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. The detailed itinerary is
as follows :
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.
BharatpurAfter
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.