Palace on Wheels: Tips for Pre Journey Preparations

With only 1 month left for the commencement of Palace on Wheels first seasonal chug, it’s time for you to gear up for Rajasthan tour aboard this Indian luxury train. Although tourists might have already booked for the preferred journey date as per the schedule of Palace on Wheels given below, there are some aspects that must not be overlooked while travelling to a foreign land. Enlisted below are some tips that will facilitate you with a hassle free journey.

Palace On Wheels Train

Month	Departure Date
September 2012	5, 12, 19, 26
October 2012	3, 10, 17, 24, 31
November 2012	7 ,14 , 21, 28
December 2012	5 , 12, 19 ,26
January 2013	2 , 9,16 , 23 ,30
February 2013	6 , 13 , 20 ,27
March 2013	6 , 13 , 20 , 27
April 2013	3 , 10 , 17 , 24

Tourists enjoying the Dishtv Live TV entertainment at the Palace on Wheels

Guest Boards Place On Wheels

Palace on Wheels

Packing the clothes

If you are not an Indian resident, do check the weather conditions of Rajasthan and pack your clothes accordingly. During off train excursions, it is suggested to wear smart casual clothes and comfortable walking shoes because guests on board Palace on Wheels are taken for lunch at five star hotels and cultural programs. If you have opted for winter departure, do make sure to keep warm clothes in your luggage.

Gather all the required travel Documents

While gearing up for travel especially to a foreign country, one needs to make sure that all your travel documents are in place. Keep all your necessary documents in a file such as passport, visa, insurance, air and train ticket so that they won’t jumble up with the clothes and other accessories in your baggage. Attested photocopies of the original travel documents must be kept as they would help you in case the originals get lost.

Keep Limited Luggage with you

The cabins on board Palace on Wheels have quite less storage space; hence it is advised to carry as per the international airline rules. Also it is recommended that passengers should be carrying soft-topped luggage as they are easy to store.

Pre & Post Hotel Accommodation

In case there is delay in commencement or culmination of this luxury rail journey due to some unforeseen events, it is recommended to book one pre and post night accommodation in a hotel.

If all aforementioned are followed with scrutiny then a hassle free and enjoyable Rajasthan tour aboard Palace on Wheels is guaranteed.

Unearthing the Royal and Cultural Heritage of Rajasthan

Why Rajasthan tour aboard Palace on Wheels is a hit with national and international tourists alike? Home to several erstwhile royal lineages of Rajputana rulers, Rajasthan conjures up an eclectic mélange of resplendent fortresses, magnificent palaces, stunning temples, undulating sand dunes and colorful festivals on the canvas of mind. The tales of Rajput romance, valor, chivalry and patronage for art & architecture are still sung by bards and folk singers at different regions of this state.

Palace on Wheels Trains

Over the years, Rajasthan has earned a significant place on the tourist map of India owing to its royal and cultural heritage. Introduced with the joint initiative of Rajasthan Tourism and Development Corporation (RTDC) and Indian Railways, Palace on Wheels endeavors to bring you face to face with the glorious legacy of this Rajputana state in a luxurious manner.

Beginning from Safdarjung Railway Station in New Delhi, Palace on Wheels traverses the course of erstwhile princely states in Rajasthan along with a halt in Agra. The destinations of Rajasthan covered by this Indian luxury train include Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Bharatpur.

Each destination of this Rajputana state traversed by this luxury tourist train brings to fore several forts and palaces which form an intrinsic part of its royal heritage. Just a stroll through the history laden corridors of these stunning edifices will acquaint you with the account of immense splendor with which their inheritors were blessed. The major attractions of Palace on wheels train tour include City Palace, Amber Fort, Jantar Mantar, Lake Palace, Jag Mandir, Chittorgarh Fort, Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada and Umaid Bhawan Palace.

Talking about cultural interactions during Palace on Wheels tour, Jaisalmer will satisfy you the most. The ambience of Sam sand dunes is capable enough to keep anyone spellbind and enable close encounters with natural benediction on India.

A camel safari through rippling sand dunes of Rajasthan will enable you enjoy the shimmering beauty of golden sands and tryst with local villagers to know their lifestyle and unique culture. The breathtaking performances of Kalbeliya tribe in Sam sand dunes over sundowner cocktails and barbecue dinner build up the crescendo of the day.

