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The Palace on
Wheels travel package takes you to a vibrating journey to
the royal land of
 sand
dunes and regal palaces. Visit the majestic expanse where
Royal Rajputs lived in a grand style. Explore this imperial
land on the Palace on Wheels, the luxurious train of India
that carries with it an intrinsic ambience that goes
perfectly well with the majestic charm and beauty spread so
lavishly here and there in Rajasthan.
The Palace on wheels is rated as one of the top ten luxury
train journeys in the world. It offers you a heart-rending
trip to the splendid forts and palaces of Rajasthan in just
seven days. Also discover the royal history of Taj Mahal in
Agra. The journey to the hinterland of the desert starts
every Wednesday evening at 1800 hrs from Delhi and ends on
the following Wednesday early in the morning at 0730 hrs.
Its all about Luxury and comfort
That's true! On the Palace on Wheels your journey is
full of exuberance
and luxurious feeling. A perfect chance to relive the era
when kings and queens ruled, when royalty spelt magic. When
charm and mysticism was in air. The train is completely
self- sufficient and is fully air-conditioned, comprising of
14 deluxe saloons. Especially facilitated for you with all
modern amenities of everyday life, you would find the royal
past haunting you in the historical coaches. The two dining
cars are decked up in true Rajasthani style and each saloon
has personal attendants, khidmatgars, for your service. Step
aboard for a journey into the past on a luxury train.
Royal Services on Board
Apart from 14 saloons, each having 4 cabins attached
with bath and shower, the Palace on Wheels has two
restaurants cum kitchen cars offering traditional Indian,
Continental and Chinese cuisine with the Chef's special
variety of the day. Its well stocked bar serves Indian
liquor and variety of scotch, wine and cocktails. It has
piped music in every saloon, and interesting games for
children.
Apart from this, the other services on request include
laundry services, and Doctor on call at each station, barber
shop & beauty parlour. The lounge also has a souvenirs shop
'The Bazaar' where souvenirs and gift items are sold bearing
the insignia of the POW.
The names of the saloons given are based on the princely
states of Rajasthan- Jaipur, Jodhpur, Alwar, Bundi, Kota,
Jhalawar, Dungarpur, Dholpur, Bharatpur, Jaisalmer, Sirohi,
Bikaner, Udaipur and Kishangarh.
The Lavish Interiors
Sit in these beautiful carriages and look around. You will
find that each saloon highlights the cultural ethos of the
state, represented through the use of furniture,
handicrafts, painting and furnishings. The ceiling in the
lounge is of particular interest. Each saloon is different
but the overall ambience of the décor of the saloons has
been taken care of to provide continuity and harmony.
Each saloon has cream yellow color on its exterior walls and
bears the Coat of Arms (logo) of the erstwhile princely
states.
Day 01 - WED : Delhi Depart
(Check-in Starts : 1600 Hrs Safderjung Station Depart At :
1830 Hrs Safderjung Station)
-
Self report, by
1700 hrs at railway station for traditional welcome &
check-in formalities
-
Time free for
photo-shoot with traditionally attired Palace On Wheels
staff.
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Be escorted to
your private cabins by Saloon Attendant
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Choice to
proceed to Bar Lounge.
-
Dinner served
from 1930 Hrs onwards in dining car
Day 02 - THURSDAY:
JAIPUR-The Pink city
(Arrive
by : 0345 Hrs Gandhinagar station Depart At: 2330 Hrs
Durgapura station)
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Welcome to land
of Maharaja's with splendor of monuments built by Rajput
Warrior Kings.
-
By 0830 hrs
proceed for excursion to Amber Fort ,with enroute
photo-stop at
Palace Of Winds(18th
century built
Hawa Mahal) On arrival at
16th century built
Amber Fort Palace, climb
on backs of caparisoned elephants for joy ride up the
steep ramparts of the Hill fort.
-
Time free to
shop for
Jaipuri textiles & semi precious stones.
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Lunch in Palace
Hotel.
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Afternoon visit
18th century built City Palace complex, in red stone, a
classic example of Mughal and Rajput architecture, A part
of the Palace has been converted into a museum that houses
a collection of rare manuscripts, weapons, carpets,
costumes, and miniatures. Nearby is located a functional
Sun-Dial ,(Jantar Mantar) , built in red-stone and marble
by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh in early 18th century
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Return to the
train for rest & change.
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Evening proceed
for excursion to 18th century built
Nahargarh Hill Fort., to
enjoy Cultural program & Dinner.
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Night return to
Train & depart.
Day 03 - FRIDAY
Morning : SAWAI MADHOPUR-Tiger Reserve
(Arrive by : 0530 Hrs Depart At : 1030 hrs)
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Ranthambhore Tiger reserve
has a rich diversity of plants & animals, with over 200
species of birds ;30 Species of mammals-including the
Tiger;& 12 species of reptiles.
-
Early
morning,0630 Hrs board open-ended mini-trucks (canters) &
proceed for 3 hrs safari to Ranthambhore Tiger reserve.
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Look out for
lurking crocodiles, near several permanent water bodies
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Return to train
for breakfast & depart. Lunch on board.
