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Palace on Wheels Tour Itinerary
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DAY 01 (WEDNESDAY)
DELHI / JAIPUR 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 week-long
luxury cruise through fascinating Rajasthan. Dinner and overnight
on board.
DAY 02 (THURSDAY)
JAIPUR / JAISALMER Arrival: 02.00 hrs. Departure 19.30 hrs
You will be greeted by caparisoned elephants and strains of
the Shehnai and 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-storied 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 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 and overnight on board.
DAY 03 (FRIDAY) JAISALMER / JODHPUR
Arrival: 08.15 hrs. Departure 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.
Overnight on board. The train leaves for Jodhpur at night.
DAY 04 (SATURDAY) JODHPUR / SAWAI MADHOPUR
Arrival: 07.00 hrs. Departure 15.30 hrs
Next morning the Palace-On-Wheels is in Jodhpur, 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 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. Dinner and overnight on board.
DAY 05 (SUNDAY) SAWAI MADHOPUR
Arrival: 04.00 hrs. Departure 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 (SUNDAY) CHITTORGARH / UDAIPUR
Arrival: 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. Dinner
and overnight on board. Arrival at Udaipur - 20:00 hrs.
DAY 06 (MONDAY) UDAIPUR / BHARATPUR
Departure: 20:00 hrs.
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 (TUESDAY) BHARATPUR / AGRA
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 Water Fowl and other species of birds.
DAY 07 (TUESDAY) AGRA / DELHI
Arrival: 14.30 hrs. Departure 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 (WEDNESDAY) DELHI
Arrival: 0600 hrs.
Arrive back at Delhi Cantt. station and proceed for onward journey
or to take a flight back home.
Palace on Wheels Tour Itinerary Reservation
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DEPARTURES EVERY WEDNESDAY
BEGINNING SEPTEMBER TILL THE LAST WEDNESDAY OF APRIL
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