Rajasthan is the magnificent land of numerous kingdoms, majestic forts and palaces, diverse cultures, varied It stands on its tracks; a gleaming sealed carriage, every bit is royal. The air-conditioning works silently, creating a space where only the excitement of the history of the Rajput kingdoms permeates through, clearly captured in a contemporary mode. In all, there are fourteen saloons, each equipped with four twin-bedded chambers, with attached baths that have running hot and cold water and showers. The modern conveniences have been thoughtfully provided, sofas to sink into, strategically placed lights to read by, wonderfully appointed beds with comfortable furnishings, inbuilt wardrobes for the storage of one’s clothes and bags, and huge plain glass windows to watch the countryside roll past.
Outside the bedrooms, each coach also has a seating lounge where passengers can get together, just sit watch the cities as they glide past outside the windows, or enjoy a quiet cup of tea. An attached pantry with each saloon helps provide beverages and refreshments to the accompaniment of soothing piped music. There is the comfortable bar cum lounge where you can relax over your favorite drink, burrow in a book or converse with fellow passengers. Attached to it are two restaurant cars, Maharaja and Maharani respectively, with opulently draped curtains, exquisitely crafted lights and table settings . Here accompanying chefs serve up a delicious choice of Indian, including Rajasthani, Continental and even Chinese cuisine that are a feast for the palate.
Delhi has a number of tourist attractions, right from history to present. Museums, heritage, shopping -you name it, Delhi has it all. It’s astonishing heritage is the city's star attraction - both in terms of its monuments and its cultural offerings. Although there are sites in Delhi that one may tick off the travellers list, it is the Old Delhi area which has those lesser talked about places that cannot be missed.
Jaipur, Rajasthan's capital, evokes an image of the royal family that once ruled the region what is now called the Old City or Pink City for its trademark building colour. It is known for its fascinating monuments, colourful markets, gorgeous handloom garments and wonderfully laid-out gardens; it is not difficult to fall in love with Jaipur the moment you land here.
Ranthambore National Park is one of the biggest and most renowned national parks in Northern India. The park is located in the Sawai Madhopur district of southeastern Rajasthan, which is about 130 km from Jaipur. Once considered as one of the famous and former hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur, today the Ranthambore National Park terrain is a major wildlife tourist attraction that has drawn the attention of many wildlife photographers and lovers.
Chittorgarh is a city and municipality in Rajasthan, northwest India. It’s known for the honey-colored, 7th-century Chittorgarh Fort, a vast hilltop complex with the remains of many temples and monuments. The 15th-century, 9-story Vijay Stambh (Tower of Victory) is built from red sandstone and white marble. It offers city views from the top, and it is lit up at night. Nearby is the Rajput-style Fateh Prakash Palace.
Udaipur is a small city in the western side of Rajasthan. With a romantic setting that is totally unmatched, Udaipur is inarguably one of the picturesque places in India. It IS the capital of the Rajput kingdom of Mewar. Founded by Udai Singh II in 1559, its set around a series of artificial lakes and known for its lavish palaces. City Palace, overlooking Lake Pichola, is a monumental complex of 11 palaces famed for its intricate peacock mosaics. Fantastical palaces, temples, havelis and countless narrow, colourful streets add the human counterpoint to the city's natural charms.
Distinguished by its yellow sandstone architecture making it the "Golden city of Rajasthan". Jaisalmer is blessed with art, architecture, culture and traditions. Known for its handicrafts and antique markets, Jaisalmer resides of the Great Indian Desert- Thar Desert. No place better evokes exotic camel-train trade routes and desert mystery.
With buildings painted in the city’s iconic shade of blue, Jodhpur stands at the edge of the Thar Desert. It is one of the three most powerful of the erstwhile kingdoms of Rajasthan. The splendour of its imposing fort, glory of the many palaces and havelis and vibrant attraction of its bazaars make it one of the most popular destinations in Rajasthan.
Bharatpur is an Indian city in eastern Rajasthan. At its center is the 18th-century Lohagarh Fort, surrounded by a moat. Inside the fort is the Government Museum, which displays artifacts of local rajas. Just south, carved statues of Hindu gods fill Ganga Mandir and the sandstone Laxman Mandir temples. South of the city, Keoladeo National Park is a major bird sanctuary with hundreds of species.
Agra tops the list of "must visit" places in India and attracts tourists like moths to flame. Home to one of the seven wonders in the world, The city is studded with splendid architecture, dating back to the Mughal-era. Agra Fort, Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri have been recognized by the UNESCO as World Heritage Sites.
