Welcome aboard The Palace On Wheels on its splendid and enchanting royal journey through the bygone era of the
erstwhile Maharajas. the bygone era of the erstwhile
Maharajas.
Though
times have changed and the winds have shifted, the Palace
On Wheels cruises along in royal style, the kind only
the Maharajas of yesteryears could have perpetuated
and enjoyed. |
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The
exquisite and exclusive Palace On Wheels has luxurious
cabins, wall to wall carpeting, a well stocked bar,
two dining cars and a very personalized service... in
fact, almost everything that could compromise of heaven
on earth for seven days! |
Day-1
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 |
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Day-2
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. |
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Day-3
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 |
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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-4
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. |
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| 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-5
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. |
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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-5
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.
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Day-6
Monday ....Departure 20.00 hrs. from Chittaurgarh
/ Udaipur
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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. |
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The
luxury coach then takes you back to the Palace on Wheels
at Chittaurgarh, thus winding up a day full of delights. |
Day-7
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. |
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Day-7
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. |
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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 |