Palace on Wheels

Duration:07 Nights - 08 Days

Places Covered : New Delhi - Jaipur - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Sawai Madhopur - Chittaurgarh - Udaipur - Bharatpur - Agra - Delhi

Day	Place	Arrival	Departure
Wednesday	Delhi	6:00 PM	6:30 PM
Thursday	Jaipur	3:45 PM	11:30 PM
Friday	Swami Madhopur	5:30 AM	10:30 AM
Friday	Chittorgarh	4:00 PM	2:00 PM
Saturday	Udaipur	8:00 AM	3:30 PM
Sunday	Jaisalmer	9:15 AM	11:45 PM
Monday	Jodhpur	7:00 AM	3:00 PM
Tuesday	Bharatpur	5:00 AM	8:45 AM
Tuesday	Agra Cantonment	10:30 AM	11:00 PM
Wednesday	Arrival at Delhi	4:00 AM	De-board by 8:00 AM

The Palace on Wheels is a luxury tourist train. It was launched by the Indian Railways to promote tourism in Rajasthan, and have been very popular since its launch. After the success of this venture, other luxury tourist trains started on other routes in the country.

Day 1: Wednesday, New Delhi Reporting Time 16.00 hrs. Dep. 18.30 hrs.

Begin your tour. Land in Delhi. The Capital city of modern India a city known for its rich valorous and exotic history. Once the fabled city of the heroes of the Mahabharata and ruled by the Rajputs before they were displaced by foreign invaders. The tour starts in the evening with a ceremonial welcome aboard the Palace on Wheels at Safdarjung New Delhi Railway Station. You will be introduced to your fellow travellers. Feel free to explore your new palace, and acquaint yourself with its various facilities. Relax with a drink at the bar. Dinner will be served on board in its two restaurants.

Day 2: Thursday, Jaipur Arrival 02.00 hrs. Departure 19.30 hrs.

Reach Jaipur early in the morning. After breakfast on board train proceed for the sightseeing of Jaipur. Visit the Hawa Mahal Palace of wind followed the amazing Jantar Mantar-Astronomical Observatory are to be explored at leisure. The home of the erstwhile rulers. The city palace now a museum of full royal splendor. Jaipur also offers a great shopping experience since the city is the countries capital as far as handicrafts are concerned. This include a very extensive range as well as a major International center of cutting and polishing of Gems and stone. Also, Jaipur is known all over the world for hand block printing on textile. Lunch at famous Amer Fort. Soon after reaching at Amber you can enjoy the festively decorated elephant for a ride up to the fort. After lunch visit Amber fort the best example of splendid fusion of Rajput and Mugal style of Architecture. The hall of victory Jai Mandir has a stunning ceiling adorned with mirror work an inlaid panel. Return back to train by bus for freshen up. After rest awhile enjoy sumptuous dinner in one of the best hotel of Jaipur return to Palace on Wheels train.

Day 3: Friday, Swai Madhopur Arrival 5.30 AM Departure 10.30 AM

Reach Sawai Madhopur early in the morning & then visit Ranthambhore tiger reserve at junction of the Aravali and the Vindhyas is a unique juxtaposition of natural and historical richness, standing out conspicuously in the vast, arid and denuded tract of eastern Rajasthan, barely 14 Kms from Sawai Madhopur. A 1000 year old Ranthambhore Fort of great historical importance atop a high hill stand tall remain of the historical part cenotaphs, tombs,stepped well, summer palace etc, have all merged harmoniously in to the sprawling forest. Three big lakes- Padam Talav, Malik Talav and Raj bag- are alike urquoises studded in the vast tract. Though a delicate eco system,Ranthambhore is dynamic in the diversity and density of fauna it supports.Tiger at the apex of the food chain lords over the kingdom in a subtle way solitary by nature. It operates with stealth. Quite naturally tiger sighting are always a matter of chance, though evidences of its activities are equally exciting other then tigers you may have opportunity to see 24 different species of mammals, spotted deer,sambhar, wild boar, Indian Gazel, Jungal cat, Panthers, Jackal, Hynas Rarely sloth bears, also almost 300 different kind of birds. Return back to Palace on Wheels train for breakfast on board. Lunch on Board. Enjoy the afternoon on train as it travels the lush green country side before arriving to Chittorgarh. Chittorgarh Arrival 4.00 PM Departure 2.00 AM Visit Chittorgarh Fort which is considered as the largest fort of India. Built by various Mauriyan rulers during 5th to 8th century period, this fort covers an area of 680 acres most of the structures in side the fort premises are in ruins. But a glimpses at this giant abodes of Rajput still fills on with thrill. The fort is accessible after ceremony seven gates. Rana Kumbha palace and Padamini Palace in the fort are considered as master pieces of Rajput architecture Padmini Palace had been the residence of beautiful queen Rani Padmini.