Report by 4:30PM at Safdarjung Railway Station for traditional welcome including garlanding, tikka and turban & check-in formalities for the ‘Week in Wonderland’ train tour. Time free for photo-shoot with traditionally attired Palace On Wheels staff. Be escorted to your saloon cabins by personal attendant for briefing on cabin facilities. At leisure, proceed to Bar Lounge for complimentary welcome drink. The train departs at 6:30PM & dinner served onboard.
Breakfast is on-board, followed by royal elephant welcome at Jaipur Railway Station. Then proceed to visit St. Albert Museum, Pink City Palace & UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jantar Mantar (sun observatory).
After brief photo stop at Hawa Mahal (Palace Of winds), the sightseeing tour reaches the excursion to UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hill Fort Palace of Amber in the afternoon. Enjoy an elephant ride up the steep ramparts of the fort. Lunch is held in the 1135 AD Boutique Restaurant, located in Fort premises.
Later discover the beauty of 16th century well preserved Fort Palace, with huge courtyard’s and built in rare fusion of combined Rajput and Mughal architecture.
At around 5pm, visit the vibrant local market for shopping. Return to Palace on Wheels train around 6:00PM & depart for the next destination. Dinner is served on-board.
After an early morning at 6:30 AM in a forest lodge, proceed to jungle safari in 15-seater canters inside Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve. One of the most popular reserves in India with a rich history; the jungle is home to Tigers, Panthers, Sloth bears, Pythons, Marsh crocodiles, hundreds of deers and numerous birds. Truly a delight for wildlife lovers.
Return back to Sawai Madhopur Railway Station and depart on train by 10:00 AM. Lunch is prepared onboard.
At 04:00PM the Palace on Wheels train reaches Chittorgarh Railway Station. Begin excursion to UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hill Fort of Chittorgarh, spread over a huge plateau - with history dating back to 11th century. It is considered to be the largest fort of India.
In the Evening, enjoy Sound & Light program in fort complex & later return to train for dinner. The train departs post midnight.
Train arrives by 08:00AM. After onboard breakfast proceed to visit 17th Century built - City Palace complex with eleven constituent Mahals, balconies, towers and cupolas. Also visit Crystal Gallery - housing personal collection of H.H. of Udaipur.
Later enjoy boat ride around the world famous "Lake Palace Hotel" atop a small island in the middle of Lake Pichola. Lunch is held at the majestic Fatehprakash Palace Hotel.
Later, you get time free for shopping followed by a visit to the Royal Gardens at Saheliyon Ki Bari. return to train by 3 pm & depart. Dinner onboard.
After onboard Breakfast proceed by 09:30AM to UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jaisalmer Fort, which seems straight out of an Arabian Nights fable. Enjoy a leisurely walk through the 15th century built living Fort complex, standing at a height of hundred meters over Jaisalmer town & glows golden in the afternoon sun. The fort is entered through a forbidding series of massive gates leading to a large courtyard.
Then visit Patwon ki Haveli, one of the largest and most elaborate mansion houses .-which is five storey high & extensively carved. Nearby is located a group of 15th century built Jain Temples, which are beautifully carved & have a library hosting some of the oldest manuscripts of India.
Proceed for Lunch to 5-Star Hotel & later return to train for brief rest and tea. At 4:30PM proceed for excursion to Sam sand Dunes in Thar Desert for Camel joy ride during sunset. Later enjoy Cultural Program & Dinner at 5-Star Hotel. Return to train by 10:00PM & depart.
Train arrives at 08:00 AM in Jodhpur and after on-board breakfast proceed for sightseeing of 16th century built Mehrangarh Fort, atop a rocky hill which soars 125 Mts. above Jodhpur town. The Palace complex it is approached by a series of gateways set at an angle so that enemy armies could not charge, with any success. Once past the Fort gates, you have access to breath taking Palatial Apartments (Mahal), overlooking wide courtyards. Inside the fort complex is a museum having wide & impressive collection of Royal dresses & Medieval weapons. Nearby the Fort complex is located, late 19th century built Jaswant Thada, a cluster of royal cenotaphs in white marble. Later visit museum at Umaid Bhawan Palace, displaying personal artifacts of H.H. Maharaja of Jodhpur. Lunch is served at Hanwant Mahal Boutique Restaurant.
Return to Palace on Wheels train and depart by 3:30PM. Dinner is served on-board.
