In today's chaotic world, a meticulously planned itinerary
is an essential ingredient of any holiday. A well planned
itinerary not only lets you know in advance as to what all
destinations you will be covering on a particular day but
also the kind of hotel you will be staying and the kind of
food that will be offered to you.
Given the fact that you will be traveling with one of the
world's most renowned luxury trains - The Palace on Wheels,
we have left nothing to chance. The itinerary is a 7 Night/8
Days Royal affair.
Duration: 7 Nights / 8 Days
Destinations Covered: Jaipur,
Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Sawai Madhopur, Chittorgarh, Udaipur,
Bharatpur and Agra
Day 1: Wednesday, New Delhi
Reporting Time: 1600 hrs
Departure: 1830
Passengers assemble at New Delhi Cantonment station well ahead
of their departure time. An impressive traditional Indian
welcome is accorded to each of the passengers before boarding
the train. With the ceremony over, guests are escorted to
their individual seats. At the stroke of 1600 hrs. the train
leaves New Delhi Cantonment station for an enchanting week
long journey into the heartland of Rajasthan.
Day 2: Thursday, Jaipur
Arrival: 0200 hrs
Departure: 1930 hrs.
At Jaipur a spectacular Indian welcome consisting of regally
bejeweled elephants welcomes guests to the Pink City with
the sentimental strains of the Shehnai playing in the background.
Lunch is served at the majestic Rambagh Palace.
For sight seeing at Jaipur, a luxurious Volvo coach takes
the guests to some of Jaipur's most remarkable tourist sites
like Hawa Mahal, Nahargarh Fort, Amber Fort to name just a
few.
Guests are provided with ample time to go shopping at Jaipur,
which is renowned for its jewelry, pottery, textile and handicraft
items. A visit to the Government Emporium near Ajmeri Gate
is also undertaken.
After lunch, there is another bout of sight seeing involving
the magnificent City Palace and Jantar Mantar after which
the coach drives the guests back to the waiting train. Dinner
is served on-board.
Day 3: Friday, Jaisalmer
Arrival: 0815 hrs
Departure: 2300 hrs.
In the morning the train arrives at Jaisalmer. This desert
town is a gilded fantasy juxtaposed in a formidable desert.
It is a shimmer of sand amidst the sun soaked sky. Jaisalmer
is famous for its fort and also havelis like Nathmaliji Ki
Haveli, Patwon Ki Haveli and Salim Singhki Haveli.
The fort itself is located on a hill top and is 76 metres
hight. A visit ensures a glimpse of a wall built around the
rugged contours of the hill. Within the fort there are carved
palaces, havelis and balconies.
One can also go on a shopping binge to the State Government
Emporium - "Rajasthali" which has a storehouse of
handicraft items.
After a sumptuous lunch on board, guests are provided with
an opportunity to go on an enchanting camel safari at the
famous Sam sand dunes. Dinner is a sumptuous affair at an
up-market palace hotel in Jaisalmer and is followed by a spectacular
folk dance and music ricital by renowned folk artists of Jaisalmer.
The train departs from Jaisalmer at night 2300 hrs. to be
precise.
Day 4: Saturday, Jodhpur
Arrival: 0700 hrs
Departure: 1530 hrs
Early in the morning the train reaches Jodhpur which used
to be the former capital of Marwar state. The invincible Meherangarh
fort protects the city of Jodhpur and is conspicuous by its
seven gates and countless bastions. Over the years the city
has grown to become the second largest city of Rajasthan while
still maintaining its quintessential medieval character.
The Mehrangarh fort which is spread over 5 kms. on a perpendicular
hill appears rugged and impenetrable from outside but houses
some of the most intricately adorned palaces with exquisitely
carved panels and latticed windows. Visitors are enthralled
by Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Sileh Khana and
Daulat Khana.
There is also the marvelous Jaswant Thada, which is a collection
of cenotaphs, in white marble located very close to the fort.
The majestic Umaid Bhawan Palace is very impressive with its
sandstone structure, and today it is run as a heritage hotel
while a part of it is still retained by the erstwhile royal
family.
Guests of Palace on Wheels have ample opportunities for shopping
at Jodhpur for delicate handicraft items, metal bric-a-brac,
tie and dye textiles.
Day 5: Sunday, Sawai Madhopur
Arrival: 0400 hrs
Departure: 1030 hrs.
Sawai Madhopur is where the world famous Ranthambore National
Park is located. After breakfast, guests of Palace on wheels
are taken to the haunting wilderness of Ranthambore National
park. In the days of yore, Ranthambore used to be the hunting
ground of the erstwhile Jaipur kings. The park is located
in a picturesque setting and is surrounded by the Aravalin
and Vindhay hills covering an area of 492 sq.kms. Ranthambore
is famous for tigers and among all the national parks, the
chances of seeing tigers at Ranthambore is pretty high in
comparison to other national parks because tigers in Ranthambore
do not fear human beings which is strange but true. Apart
from tigers, the park is also home to a variety of wildlife
species like sambar, chital, nilgai, wild boars, leopards
and wild cats to name just a few of the resident species of
Ranthambore National park.
