Destinations Covered: New Delhi - Jaipur - Jaisalmer - Sawai Madhopur - Chittorgarh - Udaipur - Bharatpur - Agra
Day 01: Departure from New Delhi Delhi, the capital of India, is a city of many delights. The city's origin is lost in the mists of time, and the few thousand-year-old Purana Quila in the Old City, or the 500-year-old Red Fort, testify to the grandeur of the city. At the Delhi Cant. Railway station, guests are given a traditional welcome, and then they are put aboard the luxury train, Palace on Wheels.
Day 02: Arrival at Jaipur
After a good nights sleep, you wake up in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. This Pink City is famed for its historic forts and palaces. You will tour the city, and see the many splendors of this colorful state, home to some of the bravest warriors in India. The Jaipur city's splendid Hawa Mahal, built for the royal ladies, has beautiful balconies with lovely stone meshes meant to screen the women from the outside world. The Amber Fort, 8 kilometers away, is one of the landmarks of the city. Rides of elaborately decorated elephants, with embroidered caparisons, gives you a feel of royal lifestyles of the Rajput rulers of the state. Visit the bazaars of Jaipur, where you can pick up some delightful hand crafted items like carpets, jewelry and pottery. If you want to ensure the authenticity of the items, then head for Rajasthali, the state government approved emporium.
After lunch, you will leave for the City Palace tour, sprawling across 1/7th of the city. Close by is the Jantar Mantar, the 16th century observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh II. Dinner will be served aboard the coach of Palace on Wheels.
Day 02: Jaisalmer Surrounded by the ruggedly beautiful Thar Desert lies the city of Jaisalmer, the next stop on your Palace on Wheels Tour. Established by raja Jaisal in the Middle Ages, the city is built around the Jaisalmer Fort. The yellow sandstone structure gleams in the sunlight, taking in the visitor with a deceptively gilded appearance. Another highlight of the trip to Jaisalmer will be the many havelis, or traditionally built mansions of Rajasthan. Elaborately embellished with mirror work, exquisite carvings and lovely latticed balconies, the Patwon-ki-Haeli and Salim Singh-ki- Haveli are no less opulent than palaces. Lunch will be served on board the train, after which you will experience the desert of Rajasthan on camel back.
Day 04: Jodhpur Jodhpur, the site of the massive Meherangarh Fort, is a city famous for its colorful culture and warm people. The invincibility of the Fort earned it the title of "Pearl among India's Forts" from no less than Babar, the fierce Mughal warrior king. Tour the opulent Moti Mahal, Sheesh Mahal and Phool Mahal Palaces within the Fort, and take a look at the narrow lanes and by lanes of the old bazaars within the fort. Lunch will be provided on the train coach, after you return from shopping for embroidered shoes, dyed textiles and silver jewelry.
Day 05: Sawai Madhopur- Chittorgarh
Sawai Madhopur, you next stop on the Palace on Wheels Tour, is famed for the nearby Ranthambore national Park. A tour to this sanctuary will acquaint you with the myriad birds and animals of Rajasthan, including tigers. Other animals include jackal, fox, hyena, as well as many kinds of birds. Lunch will be provided on the coach after your return.
After lunch, you will alight at Chittorgarh, the site of the massive Chittorgarh Fort. The fort has seen love, chivalry, battles and tragedies. The Fort was once defended by Rajput warriors who fought to death against the Mughals, while their wives and daughters committed mass suicide to escape dishonor at the hands of the enemy.
Day 06: Udaipur On arrival at the Lake City Udaipur at 8 pm, you will spend the night on your coach. The next morning, you will visit the lovely lakeside palaces of Udaipur. The Lake Palace, by the shores of the clear Lake Pichola, and the Jag Mandir, built on an island in the Lake, are the highlights of your Palace on Wheels Tour. Lunch will be in the picturesque setting of the Lake Palace Hotel, after which you will visit the City Palace. After this, you will be taken back to the train.
Day 07: Bharatpur- Agra The Palace on Wheels Tour takes you to Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, officially known as Koladeo Ghana National Park. Watch the graceful egrets and cranes stalking through the many lakes dotting the swampy areas of the sanctuary, or listen to the delightful bird calls echoing through the lush forest.
In the afternoon, the train arrives at the romantic city of Agra via Fatehpur Sikri. At Fatehpur Sikri, you will be able to visit the Palace of Akbar. Later, you will move to Agra, where the splendid Taj Mahal mesmerizes you with its saga of romance and eternal love.
Have a good sleep in the comfort of the luxury tour, as you are taken back to Delhi.
Day 08: Arrival at Delhi
Your Palace on Wheels Tour ends at Delhi.
