Palace on Wheels Train Tour
Duration : 7 Nights / 8 Days
Destinations Covered : Delhi - Jaipur - Jodhpur - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur
- Sawai Madhopur -Cittourgarh - Udaipur - Chittourgarh- Bharatpur - Agra
- Delhi
Day 1 : - Wed. / Dep. Delhi at 1745 hrs
Arrive at Delhi Cantt Railway Station at 1600 hrs. Welcome and boarding.
Dinner and overnight on Board.
Day 2 : - Thu. /Arr. Jaipur at 0001 hours/Dep. At 1730 hrs
Breakfast on Board. Arrival Jaipur. The first stop of the 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 Sawai Jai Singh II, in 1727 A.D. To explore the city, an air-conditioned
coach takes you to Hawa Mahal /the Palace of Winds , which is a remarkable
five storied building along the main street of the old city in pink splendour
with semi-octagonal and delicately honey combed sandstone windows. This
is followed by a visit to Amber Fort , eight kms away, where rides on
caparisoned elephants add to the ambience. Shop for Jaipur's famous jewellery,
handicrafts, carpets, blue pottery and textiles. 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 palace is the Jantar Mantar, the largest
observatory built by Sawai Jai Singh II. After dinner and a cultural program
at Palace Hotel, the coach takes you back to the Palace on Wheels. Departure
for Jaisalmer is at 1730 hrs.
Day 3 : - Fri. /Arr. Jaisalmer 0615 hrs/Dep. Jaisalmer at 2300 hrs
Arrive Jaisalmer at 0615 hours. Breakfast on Board. Jaisalmer lies in
the heart of the Thar desert, founded by Rawal Jaisal in 1156 A.D. Here
the yellow sandstone Jaisalmer Fort , is an imposing sight, towering magnificently
over the city. Disover the painstakingly latticed Haveli 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 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 program at Sam Sand dunes
/ Hotel Moomal and depart for Jodhpur at 23.30 hrs.
Day 4 : - Sat. / Arr. Jodhpur at 0800 hrs/Dep. Jodhpur at 1530 hrs
Next morning the Palace-on-Wheels is in Jodhpur at 0800 hrs - 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 Umaid Bhawan
Palace, return to the Palace on Wheels. While in Jodhpur shop for exquisite
handicrafted articles including the famous breeches, embroidered shoes,
metal curios, silverware, paintings and tie and dye fabrics. Departure for
Sawai Madhopur at 1530 hrs.
Day 5 :- Sun. / Arr. Sawai Madhopur 0400 hrs/Dep. 1100 hrs
One can almost sense a life of the wilderness, as the Palace on Wheels
arrives in Sawai Madhopur at 0400 hrs - a city named after its founder,
Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I. After breakfast, a visit is arranged to
the Ranthambore National Park, where in are located the ruins of a 10th
century fort. This wildlife sanctuary is considered 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 at 11.00 hrs. you arrive Chittaurgarh at 15.30
hrs. The day begins with a visit to the Chittaurgarh Fort, lauded in legends
of valour and chivalry. History has it that Bappa Rawal, the founder of
the Sisodia dynasty, conquered Chittaur was besieged and plundered thrice,
and the womenfolk performed "jauhar ", in a sacred fire to protect
their honour everytime. Shop for the tie & dye sarees, leather &
embroidered shoes, lac work articles and bangles.
Day 6 : - Mon. / Chittaurgarh/Udaipur/Chittaurgarh - Dep. 2000 hrs
Next morning you arrive Udaipur.
It was founded by Maharana Udai Singh of Mewar, after the Sisodia dynasty
was driven away by the Mughals in 1559 A.D. Perhaps the two most beautiful
sites of Udaipur are the dream like marble palaces-the Jag Niwas (Lake
Palace) and the Jagmandir, which appear to rise from the blue waters of
Lake Pichola. After lunch at Lake Palace Hotel, visit to the City Palace
and Saheliyon Ki Bari. After evening tea, departure for Bharatpur at 2000
hrs.
Day 7 : - Tue. / Arr. Bharatpur 0600 hrs/Dep. Agra 2300 hrs
Early next morning, the Palace arrives in Bharatpur the capital of Maharaja
Suraj Mal at 0600 hrs. 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. After
breakfast, arrive at Fatehpur Sikri -the red sandstone Mughal palacial
complex. Within the enclosure is a mosque built by the Mughal Emperor
Akbar and dedicated to Sheikh Salim Chishti, 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 Mumataz Mahal. Agra is known for its splendid marble inlay work
like the "pietra dura" work on the Taj, leather goods and jewellery.
After dinner on board departure for Delhi at 0800 hrs. Sightseeing tour
of Agra. Dinner on Board. Departure Agra at 2300 hrs for Delhi.
Day 8 : - Wed. / Arr. Delhi at 0600 hrs
Breakfast on Board, Tour Ends.