Maharaja Express Train Tour

Your holiday begins at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. After the welcome and registration has taken place, you will head to the Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaja Terminus Railway Station. After boarding the Maharajas' Express, the train will depart for Udaipur. Lunch and dinner will both be served on board, as you journey to Udaipur.

Today, a delicious breakfast will be served on board the Maharajas' Express, before the train arrives in to Udaipur.

With its beautiful palaces and mesmerising lakes, it’s easy to see why Udaipur is thought to be India’s most romantic city. To discover the city from a different angle, your first excursion will be a boat ride on Lake Pichola. After a serene start to the day, you will visit the City Palace complex, followed by a visit to the Crystal Gallery. Behind the City Palace complex’s towering walls lies an interconnected network of ornate palaces. No expense was spared and the attention to detail in design reflects the extravagant tastes of the Mewar dynasty. This theme of extravagance is continued at the Crystal Gallery, which is an exhibit of rare crystals from the 19th century. Crystal chairs, sofas, tables, and even a crystal bed are on display. During your visit, you will also discover the magical story behind this magnificent crystal collection.

After the visit, you will return to the Maharajas' Express where lunch will be served. In the afternoon, there are optional activities that you can enjoy. If you would like to learn more about Udaipur, you can go on a Local City Tour. Alternatively, if a spot of relaxation is in order, you can check in to one of the city’s spas for some serious pampering.

In the evening, you will enjoy an exclusive dinner at either the Fatehprakash Palace or the Jagmandir Island Palace. Afterwards, you will return to the Maharajas' Express, and the train will depart for Jodhpur.

Today, breakfast will be served on board the Maharajas’ Express. There is an optional morning activity to visit the Bishnoi Village. Here, you’ll learn about the 450-year-old Bishnoi tribe who are considered to be India’s first environmentalists. You will discover this nature-loving tribe’s reverence for protecting the environment through their age-old traditions and way of life. For this excursion, you will disembark from the train at Rohat Railway Station.

Lunch will be served on board the train. The afternoon’s excursions will include visiting the Mehrangarh Fort, followed by a walking tour of the Old Clock Tower and market. The Mehrangarh Fort is one of the largest and best-preserved forts in India. Perched on a 400ft rugged cliff, it also offers the best panoramic views over Jodhpur.

Afterwards, you will join the walking tour at the Old Clock Tower and learn about Jodhpur’s fascinating history and vibrant culture. Discovering stories, legends and interesting facts, this walking tour offers a great insight into the wonderful city of Jodhpur. Finally, what better and more authentic way to finish the afternoon’s activities, than with a ride in one of Jodhpur’s tuk-tuks.

In the evening, you will enjoy an exclusive cocktail dinner at either the Hanwant Mahal or Khaas Bagh. After dinner, you will return to the comforts of the Maharajas' Express and the train will depart for Bikaner.

Today, as you admire the countryside views, breakfast will be served on board the Maharajas’ Express. After arriving in Bikaner, the morning has a choice of optional activities - you can visit the Lalgarh Palace and Museum, go on a Local City Tour or simply relax on board the Maharajas' Express. Lunch will be served on board in the early afternoon.

Later on, you will enjoy a visit to one of India’s most impressive fort complexes, Junagarh Fort. After discovering Junagarh Fort’s magnificent palaces, courtyards and pavillions, you will head to the sand dunes for sundowners. The cocktails at sunset will be followed by a tasty barbecue in the desert and folk dancing. Afterwards, you will return to the comfort of the Maharajas' Express and the train will depart for Jaipur.

Today, breakfast will be served on board, before the Maharajas' Express arrives in Jaipur. Upon arrival, the first excursion of the day is a visit to the impressive Amber Fort. Arriving at Amber Fort, you will be taken aback by its colossal size. During the morning visit, you will get the chance to explore the elaborate palace complex, which lies behind its towering exterior walls.

After discovering the ancient delights at Amber Fort, lunch will be served at the Rambagh Palace hotel.

In the afternoon, there are optional activities to choose from. You can visit the City Palace and the royal observatory of Jantar Mantar, enjoy a Local City Tour or simply relax in one of the hotels’ spas.

After the afternoon’s activities, you will return to the comforts of the Maharajas' Express. Dinner will be served on board and the train will depart for Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambore).

It’s an early start today, but seeing the wonderful wildlife on the game drive at the Ranthambore National Park is worth it. Ranthambore is a tiger reserve located where the Vindhya Plateau meet the Aravalli hills. Its stunning terrain of rocky plains and steep cliffs is only topped by its majestic tigers. The game drive will take you to the locations where the Ranthambore National Park’s tigers are usually found.

You will return to the Maharajas' Express and breakfast will be served on board. The train will then depart from Sawai Madhopur journeying to Fatehpur Sikri. During the journey lunch will be served, and the train will arrive into Fatehpur Sikri in the early afternoon.

After disembarking, you will enjoy the afternoon’s excursion of visiting the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri. Built by Emperor Akbar in 1569, this magnificent city sadly had to be abandoned 14 years later due to an insufficient water supply. Its well-preserved sandstone structures, from the towering Gate of Magnificence to the five-storied Panch Mahal Palace, have stood the test of time. It’s a wonderful insight into the grandeur and splendour of the Mughal empire.

Afterwards, you will return to the Maharajas' Express, where you can enjoy an ‘Indian Evening’, followed by a delicious dinner on board. Later on, the train will depart for Agra.

The Maharajas' Express will arrive into Agra early morning and before breakfast you will head out on a wonderful excursion - seeing the Taj Mahal at sunrise. What better way to end the ‘Heritage of India’ tour, than to visit India’s most famous monument, The Taj Mahal.

After taking in the fairytale ivory-coloured marble domes of The Taj Mahal, you will enjoy a Champagne Breakfast at the Taj Khema. Afterwards, you will return to the comforts of the Maharajas' Express and the train will depart for Delhi. Lunch will be served on board in the early afternoon. The Maharajas' Express will pull in to Delhi and you will disembark, bidding farewell to the India Heritage tour as your journey comes to an end.