At 06:30 AM proceed to UNESCO world Heritage Site of Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary& enjoy cycle rickshaw ride to view many of 375 species of both local & migratory birds (from places like Sri-Lanka, Europe, Siberia, China and Tibet). Return to train for breakfast & depart by 08:45 AM.
Train drops you at Railway station on outskirts of Agra at 10:30 AM. The sightseeing tour starts with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Agra Fort, the seat of power of the once mighty Mughal Empire.
Lunch at ITC Mughal Hotel is followed by a visit to the majestic Taj Mahal, one of seven wonders of modern world & a flawless architectural wonder built in white marble. Afterwards, guests have some time free for shopping.
Then return to train for onboard dinner & depart.
The Palace on Wheels train returns to Delhi’s Safdarjung Railway Station by 05:30AM. Check-out by 07:15 AM after early breakfast.
Journey to India.......once is not enough!!!!
BANKING AND CURRENCY
Currency
The Indian Rupee is the official currency of the Republic of India. The modern Indian Rupee is subdivided into 100 paise (singular paisa). Banknotes in circulation come in denominations of INR 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 2000. Please note that as of November 2016, the older 500 and 1000 INR note are no longer valid legal tender and only new ₹500 notes will be accepted.
The latest Indian Rupee coins are available in denominations of INR 1, 2, 5, 10.
The import and export of local currency is prohibited. The import of foreign currency is unlimited. However, amounts exceeding US$5,000 or equivalent in cash, or US$10,000 or equivalent in all forms of currency must be declared. The export of foreign currency is allowed up to the amount imported and declared.
Currency can be changed at banks, airports or authorised money changers. Many hotels also have facilities to change money but this is a more expensive option. It is illegal to exchange money through unauthorised money changers. US Dollars and Pounds Sterling are the easiest currencies to exchange.
Banking
Banking hours: Monday-Saturday 10h00-03h30 (Bank will be closed on second and forth Saturday).
Strictly speaking, you can neither import nor export Indian currency, but you can get some at the airport straight away to at least get you transport to your accommodation. There are Authorized Foreign Exchange dealers in most big cities, and banks will also change your currency at a fair rate if you have time for the paperwork.
A good way of getting your travellers currency is via an ATM but beware of hidden bank charges, both from the bank providing the ATM and the card-issuing bank - you also do not know what exchange rate you are getting.ATMs are found in most towns and are recommended for cash withdrawals.
Visa, MasterCard and American Express are usually accepted in tourist hotels and many other shops. Debit cards are also widely accepted.
Travellers cheques are widely accepted and may be changed at banks and larger hotels. The most widely accepted currencies include US Dollars and Pounds Sterling. Some banks may refuse to change certain brands of traveller's cheques whilst others may exchange quite happily.
TRAVEL, TRANSPORT AND GETTING AROUND
India is big and there are lots of interesting ways to travel around it, most of which could not very well be described as efficient or punctual. Allow considerable buffer time for any journey with a fixed deadline (eg. your flight back), and try to remember that getting there should be half the fun.
India's large size and uncertain roads make flying a viable option, especially as prices have tumbled in the last few years. Even India's offshore islands and remote mountain states are served by flights, the main exceptions being Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh (although crossing over from neighbouring states is fairly easy). Due to the aviation boom over the last few years, airports have not been able to keep up with the air traffic. Most Indian airports continue to function with one runway and a handful of boarding gates. Check in and security queues can be terribly long, especially in Delhi and Mumbai.
Railways were introduced in India in 1853, more than one and half a centuries ago, by the British, and today India boasts of the biggest network of railway lines in the world, and the rail system is very efficient, if not always on schedule. Travelling on Indian Railways gives you the opportunity to discover the Indian landscape and scenic beauty first hand and is generally more economical than flying domestic. It is one of the safest ways of travel in India. With classes ranging from luxurious to regular, it's the best way to get to know the country and its people. Most train passengers will be curious about you and happy to pass the time with a chat.
In central locations of big cities like airports or stations reliable pre-paid taxis are available and will save you money as well as the bargaining hassle. However beware of touts who would claim themselves to be running pre-paid taxis. Always collect the receipt from the counter first. The receipt has two parts - one part is for your reference and the other part you will need to handover to the taxi driver only after you reach your desired destination. The taxi driver will get his payment by submitting or producing this other part to the pre-paid taxi counter. Normal taxis running by meter are usually more common. In many non Metro Cities (or even in Metros depending on time) taxies or autos may ply without the usual meter.
