Palace on Wheels

Your Palace on Wheels tour begins at the Safdarjung Railway station, New Delhi, where the guests will be received with a warm and traditional welcome, before the tour pulls out for a week-long luxury cruise through the beautiful Rajasthan.

Reporting Time 16.00 hrs. Departure 18.30 hrs.

The first stop on your Palace on Wheels journey is Jaipur. It is the capital of Rajasthan, and is known as the “Pink City” because of the pink tinted constructions in the old city. It is situated on a dry lake bed, bordered by barren hills vanquished by forts and broken walls. The city was found in 1727 by Maharaja Jai Singh II.

An air-conditioned coach takes you to Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds, which was constructed by Maharaja Sawaj pratap Singh in 1799, the Hawa Mahal, is one of the Jaipur’s main landmarks; the front of the Mahal has pink windows and latticework screens. This Mahal was initially constructed for the ladies of the imperial household to watch the ordinary life and parades of the city. After visiting Hawa Mahal continue you your tour by a visit to Amber Fort, which is located 11 kms away from Jaipur. Amber was once the ancient capital of Jaipur. The Fort is an excellent illustration of Rajput architecture, impressively situated on a hillside facing a lake, which reflects its walkways and walls. Later lunch at a 5 star hotel followed by a visit to the City Palace and Jantar mantar.

Arrival in Jaipur at 03.00 hrs & Departure for Sawai Madhopur at 23.30 hrs.

After Jaipur the Palace on Wheels arrives in Sawai Madhopur, a city named after its founder Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I. After a relaxing breakfast, a visit to the Ranthambore National Park is arranged. This wildlife sanctuary is one of the major illustrations of the Project Tiger's conservation in Rajasthan. The Ranthambore National Park covers an area of over 400 sq. km. It has many sharp cliffs enfolding a route of lakes and rivers. The 10th century Ranthambore Fort stands as a silent watchman on one of these hills. This National Park is a combination of the fortified forest and the open chaparral land. The Ranthambore National Park is naturally a dry deciduous type of forest. Dhok is the most noticeable tree in the forest. Since, Ranthambore is a tiger reserve, glimpses of tigers are very common in this area, apart from that, the park has a few panthers too. Kachida Valley is known to be the best place to have a glimpse of these exclusive cats. One can also find marsh crocodiles, hyenas, jungle cats and the sloth bears. The avian population includes the black storks, quails, Bonelli’s eagles; spur fowls, crested serpent eagles and painted storks. During the winters, there are a lot of migratory birds in the forest, including a different variety of ducks. The National Park is well known for wildlife photography.

After a safari in Ranthambore National Park, return to the Palace on Wheels and leave for Chittorgarh, when one gets enough opportunity to see the beautiful countryside passing by the daylight.

Arrival Sawai Madhopur at 05.30 hrs & Departure for Chittorgarh at 10.30 hrs.

Lunch on board the Palace on Wheels, whilst travelling towards the Rajput bastion of Chittorgarh. Chittorgarh is famous for the Chittorgarh Fort, where several battles were fought between the Rajputs and the invaders. The Fort is full of images of love, velour and scars of battles lost and won.

Arrival Chittorgarh at 16.00 hrs. Departure for Udaipur at 02.00 hrs (past midnight)

Udaipur, literally meaning “the city of Sunrise”, was established by a Rajput King, Maharana Uday Singh, in 1567, and this city is now also known as the “City of Lakes” and also the “Venice of the East”.

Udaipur is a moony lake city with its marble whims, attractive hibiscus-covered gardens and elegant fountain porches, which symbolize the glory of Rajput era. Like many other cities in Rajasthan, Udaipur is the heirloom of an honor-bound race that loved the good things in life and often gave up their lives protecting them. The most beautiful sites of Udaipur are the marble palace, the Jag Niwas (Lake Palace) and the Jagdish Mandir, which rises from the blue waters of Lake Pichola. After lunch at a 5 star hotel, continue your visit to the City Palace.

Arrival in Udaipur at 08:00 hrs & Departure for Jaisalmer at 15.30 hrs.

Jaisalmer was established by the head of the Bhati sect, Rawal Jaisal Singh in 1156 A.D. It is called the golden city of the Thar Desert, because yellow sand and yellow sandstone is used in most of the buildings in the city. Jaisalmer was declared a National Heritage City in 1974 and since then the town has been very well maintained and protected for the pleasure of the tourists. The vicinity of Jaisalmer is the residence for many rare desert flora and fauna. The Nathmalji-ki-haveli, Patwon-ki-haveli and Salim Singh-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. Enjoy the dinner and the cultural program at a 5 star hotel.

Arrival in Jaisalmer at 09.15 hrs & Departure for Jodhpur at 23.45 hrs.

After visiting the beautiful Jaisalmer, The Palace on Wheels continues to Jodhpur, a city famous as the 'blue city' because of its blue cottages. The lively desert city of Jodhpur stands at the fringe of the Thar Desert and is the second major city of Rajasthan after Jaipur. The city is differentiated by a huge fort that covers a sheer rocky ridge rising in the heart of the town. The old city is still delimited by a 10 km long wall, made about a century after Jodhpur was established. There are eight gates leading out of the old city. You can take a stroll through the beautiful winding streets. The city of Jodhpur was founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha, the chief of a Rajput clan known as Rathores and was earlier called Marwar. Near the fort complex is the Jaswant Thaada, and a group of royal monuments made of white marble. After lunch at a Palace hotel, return to the Palace on Wheels.

Arrival in Jodhpur at 07.00 hrs & Departure for Agra at 15.30 hrs.

Bharatpur
The Palace on Wheels arrives at Bharatpur in the morning. After breakfast on board, visit the world famous Bird sanctuary, Keoladeo Ghana National Park, also called the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, the nesting place for hundreds and thousands of Egrets, Siberian Cranes, migratory Water Fowl and other species of birds. Arrival in Bharatpur at 05.00 hrs & Departure for Agra at 08:45 hrs

Agra
Palace on Wheels India, Taj Mahal After visiting Bharatpur, the Palace on Wheels takes you to Agra, the city of the Taj Mahal, where you visit the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort. Built by Emperor Shahjahan in memory of his beloved queen MumtazMahal, the TajMahal is reqarded as one of the wonders of the world. Arrival in Agra at 10:30 hrs & Departure for Delhi at 23.00 hrs.

Your Palace on Wheels tour ends with the return back to the Safdarjung Railway Station in New Delhi. Breakfast on board the train, after which you disembark with pleasant memories of your trip.