A complete week to live like the kings and
queens of the erstwhile era of Rajasthan clubbed with opportunities to
explore the royal cities they once ruled - this is what draws tourists from
all over the world to travel on the Palace on Wheel. And it is precisely
this luxurious life offered to tourists that secured the Palace on Wheels a
place amongst the top ten luxury trains of the world. However, the love that
the Palace on Wheels has received from world over is immense. Requests for
bookings on Palace on Wheel are so many that it is now difficult for the
train authorities to accommodate everyone. The result of this is quiet
obvious - a number of tourists desirous of travelling on the Palace on
Wheels are turned down everyday.
In view of such great demand, the The RTDC (Rajasthan Tourism Development
Corporation) in association with India Railways and Government of India has
launched another Palace on Wheel Royal Rajasthan on Wheels. The train
will start its first commercial run from Jan 2009.
More Luxuries on Offer
The new Palace on Wheels or the Royal Rajasthan on Wheels is far more
luxuirous than the first one. Glimpse these- as compared to the existing
palace on wheels which has 130 passengers on board, the new Royal Rajasthan
on Wheels will take only 82 passengers. The new luxury train also has 1
super deluxe saloon and 13 deluxe saloon as compared to only 14 saloons of
the existing palace on wheels. The cabins are all for double occupancy and
there is no option for trip occupancy. Additionally, there is also a spa car
in Royal Rajasthan on Wheels. In Palace on Wheels, there is no spa car.
Within cabin too, the new Royal Rajasthan on Wheels offers more luxuries.
You can enjoy more space with with bed and sitting area; study table and
chairs; a cubical bathing space and Internet WI Fi system. All these
facilities are not available in the existing Palace on Wheels.
Facilities that are common to both luxury trains include pantry in each
sleeper car, each coach with an attendant to serve round the clock, channel
music system and laundry service
Destination Covered
The destinations to be covered by the Royal Rajasthan on Wheels or the
Palace on Wheels II is almost similar to the existing one - Jaipur,
Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Sawai Madhopur/Chittorgarh, Udaipur and Bharatpur/Agra .
Also like the existing Palace on Wheel, the Palace on Wheels II will
commence and conclude its journey from the Delhi.
Royal Rajasthan on
Wheels - Tour Itinerary
Day 01 : Delhi - Safdurjung Station (Sunday, Departure 16.30 pm)
Delhi The luxurious Royal Rajasthan on Wheels takes you through a seven day
exploration of the vibrant Rajasthan. The magic of the splendid journey
begins at New Delhi and prepares you to weave the fabric of delightful
imagination becoming reality over the next seven days. Your royal journey
begins from Delhi and takes you through various erstwhile princely states.
Welcome on board at Delhi with the ceremonial greetings at the safdarjung
station with traditional aarti and tika with garlanding and some mock tails
to refresh your selves. After check in, you would be escorted to the
respective cabins. Feel the difference of the World in the moving.
Palace which empowers luxury and tradition hand to hand.
Day 02 : Jodhpur (Monday, Arrive at 09.15 am. Breakfast on board |
Departure 17.10 pm)
Jodhpur the second largest city of the state of Rajasthan is famous for its
magnificent Meharangarh fort. Another example of Rajput glory is the Jaswant
ii in 1899.
Lunch at the fabulous 5 star hotel & dinner on board.
Day 03 : Udaipur (Tuesday, Arrival 08.00 am Breakfast on board|
Departure 14.30 pm)
Water marked by whimsy & splendor, the Venice of the holds stage as one
of Indias truly seductive cities. Udaipur is an international
destation unto itself, packed with princeliness & passion, Udaipur is
raw Rajput dreaming, with palaces, haveils gardens & temples at every
turn. Visit to the beautiful princely city palace. Lunch at 5 star hotel &
in the afternoon followed by a trip to crystal gallery.
