Palace on Wheels Tour
|
On 26th January, 1982 a new chapter in the history of Indian
tourism was introduced. It was on this day when the iconic Palace
on Wheels took it's inaugural trip and luxury travel got a new dimension
in India in the form of Luxury trains. The journey of luxury trains
in India has been an eventful one since then. Today, there are five
luxury trains operating across different locations in the country
and more are in pipeline.
Palace on Wheels Virtual Tour
Duration :06 Nights - 07 Days
Places Covered : New Delhi - Jaipur - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur
- Sawai Madhopur - Chittaurgarh - Udaipur - Bharatpur - Agra
- Delhi
| Day-1
Wednesday |
Tour Begins : 09.30 hrs. |
New Delhi
 Join
the tour group for a day tour of New Delhi. Tour includes
visit to the India Gate, Lotus Temple, Qutab Minar, Humayun's
Tomb and more. After lunch at a local restaurant, you
will be transferred to the Safdarjung Railway station,
New Delhi where the guests are accorded a warm, traditional
welcome before the Palace on Wheels pulls out into the
night ... for a week-long luxury cruise through fascinating
Rajasthan. |
| Day-2 Thursday
|
Arrival 02.00 hrs. Departure 19.30 hrs |
Jaipur
The first stop of Palace on Wheels is Jaipur, one
of the most well planned cities of the world of its time.
This capital city of Rajasthan, popularly known as the
Pink City, was founded by Maharaja Swai Jai Singh II,
in1727 A.D.
 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, eight kms. away, where rides
on caparisoned elephants add to the ambiance. Shop for
Jaipur’s famous jewellery, handicrafts, carpets blue
pottery and textiles. Near Ajmeri Gate is located Rajasthali
- the only Rajasthan Govt. Emporium selling genuine
handicrafts at fixed prices.
After lunch at a Palace Hotel, you are off to the City
Palace, home of the erstwhile royal family. Right across
the road from the City Palace is the Jantar
Mantar, the largest observatory built by the Sawai
Jai Singh II. The Luxury coaches will take you back to
Palace on Wheels around 6.30 pm. Dinner on Board. |
| Day-3 Friday |
Arrival 08.15 hrs. Departure 23.00 hrs. |
Jaisalmer
 In
the heart of the Thar Desert lies Jaisalmer, founded by
Rawal Jaisal, in 1156A.D. Here the yellow sandstone fort
is an imposing sight, towering magnificently over the
city. Discover the painstakingly latticed havelis or mansions
with their grand facades. The Nathmalji-ki-haveli,
Patwon-ki-haveli and Salim Singh-ki-haveli
are fine examples of the stone carver’s skill.
Shop at Rajasthali-the only Rajasthan Govt. emporium,
for fine pattu shawls, mirror work & embroidered articles,
wooden boxes, trinkets, silver jewellery and curios. After
lunch on board, go for an exciting camel ride on the sand
dunes of Sam, before sipping a refreshing cup of
tea.
Enjoy the dinner and the cultural programmes at a hotel
in Jaisalmer.
The train leaves for Jodhpur at night. |
| Day-4 Saturday
|
Arrival 07.00 hrs. Departure15.30 hrs |
Jodhpur
 Next
morning the Palace on wheels is in Jodhpur, a city ringed
by a high stone wall with seven gates and several bastions.
This second largest city of Rajasthan, founded by Rao
Jodha in 1459 A.D. is known for its rock-solid Mehrangarh
Fort. The grand palaces within- Moti Mahal, Sheesh Mahal,
Phool Mahal, Sileh Khana and Daulat Khana are impressive
examples of architectural excellence. Near the fort complex
lies Jaswant Thada, and a group of royal cenotaphs made
of white marble.
After lunch at a royal Palace hotel, return to the Palace
on Wheels.
While in Jodhpur shop for the exquisite handcrafted articles
including the famous breeches, embroidered shoes, metal
curios, silverware, paintings and tie and dye fabrics. |
| Day-5 Sunday |
Arrival 04.00 hrs. Departure 10.30 hrs
|
Sawai Madhopur
 One
can almost sense a life of the wilderness, as the Palace
on Wheels arrives in Sawai Madhopur, a city named after
its founder Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I. After breakfast
a visit is arranged to the Ranthambhor National Park,
wherein 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 known for
its exclusive toys, ethnic ornaments and costumes. Upon
return to the Palace on Wheels, you leave for Chittaurgarh,
when one gets an opportunity to watch the colourful countryside
passing by in the daylight. |
| Day-5 Sunday |
Arrival 16.00 hrs. |
 Chittaurgarh
After lunch on board you are in Chittaurgarh. Images of
love and valour; scars of battles lost and won.thrice-beseiged,
Chittaurgarh Fort is all this and more. |
| Day-6 Monday |
Departure 05:30 hrs. from Chittaurgarh
for Udaipur |
 Udaipur
Arrive in Udaipur, the Lake City at 7:30 AM. It was founded
by Maharana Udai Singh of Mewar, after the Sisodia dynasty
was driven away by the Mughals, in 1559A.D. 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 a visit to City
Palace is exhilarating.
In the evening visit the crystal gallery. Later proceed
to Bharatpur on board Palace on Wheels
|
| Day-7 Tuesday
|
Arrival 06.30hrs. Departure
11.45 hrs |
 Bharatpur
Early next morning, the Palace arrives in Bharatpur, the
capital of Maharaja Suraj Mal. After breakfast pay a visit
to the world famous bird sanctuary, Keoladeo Ghana
National Park, the nesting place of thousands of Egrets,
Siberian Cranes, migratory Water Fowl and other species
of birds. |
| Day-7 Tuesday
|
Arrival 14.30 hrs Departure
23.00 hrs |
Agra
 Arrive
at Fatehpur Sikri-the red sandstone Mughal palatial
complex. Within the enclosure is a mosque built by the
Mughal Emperor Akbar and dedicated to the Sheikh Salim
Chisti, a muslim 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 Jahan in memory of his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal.
Agra is known for its splendid marble inlay work like
the Pietra Dura work on the Taj, leather goods and jewelry.
After dinner on board and a good night’s sleep, arrive
at Safdarjung Train Station, New Delhi at 6.00
hrs the next morning and let the pleasant memories of
the past week linger on your mind for a long, long time.
|
| Your
tour ends here |
|
|
|
Date
