DAY 01 . WEDNESDAY

Reporting Time: 16.00 hrs. Departure 18.30 hrs

New Delhi

The exclusive journey of your lifetime begins at the Delhi Cantonment station where the guests are accorded a warm, traditional welcome before the Palace-On-Wheels starts for its royal voyage, a week-long luxury cruise, through fascinating Rajasthan.

 

DAY 02 - THURSDAY

Arrival: 02.00 hrs. Departure 19.30 hrs

Jaipur

Caparisoned elephants and strains of the Shehnai welcome you to the Pink city of Jaipur. Lunch at Rambagh Palace will greet you with a smiling staff. Discover Hawa Mahal, Nahargarh fort, Amber fort and silent sentinels of a glorious era.

An air-conditioned coach takes you to Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds, a remarkable five storeyed building with semi-octagonal and delicate honey combed sandstone windows. This is followed by a visit to Amber Fort, 8 kms. away, where rides on caparisoned elephants add to the ambience. 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. You can view the Jantar Mantar, right across the City Palace, the largest observatory built by Sawai Jai Singh II. The luxury coaches will take you back to Palace-On-Wheels around 6.30 p.m where the dinner awaits you 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 1156 A.D. Here the yellow sandstone fort is an imposing sight, towering magnificently over the city. Discover the scrupulously 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 sculptor’s skills.

Shop at Rajasthali- the only Rajasthan Govt. emporium, for fine pattu shawls, mirror work and embroidered articles, wooden boxes, trinkets, silver jewellery and curios. After lunch on board, go for an exciting camel safari 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 then leaves for Jodhpur at night.

DAY 04 . SATURDAY

Arrival: 07.00 hrs. Departure 15.30 hrs

Jodhpur

Next morning the Palace-On-Wheels is in Jodhpur, city guarded by a high stonewall with seven gates and several fortresses. This second largest city of Rajasthan, founded by Rao Jodha, in 1459 A.D., is known for its firm 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 Palace hotel, return to the Palace-On-Wheels. While in Jodhpur shop for exquisite handicraft articles including the famous breeches, embroidered shoes, metal curios, silverware, painting 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 founded by Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I. After breakfast, you visit the Ranthambhor National Park, where you also discover the ruins of a 10th century fort. This wildlife sanctuary here is considered to be the country's best for wildlife photography and capturing the unique snaps of a 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 also known for its exclusive toys, ethnic ornaments and costumes. After returning 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 and thrice-besieged. Chittaurgarh Fort boasts of all this and more. Moving legends of honour and pride will echo in mind as you proceed to Udaipur.

DAY 06 . MONDAY

Arrival: 20.00 hrs. from Chittaurgarh

Udaipur

The Luxury Coach will take you to Udaipur, the City of Lakes, 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 palaces - the Jag Niwas (Lake Palace) and the Jag Mandir, which appear to rise from the blue waters of Lake Pichola. After lunch at Lake Palace Hotel, a visit to the 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 must visits.

DAY 07 . TUESDAY

Arrival: 06.30 hrs. Departure 11.45 hrs

Bharatpur -

Early next morning, the Palace-On-Wheels arrives in Bharatpur, the capital of Maharaja Suraj Mal. After breakfast, you pay a visit to the world famous bird sanctuary, Keoladeo Ghana National Park, the nestling place for 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, dedicated to Sheikh Salim Chishti, a Muslim Sufi saint who blessed him with a son. After lunch move on to the Taj Mahal, the Eighth Wonder of the World. Emperor Shah Jahan built a pristine monument of undying love 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 jewellery.

After dinner on board and a carefree sleep, arrive at Delhi Cantt at 06.00 hrs the next morning and let the pleasant memories of the past week linger on your mind for a long, long time.

DAY 08 . WEDNESDAY

Delhi : Arrive . 0600 HRS

Arrive back at Delhi Cantt. Station and proceed for onward journey or to take a flight back home