Day 03 : Chittorgarh (Tuesday, Arrival 16.45 am| Departure 22.00 pm)
The story is a saga of valor, tenacity & sacrifice. The fort of
Chittorgarh is a treasure trove of history & offers to the traveler an
insight into the life of the great Rajput rulers. The victory tower or Vijay
Stambh is one of the main tourist attractions of the fort. Gaumukh reservoir
& the palace of queen Padmini are important spots to the south of the
Rana Kumbha palace. The light & sound programme is shown at the fort.
Dinner on board/ Hotel Panna with cultural programme.
Day 04 : Sawai Modhupur (Wednesday, Arrival 05.30 am Breakfast on
board or Hotel Vinayak | Departure 11.00 am)
Located in the eastern part of Rajasthan, Sawai Modhupurs claim to
fame today is the Ranthombore fort & Rathambore national park. Visit the
national park to catch a glimpse of the majestic tigers roaming around in
the open wilderness & also pay a visit to the imposing fort to turn a
page in the history of Rajasthan. There is also a temple on route the park
by the name of Amareshwar Mohadeo temple which can be visited by tourist.
Lunch on board.
Day 04 : Jaipur(Wednesday, Arrival 13.15 am | Departure 22.15 pm)
Welcome by caparisoned elephants & sweet music of the auspicious Shehnai.
Watch the awesome Hawa Mahal (the palace of winds), elephants
ride at amber fort, shopping of centuries old object de arts & other
items. Lunch at a 5 star hotel / on board & visit to the city palace
residence of the erstwhile maharaja of Jaipur which houses a museum of
amazing centuries-old artifacts & the observatory built by the founder
of jaipur maharaja Sawai jai Singh-ii who himself was noted astronomer.
Dinner hotel jai Mahal palace with cultural program.
Day 05 : Khajuraho (Thursday, Arrival 11.00 am Breakfast on board |
Departure 18.30 pm)
The 9th to 12th century temples of Khajuraho is the evidences of the
architectural geniuses during the times of chandela dynasty. situated in
Madhya Pradesh, India, Khajuraho oozes with passion, eroticism, dance &
music & other finesses of creative arts depicted in sculpture &
images of the temples were built in north Indian Nagara style of
architure, though only 20 of them have survived the rough weather conditions
over long years of time. Guest will take on visit of temples & museum.
Lunch at 5-star hotel & dinner on board.
Day 06 : Varanasi (Banaras) (Friday, Arrival 06.00 am | Departure
18.00 pm)
Varanasi is the oldest city of the world. Varanasi is more than 3000 years
old & is famous as the city of temples. In Varanasi, there are temples
at every few paces. Jyotirlinga Visvanatha temple or golden temple, rebuilt
in 1776, is dedicated to the lord Shiva. The Jnana Vapi well (meaning well
of wisdom) is believed to have been dug by lord Shiva himself. The Ganga
Ghats (river front) are the most popular pilgrimage spot of Varanasi &
are centers of music & learning. The holy city has been a symbol of
spiritualism, philosophy & mysticism for thousands of years & has
produced great saints & personalities like Gautama Buddha, Mahavira,
Kabir, Tulsi das, Shankaracharaya, Ramanuja & Patanjali. Lunch at 5-star
hotel & dinner on board.
Sightseeing include visit to Ghats, Maha Aarti, temples & Buddhist
Temples at Saarnath.
Day 07 : Agra, Tajmahal (Saturday, Arrival 05.00 am Breakfast on
board | Departure 23.00 pm)
Agra is one of the prominent destinations of the world tourism map with
three heritage monuments. It is a vibrant centre of culture, art &
religious philosophies that have enriched mankind & shaped human thought
over centuries. Agra is famous for handicrafts products such as Inlay work
on marvel, leather work, footwear, brass-wear, carpets, Jewellery, Zari &
embroidery work.
Lunch at 5-star hotel & dinner on board.
Day 08 : Delhi (Sunday, Arrival 04.00 am Breakfast on board. Check
out time 07.45 am)
Tour end at Delhi.