While you can't take a cross-country bus-ride across India, buses are the second most popular way of travelling across states and the only cheap way of reaching many places not on the rail network (eg. Dharamsala).
FOOD, DRINK AND CUISINE ADVICE
Water for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should first be boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is often unpasteurised and should be boiled. Avoid dairy products likely to have been made from non-boiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Do not eat salads, vegetables should be cooked and peel your own fruit. Don’t eat street vendor food unless it is piping hot. Tap water is not safe to drink, rely on bottled water which is widely available. However, do check the seal on bottled water.
Indian food is world-renowned for its tantalising flavours, spiciness and enormous variety. Curries are created from the subtle and delicate blending of spices such as cumin, turmeric, cardamom, ginger, coriander, nutmeg and poppy seed although these vary from region to region and every spice has medicinal properties and use.
Vegetable dishes are more common than in Europe, particularly in the fruity, coconutty dishes of southern India, while northern India has an entirely different but equally satisfying cuisine to sample. Breads like paranthas, chapatis, naans and rotis are also part of the main diet in several states like Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Achars (pickles), relishes and chutneys again vary by region and add more resonance to amazing meals.
Sweets or mithai too have regional specialities. They tend to be milk based and some are syrupy and fried. Well-known northern sweets are gulab jamun, jalebi (it’s worth watching how these syprup-based confections are made in the street), kulfi, kheer, halwa and laddu. From the east are rasgulla and rasmalai. The south has several burfi and halwa-type desserts like coconut burfi and badam halwa made from almonds.
While care should be taken in where one eats, exceptional food can be had in the most humble surroundings such as food at ashrams as can be found in 5-star restaurants. Non-vegetarians will find fabulously spiced mutton dishes according to regional specialities including fish dishes typical to coastal areas.
10 to 15% is usual in restaurants that impose no service fee; optional where service fee is added to bill.
CLIMATE AND WEATHER
The weather is mainly hot most of the year with significant variations from region to region. The coolest weather lasts from around the end of November to the beginning of March, with fresh mornings and evenings, and mostly sunny days. The really hot weather, when it is dry, dusty and unpleasant, is between March and June. Monsoon rains occur in most regions in summer anywhere between June and early October.
CLOTHING AND DRESS RECOMMENDATIONS
Male or female, one rule covers all visitors to India: don't leave the house with your arms or legs bare. You'll naturally get attention as a foreigner, as full-on staring is common and accepted on Indian streets, but you'll suffer far less negative attention if you remain covered up. For most locations and seasons in India, thin, loose linen or cotton pants and button-down shirts will keep you comfortable in hot, humid weather and help you blend in. While you may see Indian young adults sporting tight jeans and fitted brand-name tops, you'd stand out significantly more in the same outfit. If you visit anywhere in northern India - not just the mountains, Delhi too - during the winter, prepare for seriously cold weather. Bring jeans and heavy shirts and pick up an Indian wool wrap.
What you can get away with at an Indian beach depends entirely on which beach you visit. In the state of Goa, a popular beach and club getaway destination, locals are accustomed to seeing tourists in bikinis on the beach and Indian men often sport Speedos. But skimpy clothes need to stay on the beach. Don't walk around town or your hotel in nothing but a bikini and sarong. In less Western-frequented beach destinations, such as the beaches around Bombay, Alibag and Chowpatty, or anywhere in the south, hit the beach in light pants and a tunic.
When visiting temples and other religious sites on your own or part of a tour, be on the lookout for signs advising visitors to dress in a specific way to enter the temple. The government of India advises that some religious institutions require visitors to cover their heads or remove their shoes, and covering your legs and arms in respect goes without saying. Certain sites may carry more specific requirements, such as donning a certain colored sash or sarong-like covering. Take your cue from other visitors exiting the site.
ELECTRICITY AND PLUG STANDARDS
For the most part, electrical sockets (outlets) in India are the "Type D" 5 amp BS-546 sockets. This is actually an old British standard. The "Type D" Indian plug and socket is not to be confused with the "Type M" South African plug and socket. In pictures, they look very similar, but the South African type is much larger than the Indian type, and they are physically incompatible. If your appliance's plug doesn't match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in.
Electrical sockets (outlets) in India usually supply electricity at between 220 and 240 volts AC. If you're plugging in an appliance that was built for 220-240 volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need. If your appliances are not compatible with 220-240 volt electrical output, a voltage converter will be necessary.
