Royal Rajasthan on Wheels Train Tour

The train pulls into Jodhpur Railway Station at 9:15 AM. After a hearty breakfast on board, guests board air-conditioned coaches for a guided tour of this magnificent blue city. The highlight is the awe-inspiring Mehrangarh Fort : a 16th-century hilltop citadel built by the Rathore Rajputs : featuring massive gateways, intricate latticework, and a museum housing one of Rajasthan's finest collections of medieval weapons, royal palanquins and elephant howdahs. Nearby, the elegant Jaswant Thada cenotaphs, sculpted in gleaming white Makrana marble, offer a serene contrast. The afternoon brings a visit to the palatial Umaid Bhawan Palace : one of the world's largest private residences, part of which operates today as an award-winning luxury hotel and spa. Enjoy lunch at a premium 5-star hotel before returning to the station by 3:30 PM. Afternoon at leisure on board. Dinner served on the train as it journeys onward.

The train glides into Udaipur Railway Station at 7:00 AM, greeted by the gentle hues of a Rajasthani morning. After an early breakfast, coaches depart by 8:30 AM for the fabled City of Lakes. The stunning City Palace : the largest royal complex in Rajasthan, built by successive Sisodia rulers over the 16th and 17th centuries : commands breathtaking views over Lake Pichola. Its succession of marble courtyards, ornate balconies, and mirrored chambers is a masterclass in Rajput architecture. From the palace steps, board a leisurely boat ride on shimmering Lake Pichola, taking in the iconic views of the floating Lake Palace Hotel, a former royal summer residence seemingly suspended on the water's surface. Lunch is served at a 5-star hotel. Return to the train by 2:15 PM and depart towards the next destination.

Rise before dawn : at 6:00 AM, guests board 15-seater open Canter trailers from Sawai Madhopur Railway Station for an exhilarating 2.5-hour wildlife safari through the legendary Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve. Once the exclusive hunting grounds of the Jaipur royal family, these ancient forests are today one of India's premier Project Tiger sanctuaries. Expert naturalist guides lead the safari through diverse terrain : lakeshores, grasslands and dense dry deciduous forest : in search of the Bengal Tiger. The reserve is also home to leopards, sloth bears, striped hyenas, wild boars, sambar deer, nilgai, Indian pythons, marsh crocodiles, and over 300 species of birds. The thrill of spotting a tiger in the wild against the backdrop of the 10th-century Ranthambhore Fort (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) is an experience unlike any other. Return to the train by 9:15 AM for a well-earned breakfast on board. The train departs for Jaipur.

The train arrives at Jaipur Railway Station at 11:30 AM. Coaches depart for the spectacular Amber Fort Palace : the formidable 16th-century hill fortress that served as the capital of the Jaipur royalty before the new city was built. The highlight here is the much-loved elephant ride up the cobbled ramp to the fort's main gateway, followed by a guided tour of the intricately mirrored Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors) and the Diwan-e-Aam and Diwan-e-Khas audience halls. After lunch in a boutique heritage restaurant within the fort complex, coaches drive into Jaipur's Pink City to visit the fascinating Jantar Mantar Observatory : an 18th-century astronomical marvel and UNESCO World Heritage Site : and the magnificent City Palace with its royal museums. Guests return to the train for a brief rest and change before heading out at 7:30 PM for an exclusive Rajasthani cultural performance featuring folk dancers, musicians and puppeteers, followed by a gala dinner at a 5-star hotel. Back on board by 9:30 PM; the train departs for Khajuraho.

The train reaches Khajuraho Railway Station at approximately 10:00 AM. The Khajuraho Group of Monuments : a UNESCO World Heritage Site : is one of India's most extraordinary artistic achievements. Built over nearly 200 years between the 10th and 12th centuries by the Chandela dynasty rulers, this vast temple complex once comprised 85 temples, of which 25 survive today in varying states of preservation. The temples are celebrated worldwide for their remarkably detailed stone sculptures depicting celestial beings, mythological narratives, courtly life and : most famously : scenes of love and sensuality that are considered an artistic expression of the Kama Shastra philosophical tradition. The morning is devoted to exploring the Western Group of Temples, including the magnificent Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, the largest and most ornate of the complex. The afternoon visit covers the Southern Group of Temples. Lunch is at a 5-star hotel. Return to the train by 5:00 PM; depart for Varanasi.

Arrive Varanasi Railway Station before sunrise. At 6:00 AM, coaches proceed directly to the ancient Ghats of the River Ganges, where guests board wooden rowboats for a deeply moving early-morning boat ride along the sacred waterfront. Witness the timeless ritual of Hindu pilgrims performing their morning ablutions, the chanting of priests, and columns of incense smoke rising against the Varanasi skyline : a scene that has been unchanged for millennia. Return to the train by 9:00 AM for breakfast. At 10:00 AM, depart again for Sarnath, located just 10 km away : the place where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon (the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta) to his five disciples more than 2,500 years ago. Visit the Dhamek Stupa, the Sarnath Archaeological Museum and the beautiful deer park. Lunch at a 5-star hotel in Varanasi. Return to the train by 2:30 PM for rest. In the early evening, venture into the bustling lanes of old Varanasi to explore local silk emporiums, spice markets and ancient temples. Return to the Ghats at dusk to witness the spectacular Ganga Aarti ceremony : a hypnotic ritual of fire, incense, flowers and chanting. Back on board by 8:00 PM. Dinner on board; train departs for Agra.

The train arrives at Agra Cantonment Railway Station at approximately 10:00 AM. Coaches depart for a full-day tour of the imperial Mughal capital. Begin with Agra Fort : a UNESCO World Heritage Site : a vast red sandstone citadel that served as the primary residence of Mughal emperors for over 150 years. Its palaces, audience halls and the poignant Musamman Burj tower (from which the imprisoned Emperor Shah Jahan is said to have gazed at the Taj Mahal until his death) bring Mughal history vividly to life. After lunch at a 5-star hotel, proceed to the most anticipated destination of the entire journey : the Taj Mahal. One of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this sublime monument of white Makrana marble was commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1632 as an eternal tribute to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. The afternoon light transforms the Taj through constantly shifting hues of ivory, gold and rose. Time is allowed for photography and personal exploration of the complex. In the evening, return to Agra Fort for a dramatic Sound & Light Show that narrates 400 years of Mughal history through music and illumination. Back on board the train by 8:00 PM. Dinner is served as the train departs for Delhi.

The Royal Rajasthan on Wheels completes its royal circuit, pulling into Safderjung Railway Station, New Delhi in the early hours. An early breakfast is served on board before check-out begins at 7:00 AM. Bid a fond farewell to your attentive saloon staff and the Train Tour Manager who has ensured a seamless journey throughout. Departure transfers can be arranged on request. We hope the memories made aboard this royal journey remain with you forever.

NOTE: The Train Tour Manager reserves the right to amend the day-to-day tour programme at short notice to suit local logistics, weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances, while ensuring the best possible experience for all guests.