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Best of India
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Holidays of India
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Luxury Trains in India
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Royal Rajasthan on Wheels
| Tour duration: 7 Nights / 8 Days duration: 7 Nights / 8 Days
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| Places
Covered: New Delhi - Jodhpur - Udaipur - Chittaurgarh - Sawai
Madhopur - Jaipur - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Agra - Delhi |
| Day
1 - Sunday - New Delhi
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The
journey of a lifetime begins at the Delhi Safdarjung
Railway station where the guests are accorded a warm,
traditional welcome before the Royal Rajasthan on Wheels
pulls out into the night for a week-long luxury cruise
through fascinating Rajasthan.
Reporting
Time 16.00 hrs. Dep. 18.30 hrs. |
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| Day
2 - Monday - Jodhpur
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Next
morning the Royal Royal Rajasthan 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 Palace hotel, return to the Royal Palace-on-Wheels.
While in Jodhpur shop for exquisite handicraft articles
including the famous breeches, embroidered shoes, metal
curios, silverware, paintings and tie and dye fabrics.
Arrival 07.00 hrs. Departure 15.30 hrs. |
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| Day
3 - Tuesday - Udaipur
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Udaipur,
the Lake City, was founded by Maharana Udai Singh of
Mewar, after the Sisodia dynasty was driven way 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 a Five Star Hotel, a visit to the City Palace.
Arrival
07:30 hrs. Departure 17.30 hrs. |
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| Day
3 - Tuesday - Chittaurgarh
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After
lunch on board you are in Chittaurgarh. Images of love
and velour; scars of battles lost and won...thrice-besieged,
Chittaurgarh Fort is all this and more. Moving legends
of honor and pride will echo in your mind as you proceed
to Udaipur.
Arrival 16.00 hrs. Departure 05.30 hrs (next day) |
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| Day
4 - Wednesday - Sawai Modhopur
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One
can almost sense a life of the wilderness, as the Royal
Rajasthan 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, rate, jackal and fox are among
those constituting the carnivorous population here.
Sawai Madhopur is known for its excusive 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.
Arrival 04.00 hrs. Departure 10.30 hrs. |
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| Day
4 - Wednesday - Jaipur
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The
first stop of the Royal Rajasthan 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 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 storied building a one 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 where elephant ride is available
to climb up the hill. Lunch at a Five Star Hotel followed
by visit to City Palace Museum and Observatory.
Arrival
03.00 hrs. Departure 19.30 hrs. |
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Day 5 - Thursday - khajuraho
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Today morning after breakfast at the Train, later proceed to visit the
Chandela Temple Complex. The tour of Khajuraho this morning
concentrates on the famous erotic temples, which represent some of the finest
examples of temple architecture in Northern India. The remote location of
Khajuraho meant that the temples were unharmed by Muslim invaders and as a
result, the intricately fine carvings are in very good condition and are said to
represent life in heaven.
They were built during the mighty Chandela dynasty; the majority was constructed
in a sudden burst of creative and religious energy, between the mid-10th and
11th centuries. After ruling for about 500 years the Chandela dynasty fell
to the might of Islam and consequently the religious centre of Khajuraho was
abandoned. The temples remain as a reminder of a society that believed in
the full enjoyment of life, with all the senses being a path to nirvana.
Of the eighty-five original temples only 22 remain, but many are in very good
condition.
You visit the Kandariya Mahadeva, the Chatrabhuj, Parswanath and Ghantai
Temples, each remarkable for its beautiful design and architecture.
Later return to the train, onboard journey.
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Day 6 - Friday- Varanasi
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N Varanasi - Very early in the morning you will take a boat ride along the
bathing ghats on the Holy River Ganges. At sunrise the Hindu faithful flock to
the river to cleanse themselves of their sins. You see the cremation ghats and
the Deswameedha ghats. To die in Varanasi is to end the Hindu cycle of re-birth,
thereby making it a popular place to end one's life. After sunrise you will
visit some of the temples in the surrounding area.
After buffet breakfast at the hotel, visit "Bharat Kala Bhavan"
which lies within the sprawling grounds of Banaras Hindu University. Its
outstanding collection of sculpture, paintings and textiles began with the
private collection of the enlightened Rai Krishnadasa. The sculpture collection
includes terracotta and clay objects, stone and bronze and cast metal objects.
Ancient terracotta varying from ritual icons to toys to utilitarian objects date
to the Indus Valley Civilization, Mauryan, Sunga and Gupta period.
In the afternoon, you will proceed for an excursion to Sarnath,
a major Buddhist center in the world. After achieving enlightenment at Bodhgaya,
Buddha, the 'Awakened One', delivered his first sermon here. It was the sixth
century then, when he also set in motion the wheel of law, the Dharmachakra.
This dwelling place of the rishis, it was also known as 'Rishipatana' (the place
of the Rishis or sages). Buddha gave his first sermon in the Deer Park where he
initiated his first five disciples into Buddhist monkshood. Buddhism found its
roots in Sarnath, the birthplace of this way of life.
Later return to the train for onboard journey.
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Day - Saturday - Agra
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Bharatpur
In the morning, the Royal Rajasthan on Wheels 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 for
thousands of Egrets, Siberian Cranes, migratory Water
Fowl and other species of birds.
Agra
Upon arrival visit the Agra Fort and after lunch 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 jewellery.
Arrival 06.30 hrs.
Bharatpur
to Agra
Departure 9.00 hrs. Arrival 12.00 hrs.
Departure
21.00 hrs. |
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| Day
8 - Sunday - Delhi
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Arrive
at Delhi Safdarjung Railway station. Breakfast on board
and let the pleasant memories of the past week linger
on your mind for a long, long time.
Arrival 04.00 hrs. |
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