Royal Rajasthan on Wheels

Fay says,”The suites, in colours that match jewels in a Maharaja’s turban or on a Maharani’s wrist, are a sight difficult to credit on a train.  The large panoramic windows allow the full impact of India to be viewed whilst reclining on comfortable divan beds.”

Epitomising travelling extravagance, Royal Rajasthan on Wheels offers a mesmerising travel experience across Rajasthan, the “Land of Maharajas”.  From elegant exteriors to interiors infused with the nostalgia of a bygone era of fabulous grandeur pertaining to the royal heritage of Rajasthan, this newly built train is the foremost word in luxury travel with its Indian decor, gourmet cuisine and impeccable hospitality.

The itinerary of eight days/ seven nights, that takes guests from Delhi back to Delhi via a host of wonderful places, brings out the cultural ethos of India with a careful selection of destinations and off-tour excursions which include the cultural hubbub of local sightseeing tours, visits to beautiful forts and palaces,  and an array of cultural activities including shopping for handicrafts.

Special Offers

Membership is free, requiring just a subscription to our newsletter on the Club site.  Gifts secured when booking made, and sent on final payment.

-             Ask for any available discounts

-             Until 31 May:  Gift from Osprey,  from their range of small leather goods.

Accommodation

Suites:  Sofa-chairs, chairs and writing tables are provided in the 41 en-suite cabins.  The intricate wood carved  furnishing, silk and velvet bedspreads and drapes along with wall to wall carpeting create a special opulence that invite relaxation.  The cabins all have state of the art amenities and services such as safes, channel music, temperature control facilities  and  WI FI internet access.  There are two super deluxe suites, and the rest are deluxe

Lounges:  The Bravura Suite and the Extraordinary Suite are named after celebrated palaces and forts in Rajasthan, and are decorated in a similar opulence as seen in the cabins and redolent of the train.

Dining:  Two beautiful restaurants,  Sheesh Mahal and Swarn Mahal, serve  delicacies from Rajasthani, Indian, Continental and Chinese cuisines.

Spa:  Unusually, there is a spa on board, where guests can indulge in being pampered and rejuvenated.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Delhi

On the very first day of your journey assemble at the Safdarjung Railway Station by 16:00 hours and be welcomed traditionally by the attendants of the Royal Rajasthan on Wheels.  After boarding, the train will depart on its overnight journey to Jodhpur, during which you sample an excellent dinner and relaxing sleep.

Day 2 – Jodhpur

If you happen to be awake early you will have the pleasure of seeing the beautiful structures of  Jodhpur come into view.  After breakfast, guests are taken to visit the Jaswant Thada (the Royal cenotaph commemorating  Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, built out of intricately carved sheets of marble which are extremely thin and polished so that they emit a warm glow when the sun’s rays dance across their surface);  the Mehrangarh Fort (which stands four hundred feet above the sky line of Jodhpur.  Burnished red sand stone, imposing, invincible and yet with a strange haunting beauty that beckons.  Much has been written about the Citadel of the Sun, and so colossal are its proportions that Rudyard Kipling called it “ the work of giants”); and the Umaid Bhawan Palace, one of the world’s largest private residences.  Returning  to the train during the afternoon, the journey continues overnight  to  the next destination Udaipur,  the city of lakes.

Day 3 – Udaipur/ Chittorgarh

After an early morning arrival  in stunning Udaipur that houses the Lake Pichola, guests can visit the large City Palace complex.  Built in 1559 in a flamboyant style,  it  is considered the largest of its type in Rajasthan, a fusion of the Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles. This is followed by a boat trip on Lake Pichola,  famous for the romantic Lake Palace Hotel.   Or visit  Sahelion ki Baari, a beautiful garden that  has fountains, a lotus pool and marble elephants.  Each water channel has its distinct sound and the mingling of these sounds complement the ambience of the place. It was created for a group of forty-eight young women attendants who accompanied a princess to Udaipur as part of her dowry.
Return to the train to depart for  Chittorgarh . The Chittorgarh fort with its numerous towers is the largest fort in India and the grandest in the state of Rajasthan.  At the fort there is a light and sound show in the evening, organised especially for the guests.
Return to the train to journey overnight  to Sawai Madhopur.

Day 4 – Sawai Madhopur/ Jaipur

Sawai Madhopur is the nearest base from where you can travel down to the Ranthambore National Park.  Embark on an early morning trip to the park and catch the animals at their best at this hour.  Enjoy breakfast amidst the wildlife settings before continuing the journey to Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan.

Arriving in this pretty city at midday, guests  disembark for a site-seeing tour of  the breath-taking red and pink sandstone  Hawa Mahal, known as the Palace of the Winds with its unique five-storey exterior, akin to the honeycomb of the beehive, and its 953 small windows decorated with intricate latticework.  Then visit the City Palace, followed by  a visit to the royal observatory of Jantar Mantar, with its collection of architectural astronomical instruments.  You may also visit the local markets and pick up souvenirs to take back home and enjoy a cultural extravaganza followed by dinner in a city hotel before you return to the train to travel to Khajuraho.

Day 5 – Khajuraho

Arrive in  Madhya Pradesh and more specifically in Khajuraho, a sleepy town mostly visited for its ancient sandstone temples with exotic designs.   The day wandering around these temples is finished off by a light and sound show in the evening before arriving back at the station to embark on a journey to Varanasi.

Day 6 – Varanasi

Early morning sees the train arriving in Varanasi, a temple town mostly visited by Hindu pilgrims.  Also known as Kashi, Varanasi is famous for its temples, its bathing Ghats, the beeline of devotees, and numerous ‘sadhus’ or sages.  On your arrival in town, you can undertake a boat ride on the River Ganga and explore the city attractions besides also visiting Sarnath, popular for its Buddhist stupas and caves.

Lunch will be served in a premier restaurant in the city following which you can return to the train.

In the evening we go to witness or join in  the Aarti on the river banks.  Then we join the train to travel to Agra.

Day 7 – Agra

Agra is mostly known for being home to the stunning Taj Mahal, an epitome of love and beauty.  Built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, the Taj Mahal is recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.  Besides the Taj, you can also visit the Agra Fort and enjoy a light and sound show to understand the history and culture of the city.

Enjoy dinner back on the train as it travels overnight to Delhi.

Day 8 – Delhi

After breakfast, the trip comes to an end and guests disembark this wonderful train.

Dates and Prices

2013  -  January 6,13,20,27.  February 3,10,17,24.   March 3,10,17,24,31.

Prices are in US$ and are per person (unless otherwise stated) and per night – check for latest prices and any offers

Super Deluxe  -   $1600  per suite

Deluxe             –       $  590   twin sharing, per person

Deluxe             –       $  825   single occupancy

The price includes  conducted sightseeing tours, accommodation and catering (morning tea, breakfast, lunch, evening tea and dinner), bottled drinking water, excursions in air-conditioned coaches, entrance fees at monuments, palaces, parks, and cultural programmes,  boat trip in Udaipur, horse riding in Ranthambhore, elephant riding in Jaipur, boat trip in Varanasi.  Not included are Spa costs, laundry costs, tips, camera fees for various destinations, cost of drinks aside from those mentioned above.

10% of the tariff for the children up to 5 years of age.  Half fare for children between 5 and 12 years of age.  (Proof of age to be provided at time of booking)

Booking & Reservations

All prices are at publicly-quoted rates.

We will be happy to answer any questions and make the booking for you  -  contact us in the UK : +44 (0)1249 890205 or info@luxurytrainclub.com      Please sign up to our newsletter to be kept informed of interesting trains and special offers.

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