Come summer and who isn’t looking up holiday options? If you’re looking at experiencing the very best India has to offer its tourists, but at the same time want something completely unique and different, why not give the ‘Palace on Wheels’ a try? Rated as one of the top ten luxury train journeys in the world, the Palace on Wheels is nothing short of a holiday that’s magical in every way, a spectacular way to explore, one of the most exotic regions in the world, the majestic Rajasthan, a place known for forts, palaces, havelis, exotic wildlife, and more… in just seven days!
Designed keeping in mind the absolute elite, the luxurious Palace on Wheels comprises of 14 deluxe saloons, two dining cars decked up in true Rajasthani style, modern amenities of everyday life, a bar cum lounge, four service cars and a host of attendants, and khidmatgars, who are at your service 24X7! An eight-day journey, with a fixed itinerary that begins and ends in Delhi, this train runs every Wednesday from Delhi from September through April, the ride takes you through the spectacular cities of Jaipur, Udaipur, Chittaurgarh, Sawai Madhopur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bharatpur, and Agra.
Journeying back in time, rulers of India’s princely states of Rajputana, Gujarat, Nizam of Hyderabad or the Viceroy of British India often travelled by luxurious coaches. An era of wooden carriages, bedrooms and zenana wings for the royal women, lavish furniture, brocaded canopies on beds, and matched linen, along with drapes, priceless carpets on the rolling floors; expensive bric-a-brac – the saloons had them all! Indian princes surely traveled in style!
However with Independence, the integration of the royal states, and the withdrawal of princely privileges, most of these royal saloons were gradually abandoned. While many succumbed to the ravages of time, some were put into use (as in the case of the Maharaja’s saloon in Jodhpur) for private purposes, and others lay forgotten. It was in 1981-82, that the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation and Indian Railways, in an effort to promote tourism, got together to resurrect some of these forgotten symbols of historic heritage. Thirteen carriages from different princely states were brought together and refurbished, and the Palace on Wheels was launched. A superb train that evoked the past with modern facilities, a special heritage tourist train to provide for a completely unique experience for tourists visiting Rajasthan. So if traveling like royalty is what you aspire for, then pack those bags and get ready for a week that can best be described by just one word, “magical”.
From waking up to bed tea and breakfast on board, to visiting some of India’s most sought after destinations, the train halts for its tourists to experience the sights and colors, forts and palaces of Rajasthan and then return to their own palaces by nighttime, an opportunity not to be missed if you want to experience India’s amazing hospitality! 
So popular is this heritage train that it resulted in a spanking new train being faithfully recreated from the old one, but much more comfortable. However this too was being used for yet another exotic journey in the form of the Royal Orient Express that travels from Delhi to parts of Rajasthan, but used primarily to discover the neighboring state of Gujarat. The new Palace on Wheels is clearly the pride of the Indian Railways, luxurious and modern. The coaches have different names derived from the former princely states and that provides the link for the coat of arms and the decor inside. Within each carriage are comfortable showers, built-in wardrobes with full-length mirrors, overhead and night-lights, piped music, service bells and public address system, rooms and corridors carpeted, furniture inlaid and upholstered especially for the train, blinds draping large windows, which frame views across the desert and the passing arid landscape, wood paneled walls and painted stained glass skylights! While damasks drape the tables, rear romantic lights and exclusive tableware, make the perfect setting for Indian, Continental, and occasionally Chinese meals, served on board. The service is unobtrusive, attentive, and efficient.
Catering to an exclusive group of world travelers who choose to travel the way the maharajahs once did, travelers can opt for any length of the journey and do not have to take the complete tour, as the tariff is based on per person, per night basis and is inclusive of the cost of travel, full catering, conducted sightseeing tours in deluxe coaches, entrance fee for monuments and palaces, cultural entertainment and the boat ride on lake Pichola in Udaipur.
If you miss it this year, then plan ahead to visit this land of royals like true royalty, on this palace that epitomizes rich Indian heritage, hospitality and cuisine. It sure is a once in a life time experience
