
Welcome to Royal Rajasthan on Wheels
The first commercial launch is scheduled for December 2008.
ROYAL RAJASTHAN ON WHEELS – PROPOSED ITINERARY
This new deluxe train offers a welcome alternative to traveling on India's crowded roadways and an opportunity to enjoy the scenery and the luxury of not having to pack and unpack. Train travel provides a unique cadence by which to discover the landscapes and ancient cities of India, and this carefully designed new train is sure to enthrall train enthusiasts, recreating the golden age of rail travel with excellent service, spacious private compartments, and elegant dining in the two restro lounges. Large picture windows provide superb viewing of the passing landscape.
The Royal Rajasthan on wheels visits Agra (Taj Mahal), Bharatpur (Birding paradise), Bikaner, Chittorgarh (one of the largest Hindu forts in India), Udaipur (Venice of the East), Jodhpur (The Blue City), Osian (An oasis in Desert), Jaisalmer (The Golden City) and Jaipur (Pink City) for 7 nights – 8 days.
Some of the salient features of the train with a total capacity of 82 guests as follows....
The train comprises of one super deluxe saloon/coach with two Suites and can accommodate up to 4 persons. Each Suit (Mother of Pearl and Silver Suites) will have double beds, with spacious sitting area with dressing table, luggage rack, a spacious bath room with shower and bath tub. The Suite coach also has a common lounge.
Thirteen deluxe saloons / Coach each with 3 double bedded cabins with a capacity of 6 pax. Each cabin will have double beds, seating area, dressing table, and luggage rack with spacious bathroom with running hot and cold water, cubical toilet facilities, and pantry in each coach with provision for tea/coffee, snacks.
The two restaurant lounge cars, combined would enable guests to enjoy leisurely meals on the train one kitchen car, two staff cars and two power cars. Other facilities include one spa with massage rooms as well as Sauna and steam/ cum board room car with modern facilities. International Gym.
The train has internet connectivity, TV, channel music, public address system.
| Day 01: Sunday, Delhi – Embark Royal Rajasthan on Wheels |
Proceed to Safdarjung Railway Station for your lifetime journey on the Royal Rajasthan on Wheels, where you are accorded with a warm, traditional welcome. Dinner is served onboard and you are on the way to Jaipur. |
| Day 02: Monday, Jaipur |
After on board breakfast, you will be proceeding for city tour by coach. Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) is one of the most unusual structures built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. Honeycombed with over 900 niches or windows, it allowed the ladies of the court to watch the activities on the streets below and yet not be seen themselves! The Hawa Mahal too is made of the famed Jaipur pink stone! Later visit to Amber Fort with Elephant Joy Ride. Amber Fort: 12 kms from Jaipur, lies Amber with an old Palace overlooking the Lake at the entrance to a rocky mountain grove. Built in the 17th century, the palace is a distinguished specimen of Rajput architecture. The Jai Mandir (Hall of Victory) is so delicately ornaments with fine inlay work that it glows. Enjoy the shopping at State Handicraft Emporiums. You will have your lunch at Palace hotel. After lunch enjoy the sightseeing of City Palace and Observatory. City Palaceis an imposing blend of traditional Rajasthan and Mughal architecture. The vast palace complex occupies one seventh of the walled city of Jaipur. Originally built by Maharaja Jai Singh, additions have been made to the palace complex by many of his successors. The complex is divided into a series of courtyards, sprawling gardens and buildings. It is home to several palatial structures like the Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, Badal Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum with intricate decorations in deep red and gold, Afghan and Persian carpets, miniature paintings, astronomical manuscripts in Persian and Sanskrit. |
| Day 03: Tuesday, Bikaner |
