The journey begins from Delhi, and takes the travellers through Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Sawai Madhopur, Chittaurgarh, Udaipur, Agra, Bharatpur and Delhi. It is one of the world's most exciting journeys, and offers a variety of sightseeing & desert safaris laced with dance and music to make the trip memorable.

The Palace-on-Wheels comprises 14 fully air-conditioned deluxe saloons, equipped with world-class amenities to enhance the pleasure of travelling. The 14 coaches are made up of 104 passenger berths in double-bedded cabins, each with channel music, intercom, attached toilet, running hot and cold water and a shower.

The coaches are named after former Rajput states matching the aesthetics and interiors of the royal past. Each saloon has a mini pantry and a lounge to ensure availability of hot and cold beverages, and refreshment and a place to relax and get together.

Each coach has four coupes and is provided with wall-to-wall carpeting. The train has 2 lavish restaurants "The Maharaja" and "The Maharani" with a Rajasthani ambience serving palate tickling Continental, Indian and Rajasthani cuisines. The train also boasts of a well-stocked bar offering the choicest of spirits of Indian and International Brands. Each coach also offers a good collection of books to choose from.

In 1999, The Palace-on-Wheels has been refurbished to a great extent. The decor in the saloons, bar lounge has been changed, keeping in mind the traditionally aesthetic yet modern, Palace-on-Wheels. Toilets have been redone and are maintained sparkling clean. Each saloon lounge has been equipped with a colour television and a CD Player.

History
The concept of the Palace-on-Wheels was derived from the royal background of the coaches which were originally meant to be the personal Railway coaches of erstwhile rulers of the princely states of Rajputana and Gujarat, the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Viceroy of British India.

THE LEGEND
These coaches were not being used by the Indian Railways after independence in normal passenger trains on account of very rich and traditional interiors. The Palace-on-Wheels started as a unique holiday train hauled by a steam engine with its inaugural trip on 26th January, 1982. It started to roll on its regular operations from October 1982.

THE LEGEND CONSERVED
In 1991, a new air-conditioned meter gauge Palace-on-Wheels, on the lines of the old heritage train, was launched with 13 saloons, 2 restaurants, kitchen car, bar-cum-lounge and 4 service cars.

THE LEGEND AND THE MODERN
The Palace-on-Wheels has gained remarkable success and attained worldwide acclaim and popularity bagging the PATA gold award in 1987. The Palace-on-Wheels has been rated as one of the ten best luxurious rail journeys in the world. The popularity of the train has been enhanced by the media. Famous TV Teams such as BBC, MTV, Zee TV, National Geographics, MDR of Germany and many others have covered the train and shown it on their network.

The eight days' and seven nights' journey in royal splendor takes you to the territory of the Maharajas; the 'Pink City' of Jaipur; Jaisalmer, 'the jewels of the desert'; the majestic stronghold of Jodhpur; Sawai Madhopur for the Ranthambhor National Park; the city of Chittaurgarh with its countless tales of Rajput chivalry; Udaipur with its lakes and Lake Palaces; the red stone city of Fatehpur Sikri and; of course, the Taj Mahal in Agra - one of the seven wonders of the world; Bharatpur, with its remarkable bird sanctuary.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Wednesday - NEW DELHI : 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.

Day 2 - Thursday - JAIPUR : Arrival 03.00 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.

Day 3 - Friday - JAISALMER : Arrival 09.00 hrs. Departure 23.45 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. 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 - JODHPUR : Arrival 07.00 hrs. Departure 15.30 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. 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 -SAWAI MODHOPUR : 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. 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 - CHITTAURGARH : Arrival 16.00 hrs. Departure 05.30 hrs (next day)
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.

Day 6 - Monday - UDAIPUR : Arrival 07:30 hrs. Departure 17.30 hrs.
Udaipur
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. 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 - BHARATPUR : Arrival 06.30 hrs. Departure 9.00 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.

Day 7 - Tuesday - AGRA : Arrival 12.00 hrs. Departure 21.00 hrs.
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.

Day 8 - Wednesday - DELHI: Arrival 04.00 hrs.
Arrive at Delhi Safdarjung Railway station at 04.00 hrs. Breakfast on board and let the pleasant memories of the past week linger on your mind for a long, long time.

Tariff is inclusive of cost of travel, full catering (morning tea, breakfast, lunch, evening tea, and dinner), conducted sightseeing tours in deluxe coaches, entrance fee for monuments/parks/palaces, cultural programmes, camel rides/boat rides/rickshaw rides and for still cameras, except charges for video cameras, cost of liquor, laundry and other items of personal nature.