Travel In Royal Splendour

PALACE ON WHEELS

Day 01
Wednesday
Delhi

Reporting time 1700 hours
Departure for Jaipur at 1830 hours
The journey of a lifetime begins at the Delhi Cantonment railway station 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.

Arrive Jaipur at 0200 hours
The first stop of the Palace-on-Wheels is Jaipur, one of the most well-planned cities of the world in its time. This capital city of Rajasthan, popularly known as the Pink City, was founded by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, in 1727 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 splendour 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 ambience. 

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 Sawai Jai Singh II. The luxury coaches will take you back to Palace On Wheels around 6.30 pm. Dinner on Board.

Departure for Jaisalmer at 1915 hours 

Day 03
Friday
Jaisalmer

Arrive Jaisalmer at 0815 hours
In the heart of the Thar desert lies Jaisalmer, founded by Rawal Jaisal, in 1156 A.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 Sing-ki-haveli are fine examples of the stone carver's skill.

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

Departure for Jodhpur at 2300 hours

Day 04
Saturday
Jodhpur

Arrive Jodhpur at 0700 hours
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 complex lies Jaswant Thada, and a group of royal centotaphs mode of white marble.

After lunch at a Palace hotel, return to the Palace-on-Wheels.
Departure for Sawai Madhopur at 1530 hours

Day 05
Sunday
Sawai Madhopur

Arrive Sawai Madhopur at 0400 hours
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 Ranthambore 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 of392 sq. kms. is home to more that 300 species of birds, The tiger, hyena, ratel, jackal and fox are among those constituting the carnivorous population here.

Upton return to the Palace-on-Wheels, you leave for desert citadel Jaisalmer, when one gets an opportunity to watch the colourful countryside passing by in the day light.

Lunch and dinner are served on board.

Departure for Chittaurgarh at 1030 hours

Arrive Chittaurgarh at 1600 hours
Images of love and valour; scars of battles lost and won... Thrice-beseiged, Chittaurgarh Fort is all this and more. Moving legends of honour and pride will echo in your mind as you proceed to Udaipur.
Departure for Udaipur at 1830 hours

Day 06
Monday
Udaipur

A luxury coach will take you to Udaipur, the Lake City, the next morning. It was founded by Maharana Udai Singh of Mewar, after the Sisodia dynasty was driven away by the Mughals, in 1559 A.D. Perhaps the two most beautiful sites of Udaipur are the dream-like marble palace-the Jag Niwas (Lake Palace) and the Jag Mandir, which appear to rise from the blue waters of Lake Pichhola. After lunch at Lake Palace Hotel, a visit to the City Palace is exhilarating.

After evening tea, the luxury coach takes you back to the Palace-on-Wheels at Chittaurgarh-thus winding up a day full of delights.

Day 07
Tuesday
Agra

Arrive Agra at 0500 hours
Early next morning, the Palace arrives at Agra. Fatehpur Sikri-the red sandstone Mughal palatial complex. Within the enclosure is a mosque built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar and dedicated to Sheikh Salim Chishti, 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 Jehan in memory of his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal. Agra is known for its splendid marble inlay work like the pietra dura work in the Taj, leather goods and jewellery.
Departure for Bharatpur at 1100 hours

Arrive Bharatpur at 1330 hours
Bharatpur, the capital of Maharaja Suraj Mal. Pay a visit to the world famous bird sanctuary, Keoladeo Ghana National Park, the nesting place for thousands of Egrets, Siberian cranes, migratory water fowl and other species of birds. 

After dinner on board and a good night's sleep, arrive at Delhi Cantt. at 0630 hours the next morning and let the pleasant memories of the past week linger on for a long, long time.