Day 1 – Board the Royal Palace on Wheels

Sunday: Join us on a group sightseeing tour of Delhi via air-conditioned coach beginning at 9:00 a.m.* You may visit sights such as Humayun’s Tomb and the impressive Qutub Minar built by Qutub-ud-Din Aibek in 1199 from sandstone and marble. Drive past India Gate (War Memorial Arch), the President’s House and Parliament House. Enjoy visits to Birla Temple and Bangla Sahib Gurdwara, the largest Sikh house of worship in Delhi. Later you are dropped off at Safdarjang train station around 4:30 this afternoon to embark on the journey of a lifetime… a week-long luxury cruise through India on board the Royal Palace on Wheels. Settle in to your sumptuous cabin and later, enjoy dinner on board as the train whistles off into the night.

*Please check with us for departing locations for the Delhi sightseeing tour

Day 2 – Explore the history of the Rajputana Empire in Jodhpur

Monday: Your first stop is Jodhpur, 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. You may admire the grand palaces that lie within, including Moti Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sileh Khana and Daulat Khana, before continuing onwards to Jaswant Thada, a group of royal cenotaphs made of white marble, and the impressive Umaid Bhawan Palace. After lunch, return to the train. While in Jodhpur, you may shop for exquisite handcrafted articles including the famous breeches, embroidered shoes, metal curios, silverware, paintings and tie dyed fabrics.

Day 3 – Beauty and romance are in the air in Udaipur

Day 4 – Discover Ranthambore National Park and Jaipur, the “Pink City”

Wednesday: One can almost sense a life of the wilderness as the train arrives early this morning in Sawai Madhopur, a city named after its founder Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I. Visit the Ranthambore National Park, a wildlife sanctuary that 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 also home to more than 300 species of birds. The tiger, hyena, ratel, jackal and fox are among those constituting the carnivorous population here. Pay a visit to the Amareshwar Mahadeo Temple en route to the imposing Ranthambore Fort to catch a glimpse of the history of Rajasthan. Return to the train and depart for Jaipur, where you have the opportunity to watch the colorful countryside passing by in the daylight.

You are welcomed to Jaipur by caparisoned elephants and the sweet music of the auspicious ‘Shehnai’. This capital city of Rajasthan, popularly known as the Pink City, was founded by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1727 A.D. To explore the city, an air-conditioned coach takes you to Hawa Mahal, also known as the Palace of Winds, which is a remarkable five storied building along the main street of the old city in pink splendor with semi-octagonal and delicate honeycombed sandstone windows. This is followed by a visit to Amber Fort, eight kms. away, where elephant rides add to the ambiance. Later, you may enjoy shopping for Jaipur’s famous jewelry, handicrafts, carpets, blue pottery and textiles. After lunch at a 5-star 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 Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Enjoy dinner accompanied by a cultural performance and return to the train later this evening.

Day 5 – Explore the magnificent temples of Khajuraho

Thursday: Arrive this morning in Khajuraho, a city which exudes passion, eroticism, dance, and other forms of creative arts depicted in the sculpture and images of its temples. These 9th to 12th century temples illustrate the magnificent architecture during the times of the Chandela dynasty. The 85 temples were built in North Indian “Nagara” style, though only 20 of them have survived the harsh weather conditions over time. Return to the train this evening and travel even further back in time to Varanasi.

Day 6 – The holy city of Varanasi

Friday: Awaken in the holy city of Varanasi, whose history dates back over 3,000 years. Temples can be found at every few paces, including the Jyotirlinga Visvanatha Temple, or Golden Temple which was rebuilt in 1776 and dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Jnana Vapi Well, meaning “well of wisdom” is believed to have been dug by Lord Shiva himself. The Ganga Ghats (river front) are the most popular pilgrimage spot in Varanasi and are centers of music and learning. The holy city has been a symbol of spirituality, philosphy and mysticism for thousands of years and has produced great saints and personalities like Guatama Buddha, Mahavira, Kabir, Tulsi Das, Shankaracharaya, Ramanuja and Patanjali. Today’s sightseeing tour includes visits to the Ganga Ghats, Maha Aarti, Buddhist temples at Sarnath and more. Return to the train and prepare for tomorrow’s journey further into Uttar Pradesh to visit the breathtaking Taj Mahal.

Day 7 – Visit Agra, home of the Taj Mahal

Saturday: Agra is one of the world’s prominent tourist destinations, boasting three impressive heritage monuments. Explore the abandoned Mughal palatial complex of Fatehpur Sikri, followed by a visit to the Red Fort. Enjoy lunch at a five-star hotel and later, explore the Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world. This pristine monument of undying love was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal. You also have an opportunity for shopping, as Agra is known for its splendid marble inlay work like the Pietra Dura work on the Taj, leather goods and jewelry. Dinner is served on board as the train makes its final departure for Delhi.

Day 8 – Your journey ends in Delhi

Sunday: After a good night’s sleep, arrive at Safdarjang Railway Station and let the pleasant memories of the past week linger on your mind for a long, long time. Enjoy breakfast on board and disembark the train by 7:30 a.m.