Day 01
Tuesday : Delhi
Arrive Delhi by International Flight.
Assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel.
Day 02
Wednesday : Delhi - Jaipur (Dep 18.30 hrs)
After breakfast sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi
Late Afternoon transfer to Railway Station from where
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 through fascinating Rajasthan.
Day 03
Thursday : Jaipur (Arr 02.00 hrs/Dep 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. Jaipur
is also famous for its indigenous 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 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 04
Friday : Jaisalmer (Arr 08.15 hrs/Dep 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.
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 05
Saturday : Jodhpur (Arr 07.00/Dep 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.
Art curious can shop for exquisite handcrafted articles including
the famous breeches, embroidered shoes, metal curios, silverware,
painting and tie and dye fabrics.
Day 06
Sunday : Sawai Madhopur (Arr 04.00 hrs/Dep 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
Ranthambore National Park, wherein are located the ruins of a 10th
century fort. This wildlife sanctuary is considered to be the countries
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 06
Sunday : 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 07
Monday : Udaipur (Arr 20.00 hrs from 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 08
Tuesday : Bharatpur (Arr 06.30 hrs/Dep 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 08
Tuesday : Agra (Arr 14.30 hrs/Dep 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.
Day 09
Wednesday : Delhi (Arr 06.00 hrs)
After dinner on board and a good night's sleep, arrive at Delhi
Cantt the next morning and let the pleasant memories of the past
week linger on your mind for a long, long time.
Assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Day 10
Thursday : Delhi
Transfer to Airport for flight for onward destination.
|