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The Royal Orient
The Fairy Queen
Wildlife |
Royal
Orient Train
The Royal Orient is one of the
world's most exotic trains. It is a rare delight, an experience that will
take you back in time to the age of the Maharajas. The train takes you
through the two culturally fascinating states of Gujarat and Rajasthan.
A joint venture of the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat and the Indian
Railways, the Royal Orient promises you seven memorable days and nights.
Your experience on the Royal Orient will be unique and unforgettable; in a
luxurious setting with personalized service from liveried attendants. There
are thirteen coaches and saloons, inspired from the mighty kingdoms. The
train is fitted with all the modern conveniences you would expect in a first
class hotel. Air-conditioned ambience keeps the temperature down to 15
degrees. Every cabin is clean, comfortable and furnished tastefully. The
cabins have spacious baths attached to them, equipped with running hot and
cold water. There are multi-cuisine restaurants to tickle your taste buds,
as well as a bar- The Watering Hole with all your favourite drinks. There's
even a library on the Royal Orient if you are looking for a quiet laid back
time.
All in all, a magical journey that you will cherish for a lifetime.
Tour Itinerary of
Royal Orient Train-
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Day-1 Wednesday |
Reporting Time 16.00
hrs. Dep. 18.30 hrs. |
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New Delhi
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.
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Day-2 Thursday |
Arrival 02.00 hrs. Departure 19.30 hrs |
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Jaipur
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. |
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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. |
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Day-3 Friday |
Arrival 08.15 hrs.
Departure 23.00 hrs. |
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Jaisalmer
In the heart of the Thar Desert lies Jaisalmer, 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.
The train leaves for Jodhpur at night. |
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Day-4 Saturday |
Arrival 07.00 hrs. Departure15.30 hrs |
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Jodhpur
Next morning the Palace on wheels is in 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. 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 shop for the exquisite handcrafted articles
including the famous breeches, embroidered shoes, metal curios,
silverware, paintings and tie and dye fabrics.
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Day-5 Sunday |
Arrival 04.00 hrs.
Departure 10.30 hrs |
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Sawai
Madhopur
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. |
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Day-5 Sunday |
Arrival 16.00 hrs. |
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Chittaurgarh
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.
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Day-6 Monday |
Departure 20.00 hrs. from Chittaurgarh |
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Udaipur
The Luxury Coach will take you to Udaipur, the Lake City, the next
morning. 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 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.
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Day-7 Tuesday |
Arrival 06.30hrs. Departure 11.45 hrs |
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Bharatpur

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.
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Day-7 Tuesday |
Arrival 14.30 hrs Departure 23.00 hrs |
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Agra
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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