canopied elephants in pomp and royal style of ancient maharajas. Enjoy lunch at Amber fort. Then indulge yourself in shopping at Rajasthali, the State's Handicrafts emporium for souvenirs and crafts.
The home of the erstwhile rulers, The City Palace, now a museum, full of royal splendor and the amazing Jantar Mantar - Astronomical Observatory, are to be explored at leisure. Also visit to Albert hall. Enjoy folk dance with dinner (Bar be que) at famous five star hotel Jai Mahal. Jaipur became the capital of the Kachchhwaha dynasty when they shifted here from their hilltop fort of Amber. It was built according to the principles laid down in the ancient Architectural Treatises. At its center seven-tiered palace of the royal family and around it came up gardens and temples, its Astronomical Observatory and the myriads of mansions and business houses. Jaipur also offers a great shopping experience since the city is the country's capital as far as handicrafts are concerned. They include a very extensive range - as well as a major international center for the cutting and polishing of gems and stones.
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Day5
- Friday - Arrive Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambore) – Chittorgarh
Arrival: 05.30 hrs at Sawai Madhopur. Departure: 10.30 hrs for Chittorgarh. Arrival at Chittorgarh: 1600 hrs. Departure: 0200 hrs (next morning) for Udaipur. Sawai Madhopur plays host to the Ranthambore wildlife sanctuary that houses the Indian tiger. It is the best place to see these majestic predators in their normal pursuits. The park is also home to 300 species of birds and hyena, ratel, jackal and fox among other species. There are Lake Palaces, chhatris, old fortifications and a majestic 1,000-year-old fort overlooking the park. The lovely Jogi Mahal is located at the foot of the fort and gives magnificent view of the Padam Talao, painted white with water lilies. Ranthambore is also very picturesque. A number of lakes from the shallow lands where tiger sightings are quite common, and where herds of deer can be seen foraging, while crocodiles bask in the sun. The lofty hills ring the park, and in the distance, the ramparts of Ranthambore fort create a dramatic silhouette.
Once, this was the scene for fierce battles, and for fiery Jauhars, but all that is of the past now, though former hunting lodges such as Jogi Mahal, close to the lakes, still retains its former grandeur and glory and Jhoomar Baori - It was a hunting lodge of Jaipur ruler Sawai Madho Singh. The best location to take picture of the forest.
Enjoy leisurely breakfast at Vinayak hotel. Enjoy sound and light show at Chittorgarh fort followed by cultural programme with dinner at Hotel Panna. Chittorgarh is India's most valorous fort, its history an unending saga of passion, chivalry and romance. Within its sprawling ramparts were beautiful palaces, but few of them remain, the fort having been sacked by invaders. |
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Day6
- Saturday - Arrive Udaipur
Arrival: 08.00 hrs. at Udaipur. Departure for Jaisalmer: 1530 hrs. Enjoy breakfast at Shikar badi. Udaipur, the capitals of the Sisodia Maharanas, enjoy pre-eminence among the Rajput clans of Rajasthan. Spend the day sight seeing at Udaipur. Maharana Udai Singh, laid the foundation for a new kingdom-Udaipur-situated by Lake Pichola, where the impressive City Palace was lavished with aesthetic and imaginative works of art, and the art of miniature painting was encouraged. Enjoy lunch at Sunset point near Lake Pichola. Enjoy boat ride and return back to train.
Subsequently, the princes built the seemingly floating Island Palace, the royal summer retreat, offering a spectacular view of the lake and surrounding mountains. Overnight in train. |
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Day7
- Sunday - Jaisalmer
Arrival: 0945 hrs at Jaisalmer. Departure for Jodhpur: 2345 hrs. Enjoy breakfast on board. Spend the day in this isolated, but architecturally, one of the greatest Royal Bastions of the World. Enjoy royal lunch at hotel Moomal. Also enjoy evening tea, sunset and dinner (Bar be que) at Samdhani.. Then come back to the train to resume your journey.
Jaisalmer was the stronghold for the Bhatti Rajputs, and a hardier race never lived. Jaisalmer may have been, a lost city in the sands of the Thar, more mythic than real for those of who heard it, but the caravans that passed through its territories enriched the coffers of the treasury. |
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Day8
- Monday - Arrive Jodhpur
Arrival: 07.00 hrs at Jodhpur. Departure 15.30 hrs for Bharatpur. Famous for its rock-solid Mehrangarh Fort built in mid 15th century by Rao Jodha, the founder of the city, Jodhpur is the second largest city of Rajasthan. Part of the Desert Tourist Triangle, the old Jodhpur city is surrounded by a 10 Km long wall with eight gates serving as entrances and the new city is settled around this walled area. Jodhpur houses grand palaces like the Moti Mahal, Sheesh Mahal and the Phool Mahal. In these exquisite palaces, forts, temples and havelis, the genius of its sculptors comes to life and stand as a testimony to the imperial grandeur of the city. The Umaid Bhawan Palace hotel is said to be the biggest private residence of single individual. |
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Day9
- Tuesday - Bharatpur - Agra
Arrival: 05.00 hrs at Bharatpur and Departure 08.45 hrs for Agra. Enjoy breakfast at Bird Sanctuary. 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’s 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.
These days, thankfully, only shooting by cameras is permitted in this sanctuary with over three hundred species of birds, many of them migrant species that come from parts as distant as Siberia and China.
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 from the 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. Enjoy lunch at Palace hotel.
Enjoy Sound & light culture programme in the evening followed by Gala Dinner at Hotel Mughal Sheraton. Then return on board for overnight stay. |
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Day10
- Wednesday - Arrive Delhi - onward destination
Arrival: 0600 hrs at Safdarjung Railway station. After early breakfast, a week in wonderland comes to an end at the Delhi Cantonment railway station. Met & assist on railway station and transfer to hotel for day use, later transfer to Delhi international airport for onward destination.
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