Palace on Wheel Restaurant

Also included in the tour itinerary is the son-et-lumiere in the environs of Chittorgarh fort that unfold several historical accounts that took place in the premises of this magnificent edifice. Most of the natives of Rajasthan earn their livelihood with the local art and crafts which has come to them in the form of ancestral legacy.

The heritage tour aboard Palace on Wheels will allow you to visit local markets of Jaipur, Jaisalmer and Jodhpur for purchasing handicrafts and souvenir items. To say that the weeklong Rajasthan tour aboard Palace on Wheels is an absolute cultural illumination for the guests will not be an exaggeration.

Cultural Highlights on board Palace on Wheels

"Culture binds human beings with their roots”. Rajasthan is one such state where culture is not just a legacy passed on from one generation to another but a way of living life. The fairs and festivals in this state are celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm. Being a part of these fairs and festivals gives you ample opportunities for unique cultural interactions. But how about a Rajasthan tour where every day brings to fore a vibrant cultural panorama set with folk dance and musical performances? The seven day long voyage aboard India’s first luxury train-Palace on Wheels- can be rightly termed as cultural illumination and indescribable merriment.

The colorful life and rich heritage of this land are all captured by the cultural folk performances that took place at every halt of Palace on Wheels Itinerary. Vibrant, vigorous and graceful, the folk dance performances are found in infinite variations in Rajasthan. These dances have been designed to express different emotions of human being.

Each region of Rajasthan has its own dynamic folk dance forms which involve flaunting dynamic and graceful body movements, will surely bound you to tap a foot along with the dancers. The colorful costumes worn by the dancers transform monochromatic hues of this land into colors of life. Browse through the brief description of folk dance performances that are organized during the course of this weeklong royal sojourn onboard Palace on Wheels.

Kachhi Ghodi

Originated from the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, Kachhi Godhi make dancers wear elaborate dresses with dummy horses. This energetic dance form includes mock fights, sword show off and graceful movements to the rhythmic beats of pipes and drums.

Kachhi Ghodi Dance

Kachhi Ghodi Dance of Rajasthan

The dance is mainly performed for the merriment of bridegroom party. Shekhawati region where Kachhi Godhi is performed is situated in close proximity to Jaisalmer where Palace on Wheels halts on 5^th day.

Ghoomar Dance

Performed by Rajput women’s on auspicious occasions, Ghoomar is marked by simple yet graceful swaying movements. The dance form was developed by Bhil tribe and was later adopted by Rajput ladies. 

Ghoomar Dance

Ghoomar Dance of Rajasthan

The vista created at the time of dance is quite scenic as the skirts of women twirls when they move in circles with their faces covered with mask. At many places in Rajasthan, Ghoomar is also performed as a ritual after being welcomed into groom’s house.  

Chari Dance

In Chari, dancer’s balance a brass pot (Chari) filled with ignited cotton seeds on their heads. The dancers perform several graceful and swaying movements in such a state. 

Chari Dance of Rajasthan

Chari Dance

It is really amazing to see effortless and graceful moves of the dancers without any fear of possible danger of getting burned. The dance form is mainly popular in Marwar (Jodhpur) region of Rajasthan where Palace on Wheels halts on the 6^th day.

Kalbeliya Dance

It is one of the major folk dance forms in Rajasthan performed by the Kalbeliya tribe. The dancers are dressed with long black skirts adorned with silver ribbons. They move into circles with amazing suppleness and immense energy on the glowing cinders, which is truly a breathtaking sight to behold. Guests on board Palace on Wheels get to savor the performance of Kalbeliya tribe after a camel safari in Sam sand dunes over sundowner cocktails and barbecue dinner.

Kalbeliya Dance

Kalbeliya Dance of Rajasthan

All in all, Palace on Wheels not just acquaints you with the bygone heritage of Rajputana rulers but also delight your hearts with cultural programs where vigorous dance and music performances brought the shades of merriment to this monochromatic land. 

Fire Dance

By far the most difficult Rajasthani folk dance to perform, Fire Dance is a devout dance performance carried out by the Jasnathi community of Bikaner and Churu. 

Fire Danace

Fire Danace in Rajasthan

The deadly dance performance involves breathtaking fire stunts wherein dancers hold fire rod in their hands, fill up their mouth with kerosene and perform on a large bed of blazing charcoal.

