| VIRTUAL TOUR - PALACES
ON WHEELS |
|
Palace Wheels offers a magical train ride
across North India. The Palace on Wheels luxury train, takes
you to the beautiful cities, historic forts, enchanting palaces
and thrilling wildlife sanctuaries in Rajasthan, India, as
well as the mesmerizing Taj Mahal in Agra. Enjoy an enchanted
voyage on the royal luxury train - the Palace on Wheels.Times
have changed and the winds have shifted, but the Palace
on Wheels cruises along in royal style, the kind only
the Maharajas of yesteryears could have perpetuated and
enjoyed. Today, of course, each traveller on board is
treated like royalty in his or her own right.
Itinerary:
Delhi - Jaipur - Sawai Madhopur &- Chittorgarh - Udaipur-
- Jaisalmer - Jodhpur- Bharatpur- Agra - Delhi |
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| Day 01 - Wednesday |
Tour Begins : 09.30 hrs.
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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. |
|
| Day 02 - Thursday |
Arrival 02.00 hrs. Departure 19.30 hrs
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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
03 - 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.
|
| Day
04 - SATURDAY |
Arrival 08.00 hrs. Departure15.30
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 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 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
|
| Day
05 - 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.
|
| Day
06 - 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.
|
| Day
07 - 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. |
| Day
07 - TUESDAY |
Arrival 10.30 hrs Departure
23.00 hrs
|
AGRA
 EArrive
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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The exquisite & exclusive Palace on Wheels
has luxurious cabins, wall-to-wall carpeting, a well
stocked bar, two dining cars, personalised service.....
infact everything that could comprise of heaven on earth for a whole
week.
Departure dates from Delhi (Cantonment Station): Every Wednesday
from September to April.
Length of journey : 8 days and seven nights. Departure from
Delhi on Wednesday evening, return to Delhi the following Wednesday
morning.
Comforts in the Palace on Wheels :
- Every saloon coach is equipped with a saloon, mini-bar and kitchenette.
- Each cabin has its own toilet with shower and hot and cold running
water.
- Indian or European food is served in separate dining cars.
- A panorama saloon coach with bar is waiting to be visited.
- In each saloon coach a chief steward and his assistant look
after your needs.
- A public address system provides background music and is
used for important announcements.
- A library is available.
- A bureau de change which also accepts travelers cheques
is also on board the train.
Cabins on board the Palace on Wheels
On the Palace on Wheels there are 52 sleeping car compartments
each with two beds; the beds are no longer one above another but
side by side. The air-conditioned train travels in a leisurely manner
so that the ever-changing landscape can be fully appreciated.
| Tariff
for season 2009-2010 (from August 2009 till April
2010) |
| August
2009 |
|
Occupancy |
(per person per night) |
Total
for 7 Nights
(Per person) |
| Single
occupancy |
US$
502 |
US$
3514 |
| Double
occupancy |
US$
375 |
US$
2625 |
|
Triple occupancy |
US$ 337 |
US$
2359 |
September
2009 to April 2010 |
Single
occupancy |
US$
670
|
US$
4690
|
Double
occupancy |
US$
500
|
US$
3500
|
Triple
occupancy |
US$
450
|
US$
3150
|
|
Half fare for children between 5 and 12 years of
age. Children below 5 years shall be allowed free.
(Age proof of children is to be furnished, which
is required at the time of issuance of tickets)
Please note :-
- 10% Surcharge shall be levied on departure
during Christmas/New Year.
- @ 2.58% Service Tax shall be levied on the tariff
of Palace on Wheels.
- US$ 15 per pax per trip shall be charged against
the payment of commercial taxes in addition to
the tariff
- No charter can be booked during X-Mas &
New Year period.
- Tariff Subject to change without notice.
The Tariff includes :
- Ccatering || Conducted sightseeing || Entrance
fee at monuments || Parks || Palaces || Cultural
programs || Camel ride at Jaisalmer || Boat ride
at Udaipur || Rickshaw ride at Bharatpur.
The Tariff does not include:
- Drinks || tips || laundry || telephone calls
|| video camera fees || Business Car Facilities
|| liquor and other items of personal nature.
Booking Policy
In case of FITs:
- 50% of ticket value at the time of confirming
the booking.
- Remaining 50% of ticket value 60 days prior
to departure.
In case of Group:
- 50% of ticket value at the time of confirming
the booking.
- Remaining 50% of ticket value 60 days prior
to departure.
Cancellation Policy:
Cancellation must be advised by Fax/E-mail/Letter
to The Luxury Trains. On cancellation, refund will
be made. Certain amount of the ticket value will
be deducted as follows.
In case of FITs
- 5% of ticket value 60 days prior to departure.
- 20% of ticket value 30-59 days prior to departure.
- 100% of ticket value between less than 30 days
prior to departure.
In case of Group
- 10% of ticket value 60 days prior to departure.
- 100% of ticket value between 0 to 59 days prior
to departure
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