Palace on Wheels Train Journey

Palace on Wheels is now available for charter. The train of the Maharajas can now be rented wholly, although at Maharaja like prices all the same – INR 1.7-2.5 crores ($310,000-450,000). Trade experts have expressed different opinions on this move by IRCTC – while some have lauded the initiative, others have already dismissed it as a dud. As I started to put my thoughts to paper, I could think of a few scenarios when you just can’t help but board the Palace on Wheels.

Palace on Wheels: A Hot Favorite of Distinguished Guests

Chugging the course of erstwhile princely states in Rajasthan from last 30 years, Palace on Wheels has earned unprecedented popularity in the luxury train tour segment across the globe.

A joint initiative of Rajasthan Tourism and Development Corporation (RTDC) and the Indian Railways, Palace on Wheels embarked on its maiden voyage on 26th January, 1982.
Over the period of its inception, this Indian luxury train has won accolades from the travel connoisseurs and magazines.

Palace On Wheels Luxury Train

Not many people know that the popularity and refinement of this luxury tourist train has encouraged distinguished personalities from all around the world to travel on board. Mentioned below are the names of few distinguished personalities who have traveled aboard this Indian luxury train.
The first person in the list is none other than Bollywood’s Mr. Perfectionist Aamir Khan, who hopped on Palace on Wheels to travel from Udaipur to Jaisalmer on 11th February, 2012.

Palace On Wheels Bar

The royal couple of Bhutan- King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wang chuck and Queen Jetsun Pema- chartered a portion of Palace on Wheels train for honeymoon trip in Rajasthan. The train was equipped with a saloon comprised of a bedroom, dining car and a pantry along with few air conditioned bogies to accommodate security personnel’s and staff. The couples boarded this Indian luxury train on 23rd October, 2012.

If such distinguished personalities have chosen Palace on Wheels Train for travelling in Rajasthan, it can’t be without a reason. This Indian luxury train constitutes of 23 coaches including 14 guest saloons, two dining cars- Maharaja and Maharani, one onsite bar and a spa coach known as Royal Spa.

Royal Rajasthan on Wheels All Set For a New Season; Bookings Open

September 12, 2012. 1730 hrs. IRCTC and Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC)’s flagship luxury train, the Royal Rajasthan onWheels , is all set for a brand new season of luxury train travel. The train is the true epitome of luxury travel in India and hosts hundreds of guests in its elegant premises every season. Inaugurated in January, 2009; the train has since completed 3 seasons successfully. Royal Rajasthan on Wheels is widely regarded as the top 5 luxury trains in Asia and has been highly rated at international travel forums. The train has 13 deluxe coaches named after various Rajput palaces.

Royal Rajasthan On Wheels  Restaurants 

There are separate carriages for Spa and Wellness Centre (Gym), Restaurants and Lounge area. The 7 night, 8 day journey is well planned and allows for ample time to explore each of the 9 destinations the train travels to. Most destinations are erstwhile Rajput kingdoms, with the addition of Delhi, Agra, Khajuraho and Varanasi which, individually, are true cultural benchmarks in their own right.

The highlight of the journey is the trip to the majestic Taj mahal in the final leg of the journey. Tickets are available on a first come first serve basis and all additional information can be gathered from the Royal Rajasthan on Wheels website.

Palace on Wheels : Points to be Considered While Booking Your Journey

When it comes to luxury tour in Rajasthan, name of the Palace on Wheels stands foremost. One of the most revered luxury trains of the world, Palace on Wheels offer weeklong luxury train tour in Rajasthan. The all inclusive tariff of this luxury rail journey starts from US $390 per person per night. The itinerary of the train tour includes tours to Jaipur, Ranthambore, Chittaurgarh, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bharatpur and Agra.

Palace On Wheels Train

Palace on Wheels train tour is tastefully designed to offer a heady mix of heritage, royalty, wildlife and modernity to the guests. Tour to Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary, forts and palaces of erstwhile Rajputana and an array of World Heritage Sites ensures that the guests get a complete tour package with a peek into myriad hues of India’s past and present.

One of the reasons to choose this luxury train tour in Rajasthan is that Palace on Wheels tariff is all inclusive. This ensures that the guests get a complete package eliminating the hassles associated with touts and travel agencies. Train booking cost includes accommodation during the duration of the tour, dining, entrance fees at the monuments, transportation and porter charges. However any expenses of the personal nature on and off the train are not included in the tariff.

Palace on Wheels will commence its journey for this season beginning September 2012. The train departs every Wednesday from Safdarjung Railway Station in New Delhi.

Schedule for the season January 2012 to December 2012
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

Schedule for the season January 2013 to December 2013
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
August 2013	7, 14, 21, 28
October 2013	2, 9, 16, 23, 30
November 2013	6, 13, 20, 27
December 2013	4, 11, 18, 25

For details of train facilities, itinerary and destinations, you may like to visit the website of the Palace on Wheels.