Palace on Wheels: Day Wise Tour Details

Palace on Wheels, the name that suddenly create a picture of luxury, romance, grandness and opulence before our eyes, is rightly been called the king of luxury train travelling in India. This Indian luxury train is the beautiful replication of the royal carriages used by the Maharajas and Nizams of the bygone era.

Palace on Wheels Train

Taking the travelers in a bewitching journey of 8 days and 7 nights, the royal Indian train crisscrosses through some of the beguiling places in northern and north-western India that includes Delhi, Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bharatpur and Agra. Each new day in the journey comes with platters of surprises for the guests as the train reaches a new destination with the dawn of every new day. The Palace on Wheels off train excursion tours are tailored in a way to present before the travelers different hues and shades of Indian culture, history and landscape in the most exclusive manner.

 Day 1: Delhi • As every aspect is grand and opulent about Palace on Wheels, so the welcome ceremony is also not an exception to that. A traditional Indian welcome ceremony in the Safdarjung Railway Station Delhi marks a fabulous beginning of your weeklong tour to Rajasthan.

Qutub Minar, Delhi

• After the check-in formalities, the guests are escorted to their respective carriages by the train staff. • Enjoy a tempting dinner and a royal sleep onboard Palace on Wheels, while the train will keep on moving towards its next destination, Jaipur.

Day 2: Jaipur • At the start of early morning, the train reaches Jaipur. Enjoy a refreshing breakfast onboard and witness a grand Rajasthani style garlanding ceremony at the Jaipur railway station as you disembark the train for your off-train tours. • At afternoon, reach the Amber Fort, for a tantalizing lunch and after that explore the fort with the experienced guide of the train.

Amber Fort, Jaipur

• The evening will be studded with a tour to the local markets and a grand dinner at the Jai Mahal Palace Hotel.

 Day 3: Sawai Madhopur/Chittorgarh • The third day morning will begin with thrilling surprises for the guests as they embark on a jungle safari in Ranthambore National Park after reaching Sawai Madhopur. • After returning from the safari, the train will move towards Chittorgarh and will reach the place by the evening.

Royal Tigers, Sawai Madhopur

• Enjoy the evening with an excursion tour to Chittorgarh Fort and savor tea and other refreshments in the fort cafeteria accompanied by a beautiful light and sound show.

Day 4: Udaipur • The fourth day of the train journey is a special surprise for the love birds as on this day the train will reach the city of lakes Udaipur. Soaked in romance and beauty, a tour to Udaipur in the morning will add the pinch of romanticism in your entire jaunt.

Lake Palace, Udaipur

• By the afternoon, you will be taken to a heritage hotel of the city where to savor a grand lunch. • The evening at Udaipur will be made more mesmerizing with a boat ride in the lake Pichola.

Day 5: Jaisalmer • Jaisalmer is said to be the soul of the rustic Rajasthan. Reach the city at morning and set off to an explorative tour to Jaisalmer.

Gadi Sagar Lake, Jaisalmer

 • Savor a camel ride in Jaisalmer at the evening along with tea and refreshments in the sand dunes.
 • As the sun hides itself behind the starry sky, you will be entertained with a cultural program performed by the local artists of the place. Enjoy a dinner under the night sky and return back to the train after that for your onward journey to Jodhpur.

Day 6: Jodhpur • Another gem of Rajasthan, Jodhpur is dotted with giant forts and palaces. After having a rejuvenating breakfast onboard, set off for an off-train tour to Udaipur

Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur

• At afternoon, a lunch at the deluxe resort make you savor some of the best Rajasthani dishes in a royal manner • At night, enjoy a grand dinner onboard Palace on Wheels.

Day 7: Bharatpur/Agra • For the bird watchers, this morning is a fabulous surprise as you will be taken to the Ghana National Park at Bharatpur for an early morning bird viewing.

Taj Mahal, Agra

• Late morning, arrive at Agra, the city of majestic Taj Mahal. Embark on a sightseeing tour to the city and after lunch, explore the beauty of Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. • Evening at Agra is adorned with a roam to the city market and then a light and sound show. At night, return to the royal train Palace on Wheels for an onward journey back Delhi.

Day 8: Delhi • Early morning, the Palace on Wheels will reach at the Safdarjung Railway Station, Delhi.
                       • Enjoy a breakfast onboard the royal luxury train followed by a check out and farewell formality.