PALACE ON WHEELS

Day-1 Wednesday

Tour Begins : 16.00 hrs.

New Delhi Join the tour group at Safdarjung Railway station, New Delhi 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.

Day-2 Thursday

Arrival 02.00 hrs. Departure 19.30 hrs

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.

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.

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.

Day-3 Friday

Arrival 08.15 hrs. Departure 23.00 hrs.

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.

Day-4 Saturday

Arrival 07.00 hrs. Departure15.30 hrs

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.

Day-5 Sunday

Arrival 04.00 hrs. Departure 10.30 hrs

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

Day-5 Sunday

Arrival 16.00 hrs.

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.

Day-6 Monday

Departure 05:30 hrs. from Chittaurgarh for Udaipur

Udaipur
Arrive in Udaipur, the Lake City at 7:30 AM. 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 a visit to City Palace is exhilarating.
In the evening visit the crystal gallery. Later proceed to Bharatpur on board Palace on Wheels

Day-7  Tuesday

Arrival 06.30hrs.  Departure 11.45 hrs

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.

Day-7 Tuesday

Arrival 14.30 hrs Departure 23.00 hrs

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 Safdarjung Train Station, New Delhi 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.

Tariff for season 2007-2008 & 2008-2009 Per person per night*

October to March September & April Single Occupancy US $ 560 US $ 415 Double Occupancy US $ 419 US $ 322 Triple Occupancy US $ 340 US $ 260 1. Half fare for children of 5 years and above but less than 12 years. Children below 5 years are free. 2. Service Tax will be charged extra as applicable. 3. There will be a 10% surcharge levied on the tariff for the trips falling during Christmas (25th December) and New Year (1st January) 4. RTDC in consultation with Railways reserve the right to revise the tariff during any season. 5. Tariff is inclusive of cost of travel and accommodation, catering (morning tea, breakfast, lunch, evening tea and dinner), conducted sightseeing tours in deluxe coaches, entrance fee for monuments and palaces and cultural entertainment. Tariff does not include liquor, laundry, video cameras, and other items of personal nature. 6. No Charter can be booked during X-mas & New Year period. However, the charters booked during season 2007 - 08 in this period are honoured.

Reservation / Cancellation - Terms & Conditions Reservation (1) 50% of ticket value at the time of confirming the booking. (2) Remaining 50% of ticket value 60 days prior to departure. Cancellation (a) In case of FITs (1) 5% of ticket value 60 days prior to departure. (2) 20% of ticket value 30-59 days prior to departure. (3) 100% of ticket value between less than 30 days prior to departure. (b) In case of Group and Charter (1) 10% of ticket value 60 days prior to departure. (2) 100% of ticket value between 0 to 59 days prior to departure.

For booking and other details, contact:

Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation LTD.

Jaipur: Hotel Swagatam Campus, Near Railway Station, Jaipur-302006, Rajasthan (India) Tel.: +91-141- 2202586, 2203531,5114768/69 Fax: +91-141-2204065, 2201045 E-mail: rtdc@rtdc.in, cro@rtdc.in, cro@rajasthantourism.gov.in Website:http://www.rtdc.in,http://heritageonwheels.net.in  TIB.Railway: Tel.:+91-141-2200778/1364,2315714 TIB.Central Bus Stand Tel.: +91-141-2206720 Delhi: Rajasthan Tourist Office Ist Floor, Bikaner House, Pandara Road, New Delhi 110001 (India) Tel.: +91-11-23383837,23386069 Fax: +91-11-23382823 E-mail: delhi@rtdc.in, crodelhi@rajasthantourism.gov.in Exclusive Charter : Companies desirous of chartering the Palace on Wheels for their conference, workshops and other means are welcomed.