Indian Splendour

On arrival into Delhi you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free at leisure.

Meals Included: None
Overnight at:Leela Palace Delhi
Room Category: Grand Deluxe room

A full day city tours this morning will introduce you to Old Delhi. Drive pass Red Fort take an exhilarating bicycle rickshaw ride through the through Chandni Chowk – a hustling & bustling marketplace and a maze of narrow streets. Visits will be made to:

• Jama Masjid – an architectural extravaganza of Shah Jahan, with its vast marble domes and minarets. The largest mosque in India, this is a handsome structure that is still used today.
• Raj Ghat – where the Father of India, Mahatama Gandhi, was cremated in 1948

You will discover New Delhi, driving past India Gate, Parliament House, and the President’s House. Later visit the Humayun Tomb, this magnificent garden tomb is the first substantial example of Mughal architecture in India. It was built in 1565 A.D. nine years after the death of Humayun, by his senior widow Bega Begam. Inside the walled enclosure the most notable features are the garden squares (chaharbagh) with pathways water channels, centrally located well proportional mausoleum topped by double dome. If time permits, a visit will also be made to a Sikh Temple.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Overnight at: Leela Palace Delhi
Room Category: Grand Deluxe room

Early morning transfer to Delhi station to board Maharaja Express, traditional welcome and check in formalities. Welcome aboard the Maharajas’ Express.

Board the Maharaja Express and the train departs for Agra. On board brunch. On arrival in Agra, visit one of the Seven Wonders of the modern world – The Taj Mahal, often described as poetry in white marble. Later return to the train for dinner.

Meals Included: Lunch & Dinner onboard
Overnight at: Onboard Maharajas’ Express
Room Category: Deluxe Cabin

After a leisurely breakfast onboard visit the Agra Fort.

Return to the comfort of the train and continue your journey to Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambore).

On arrival into Sawai Madhopur, get ready for an exciting safari to the ‘Ranthambore National Park’. Originally the private hunting ground of the Maharajas of Jaipur, Ranthambore was declared a National Park in 1973. The Park is famous for its open sightings of tigers, sambar, chital, nilgai, chinkara, wild boar, sloth bear, hyena, jackal and leopard. The safari cannot be compared to that of Africa and you are indeed fortunate if you spot the elusive tiger or the shy leopard.

Proceed for an exciting game drive. The safari is carried out in open vehicles and the ride is quite bumpy. One must carry adequate warm clothes for winter months.
Later return to the train.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner onboard
Overnight at: Onboard Maharajas’ Express
Room Category: Deluxe Cabin

Jaipur, the capital, and the largest city of Rajasthan was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber in the 18th century. It is renowned for its magnificent palaces, forts, and temples, jewelry, and blue pottery.

After breakfast disembark to visit the Amber Fort. Later return to the train for lunch.

You may choose to participate in one of the optional tours. Enjoy spa facilities at a five-star hotel or proceed on a private shopping tour or visit the City Palace Museum.

This evening proceeds for dinner at an exclusive venue.  Following dinner, return to the station and board the train for your onward journey to Bikaner.

The remainder of the evening is at leisure.

Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch onboard, Dinner at an exclusive venue.
Overnight at: Onboard Maharajas’ Express
Room Category: Deluxe Cabin

Enjoy your journey through the countryside with breakfast on board.

Late morning at around 1000 hours, arrive into the desert citadel of Bikaner and relax on board or you may choose to embark on one of the optional tours. Visit the Lalgarh Palace Museum displaying some fascinating exhibits on the royal heritage of Bikaner or another intriguing optional is an excursion to the Karni Mata Temple in Deshnok, popularly known as the “Rat Temple”.

The temple complex has hundreds of rats swarming the courtyard, an integral part of the temple rituals and customs as they are considered very sacred.

Following your participation in any one of the optional tours, return to the train for lunch.

Following lunch, disembark and proceed on a visit to the Junagarh Fort, an unassailable fortress built in 1593 AD by Raja Rai Singh. While the fort is a formidable structure encircled by a moat, its real beauty lies inside. Be overwhelmed by the Diwan-i-Khas, Phool Mahal (Flower Palace), Hawa Mahal, Badal Mahal and Anup Mahal.

