Day-1
: Wednesday Reporting Time 16.00 hrs.
Dep. 18.30 hrs.
New Delhi
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-2
Thursday Arrival 02.00 hrs. Departure
19.30 hrs
Jaipur
The first stop of 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 Swai Jai Singh II, in1727
A.D.
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 splendor
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 ambiance. 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 the Sawai Jai
Singh II. The Luxury coaches will
take you back to Palace on Wheels
around 6.30 pm. Dinner on Board.
Day-3
Friday Arrival 08.15 hrs. Departure
23.00 hrs.
Jaisalmer Tour
In the heart of the Thar Desert lies
Jaisalmer Tour, founded by Rawal Jaisal,
in 1156A.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 & 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 Tour.
The train leaves for Jodhpur Tour at night.
Day-4
Saturday Arrival 07.00 hrs. Departure15.30
hrs
Jodhpur Tour
Next morning the Palace on wheels
is in Jodhpur Tour, 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 a royal Palace hotel,
return to the Palace on Wheels.
While in Jodhpur Tour shop for the exquisite
handcrafted articles including the
famous breeches, embroidered shoes,
metal curios, silverware, paintings
and tie and dye fabrics.
Day-5
Sunday Arrival 04.00 hrs. Departure
10.30 hrs
Sawai Madhopur
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 Ranthambhor 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-5
Sunday Arrival 16.00 hrs.
Chittaurgarh
After lunch on board you are in Chittaurgarh.
Images of love and valour; scars of
battles lost and won….thrice-beseiged,
Chittaurgarh Fort is all this and
more. Moving legends of honour and
pride will echo in your mind as you
proceed to Udaipur Tour.
Day-6
Monday Departure 20.00 hrs. from Chittaurgarh
Udaipur Tour
Arrive in Udaipur Tour, the Lake City.
It was founded by Maharana Udai Singh
of Mewar, after the Sisodia dynasty
was driven away by the Mughals, in
1559A.D. Perhaps the two most beautiful
sites of Udaipur Tour 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 Pichhola. After lunch at Lake
Palace Hotel a visit to 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-7
Tuesday Arrival 06.30hrs. Departure
11.45 hrs
Bharatpur
Early next morning, the Palace 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
nesting place of thousands of Egrets,
Siberian Cranes, migratory Water Fowl
and other species of birds.
Day-7
Tuesday Arrival 14.30 hrs Departure
23.00 hrs
Agra
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 the Sheikh Salim Chisti, 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 jewelry.
After dinner on board and a good
night’s sleep, arrive at Delhi
Cantt. at 6.00 hrs the next morning
and let the pleasant memories of the
past week linger on your mind for
a long, long time. |