After breakfast depart for visit Bhandasar Jain Temple and Havelis. BHANDASAR JAIN TEMPLE: The 15 century Temple,is the oldest and distinct monument of bikaner dedicated to Sumati Nath Ji,the 5th Tirthankar of the Jain Religion.The temple is decorated with rich mirror work, frescoes and gold leaf paintings..The beautiful temple was erected near Laxminath temple in 1540A.D.Pure ghee (butter oil) and coconuts were reported to have been used in laying the foundation. Carved in red sand stone and white marble - its famous for carvings ,wall paintings , structural beauty and artistically designed statues. HAVELIS: The very mention of Bikaner brings to the mind its colorful people, impressive monuments and delicious snacks that are enjoyed all over the world. Bikaner is also known for the many havelis and heritage mansions. All of these Bikaner havelis and heritage mansions are rooted in tradition of Rajasthan. JUNAGARH FORT: This fort was built between1588-1593 A.D. by Raja Rai Singh, a general in army of Mughal emperor Akbar. The Suraj pol is the main entrance to this fort. The palaces are on the southern side of the fort and courtyards, balconies and windows. The major feature of the Junagarh fort is the excellent quality of stone carving, best in the world. The Chandra Mahal or the moon palace is beautiful with paintings, mirrors and carved marble panels. The phool mahal or the flower palace is decorated with glass and mirrors. The Karan mahal was built to commemorate the victory over Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The Anup Mahal is famous for its gold leaf painting. CAMEL RESEARCH FARM: Visit the camel breeding farms in Bikaner, especially the Government Camel Breeding Farm that is located at Jorbeer, Bikaner. Watch gamboling baby camels and relish a glass of fresh camel milk as you watch rebaris milk camels at the farm. Visit Lalgarh Palace. LALGARH PALACE: The architectural masterpiece in red sand stone, built by Maharaja Ganga Singh (1881-1942A.D.) in the memory of his father Maharaja Lall Singh is an example of pure Rajput martial architecture. Designed by Sir Swinton Jacob, this palace has large halls, pavilions, lounges and couplas. It has magnificent pillars, richly carved fire mantles, Italian colonnades and motif of lotus in full bloom. Walls of the palace are reminiscent of the past vintage etchings, hunting trophies and old portraits. The palace has its own museum and library that is the fourth largest in the world. The royal family still lives in part of the palace Overnight - Royal Rajasthan on Wheels. |
| Day 04: Wednesday, Jaisalmer |
After on board breakfast, you will be proceeding for city tour by coach. Fort: Built in 1156 by Rawal Jaisal, the fort crowns the 80- metre high Trikuta Hill. About a quarter of the old city's population resides within the fort walls, which have 99 bastions around their circumference. It's fascinating to wander around this place. The Fort is entered through a forbidding series of massive gates leading to a large courtyard. The former Maharaja's seven storey palace fronts onto this. Havelies: The havelis were status symbols for the Marwaris as well as homes for their extended families, providing security and comfort in seclusion from the outside world. The havelis were to be closed from all sides with one large main gate. the Patwa havelis of Jaisalmer deserve special mention of intricate stone-carved balconies. Return to the train for Lunch; later depart to visit the Osian. Osian, a desert oasis with 16 Brahmanical and Jain Temples, beautifully sculpted and designed. You will have the liberty to watch the architectural forms on a camel's back. Also view the magnificent step-wells not less then an art gallery, with its amazing architecture and stone sculptures. Later depart for sand dunes visit and enjoy camel ride. Return to the train.Enjoy the dinner with cultural program.Your train leaves Jaisalmer for Jodhpur. |
| Day 05: Thursday, Jodhpur |
After on board breakfast, you will be proceeding for city tour by coach. Meherangarh Fort: Still run by Maharaja of Jodhpur, this majestic fort sprawled across a 125 m high hill this is one of Rajasthan's most formidable Fort. Inside the fort there is a series of courtyards and palaces. They house a museum with a splendid collection of the trappings of Indian royalty, miniature paintings.At the southern end of the fort old cannons look out from the ramparts over the sheer drop to the old town beneath, with magical views. Jaswant Thada: A few metres below the fort, is the site of the white marble royal cenotaph of Jaswant Singh II and four of his successors. Lunch at Umaid Bhawan Palace. After lunch return on to the train and departure for Udaipur. Dinner is served onboard. |
