Palace On Wheel Holidays
In the course of its 7
nights and 8 days itinerary, Palace on Wheels touches almost all the
important tourist attractions in Rajasthan and offers you stunning views of
Taj Mahal. There is no better introduction to Rajasthan than a tour on
Palace on Wheels.
Palace on wheel Train Tour
DESTINATION : DELHI –
JAIPUR – CHITTAURGARH – UDAIPUR – JAISALMER - JODHPUR –
BHARATPUR – AGRA – DELHI
DURATION : 07 NIGHTS / 08
DAYS
Day 01, Wed :- Delhi /Jaipur ( 16.00 / 18.30
Hrs. ) Place: Delhi Cantt. Railway Station.
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 02, Thu :- Jaipur (
02.00/ 19.30 Hrs. ) You will be greeted by caparisoned elephants
and strains of the Shehnai & Welcome to the Pink city of Jaipur. Lunch
at Rambagh Palace. Discover Hawa Mahal, Nahargarh fort, Amber fort&
silent sentinels of a glorious era.
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 splendour 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 ambience. 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 Sawai Jai Singh II. The luxury coaches will take you back to
Palace-On-Wheels around 6.30 p.m. Dinner on board.
Day
03, Fri :- Jaisalmer ( 08.15 / 23.00 Hrs. ) In the heart of the
Thar Desert lies Jaisalmer, founded by Rawal Jaisal, in 1156 A.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 and 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 04, Sat :-
Jodhpur ( 07.00/ 15.30 Hrs. ) Next morning the Palace-On-Wheels is
in Jodhpur, a city ringed by a high stonewall 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 Palace hotel, return to the Palace-On-Wheels.
While in Jodhpur shop for exquisite handcrafted articles including the
famous breeches, embroidered shoes, metal curios, silverware, painting and
tie and dye fabrics.
Day 05, Sun :- Sawai
Madhopur ( 04.00/ 10.30 Hrs. ) 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 Ranthabor 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 05, Sun :- Chittaurgarh ( Arr.
16.00 Hrs ) After lunch on board you are in Chittaurgarh. Images of
love and valour, scars of battles lost and won& thrice-besieged.
Chittaurgarh Fort is all this and more. Moving legends of honour and pride
will echo in mind as you proceed to Udaipur.
Day
06, Mon :- Udaipur ( Arr. 20.00 Hrs. ( frm Chittaurgarh ) 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 1559 A.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 Pichola. After lunch at Lake Palace Hotel, a visit to the 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 07, Tue :- Bharatpur ( 06.30/ 11.45 Hrs. )
Early next morning, the Palace-On-Wheels 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 nestling place for
thousands of Egrets, Siberian Cranes, migratory Water Fowl and other species
of birds.
Day 07, Tue :- Agra ( 14.30/ 23.00 Hrs
) Arrive at Fatehpur Sikri- the red sandstone Mughal palatial
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
Mumtaz 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 and a good night's sleep, arrive at Delhi Cantt at 06.00 hrs
the next morning and let the pleasant memories of the past week linger on
your mind for a long, long time.
Day 08, Wed :-
Delhi ( Arr. 06.00 Hrs. ) Arrive back at Delhi Cantt. station and
proceed for onward journey or to take a flight back home.
