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| PALACE ON WHEELS |
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Welcome
aboard The Palace On Wheels
on its splendid and enchanting
royal journey through the bygone
era of the erstwhile Maharajas.
Though
times have changed and the winds
have shifted, the Palace On
Wheels cruises along in royal
style, the kind only the Maharajas
of yesteryears could have perpetuated
and enjoyed.
The exquisite
and exclusive Palace On Wheels
has luxurious cabins, wall to
wall carpeting, a well stocked
bar, two dining cars and a very
personalized service... in fact,
almost everything that could
compromise of heaven on earth
for seven days!
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Day-1
Wednesday
Tour Begins : 09.30 hrs. |
New Delhi
Join the tour group for a day tour of New Delhi. Tour includes visit to the India Gate, Lotus Temple, Qutab Minar, Humayun's Tomb and more. After lunch at a local restaurant, you will be transferred to the Safdarjung Railway station, New Delhi 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. |
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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.
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Day-3 Friday
Arrival 05.30 hrs. (Sawai Madhopur) and 16.00 hrs (Chittorgarh) |
Sawai Madhopur & Chittaurgarh
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.
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. |
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Day-4 Saturday
Arrival 08.00 hrs. Departure 15.30 hrs |
Udaipur
Arrive in Udaipur, the Lake City at 8:00 AM. 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 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 a visit to City Palace is exhilarating.
In the evening visit the crystal gallery. Later proceed to Jaisalmer on board Palace on Wheels |
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Day-5
Sunday Arrival 09.15 hrs. Departure 23.45 hrs |
Jaisalmer
In the heart of the Thar Desert lies Jaisalmer, 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.
The train leaves for Jodhpur at night. |
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Day-6
Monday Arrival 07.00 hrs. |
Jodhpur
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 royal Palace
hotel, return to the Palace
on Wheels.
While in Jodhpur shop for the
exquisite handcrafted articles
including the famous breeches,
embroidered shoes, metal curios,
silverware, paintings and tie
and dye fabrics. |
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Day-7
Tuesday Arrival 05.00hrs. Departure 08.45 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. |
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Day-7
Tuesday Arrival 10.30 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 Safdarjung
Train Station, New Delhi 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.
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