Palace on Wheels Tour India

DAY 1, WEDNESDAY: DELHI - JAIPUR
On arrival you will be accorded a warm, traditional welcome before you board the train. Late afternoon, a Trip to Holiday representative will escort you to New Delhi Safdarjung Railway station from where your journey begins for a week-long luxury cruise through fascinating Rajasthan.
(Note: reporting time at the railway station is 4:00pm).
6:30pm: begin your fascinating journey as your train departs to Jaipur.
8:00pm: dinner on-board.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight: On Board - Train

DAY 2, THURSDAY: JAIPUR - SAWAIMADHOPUR (RANTHAMBORE)
03:00am: arrive in Jaipur.
Jaipur, "The City of Victory", was first intended to be "Sawai Jaipur", named after the boy Prince who commissioned it - Maharaja Jai Singh II - a warrior, astronomer and politician who reigned over the Mughals from 1699 to 1743. Today's Jaipur is pink, visually described as the city shaded with the autumn colors of a sunset. Although originally the walls were render set and pigmented the color of red sandstone, Jaipur's universal coat of pink only came in 1876 to coincide with the visit of the Prince of Wales (King Edward VII). Almost the entire city was given a coat of pink paint, thus giving it the name "The Pink City.
07:00am: breakfast on board.
08:15am: begin your city tour with a visit to Hawa Mahal or Palace on Winds; 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. Proceed to the awe inspiring Jantar Mantar Observatory, a stone astrological and astronomical Observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh in the 18th century. The unique Jantar Mantar Observatory, which was built in the 1700’s, yet even today still looks futuristic or almost surrealistic. Continue to City Palace Museum, which has a superb collection of Rajasthani costumes, and armoury of Mughals and Rajputs including swords of different shapes and sizes with chiselled handles.
1:30pm: lunch at Amber Fort.
Post lunch, visit Amber Fort. Make your ascent to the palace fortress on the gaily caparisoned elephant back. Tour the chambers and hallways of the palace which are famous for the excellence of their design and decoration.
6:00pm: return on-board.
7:00pm: departure for night tour of Jaipur. Enjoy sumptuous dinner at hotel Jai Mahal Palace! Later return on board.
11:30pm: depart for Sawai Madhopur.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: On Board - Train

DAY 3, FRIDAY: SAWAIMADHOPUR - CHITTAURGARH - UDAIPUR
05:30am: arrive in Sawai Madhopur.
Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambore), dominated by a vast 11th-century fortress of the same name, Ranthambore is a 400sq-km park situated in an area of rocky hill country, clothed in dry, deciduous forest, grassland, and scrub, and dotted with several small lakes that can be alive with birds. Some five years ago, the Tigers of Ranthambore were decimated by an outbreak of poaching; fortunately the situation is improving and we once again have a good chance of encountering the largest and most powerful of the world's big cats. Seeing tiger will be a priority, and it requires covering much ground every morning and afternoon, eyes directed at every angle. Besides tigers, large mammals are particularly well represented at Ranthambore, and among the species we might see are Sambar, Spotted Deer, Nilgai, Dorcas Gazelle (Chinkara), the ubiquitous Northern Palm Squirrel, Hanuman Langur, Small Indian and Ruddy mongooses, Wild Boar, and Indian Flying Fox. Leopard and Sloth Bear are also present in the park, though both are seen infrequently. Ranthambore also boasts an exciting array of birds.
06:00am: enjoy game viewing by an open 4x4 jeeps or canter (large safari vehicle). Go in search of the magnificent Royal Bengal Tiger and other wildlife. Visit Jhoomar Baori - It was a hunting loudge of Jaipur ruler Sawai Madho Singh and Jogi Mahal - a former forest guest house from where you can view the picturesque scenery of Padam Talab.
09:15am: leisurely breakfast at Hotel Vinayak.
10:00am: return on board.
10:30am: leave for Chittaurgarh. Lunch on board.
4:00pm: arrive in Chittaurgarh.
4:30pm: visit Chittaurgarh Fort. There is no place in Rajasthan with a history more romantic than that of Chittaurgarh. The centre of Rajput resistance against Mughal rule; it was here that Sisodia Rajput warriors on many occasions gave their lives preferring death to dishonour and surrender. This city was sacked at least three times before it was finally abandoned and the capital moved to Udaipur. The glory of Chittaurgarh is the Tower of Victory-Jaya Stambha erected by Rana Kumbha to commemorate his victory over Mohammed Khilji of Malwa in 1440. Its nine stories are covered with sculptures of Hindu divinities.
6:00pm: evening Tea & Light sound & light show at the fort.
7:30pm: return on-board.
8:00pm: dinner at Panna Hotel cultural program, music & bar-be-que.
Post dinner, return on-board.
2:00am: leave for Udaipur.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: On Board - Train

