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Day-1
: Wednesday
Reporting Time 16.00 hrs. Dep. 18.30 hrs.
The journey of a lifetime begins at the Delhi
Cantonment station 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-2
Thursday Arrival
02.00 hrs. Departure 19.30 hrs
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.
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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-3 : Friday
Arrival 08.15 hrs. Departure 23.00 hrs.
In the heart of the Thar Desert lies Jaisalmer Tour,
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 Tour.
The train leaves for Jodhpur Tour at night.
Day-4
: Saturday Arrival
07.00 hrs. Departure15.30 hrs
Next morning the Palace on wheels is in Jodhpur Tour,
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 Tour shop for the exquisite handcrafted
articles including the famous breeches, embroidered
shoes, metal curios, silverware, paintings and tie
and dye fabrics.
Day-5 : Sunday
Arrival 04.00 hrs. Departure 10.30 hrs
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.
Day-5
: Sunday
Arrival 16.00 hrs.
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. Moving legends of
honour and pride will echo in your mind as you
proceed to Udaipur Tour.
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Day-6
: Monday Departure
20.00 hrs. from Chittaurgarh
Arrive in Udaipur Tour, the Lake City. It was founded
by Maharana Udai Singh of Mewar, after the Sisodia
dynasty was driven away by the Mughals, in 1559A.D.
Perhaps the two most beautiful sites of Udaipur Tour
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 at Lake
Palace Hotel a visit to City Palace is exhilarating.
The luxury coach then takes you back to the Palace
on Wheels at Chittaurgarh, thus winding up a day full
of delights.
Day-7
: Tuesday Arrival
06.30hrs. Departure 11.45 hrs
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-7 : Tuesday
Arrival 14.30 hrs Departure 23.00 hrs
Arrive 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 Delhi Cantt. 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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