Apart from wildlife viewing, Ranthambore also has an abandoned
fort - Chahuan Fort which is located at a height of 215 meters.
One has to climb a flight of steps to reach the fort. Undoubtedly
the fort is a masterpiece of Rajasthan's Rich architecture
heritage.
After an exciting wildlife safari, guests are brought back
to the palace on wheels for their onward journey to Chittaurgarh.
Surprisingly this segment of the journey from Jodhpur to Chittaurgarh
is done in broad daylight and guests are provided with an
opportunity to view the exotic and vibrant countryside of
Rajasthan.
Day 5: Sunday, Chittorgarh
Arrival: 1600 hrs.
After a sumptuous lunch on board the Palace on Wheels, the
train proceeds to Chittorgarh. In the days of yore, Chittogarh
used to be the capital of Sishodiya Rajput. The invincible
Chittorgarh Fort is the symbol of courage and valor of the
Rajputs. This majestic fort was built by the Maori Rajputs
in the 7th century and till 1568 Chittaurgarh used to be the
capital of Shishodiya Rajputs.
Legend has it that whenever there was the fear of losing a
battle or whenever the Rajputs lost a battle, in order to
save their honor and dignity, the would perform Jauhar or
self immolation by jumping into the sacrificial fire inside
the fort.
Chittorgarh was attacked 3 times by the enemies. The first
attack was by Allaudin Khilji. The second attack was by Bahadur
Shah While the third attack was by Mughal emperor Akbar.
After extensive sightseeing of Chittorgarh, the train leaves
for its onward journey to Udaipur.
Day 6: Monday, Udaipur
Arrival: 2000 hrs.
Today the Palace on Wheels arrives at Udaipur. This city was
founded in 1599 by Maharana Udai Singh, son of legendary Maharana
Pratap of Mewar.
Udaipur is a city of shimmering lakes, rugged hills and embattlements
in the shape of palaces both big and small. Many a historian
has bailed it as the "Venice of the East".
Guests of the train are taken on a sight seeing trip to the
majestic City Palace, Zenana Mahal, Lake Palace, Lake Pichola
etc. Lunch is a sumptuous affair at the stunning Lake Palace
hotel, Post lunch one gets the opportunity to visit the magnificent
Lake Palace which is located amidst Lake Pichola. The palace
is 800 feet away from the banks and is built of marble and
granite. The parapets are replete with mosaics and ancient
paintings. The royal furniture of the palace is truly classy.
After an eventful day at Udaipur, guests are brought back
to the railway station to board the Palace on Wheels train
on its onward journey to Bharatpur.
Day 7: Tuesday, Bharatpur
Arrival: 0630 hrs
Departure: 1145 hrs
The train arrives at Bharatpur early in the morning. Bharatpur
is renowned for the world famous Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary,
which is located just 7 kms away from the railway station.
The sanctuary is home to hundreds of avian species. Migratory
birds from as per away as Siberia, Afghanistan, China and
Tibet come to the sanctuary for breeding. Apart from migratory
birds, more than a hundred species of resident Indian birds
can also be seen frolicking in the marshy wetland areas of
the sanctuary. Some of the renowned avian species that can
be found at the sanctuary are the Siberian Swans, Fish Mongers,
Storks, Dahuk, White Crow, Pelican and many varieties of sea
birds. In the Swan category alone there are close to 80 varieties
of Swans that have been identified at this world famous sanctuary.
Day 7: Tuesday, Agra
Arrival: 1430 hrs
Departure: 2300 hrs.
After arrival at Fatehpur Sikri, Guests are taken on a sight
seeing rip to this fascinating and well preserved Moghul township
which founded by Mughal emperor Akbar. The mosque at Fathepur
Sikri is said to be a copy of the mosque at Mecca and is beautifully
constructed with elements of persian and Hindu design. Inside
the mosque is the tomb of Shaikh Salim Chisti which is surrounded
by marble lattice screens.
After an impromptu lunch, guests are taken to the Taj Mahal,
one of the seven wonders of the world. If there is an edifice
which evokes a country - like the Eiffel Tower does for France,
the Sydney Opera House for Australia - then undoubtedly it
has to be the Taj Mahal for India.
Apart from Taj Mahal, short duration visits to nearby places
of attractions like Agra Fort, Moti Masjid, Dewan-I-Aam and
Dewan-I-Khas are also undertaken.
After a day of sight seeing at Agra, even as the guests relieve
the stupendous aura of the Taj Mahal, they arrive in time
for dinner which is served on board. Post dinner, the train
chugs on for the last leg of what has been a truly remarkable
journey of discovery through one of India's most colorful
and regal states - Rajasthan.
Day 8: Wednesday, New Delhi
Arrival: 0600 hrs.
The final destination arrives as the Palace on Wheels comes
to a halt at New Delhi Cantonment Railway Station in the early
hours of the morning. Transfer to a local hotel or proceed
to airport to catch the flight back home.
India Rajasthan Tours offers online booking
for Palace on Wheels Tours. For more information or to book
a tour, please enter your query in the form below.
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