Detailed Itinerary
Times have changed and winds have shifted, but the Palace
On Wheels cruises along in its unique style, the kind
only the Maharajas of yesteryears could have perpetuated
and enjoyed. Today, of course, each traveller on board
is treated like royalty in his or her own right.
The exquisite & exclusive Palace on Wheels has
luxurious cabins, wall-to-wall carpeting, a well stocked
bar, two dining cars, and a very personalised service.
Infact everything that could comprise of heaven on
earth for a whole week.
The festive fervor of Christmas catches up even amidst
the sandy and earthy terrain of Rajasthan while you
are aboard the Palace-On-Wheels. All passengers sing
dance and make merry within the comfortable confines
of the train. When the music is pulsating and spirits
soaring, it is difficult to keep in control and you
tend to go with the flow.
Day 01: Wednesday
Delhi - Journey of A Lifetime Begins .........
1645 Hours: Report Delhi Cantonment Railway Station
and board on Palace On Wheels, The Maharaja train
tour.
1800 Hours: Departure for a Week in Wonderland Tour.
2000 Hours: Dinner on board
The journey of a lifetime begins at the Delhi cantonment
station where the guests are accorded a warm, traditional
welcome before the palace-on-wheels pull out into
the night. For a week long luxury cruise through fascinating
Rajasthan.
Day 02 : Thursday
Attraction - Jaipur
0000 Hours: Arrival in Jaipur.
0730 Hours: Breakfast on Board.
0830 Hours: Sightseeing.
1300 hours: Lunch at the Rambagh Palace Hotel.
When you reached at Jaipur, a gala reception awaits
you at the Pink City. With traditional Indian music
of the shehnai, playing in the background, you will
be welcomed like a Royal Celebrity. And why not....
this is the first stop of the Palace on Wheels in
the land of Maharajas, magnificent Palaces and impressive
forts. And this is just the start; from this time
on, every moment that you spend on the Palace On Wheels
will leave memories that will last for a lifetime.
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, 8-km away,
where rides on caparisoned elephants add to the ambience.
And yes, how can you miss the shopping in your Jaipur
tour. Jaipur is the place to shop until you drop !
It has a plethora of handicrafts ranging from grimacing
papier-mache puppets to exquisitely carved furniture,
jewellery, handicrafts, carpets, blue pottery and
textiles. The luxury coaches will take you back to
palace on wheels around 6.30 pm. Dinner on board.
1900 Hours: Departure for Jaisalmer.
2000 Hours: Dinner on Board.
Day 03 :Friday
Attraction - Jaisalmer
0615 Hours: Arrival in Jaisalmer.
0730 Hours: Breakfast on Board.
0830 Hours: Sightseeing.
Welcome to Heart of Thar Desert - Jaisalmer. Founded
by Rawal Jaisal in 1156. Sharply etched against the
sky, Jaisalmer is a splendid sight with its yellow
sand stone walls and bastions that seem to rise from
the golden sands. Visit the intricately latticed havelis
with their elaborate facades. The superb craftsmanship
of the stone carved is illustrated in Nathmalji-ki-haveli,
Patwon-ki-haveli and Salim Singh-ki-haveli. After
a sumptuous lunch, experience the exhilaration of
a camel ride on the golden sand dunes at Sam, the
most picturesque dunes. No trip to Jaisalmer is complete
without a visit to these fascinating dunes which is
followed by evening tea. The Palace on Wheels departs
for Jodhpur at night.
1300 Hours: Lunch on board and rest.
1700 Hours: Visit the sand dunes and experience the
thrill of a camel safari.
1930 Hours: Dine while enjoying a cultural programme.
2300 Hours: Departure for Jodhpur.
Day 04 : Saturday
Attraction - Jodhpur
0730 Hours: Breakfast on Board.
0800 Hours: Arrival in Jodhpur.
0830 Hours: Sightseeing.
1300 Hours: Lunch at the Umaid Bhawan Palace.
Welcome to the Blue City - Jodhpur founded in 1459
AD and is the second largest City in Rajasthan. It
was also on the ancient Silk route. The formidable
Mehrangarh fort, rising as high as man's unflinching
will, atop a hill, dominates the city. Umaid Bhawan
also known as Chittaur Palace, is another landmark
of the region. It was conceived as part of famine
relief operations, at the beginning of the century,
by Maharaja Umaid Singh. The palace took 16 years
to build, and provided employment to the famine stricken.