Day 03 - FRIDAY
Afternoon :
CHITTORGARH-Hill Fort
(Arrive By : 1600 Hrs Depart At : 0200 hrs (post midnight))
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The history of
Chittor Hill Fort is one
of the most stirring chapters in Indian history. The 8th
century built formidable fort is perched atop a 180 meter
high hillock covering a massive area of 700 acres and is a
standing sentinel to the courage and valour of Rajput
warrior kings At 1630 Hrs proceed for drive ,up the mile
long steep & serpentine road, which passes through seven
huge gateways with massive iron spiked doors & guarded by
watch tower.
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Time free to
visit series of water bodies, spectacular palaces, temples
and two impressive commemoration towers in the Chittor
Fort complex.
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Later, return to
train for dinner & rest.
Day 04 - SATURDAY:
UDAIPUR -City of Lakes
(Arrive
By: 0800 Hrs Depart At: 1530 hrs.)
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At 0830 Hrs
proceed for visit to 16th century built-City Palace
complex ,standing on a rocky promontory with eleven
constituent mahals (palaces), balconies, towers and
cupolas.
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Later ,enjoy
boat ride around the most familiar and photogenic feature
of Udaipur-the 17th century built Lake Palace, now
operating as a Luxury Hotel
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Lunch in Palace
Hotel.
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Time free to
shop for Rajasthani miniature paintings
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Return to Train
& depart
Day 05 - SUNDAY:
JAISALMER: Oasis in desert
(Arrive By: 0915 Hrs Depart At : 2345 Hrs)
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Who would have
dreamt in middle of such a vast Thar Desert & a hostile
terrain -exists an oasis town of Jaisalmer, straight out
of an Arabian Nights fable.
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At 0930 Hrs,
proceed for walk through the 12th century built living
Golden Fort complex,
standing at a height of hundred meters over Jaisalmer town
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The fort offers
99 bastions & is a splendid sight in the afternoon sun.
The fort is entered through a forbidding series of massive
gates leading to a large courtyard
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Visit Patwon ki
Haveli, one of the largest and most elaborate mansion
houses .-which is five storeys high & extensively carved.
Nearby is located a group of 15th century built Jain
Temples, which are beautifully carved & have a library
hosting some of the oldest manuscripts of India.
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Return to train
for Lunch & rest.
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At 1630 Hrs
proceed for excursion to Sam sand Dunes for Camel joy ride
& sunset photo shoot opportunity
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Later enjoy
Cultural Program & Dinner
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Night return to
train & depart.
Day 06 - MONDAY:
JODHPUR: Heart of Marwar
(Arrive By: 0700 Hrs Depart At : 1530 Hrs)
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Set at the edge
of the Thar Desert, the imperial town of Jodhpur ,was
founded in 15th century & echoes with tales of antiquity.
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At 0830 Hrs
proceed for sightseeing of 15th century built
Mehrangarh Fort complex
,atop a rocky hill which soars 125 Mts. above Jodhpur town
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The Palace
complex it is approached by a series of gateways set at an
angle so that enemy armies could not charge, with any
success.
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Once past the
Fort gates, you have access to breath taking Palatial
Apartments (Mahal) ,overlooking wide courtyards. Also
visit the museum, having wide & impressive collection of
Royal dresses & Medieval weapons. Nearby the Fort complex
is located, late 19th century built Jaswant Thada, a
cluster of royal cenotaphs in white marble.
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Lunch at Palace
Hotel
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Return to train
& depart
Day 07 - TUESDAY
Morning :
BHARATPUR: Bird Sanctuary
(Arrive
By: 0500 Hrs Depart At : 0845 Hrs)
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Bharatpur Bird
Sanctuary is spread over 29 sq k.m. has been listed by
UNESCO as a world heritage site. Not only is it house to
more than 375 species of Indian birds, but also attracts
birds from places like Europe, Siberia, China and Tibet
Early morning 0630 hrs to 0800 hrs, enjoy a cycle rickshaw
ride through wetlands of
Keoladeo Ghana National Park
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Return to train
for breakfast & depart
Day 07 - TUESDAY
Afternoon :
AGRA -City of Taj
(Arrive By: 1030 Hrs at Agra Fort station Depart At : 2300
Hrs from Agra Cantt Station)
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Agra was the
capital of India, during most of the Mughal era & numerous
monuments reflect the architecture style prevalent during
that time.
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At 1100 Hrs
proceed for visit to 16th century built Agra Fort,s a
UNESCO World Heritage Site, that can be more accurately
described as a walled palatial city
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Lunch at 5 star
Hotel.
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Afternoon visit
Taj Mahal (also "the Taj") a UNESCO World Heritage site &
a universally admired masterpieces of the world's
heritage. Using white marble inlaid with semi-precious
stones, Taj was constructed in 17th century by Mughal
Emperor Shah Jahan, in memory of his beloved late wife.
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Return to train
for dinner & depart
Day 08 - WEDNESDAY
: DELHI Return
(Arrive By: 0400 hrs at Safderjung Station Check-out
By: 0700 Hrs at Safderjung Station)
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