DAY 4, SATURDAY: UDAIPUR - JAISALMER
08:00am: arrive in Udaipur.
08:15am: upon arrival, proceed for breakfast at hotel Shikarbadi.
09:00am: enjoy an orientation tour of Udaipur.
Udaipur, the city combines real beauty with a picturesque association of a great and glorious past. It stands in a valley, amidst green hills on the banks of the wide, steel blue Lake Pichola. On little islands in the lake, from the water's edge, raise marble palaces of pure white that glisten like fairy castles. Crowning the ridge in which the city clusters, along the shore of the lake is the palace of the Maharana. Possibly no city in Rajasthan is quite as romantic as Udaipur and is replete with fantastic hill top fortresses, exotic fairy tale palaces and gripping legends of medieval chivalry and heroism. Udaipur rivals any of the world's famous creations of the Mughals with the Rajput love of the whimsical and it's superbly crafted elegance.
Begin your tour with a visit to City Palace! Here you will marvel at rooms with mirrored walls and ivory doors, colored glass windows and inlaid marble balconies; and the Peacock Courtyard. Also visit the lovely Sahelion-ki-Bari Gardens - the Jagdish Temple.
Also visit Crystal Gallery. It has a rare collection of Osler's crystal ordered from England by Maharana Sajjan Singh in 1877.
1:30pm: lunch at Sun set open point - an open air restaurant.
2:30pm: embark on a boat cruise on the placid, mystical waters of Lake Pichola. From the boat you will be able to view the city of Udaipur as it rises majestically above the lake in the midst of the enigmatic deserts of Rajasthan (Subject to water level in the lake).
3:00pm: return on-board.
3:30pm: depart for Jaisalmer.
7:30pm: dinner will be on board.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: On Board - Train

DAY 5, SUNDAY: JAISALMER - JODHPUR
07:30am: breakfast on board.
09:15am: arrive in Jaisalmer.
There is something magical about Jaisalmer, which rears out of the inhospitable Thar Desert like a mirage from the "1001 Nights". Once a staging post on the trading routes west, it is a walled citadel, formidably fortified, of a sand colour that turns golden in the setting sun, and it contains a complex fort surrounded by palaces and temples. Below the forest of intricately carved spires and turrets is a merry jumble of buildings, alleys, animals, humans, shops and cafes, wonderful golden havelis and numerous fine Jain temples. Camel trains can often be seen taking visitors out into the desert on camel safaris.
Enjoy a city tour where you visit Patwon ki Haveli, Salim Singh ki Haveli, Jaisalmer Fort and Gadi Sagar Tank.
1:30pm: lunch will be at Moomal hotel.
3:30pm: leave for Camel Ride at Kuldhara & Sam sand dunes. Your camel will take you deep in the Thar Desert, the set hare is the most awaited experience! Evening Tea will be served at the dunes.
7:45pm: enjoy a special bar-be-que dinner at Samdhani. Traditional Rajasthani food will be served as you witness cultural dance performance.
11:00pm: return on-board.
11:45pm: leave for Jodhpur.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: On Board - Train