Day 4: Saturday, Udaipur Arrival 8.00 AM Departure 3.30 PM

The capital of the Sisodia Maharanas, enjoy pre-eminen among the Rajput clams of Rajasthan spend the day sight seeing at Udaipur. Maharana Udai Singh laid the foundation for a new kingdom Udaipur situated at Lake Pichola where the impressive city palace was lavished with aesthetic and imaginative work of art miniature painting was encouraged. Subsequently the princes built the seemingly floating Irland Palace, the royal summer retreat, offering a spectacular view of the lake and surrounding mountains. Breakfast on board train.Lunch at Palace Hotel.Visit to Crystal Gallery-It is a balcony of Fateh Prakash Banquet hall which is having a museum of crystal glass furniture, crockery, chandilliers of old time. Enjoy Boat Ride and then return back to train.

Day 5: Sunday, Jaisalmer Arrival 9.15 AM Departure 11.45 PM

Jaisalmer The golden city of Rajasthan has a charm of its own, Rawal Jaisal a Bhati Rajput ruler founded the city in 1156 AD. The western most citadel of the desert, Jaisalmer has an ancient history linked with its development as a trading center. Located en-route one of the two passages, that connected India with persia, egypt Africa and West. The Bhati Rajput sole guardians of the city accumulate enough wealth through tax levied on the passing carwans. Jaisalmer amid picturesque a marvel of beautiful culture and harsh climate conditions. The Sonar Quila Fort, made of yellow sand stone will immediately command your attention here. The city is also known for its old mansion better known as havelies. Patwon Ki Haveli and Nathmalgi Ke Haveli, Salim Singh Ji Ki Haveli most striking architecture a fine blend of ancient and the medieval era. Shopping and lunch at Moomal Hotel. The sweeping sand dunes, enjoy the romance of solitude at Kuldhara and your camel takes you deep in the thar desert, the set hare is the most awaited experience. As the sum sets the rolling golden dunes the surreal experience is worth. Though the winter, followed by the cultural performance - campfire with dinner in dunes. Enjoy Rajasthani Food with traditional music. Evening Tea, Sun set & Dinner with Bar-be-que, at Samdhani. Dinner at Palace Hotel.

Day 6: Monday, Jodhpur Arrival 7.00 AM Departure 3.30 PM

Special welcome on arrival and sight seeing of mighty fort followed by lunch at Star hotel. The city best known for its indigo-hued homes and buildings, Jodhpur is the former capital of the Marwar. The Mehrangarh Fort was built by Rao Jodha in 1459 and later his successions also added new structures. The forts is situated 120 meters high rocky hill, this fort is witness the lavish and royal history of Rathore. Fort stands on strong and wide walls, which are 20 to 120 feet high and 12 to 70 feet thick its gigantic structure and finely carved intricate sculpture are a treat for eye. The royal structure boast their own saga of security and beauty the perl palace has a delicately carved stone screen, umaid vilas displays the Rajput miniature paintings and the ajit vilas exhibits musical instruments and the royal costumes. Shopping of local handicrafts. Umaid Bhawan Palace worlds finest and largest palace in the world Maharaja Umaid Singh utilized the services of a well known Edwardian architect, henry vaughan lanchester for the construction of this palace. There are 347 rooms in the palace that boast about its grandness and splendor the central dome that has become the identity of the palace 110 feet high. The royal family in still lives a part of the palace also having the old clock museum. Lunch at 5 Star Hotel. After lunch back to Palace on Wheels train.Dinner will be on board train.

