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Palace on Wheels – Relive the royal experience
Added: (Sat Oct 24 2009)
Rajasthan is India's largest state and one of the most fascinating and diverse too. The state boasts of hundreds of beautiful palaces, formidable forts, mythical monuments, shimmering lakes, bustling cities, sleepy hamlets and to top off all this, the Rajasthani people are impossibly hospitable. Such is Rajasthan! The state is too vast to experience its wonders fully in a small tour. Indeed, to savor the grandeur and beauty of the state to the fullest is not just possible in a lifetime, let alone with an itinerary of a few days! Yet, those who wish to explore can sample the best of Rajasthan in a limited time - with the help of royal Palace on Wheels.
The Palace on Wheels covers in its itinerary the crux of what royal Rajasthan has to offer. You'll visit Udaipur - the best city of the world - voted by Travel + Leisure magazine, the pink city Jaipur, the jewel of desert Jaisalmer, tiger reserve at Ranthambore, and culminate the experience at the city of emperors Agra where you'll visit world's seventh wonder - the splendid, spellbinding Taj Mahal. The luxury train puts the best elements that make any tour wonderful and memorable for a lifetime on a platter and tickles senses in more ways than one.
Relive the royalty
The idea of luxury train was inspired from the yesteryear’s maharajas, Nizam and other royalties, who would travel in their personalized trains in style with all splendor. The Palace on Wheels was started in 1982 jointly by Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation and Indian Railways. Since then, the original train has been converted to broad gauge and refurbished to offer contemporary comfort as well as traditional royal experience.
There are 14 passenger saloons which accommodate just 104 passengers. Two restaurant cars offer Indian and Continental specialties whipped up by the expert chefs with the freshest and finest ingredients. Each passenger car has 4 coupes with each having attached washrooms, built in wardrobes, channel music, carpet floors, ornate wood panels, DVD and TV and overhead and reading lights. There is a separate lounge area to while away your time with your beloved or simply soaking in the spectacular scenery that unfolds beyond the windows. Those who are health on their minds can workout at well-equipped gymnasium. The spa offers indulgent Ayurvedic massages and steam bath.
The journey
Life outside is as amazing as life onboard the Palace on Wheels. The Palace on Wheels traverses India’s heartland Delhi, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh covering best of these states. Be mesmerized to see Palace of Winds, Amber Fort, City Palace Complex at Jaipur, Fortresses and havelis at Jaisalmer, Birdlife and exotic wildlife at Bharatpur and Ranthambore, relics of a gallantry era at Chittorgarh, and magical city and Lake Palace at Udaipur, sleepy sand dunes at Jaisalmer, stately Umaid Bhavan at Jodhpur, as well as majestic Taj Mahal at Agra. Every sight will surely etch in your memory for a lifetime. Step in aboard and be transported!