| Day 06: Friday, Udaipur |
After on board breakfast, visit Chittorgarh Fort. Chittorgarh fort is a massive structure with many gateways. Perched on a 180 m high hill, it sprawls over 700 acres. The origin of Chittorgarh can be traced to the seventh century. Earlier Chittorgarh was known as Chitrakut, after a local Rajput chieftain named Chitrang. It remained the capital of the local Sisodia clan of Rajputs from the eighth to the 16th century. The history of this town is written in blood and sacrifice. Muslim rulers sacked it three times in the medieval period. The first was by Ala-ud-din Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi in 1303. Khilji laid siege of this hill fort to capture the beautiful Padmini, the queen of Chittorgarh. When the situation worsened, Bhim Singh, the ruler of Chittorgarh, led his men donned with saffron robes of sacrifice, and rode out of the fort to certain death. Inside the fort, women, including Padmini and the children, committed mass suicide or jauhar by immolating themselves on a huge pyre. The second was in 1440. Chittorgarh was sacked again in 1535 by Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat. After lunch visit City Palace. City Palace: The majestic white City Palace located in the heart of Udaipur, was originally built by Maharana Udai Singh of the Sisodia Rajput clan and extended to its present form by subsequent Maharanas. Built in granite and marble and surrounded by crenellated fort walls, the largest palace complex in Rajasthan stands on a crest overlooking the Pichola Lake. Almost all the rooms of the palace have beautiful paintings, inlay glass work, antique furniture and colourful enamel. The 'Krishna Vilas' has a remarkable collection of miniature paintings depicting royal processions, festivals and games of the Maharanas. 'Mor Chowk' has unique glass mosaics of peacocks, set in the walls showing the three seasons: summer, winter and monsoon Sahelion Ki Bari: a small ornamental garden built in the honour of Royal Ladies for recreational purpose. Enjoy your lunch at hotel Lake Palace.Later visit the elegant Crystal Gallery, featuring furniture made from Belgian glass. Return to the train and depart for Chittorgarh.Dinner is served onboard. |
| Day 07: Saturday, Bharatpur – Agra |
In the morning, arrival at Bharatpur. Breakfast on board. Birding at Keoladeo Ghana National Park. BHARATPUR: The marshes of Keoladeo, more popularly known as Bharatpur, were the private hunting reserve of the Maharajas of Bharatpur. It was developed in the late 19th century by creating small dams and bunds in an area of natural depress to collect rain water and by feeding it with an irrigation canal. Over the years the lakes attracted great numbers of waterfowl. Part of the park lies under water, the extent and volume depending on the intensity of the rains. The remaining park is covered in dry deciduous forests and extensive grasslands. On the raised ground outlining the wetlands grow a profusion of Acacia trees, where the resident water birds nest, often in large mixed colonies, a spectacular sight during the monsoon. It is also an excellent place to watch mammals like Golden Jackal, Striped Hyena, Fishing Cat, Jungle Cat, Nilgai ,Sambar, Blackbuck and Wild Boar. Later proceed for Agra. The Taj Mahal: One of the wonders of the world, built by Emperor Shah Jehan in memory of his beloved consort Mumtaz Mahal, this beautiful musoleum is pure white marble and an architectural marvel. Costruction of Taj begun in 1631and was not completed until 1653. Total 20000 people worked on the building. Agra Fort: Built by Emperor Akbar, the maze of courtyards, mosques and private chambers of the fort echo the story of the Mughal Empire.Costruction of massive Agra Fort begun by Emperor Akbar in 1565, and additions were made until the time of his grandson, Shah Jehan. While in Akbar's time, the fort was principally a military structure, by Shah Jehan's time the fort had become partially a palace Lunch at the hotel. Return on to the train and have evening tea and take rest. Dinner is served onboard and later departs for Delh |
| Day 08: Sunday, Delhi – Disembark Royal Rajasthan on Wheels |
Arrive at Safdarjung Railway Station in the morning and disembark from the train. Tour Ends…… |