Day 7: Tuesday, Bharatpur Arrival 5.00 AM Departure 8.45 AM

Bharatpur,a royal kingdom where the jats, rather than the Rajputs, ruled. Bharatpur's Jat History is not too old, with Suraj Mal establishing a firm stronghold in a region contested by both the Rajputs and the Mughals. Suraj Mal exploits are legendary, and the fort, Lohargarh, or Iron Fort, has a history that recounts it with pride. The only fort in the state to have bastions of mud, these proved meritorious because they simply swallowed up the cannon shells not allowing them to impact. The Keoladeo Ghana National Park one of the finest bird sanctuary in the world was developed by a royal edict when dykes were created so that water could be canalized for the hunting preserve as the Maharaja of Bharatpur wished to create. Over three hundred species of birds many of them migrant species that come from parts as distant as Siberia and China. Breakfast on board train. Agra Arrival 10.30 AM Departure 11.00 PM Reach Agra in the morning. A visit to the world's most well known monument "Taj Mehal". The Taj Mahal built in the memory of his beloved empress by emperor Shah Jahan, this marble mausoleum is the greatest gesture of love known to mankind and is breathtakingly, bewitchingly beautiful. Land for the building of the Taj Mahal in Agra came from the Maharaja of Jaipur and the marble used in its construction was from the mines of Makrana, also in Rajasthan. The precious stones used in its inlay, and the craftsmen employed for the twenty two years its construction took, came not only from India, but from all over the world. Lunch at Palace Hotel. Depart for Delhi at 11 PM. Reach Delhi on Wednesday at 4 PM. Deboard the train at around 8 AM with sweet & pleasant memories of your tour escorted by Vardhman Vacations. END OF VARDHMAN SERVICES

This Train does not operate From May to August.

Complimentary City Tour of Delhi on Day 1

Tariff for season 2011-2012 Per Person Per Night*
Occupancy Type	Tariff for season 2011-2012 Per Person Per Night*	October 2011 to March
Single Occupancy	US $ 500	US $ 670
Double Occupancy	US $ 375	US $ 500
Triple Occupancy	US $ 340	US $ 450

1.Service Tax @ 2.58% and commercial tax US$ 15 per person extra as applicable.

2. There will be a 10% surcharge levied on the tariff for the trips falling during Christmas (25th December) and New Year (1st January)

3. The above tariff and itineary is subject to revise without prior notice.

4. Tariff is inclusive of cost of travel and accommodation, catering (morning tea, breakfast, lunch, evening tea and dinner), conducted sightseeing tours in deluxe coaches, entrance fee for monuments and palaces and cultural entertainment. Tariff does not include liquor, laundry, video cameras and other items of personal nature.

6. No Charter can be booked during X-mas & New Year period.

7. Booking is as per first come first serve, since the seats are limited kindly book in advance.

Reservation / Cancellation - Terms & Conditions

Booking Procedure :
GSA's and other source of the booking will have to send their written requests for booking
(1) 20% of ticket value at the time of confirming the booking.
(2) Remaining 80% of ticket value 60 days prior to departure.

Cancellation:
(a) In case of FITs
1. 5% of ticket value 60 days or more prior to departure
2. 20% of ticket value between 45 to 59 days prior to departure.
3. 50% of ticket value between 30 to 44 days prior to departure.
4. 100% of ticket value 30 days prior to departure.

(b) In case of Group and Charter
1. 5% of ticket value 89 days prior to departure
2. 50% of ticket value between 88 to 31 days prior to departure.
3. 100% of ticket value 30 days prior to departure.

Note : A group of 15 paying persons will be called as group booking, one complimentary seat shall be provided.