| Day
01/ Wednesday |
Reporting
Time 16.00 hrs. Dep. 18.30 hrs. |
New
Delhi
The journey of a lifetime begins at the Delhi Cantonment 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.
| Day
02/Thursday |
Arrival
02.00 hrs. Departure 19.30 hrs |
Jaipur
The first stop of Palace on Wheels is Jaipur, one of the most
well planned cities of the world of its time. This capital city
of Rajasthan, popularly known as the Pink City, was founded by
Maharaja Swai Jai Singh II, in1727 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 splendor 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 ambiance. Shop for Jaipur?s famous jewellery,
handicrafts, carpets blue pottery and textiles. Near Ajmeri Gate
is located Rajasthali - the only Rajasthan Govt. Emporium selling
genuine handicrafts at fixed prices.
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 the Sawai Jai Singh II. The Luxury coaches will take
you back to Palace on Wheels around 6.30 pm. Dinner on Board.
| Day
03/ Friday |
Arrival
08.15 hrs. Departure 23.00 hrs. |
Jaisalmer
In the heart of the Thar Desert lies Jaisalmer, founded by Rawal
Jaisal, in 1156A.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 Singh-ki-haveli are fine examples of
the stone carver’s skill.
Shop
at Rajasthali-the only Rajasthan Govt. emporium, for fine pattu
shawls, mirror work & embroidered articles, wooden boxes,
trinkets, silver jewellery and curios. 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.
| Day
04/ Saturday |
Arrival
07.00 hrs. Departure15.30 hrs |
Jodhpur
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 fort complex lies Jaswant Thada, and a group of royal
cenotaphs made of white marble.
After lunch at a royal Palace hotel, return to the Palace on Wheels.
While in Jodhpur shop for the exquisite handcrafted articles including
the famous breeches, embroidered shoes, metal curios, silverware,
paintings and tie and dye fabrics.
| Day
05/ Sunday |
Arrival
04.00 hrs. Departure 10.30 hrs |
Sawai Madhopur
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 Ranthambhor 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 of 392 sq.kms. is home
to more than 300 species of birds. The tiger, hyena, ratel, jackal
and fox are among those constituting the carnivorous population
here. Sawai Madhopur is known for its exclusive toys, ethnic ornaments
and costumes. Upon return to the Palace on Wheels, you leave for
Chittaurgarh, when one gets an opportunity to watch the colourful
countryside passing by in the daylight.
| Day
05/ Sunday |
Arrival
16.00 hrs. |
Chittaurgarh
After lunch on board you are in Chittaurgarh. 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.
| Day-6/
Monday |
Departure
20.00 hrs. from Chittaurgarh |
Udaipur
The 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 1559A.D.
Perhaps the two most beautiful sites of Udaipur are the dream-like
marble Palaces-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 City Palace is exhilarating.
The
luxury coach then takes you back to the Palace on Wheels at Chittaurgarh,
thus winding up a day full of delights.
| Day
07/ Tuesday |
Arrival
06.30hrs. Departure 11.45 hrs |
Bharatpur
Early next morning, the Palace arrives in Bharatpur, the capital
of Maharaja Suraj Mal. After breakfast pay a visit to the world
famous bird sanctuary, Keoladeo Ghana National Park, the nesting
place of thousands of Egrets, Siberian Cranes, migratory Water
Fowl and other species of birds.
| Day
07/ Tuesday |
Arrival
14.30 hrs Departure 23.00 hrs . |
Agra
Arrive at Fatehpur Sikri-the red sandstone Mughal palatial complex.
Within the enclosure is a mosque built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar
and dedicated to the Sheikh Salim Chisti, 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
Jahan in memory of his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal.
Agra
is known for its splendid marble inlay work like the Pietra Dura
work on the Taj, leather goods and jewelry.
After
dinner on board and a good night’s sleep, arrive at Delhi Cantt.
at 6.00 hrs the next morning and let the pleasant memories of
the past week linger on your mind for a long, long time.
SCHEDULE
| Departure Dates for 2006/07 season of Palace On Wheels |
| |
Year 2006 |
Year 2007 |
| September |
06, 13, 20, 27 |
January |
03, 10, 17, 24, 31 |
| October |
04, 11, 18, 25 |
February |
07, 14, 21, 28 |
| November |
01, 08, 15, 22, 29 |
March |
07, 14, 21, 28 |
| December |
06, 13, 20, 27 |
April |
04, 11, 18, 25 |
TARIFF Per person per night ( 2005 - 2006)
|
Sep and Apr |
Oct to Mar |
Single occupancy |
US $ 395 |
US $ 485 |
Double occupancy |
US $ 295 |
US $ 350 |
Triple occupancy |
US $ 240 |
US $ 285 |
(Half
fare for children between 5 and 12 years of age)
Note:10% additional Tariff for
tours during Christmas/New Year.
Train Departures :
Every Wednesday night from Delhi Cantonment Railway Station from
September to April.
|