A portion of the palace has been converted into a
hotel.
After lunch at a Palace hotel, return to the Palace-On-Wheels.
While in Jodhpur, shop for exquisite handcrafted articles
including the famous breeches, embroidered shoes,
metal curios, silverware, paintings and tie and dye
fabrics.
1530 Hours: Departure for Sawai Madhopur.
2000 Hours: Dinner on Board.
Day 05 : Sunday
Attraction - Sawai Madhopur
Morning: Ranthambore Tiger Sanctuary
0615 Hours: Arrival in Sawai Madhopur.
0630 Hours: Breakfast on Board.
0700 Hours: Visit the Ranthambhore National Park
Excitement is in the air as the Palace on Wheels
touches Sawai Madhopur, a city fortified in 1765 and
named after its founder Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh
I. One can almost sense a life of the wilderness here
. After breakfast a visit is arranged to the Ranthambhor
National Park, where in 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, Ratel, Jackal and Fox
are among those constituting the carnivorous population
here.
Sawai Madhopur is also known for its exclusive toys,
ethnic ornaments and costumes. Upon return to the
palace on wheels, you leave for desert citadel Jaisalmer,
when one gets an opportunity to watch the colourful
countryside passing by the daylight. Lunch and dinner
are served on board.
Afternoon: Chittaurgarh Fort
1100 Hours: Departure for Chittaurgarh.
1300 Hours: Lunch on board.
1530 Hours: Arrival in Chittaurgarh.
1600 Hours: Sightseeing.
Day 06 : Monday
Attraction - Udaipur
0645 Hours: Breakfast on Board.
0730 Hours: Depart for Sightseeing.
1230 Hours: Lunch at the Lake Palace Hotel.
Welcome to the 'City of Lakes'. One of the most romantic
places in India, it is situated around the shimmering
clear blue water lakes, which whisper the mood of
a bygone era. Udaipur was founded by Maharana Udai
Singh of Mewar, after the Sisodia dynasty was driven
away by the Mughals, in 1559 AD. 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 at Lake Palace Hotel, a visit
to the City Palace is exhilarating.
1800 Hours: Return from Sightseeing.
2000 Hours: Departure for Bharatpur.
2000 Hours: Dinner on Board
Day 07 : Tuesday
Attraction - Bharatpur, Agra
Arrival - 6:00 AM.
Bharatpur
After bidding good-bye to Udaipur day of its trip
the Palace-on-Wheels arrives at the beautiful Bharatpur.
The city of Bharatpur is an Avian paradise and is
renowned for the bird sanctuary. So great is the pull
of the Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary, Bharatpur, that
people spare not a thought for the state that gave
birth to it. This superb waterfowl habitat, one of
the finest in the world, was actually created by a
Maharaja. Bharatpur, the nesting place for thousands
of Egrets, Siberian Cranes, migratory Water Fowl and
other species of birds.
Lunch : On Board
Afternoon - Agra ( Taj Mahal )
After a splendid visit to the Ghana National Park,
the Palace On Wheels arrives at Agra. Where Fatehpur
Sikri, the red sandstone Mughal palatial complex.
Within the enclosure is a mosque built by the Mughal
emperor Akbar and dedicated to Sheikh Salim Chishti,
a museum 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 Jehan in memory of his beloved queen
Mumtaz Mahal. Agra is known for its splendid marble
inlay work like the ‘Pietra Dura’ work
in the Taj, leather goods and jewellery.
Day 08 : Wednesday
Delhi - The Memories For A Lifetime Begins ..............
Welcome back to Delhi Cantonment Railway Station to
step back from fantasy to reality.
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