Something is amazing about travelling by Train, whether you travelling from one city to another, or on longer trips to another country. There is always so much to see and soak in while having a cup of tea or a glass of wine. India is a country with beautiful landscape features, impressive architecture, history, culture, and stunning beauty. So, if you are planning a train ride within India, there is so much in store for you to see. The Palace on Wheels is the ideal way to experience India’s Beauty.

What Exactly is Palace on Wheels ?

For those of you who do not know what Palace on Wheels is – It’s a luxury train. It is a collaborative effort by the Indian Railway and Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation in a bid to promote tourism in Rajasthan. It was first launched 37 years ago but was refurbished in 2009 with new itinerary, cuisine, and decor. The concept of Place on Wheels was inspired by the royal background of the coaches, which were designed specifically for the rulers of Rajputana, the Nizam of Hyderabad, Baroda, and the Viceroy of British India.

Also Read: When Was Palace on Wheels Started?

Pre Palace on Wheels

While on vacation in India, there are hundreds of tourist sites to see before embarking on the eight days journey on the Palace on Wheels. There are numerous domestic tour packages available to you. All you need to do is plan your trip so that you can get the most out of it.

India is no doubt one of the most popular tourist destinations because it is rich in culture and history. The country still maintains most of its traditions that have been in practice for more than a thousand years. This is why many want to visit and have first hand experience.

If your holiday travel package already includes hotel and tour packages, then that is great! If not, you need to make plans for your accommodation throughout your stay in India. There are dozens of hotels at different price points and quality that you can choose from. Trust me, there is something for everyone.

Since you already plan to take a tour on the Palace on Wheels, you need to factor that into the eight-day trip. This depends on the number of days you are spending in India before the tour. But, most importantly, book at least 4 to 5 day prior and after the luxury train journey to accommodate unforeseen trip changes and delays.

While preparing for your trip, ensure that your travel documentation is in place. This includes your passports and train tickets, visa, travel insurance. It is important to keep them within reach so that you can present them at checks without any hassle. I recommend making copies of your travel documents as they may come in handy should you misplace the originals.

If you are not resident in India and not sure about the weather, I recommend you check the weather conditions of Rajasthan and pack clothes that are suitable for the season. If you are planning a winter adventure, then you need to keep warm clothes with you on the trip. I also recommend smart casual clothing and comfortable walking shoes for off-train excursions – train guests will be taken for cultural programmes, historical sites, temples and palaces, and lunch at five-star hotels.

Because the Palace on Wheels has limited storage space, I recommend you stick to the airline luggage standard.

In the next sections, I will walk you through what to expect on the Palace on Wheels.

Interior Decor

What I fancy the most about the interior of the Palace on Wheels is that each saloon is designed to highlight the culture of the state, with the use of handcrafts, furniture, furnishings and paintings.

Palace on Wheels Train Route

The journey departs from New Delhi on a eight day tour of Rajasthan’s highlights. The tour covers the various destinations such as Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bharatpur and Agra. Before boarding, tourists are treated with an appetizer – a tour of the Capital’s sights, including the popular Lotus Temple (which I have visited a couple of times) and the monumental India Gate. Once you get on board, you’ll spend your nights enjoying wine and delicious Indian dishes in the states Mughal history. One of the main advantages the Palace on Wheels offers is that you get to visit more beautiful tourist attractions than you normally would if you travel by regular train.

The Palace on Wheels route will first pass through Jaipur’s old city with elaborate temples and pink buildings overlooked by the popular Amber Fort. Amber was once the capital of princely Jaipur state, and the fort is where the Rajput leaders resided.

The next stop is Ranthambore National Park, where the tigers await you – followed by Udaipur serene water places, then the beautiful city Jodhpur in the Thar Desert – home to the Mehrangarh Fort, a former palace which is now a museum, displaying paintings, weapons, and elaborate royal sedan chairs. The fort overlooks the walled city. Expect to be enchanted by the city’s charm. The trip is not complete without a visit to the Taj Mahal.

Destinations Covered by Palace on Wheels

Accommodation

As I mentioned earlier, the interior of the coaches is designed to reflect the culture and tradition of old. In each coach, there are paintings hung on the wall, patterned ceilings and wall-wall carpets. The en suite bathrooms have hot and cold water running, with additional features such as channelled music and air-conditioning to ensure that you have a comfortable stay.  Each cabin has a personal attendant or Khidmatgar on standby – who you can communicate with via an intercom system. The attendant is there to help with anything including delivering your morning papers (complimentary). The rooms come in single and double occupancy.

About Palace on Wheels:

• Palace on Wheels train tariff
• Palace on Wheels departure dates
• General information of Palace on Wheels
• Palace on Wheels booking

Dining

The Palace on Wheels has two carriages onboard dedicated to two restaurants – the Maharajah and Maharani, with each one decked with wood panels with gold accents, deep red carpets and varnished timber. The skilled chefs on board serve up all kinds of delights from across the globe with a focus on Rajasthani cuisine. Savour the diverse tastes in the thali as you watch the desert rush past your window. The seating arrangement comes in twos and fours.

Back in your accommodation, you can request for simmering teas and cups of delicious chai teas along with bottles of mineral water.  In the day time, when you are out of the train exploring many beautiful sights, your dining experience will include having lunches in palaces.

Onboard Facilities

On arrival, you will be presented with everything from essential toiletries to embossed stationery, while porters are at your service taking care of your luggage. You will also be greeted by beautifully decorated elephants and colourful entertainers who are stationed to greet you. The train has lounge where you can grab a cold drink from the bar or mingle with other tourists over a board game. Hit the gym onboard where you can get a little cardio done.

Read More:

• What are the Facilities Provided onboard the Palace on Wheels Train?

Post Palace on Wheels

If you are up for it, there is still a lot to see and do in India after your Rajasthan tour. Now, it all boils down to your travel plans. If you spending a few more days after the Palace on Wheels experience, your vacation can continue as you visit other tourist locations in nearby towns. One of my favourite things to do is zip lining in Mehrangarh Fort. Hot air ballooning is also a fun spine-tingling activity that you can do in Rajasthan after the Palace on Wheels.

Palace on Wheels is an amazing experience for anyone visiting India for the first time, it offers the perfect introduction to the country’s culture, tradition, history, and landscape beauty.

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