Day 01: Delhi
The capital city of modern India, a city known for it's rich, valorous and exotic history. Once the fabled city of the heroes of the Mahabharata, and ruled by the Rajputs before they were displaced by foreign invaders. The tour starts in the evening with a ceremonial welcome aboard the Palace on Wheels at Delhi Cantonment. The train departs from Delhi.You will be introduced to your fellow travelers.Feel free to explore your new home, and acquaint yourself with its various facilities. Relax with a drink at the bar.
Dinner will be served on board the two restaurants.
Day 02: Jaipur
Arrive in Jaipur Jaipur, the Pink City, known for it's colourful and fascinating Architecture. Your tour begins next morning with the 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.
The train departs from the Pink City. Jaipur became the capital of the Kachchwaha 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, but with all the opulence deserving to a royal city. At its center rose the 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.
Day 03: Jaisalmer
Arrive at Jaisalmer. Spend the day in this isolated, but Architecturally, one of the greatest Royal Bastions of the World. After a safari dinner served under the stars, at a campsite, come back to the train to resume your journey.
Depart for Jodhpur
Day 04: Jodhpur
Its time for you to visit yet another desert kingdom, Jodhpur, where you. You can spend the morning at Mehrangarh Fort that towers over the city like an eagle's eyrie and then come downhill to lunch at Umaid Bhawan Palace, the largest art-deco residence in the world and now home to the head of the royal family, museum and luxury hotel.
Departure, after unwinding and relaxing at the palace. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 05: Sawai Madhopur - Ranthambhor - Chittaurgarh
Steam into Sawai Madhopur, to spend the day in the wilds of Ranthambhor where your hosts are, of course, royal. Ranthambhor National Park is home to the Royal Bengal Tiger, the most majestic of the big cats, and magnificent in its agility and grace. As it moves through the underbrush, its tawny gold hide striped with black bands, merges with nature, and the jungle stands to attention. Ranthambhor is also very picturesque.
Since the best time to visit the park is early morning.
Leaves for its destination, Chittaurgarh.
Arrival at Chittaurgarh.
Chittaurgarh 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. Lunch and dinner are served on board the train.
Day 06: Udaipur
Arrive, Udaipur, the capitals of the Sisodia Maharanas, enjoy pre-eminence among the Rajput clans of Rajasthan. Spend the day sight seeing at Udaipur.
Lunch is at Lake Palace, the beautiful island palace built as a summer resort by the royal family, and now converted into one of the world's finest hotels. The train departs again, and dinner will be served on board.
Day 07: Bharatpur - Agra - Delhi
It must be Bharatpur. Arrive at 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.
After visiting the sanctuary in the morning, visitors travel by couch to Fatehpur Sikri, the red sandstone city build by Emperor Akbar on a lavish scale, but which he had to abandon soon after because of shortage of water.
From here to Agra, first for lunch at hotel and then for 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. The Taj Mahal is the perfect finale to your Royal Sojourn.
Palace on wheels departs for Delhi. Dinner and overnight on board
Day 08: Delhi