Later experience the royal pageantry as a convoy of camel carts accompanied by musicians takes you for a Sundowner in the Sand Dunes. Enjoy cocktails, savour traditional mouthwatering barbecue delicacies as you enjoy traditional folk arts like the Langaas and Kalbeliyas.

Later return to the comfort of your train by 2115 hours and embark on your onward journey to Jodhpur.

Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch onboard, evening barbeque on dunes
Overnight at: Onboard Maharajas’ Express
Room Category: Deluxe Cabin

This morning, the Maharajas’ Express, continues her journey into the stronghold of the Marwar region. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast on board. The morning is at leisure on board or you may participate in one of the optional tours. Embark on a village safari to the Bishnoi village or enjoy spa facilities at a 5-star hotel or Private Shopping Tour or Visit to Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum and Jaswant Thada.

Return to the train for lunch on-board.

Post lunch visit the magnificent Meherangarh Fort. Admire the intricate latticed windows, elaborately carved panels and elegantly curved porches followed by a walking tour of the Old Clock Tower Market.  As you reach the Market on Tuk Tuks, get a glimpse of the daily lifestyle of the residents, passing some of the oldest houses and havelis.

Enjoy an exclusive Cocktail evening with a wide array of sumptuous Marwar Culinary delights served at the Hanwant Mahal as you admire the cityscape with the Umaid Bhawan Palace forming the backdrop.

Return to the train and continue your journey to picturesque Udaipur.

Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch onboard, Cocktail dinner at Hanwant Mahal.
Overnight at: Onboard Maharajas’ Express
Room Category: Deluxe Cabin

This morning you will wake up in the picturesque region of Mewar, one of the most popular and royal states of the Rajputana. Admire the magnificent landscape of the Aravali Hills arriving into Udaipur – the City of Lakes.

Disembark the train at 1000 hours as you begin your visit with a boat ride on Lake Pichola. Following the boat ride, visit the City Palace, the largest palace complex in Rajasthan, with its scalloped arches, fretted balconies, and cupolas. Visit Mor Chowk and see its lavish mosaics of peacocks, Moti Mahal with beautiful mirror work.

Chini Mahal covered in ornamental tiles and the spectacular Zenana Mahal where-after visit The Crystal Gallery and the Darbar Hall with an audio guide. Feel like a king as you experience the hospitality at the Satkar Hall of Fateh Prakash Palace reminiscent of the ancient Mewar glory. Feast your taste buds over a spread of Indian cuisine.

Following lunch return to the train for a relaxed afternoon on board. Or you have the option of enjoying spa facilities at a five-star hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner onboard, Lunch in Satkar Hall of Fateh Prakash Palace
Overnight at: Onboard Maharajas’ Express
Room Category: Deluxe Cabin

Breakfast & Lunch on board, you will disembark at around 1540 hours at Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) in the financial capital city of Mumbai. Bid farewell to the Maharajas’ Express as your ‘The Indian Splendour’ journey comes to an end. The royal journey is over, but the memory of which, will live on forever!

You will be met at railway station and transferred to your hotel for 2 nights stay.

Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch onboard
Overnight at: Taj Mahal Palace & Tower Hotel
Room Category: Grand Luxury sea view

This morning enjoy and exclusive tour designed especially for you.

You will start with a historical walk through the colonial part of Mumbai, covering major landmarks such as the Gateway of India, Victoria Terminus, and the Royal Bombay Yacht Club.

Later you will be setup in a contemporary dance studio and in no time, we will have you shake a leg or more with them. Your personal Bollywood dance choreographer will take you through the basic steps – good enough to impress your friends back home.

This afternoon you will have the opportunity to enjoy the traditional Konkan thaali for lunch. (a variety of delicacies served in small bowls). The Konkan cuisine features amazing seafood and is known for its pepper crabs and coconut-based curries.

Late afternoon, after a good lunch you will take a walk through the famous Mumbai Spice Market. Your travel expert will point out the various spices and talk to you about them. You can not only buy the spices but can also get them dry roasted and ground into the mixture of your choice.

A perfect end to this is to be able to touch people’s lives. No better way than to spend time with local children and talk to them about your country. You will also participate in learning a skill or plying a game with them.

You will later return to your hotel to spend the evening.

Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at: Taj Mahal Palace & Tower Hotel
Room Category: Grand Luxury sea view

This morning transfer to Mumbai airport for your onward flight.

Meals Included: Breakfast