(Sunday) Mumbai Board Maharaja Express – The Heritage of India: Mumbai – Udaipur

Welcome aboard the Maharajas’ Express.

This morning, assemble at 0800 hours at The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Mumbai and complete your registration and check in formalities. Join us for a tour brief and meet your facilitators during this exciting journey.

Proceed to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaja Terminus where upon arrival, you will be greeted with a welcome drink and the Police Band playing as you board the Maharajas’ Express.The Maharajas’ Express departs Mumbai at 1055 hours approximately and travels through the land of the Marathas to Udaipur.

Lunch and Dinner on-board.

Overnight on the Maharajas’ Express.

Lunch and Dinner on-board.

Overnight Stay in Maharajas Express Train – The Heritage of India

(Monday) Udaipur, Rajasthan

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 over a leisurely breakfast as you arrive into Udaipur – the City of Lakes.

Disembark the train at 0930 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. Visit The Crystal Gallery and the Darbar Hall with an audio guide.

Proceed for lunch at around 1300 hrs at the Satkar Hall of Fateh Prakash Palace and experience the hospitality reminiscent of the ancient Mewar glory. Feast your taste buds over a spread of International and Indian cuisine.

Return to the train after lunch. Have a relaxed evening on-board or you have the option of enjoying spa facilities in a five star hotel.

Maharajas’ Express proceeds overnight to Jodhpur.

Please contact the Guest Relations Executive for the optional activities

Breakfast and Dinner on-board; Lunch at Satkar Hall of Fateh Prakash Palace

Overnight Stay in Maharajas Express Train – The Heritage of India

(Tuesday) Jodhpur, Rajasthan

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 to the Bishnoi villages to experience rural India or enjoy spa facilities at a 5 star hotel or Visit to Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum and Jaswant Thada or explore the city in your private car with guide.

Please contact the Guest Relations Executive for the optional activities.

Return to the train for lunch on-board.

After lunch visit the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort. Admire the intricate latticed windows, elaborately carved panels and elegantly carved arches 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 local residents, passing some of the old houses and havelis.

Enjoy an exclusive Cocktail evening with a wide array of sumptuous Marwar Culinary delights served at an exclusive venue.

Return to the train and continue your journey to desert city of Bikaner.

Breakfast and Lunch on-board; Cocktail dinner at Khaas Bagh.

Overnight Stay in Maharajas Express Train – The Heritage of India

(Wednesday) Bikaner, Rajasthan

Enjoy your journey through the countryside with breakfast on-board.

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 to the Lalgarh Palace Museum displaying some fascinating exhibits on the royal heritage of Bikaner.

Please contact the Guest Relations Executive for the optional activities.

After your optional tours, return to the train for lunch.

Following lunch, disembark and proceed 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 on the Sand Dunes. Enjoy cocktails, savour traditional mouth watering barbecue delicacies as you enjoy traditional folk arts like the Langaas and Kalbeliyas.

Return to the comforts of your train by 2015 hours and embark on your onward journey to Jaipur.

Breakfast and Lunch on-board; Evening barbeque on dunes.

Overnight Stay in Maharajas Express Train – The Heritage of India

(Thursday) Jaipur, Rajasthan

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast on-board.

Following disembarkation and a grand traditional welcome begin your exciting tour of the pink city with a visit to Amber Fort at 0930 hrs. The Amber Fort, set in picturesque and rugged hills is a fascinating blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture. Constructed by Raja Man Singh I in 1592 and completed by Mirja Raja Jai Singh, the fort was made in red sand stone and white marble. The rugged forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise with a beautiful fusion of art and architecture. Amber is the classic and romantic fort-palace with a magnificent aura.

A short jeep ride takes you up to the fort where you will enjoy a tour of the royal apartments, with striking views of the gorge. Step back into the Mughal era as you enter the Chamber of Mirrors (Sheesh Mahal), and the Hall of Victory. Proceed for an exclusive lunch at the Rambagh Palace Hotel. The Palace built in 1835 AD was the residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur from 1925 to 1957, when it was converted into a luxury hotel. The palace retains its royal splendour, hand-carved marble latticework, and elaborate gardens.

After lunch you may also choose to participate in the optional activities such as spa facilities at a five star hotel or visit the City Palace and Jantar Mantar (The Observatory). Return to the train for dinner as it proceeds to Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambore) or explore the city in your private car with guide.

Please contact the Guest Relations Executive for the optional services.

Breakfast and Dinner on-board. Lunch at Ram Bagh Palace.

Overnight Stay in Maharajas Express Train – The Heritage of India

(Friday) SawaiMadhopur (Ranthambore), Rajasthan and FatehpurSikri, Uttar Pradesh

On arrival into Sawai Madhopur, early in the morning, get ready for a safari to the Ranthambore National Park. Originally the private hunting ground of the Maharajas, Ranthambore was declared a National Park in 1973. It is famous for its open sightings of tigers, sambar, chital, nilgai, chinkara, wild boar, sloth bear, hyena, jackal and leopard. Wildlife 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 early morning exciting game drive. The safari is carried out in open vehicles and the ride is quite bumpy and dusty. One must carry adequate warm clothes for winter months.

Return to the train. Enjoy breakfast as you continue your journey to the fabled deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri. Admire the changing landscape as you savour lunch onboard.

On arrival at the quaint station of Fatehpur Sikri, disembark at 1500 hours and proceed on a tour of the fascinating sights comprising of imposing gateways, halls of private and public audience, beautifully sculptured palaces with unique water bodies, reflecting a perfect blend of Hindu and Muslim architectural styles. This deserted red sandstone city was built by the great Mughal Emperor Akbar as his capital in the late 16th century. It is now a famous UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then return to the train to enjoy an ‘Indian Evening’!

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on-board.

Overnight Stay in Maharajas Express Train – The Heritage of India

(Saturday) Agra, Uttar Pradesh

Today, the train continues on her last leg of the journey towards the magical city of Agra. The jewel of India, home to one of the world’s great architectural wonders – the Taj Mahal. With its spectacular monumental masterpieces and picturesque natural setting, Agra is a legendary city glorified by time.

Early morning, disembark and proceed to the world famous Taj Mahal (one of the Seven Wonders of the World). Also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was built by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his favourite queen Mumtaz. This incomparable marvel is constructed entirely out of white marble and is an architectural masterpiece with beautiful inlay work and marble screens. Approximately 20,000 of India’s most revered craftsmen were recruited to give shape to this poetry in marble.

Later, enjoy breakfast from atop the Taj Khema, a tabletop lawn, gazing at the Taj Mahal. Return to the train as it proceeds to Delhi.

Enjoy a hearty lunch on-board.

Bid farewell to the Maharajas’ Express as your ‘The Heritage of India’ journey comes to an end at approximately 1445 hours on arrival at Delhi Safdarjung Station.

The royal journey is over, but the memory of which will live on forever!

Breakfast at Taj Khema; Lunch on-board.