A joint venture of Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation and Indian Railways, Palace on Wheels, India's first tourist train, started rolling from the year 1982. The elegant coaches of this unique train were conceived from the original and personal railway coaches of the erstwhile rulers of the princely states of Rajputana and Gujarat, the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Viceroy of British India, used on bridal journeys, hunting parties and occasions of state visits.

Today, the Palace on Wheels takes travelers into the heart of Rajasthan in the kind of royal style that only the Maharajas of yesteryear could have enjoyed. Its plush cream salons, adorned with fragrant flowers are named after former Rajput states - Kota, Jaipur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Alwar, Sirohi, Kishangarh, Bundi, Dungarpur, Bharatpur, Jhalawar and Dholpur - each evoking visions of those royal kingdoms. Each coach has four coupés, done in colors, most reminiscent of the state, and highlighted by its royal emblem.

It is truly a journey worthy of royalty. Travel is mostly at night, and each morning marks the arrival at a different destination. It departs from Delhi and halts at Jaipur, Chittaurgarh, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Bharatpur and Agra. At each halt, passengers are taken for a tour of the cities.

Experience the romance of old-fashioned rail travel as you marvel at the splendid architecture, shop at the colourful bazaars, photograph the gaily bedecked camels, enjoy the finest performances of traditional music and dance, and mingle with the vibrant people of this fascinating state of Rajasthan. Welcome aboard the Palace on Wheels.

We at The Indian Express Tours offer you Palace on Wheels tour package. Touring on this Royal Retreat would be a remarkable experience that you will cherish for the rest of your life. As the name suggests, Palace on Wheels is the pride of India, which makes your journey wonderful, unique, and unforgettable. Palace on Wheels has been rated amongst the top ten luxury trains of the world. To make your tour to India more exciting one must go on a Palace on Wheels tour. The Palace on Wheels tour happens to be one of the finest ways to travel the intoxicating, incomparable, incredible, impressive, inimitable, inspirational land of India. Explore India aboard Palace on Wheels and feel the difference.

Day 1: Wednesday - Delhi

Reporting Time: 16.00 hrs. Departure 18.30 hrs

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 weeklong luxury cruise through fascinating Rajasthan.






Day 2: Thursday - Jaipur

Arrival: 02.00 hrs. Departure 19.30 hrs

Wake up to the blushing pink city of Jaipur, early next morning, where a royal welcome awaits you, with caparisoned elephants, music and garlands. Lunch at Rambagh Palace. Guests are then taken on a tour of the city on luxury buses. Discover Hawa Mahal, Nahargarh Fort, Amber Fort and silent sentinels of a glorious era.

Shop for Jaipur's famous jewellery, handicrafts, carpets, blue pottery and textiles.

After lunch at a heritage hotel in Jaipur, 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. After a royal experience in Jaipur guests are back to Palace on Wheels around 6.30 p.m. Dinner onboard.



Day 3: Friday - Jaisalmer

Arrival: 08.15 hrs. Departure 23.00 hrs

The train chugs on to Jaisalmer, a desert citadel and the city of golden sands. Everywhere one can witness the expert craftsmanship of the stone carvers of Jaisalmer. With its intricately carved chattris (canopies), imposing havelis (mansions) and patwas (jewellers), Jaisalmer gleams like a diamond in the wilderness of the Thar Desert. At the sand dunes, one can witness spectacular sunsets. On a full moon night, you are sure to be mesmerized, as the breeze blows and forms, and reforms the golden sands. Towering proudly over the city is the Jaisalmer Fort, the golden yellow sandstone fort built by Rawal Jaisal in 1156.

Go shopping 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 4: Saturday - Jodhpur

Arrival: 07.00 hrs. Departure 15.30 hrs

Good morning Jodhpur! The second largest city of Rajasthan, Jodhpur is a city surrounded by a high stonewall with seven gates and several bastions. Founded by Rao Jodha in 1459 A.D, Jodhpur 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.

Lunch at a heritage hotel in Jodhpur, 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 5: Sunday - Sawai Madhopur

Arrival: 04.00 hrs. Departure 10.30 hrs

You are now transported to a paradisal site - Sawai Madhopur. After breakfast an excursion is arranged to the famous Rathambore National Park. Once a royal hunting preserve, Rathambore National Park is now declared as a Project Tiger Conservation area, where safaris are organised for wildlife enthusiasts. Nearby, stands the 10th century fort of Rathambore steeped in legends.

Sawai Madhopur is known for its exclusive toys, ethnic ornaments and costumes. Upon return to the Palace on Wheels, you leave for Chittorgarh, when one gets an opportunity to watch the colourful countryside passing by in the daylight.

Day 5: Sunday - Chittorgarh

Arrival: 16.00 hrs.

After lunch on board you are in Chittorgarh. Images of love and valour, scars of battles lost and won and thrice besieged. Chittorgarh Fort is all this and more. Moving legends of honour and pride will echo in mind as you proceed to Udaipur.

Day 6: Monday - Udaipur

Arrival: 20.00 hrs. from Chittorgarh

A short drive in a luxury coach now takes you the city of lakes, Udaipur, where stands the splendid Jag Niwas (Lake Palace), in the placid waters of Lake Pichola. The locale is also celebrated as the site of the James Bond movie Octopussy. 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 Chittorgarh, thus winding up a day full of delights.

Day 7: Tuesday - Bharatpur

Arrival: 06.30 hrs. Departure 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 waterfowls and other species of birds.








Day 8: Tuesday - Agra

Arrival: 14.30 hrs. Departure 23.00 hrs

Arrive at Fatehpur Sikri - the red sandstone Mughal palatial complex. After lunch proceed to the city of the Taj Mahal, Agra. Agra is known for its splendid monuments, leather goods and jewellery.

Dinner onboard and a good night's sleep, as the Palace on Wheels proceeds for Delhi Cantonment station.

Day 9: Wednesday - Delhi

Arrive 0600 HRS

Arrive at Delhi Cantonment station. It is time to alight, and return to the present, after experiencing seven glorious days of pomp and pageantry, of a bygone era. Proceed for onward journey or to take a flight back home.