Maharajas Express – The Indian Panorama

Assemble at Safdarjung station at 2030 hours and complete your registration and check in formalities. The Maharajas’ Express departs from Delhi at 2200 hours to Jaipur. Dinner and overnight stay on board.

The train reaches Jaipur – the vibrant capital of Rajasthan, sitting on a dry bed lake and surrounded by barren hills, forts and crenellated walls. Post breakfast on board, your trip into this buzzing metropolis starts an exclusive experience – an Exhibition Elephant Ride at Jai Singh Palace. Set amidst 18 acres of Mughal Gardens, you get a grand welcome with royal military band and the beating of ‘Nagadas’. The match is followed by Champagne lunch at the hotel. Following lunch continue on a visit to the Amber Fort -a beautiful complex of palaces, halls, pavilions, gardens, and temples built by Raja Man Singh, Mirza Raja Jai Singh and Sawai Jai Singh over a period of about two centuries. Enjoy a royal elephant ride to palace complex, which emerges dramatically from the placid waters of the Mootha Lake. Further, the guests may pick from any of the following:

• Take one of the optional tours.
• Have a revitalizing spa at a five star hotel in Jaipur.
• Enjoy Golfing at the Rambagh Golf Club – a 18 hole, 6303 yard, Par 70 layout that is beautifully laid out & centrally located.
• Visit the City Palace – the former royal residence; and Jantar Mantar – a stone observatory.

Dinner and overnight stay on board the royal train. The train progresses its journey towards Sawai Madhopur in Southern Rajasthan.

Even before the sun dawns, you reach Sawai Madhopur, home to the Ranthambore National Park. A thrilling safari takes you close to the abode of the national animal of India – the Tiger. The park is home to other wildlife as well including sambar, chital, nilgai, chinkara, wild boar, sloth bear, hyena, jackal and leopards. After experiencing the exhilarating expedition, have a lavish breakfast at Vivanta by Taj – Sawai Madhopur Lodge. During the latter half of the day, the train takes you across the fabled magnificent fortified Mughal city Fatehpur Sikri – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admire the changing landscape while enjoying a hearty lunch on board. Brace yourself with the Mughal history by visiting this complex of monuments and temples, all in a uniform architectural style, including one of the largest mosques in India – the Jama Masjid. Other prime attractions here include Palace of Jodha Bai, Bibal Bhavan, Karwan Serai & Hiran Minar, Panch Mahal, Diwan-i-Khas and Diwan-i-Am. Return to the train to enjoy the flavours of an ‘India Night’ as the train continues its journey towards Agra.

Early morning, your train reaches Agra – the city that homes the most extravagant monument ever built for love – Taj Mahal. This poignant mausoleum has become the de facto tourist emblem of India. It was constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory if his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, whose death in childbirth in 1631 left the emperor heartbroken. The construction of the Taj began in that year and continued till 1653. Over 20,000 workers from India and Central Asia are believed to have created this marvel. No wonder, the result is so breathtaking and awe-inspiring. The visit to this amazingly beautiful monument is followed by Champagne breakfast at Hotel Taj Khema, which overlooks Taj Mahal. Return to the train and continue your journey towards Gwalior – the tourist capital of Madhya Pradesh. As you reach Gwalior, enjoy a royal welcome and lunch at the 120-year-old palace – Usha Kiran, now turned into a heritage hotel. Post this, visit the Gwalior fort – steeped in the splendor of its past. Built by Raja Man Singh, the fort dominates the city like a great monolith. It is one of the finest citadels of India. Emperor Barbur described it as ‘the pearl amongst the fortress of Hind.” Return to the main city to visit the Jai Vilas Palace Museum, which exhibits a collection of antiques belonging to the Scindia reign. Enjoy Hi tea at the palace compound. Return to the train for dinner and overnight stay as the train rolls towards its next destination Orchha.

As the train reaches Jhansi railway station, you will embark on an excursion to Orcha, some 15 km away from the station. Visit the Jehangir Mahal, a tiered palace crowned by graceful chhatris. Stroll through Chaturbhuj Palace and the Cenotaphs of Orcha rulers along the shores of Betwa River. Return to the train as it progresses towards the World Heritage site – Khajuraho. The temples of Khajuraho are India’s unique gift to the world, representing a paean of life, to love and to joy; perfect in execution and sublime in expression. Life, in every form and mood, has been captured here in stone testifying to the craftsman’s artistry and the extraordinary breadth of vision of the Chandela Rajputs. Post this sightseeing excursion to the spectacularly mounted temples, you may go for a spa at a 5 star hotel. All optional tours are chargeable. Enjoy your dinner and overnight stay on board.

As the dawn breaks and the train arrives to Varanasi – the city of Hindu God Shiva, located on the banks of the sacred Ganges. Varanasi, also known as Benaras and Kashi is one of the oldest living cities in the world. Its Prominence in Hindu mythology is immense. In Mark Twain’s words, “Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together.” Post breakfast; embark on a tour to Sarnath ruins followed by a visit to the Sarnath Museum. All of the ancient buildings and structures at Sarnath were damaged or destroyed by the Turks. However, amongst the ruins the Dharmekh Stupa is impressive at 128 feet high, and 93 in diameters. This dates from around 200 BC and is the spot where the Buddha is said to have preached his first sermon. Lunch is served on board Maharajas’ Express. After lunch, visit the Silk Weaving Centre. Varanasi abounds in the art of silk weaving, an exotic work of art which manifests itself in precious Banarasi Silk Sarees and Silk brocades which are cherished as collector’s items across the world today. Board Maharajas’ Express to proceed towards Lucknow. Dinner will be served on the train itself.

Your train reaches the city of Nawabs Lucknow early morning on the seventh day of your journey. Proceed on a sightseeing excursion of the city and pay a visit to Bara Imambara and The Residency. The Bara Imambara or Great Imambara was built in 1784 by Asaf-ud-Daula as a famine relief project. The central hall of the Imambara, 50 m long and 15 m high, is one of the largest galleries in the world. The Residency was built in 1800 for the British Resident, and this group of buildings became the stage for the most dramatic events of the 1857 Uprising – the Siege of Lucknow. The red-brick ruins are peaceful nowadays, surrounded by lawns and flowerbeds. Return on board for lunch and rest and get ready for an entertaining and fun-filled evening at the Residence of Local Nawab of Jehagirabad. Enjoy the world-renowned hospitality of Lucknow and relish the rich Mughlai cuisines and be a part of the ‘Indian Night’.

Post breakfast on board, bid farewell to the train and disembark.