DAY 6, MONDAY: JODHPUR - BHARATPUR
07:00am: arrive in Jodhpur.
Jodhpur, also called the 'Blue City' was once the capital of the former princely state of Marwar. It was founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha and is now the second largest city of Rajasthan. Flanked on its western side by the Mehrangarh Fort and on the eastern side by the stately sandstone Palace of Umaid Bhawan, the monuments temples and gardens of Jodhpur depict a multi-faceted grandeur. It is still a marvelously medieval city. While the graceful palaces, forts and temples bring alive the historic grandeur, exquisite handicrafts, folk dances, music and the brightly attired people lend a romantic aura to the city. 07:30am: breakfast on-board.
9:00am: enjoy an orientation tour of Jodhpur city. Visit the magnificent Mehrangarh fort which dominates the town ringed with its massive protective walls. There are seven gates that lead into the fort. Inside the fort is a series of courtyards and palaces.
The palace apartments with marvelously carved panels, latticed windows have evocative names such as Sukh Mahal (Pleasure Palace), Moti Mahal (Pearl Palace), the Phool Mahal (Flower Palace) and the Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors). These palaces house a fabulous collection of trappings of Indian royalty including a superb collection of palanquins, elephant howdahs (used when the Maharajas rode their elephants in processions), miniature paintings, musical instruments and costumes.
Continue your tour to Jaswant Thada, located a short distance from the fort, just off the fort road, is a white marble memorial to Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. The cenotaph built in 1899, was followed by the royal crematorium and three other cenotaphs that stand nearby.
1:30pm: lunch will be at the Umaid Bhawan Palace.
2:45pm: return on-board.
3:30pm: leave for Bharatpur.
7:30pm: dinner on-board.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: On Board - Train

DAY 7, TUESDAY: BHARATPUR - AGRA - DELHI
05:00am: arrive in Bharatpur.
6:00am: visit Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary - a UNESCO world heritage site. Bharatpur (Ghana) once the former hunting preserve of the royal family of Bharatpur, the sanctuary is home to storks and nearly every other kind of bird imaginable. You'll see more than 250 different species nesting on the tops of trees and along the roadside, as well as snakes, lizards, exotic fish and monkeys. Lucky visitors can spot the rare Siberian Crane that migrates to this preserve annually. Also found are chital, black buck, deer and other varieties of animals.
08:00am: breakfast will be at the Bird sanctuary.
08:30am: return on-board.
08:45am: leave for Agra.
10:30am: arrive in Agra.
Agra - Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the little village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire - giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat {seat of the Emperor}. Today, a visitor to Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting edifices of red sandstone and white marble, narrow lanes and quaint buggies, and that irresistible charm that this favourite city of the Mughals still retains. It is not surprising, that modern Agra still reflects its Mughal heritage most conspicuously. A walk down the narrow bustling streets of the city will introduce the visitor to the wafting aroma of Mughlai cuisine.
11:00am: visit Agra Fort (a UNESCO World Heritage Site)
An imposing structure with walls of red sandstone, almost two miles long and contains palaces, audience halls and mosques. The fort presents a good sampling of Islamic and Hindu architectural styles. It was built by the third Mughal Emperor, Akbar. Subsequent additions were made to the fort by his son Jahangir and grandson Shahjahan.
1:30pm: lunch at a Palace hotel.
3:00pm: enjoy a visit to Taj Mahal (a UNESCO World heritage site). The Taj Mahal is the mausoleum of Empress Mumtaz Mahal, the beloved spouse of Shah Jahan, who died in 1630. The Taj is remarkable for its perfect proportion and rich pietra dura, with minute details executed with great skill. The building, often styled "a dream in marble" is said to have taken at least 22 years (1631-1653) to build.
6:30pm: light & sound program.
8:00pm: enjoy Gala Dinner at hotel Mughal Sheraton.
11:00pm: depart for Delhi.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: On Board - Train
DAY 8, WEDNESDAY: ARRIVE DELHI
04:00am: arrive at Safdarjung Railway Station.
07:00am: breakfast on-board.
07:30am: disembark Palace on Wheels. A Trip to Holiday representative will meet you and assist you prior to your departure to onward destination.