Maharaja Express Luxury Train

Your journey begins early in the morning, where you’ll board the train at the Delhi Safdarjung Railway Station. After settling on the Maharajas' Express train, you’ll enjoy a sumptuous breakfast on board. The train will then leave the station for the pink city of Jaipur. As you journey south to Jaipur, you’ll enjoy taking in the views from the comfort of your cabin. Lunch will be served on board before arriving in Jaipur in the afternoon.

The afternoon will be spent visiting the city of Jaipur. The pink walls and buildings in the Old City have meant that Jaipur is often commonly referred to as ‘the pink city’. You’ll get the chance to explore the City Palace Galleries. Here, you can enjoy visiting the Armory Museum to learn about the different types of weapons used by Jaipur’s royal families of the past. Then, you’ll observe some of the most esteemed works of art at the galleries, as well as discovering the regal costumes of a bygone era.

After an interesting afternoon of marvelling at the opulence of the royal family of Jaipur, you can enjoy a dinner at the Rambagh Palace Hotel.

Later, you’ll return to the comforts of the Maharajas' Express and head to your cabin for a well-earned rest.

Today, a delicious breakfast will be served on board the Maharajas' Express. Then, the morning will be spent discovering Jaipur’s impressive Amber Fort. The elaborate interiors of the Amber Fort are out of this world. No expense was spared and the flamboyant extravagant style can be admired in every room. From its ceiling of mirrors and pretty colourful stained-glass windows to the indoor swing in the Queen’s quarters, the Amber Fort is an ancient treasure.

You will return to the Maharajas' Express for lunch on board the train. After lunch, you’ll have a choice of activities.

You can choose to explore the City Palace complex, which sits right in the heart of the Old City and covers almost a seventh of Jaipur. This ancient royal residence is a striking mix of Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles. The current royal family of Jaipur still live in some of its quarters in the Chandra Mahal. After marvelling at the opulent interiors of the royal family of Jaipur, you can also go on to visit Jantar Mantar, which is the largest stone and marble observatory in the world.

If you want to explore the beautiful city of Jaipur with a local guide, you can book a Local City Tour. Or, if a little rest and relaxation is in order, there is also the option to visit the Jiva Spa at the Rambagh Palace. In the evening, dinner will be served on board the Maharajas' Express. The train will then depart for the overnight journey to Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambore).

Today, it’s an early-morning start, heading out for a game drive at the Ranthambore National Park. In the desert state of Rajasthan, Ranthambore is located where the Vindhya Plateau meets the Aravalli hills. Its breathtaking terrain is a mix of rocky plains and steep cliffs. But Ranthambore National Park’s real lure is its majestic tigers. You will enjoy a game drive in an open-top 4X4 vehicle and you’ll be taken to the locations where the tigers are often found. As India’s national animal, no holiday to India is complete without the hope of spotting these magnificent, but elusive creatures.

Afterwards, you’ll return to the Maharajas' Express and a welcome breakfast will be served on board. The Maharajas' Express will then depart from Ranthambore and head north to Fatehpur Sikri. Lunch will be served on board before the train pulls in at Fatehpur Sikri in the early afternoon.
Known as the deserted city, Fatehpur Sikri was built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 in honour of Sheik Salim. Sadly, this magnificent city had to be abandoned just 14 years later, due to an insufficient water supply. You can discover its well-preserved sandstone structures, from the towering Buland Darwaza (Gate of Magnificence) and the tomb of Sheik Salim to the five-storied Panch Mahal Palace.

After immersing yourself in the grandeur and splendour of the Mughal empire’s lost city, you’ll return to the Maharajas' Express where dinner will be served.

Today, the Maharajas' Express will arrive at the city of Agra. Before breakfast, you will visit the Taj Mahal and see India’s most famous landmark at sunrise. ‘The monument of love’ was built in 1632 by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in loving memory of his wife. After taking in the wonder of this iconic monument, you’ll enjoy a Champagne Breakfast at Taj Khema. Afterwards, you’ll return to the comfort of Maharajas' Express, with free time to rest before the afternoon’s excursions. Lunch will be served on board.

There is an interesting choice of activities for you to enjoy in the afternoon. You can join a Local City Tour, where a guide will show you the city of Agra with all its ancient treasures. Alternatively, you can visit the cultural sites of I'timād-ud-Daulah or Agra Fort. If you’d love to discover the Taj Mahal’s love story, then take a seat at Mohabbat The Taj Show. Or, if you simply want to relax and unwind, you can check out one of the city’s hotel spas. The choice is yours!

In the evening, you’ll return to the Maharajas' Express, where dinner will be served.

Today, breakfast will be served on board the Maharajas' Express. Arriving at Jhansi, you will leave the train and be driven to Orchha Fort. As you drive to this 16th century fort, located on the banks of the Betwa River, its ornate turrets will appear on the horizon. It was originally built by Pratap Singh, a Bundela Rajput, in 1501 AD. The grand palaces and temples within the fort complex were later added to by successive Maharajas' of the Orchha State. There are three main palaces within Orchha’s fortified walls, but it’s the upper levels of the impressive Jahangir Mahal’s palace which offer some truly exceptional panoramic views.

Once you’ve explored the ancient palaces with their well-preserved paintings in the Raj Mahal, you’ll enjoy a village tour by tuk-tuk.

Afterwards, you’ll return to the comforts of the Maharajas' Express, which will leave for Khajuraho. Lunch will be served at midday and you’ll arrive at Khajuraho later in the afternoon. Khajuraho is a group of Hindu temples that are known for their erotic sculptures. The 10th and 11th-century sandstone temples are a celebration of love, life and worship, and some of the meticulous detailed carvings illustrate sexuality and sex in all its forms. It’s an introduction to India’s Kama Sutra and Tantric practises, as well as an insight into the ancient Hindu faith.

After visiting the Western Temples of Khajuraho, you’ll return to the Maharajas' Express. There are optional activities to choose from before dinner – you can book to see the Light and Sound Show or the Dances of India Show. But if a bit of pampering is in order, there is also the possibility of visiting a spa at a hotel.

Dinner will be served on board the Maharajas' Express. The train will depart from Khajuraho, travelling to Varanasi in the late evening.

Today, breakfast will be served on board. The train will arrive into Varanasi at around noon and you’ll disembark and enjoy a delicious lunch at the Taj Ganges Hotel. After lunch, you’ll head to visit the Sarnath ruins. The Sarnath ruins are one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage destinations in the world. You’ll have the chance to visit the Dhamek Stupa, which is the place where Buddha delivered his first sermon. You can also see the remains of the ancient Buddhist monasteries and visit the Sarnath Archaeological Museum.

Later, you will be driven to the Sarai Mohana villages of Varanasi. The Sarai Mohani region is known for its silk weavers and its beautiful Banarasi saris that are often worn by Indian brides. After admiring the local craftsmanship and chatting with the locals, you will get to enjoy a boat ride on the Ganges. During the evening cruise, you’ll also witness the evening Aarti, which is a traditional Hindu ceremony that is performed here every evening at dusk. Dinner will be served at Brij Rama Palace. As you enjoy a traditional and delicious vegetarian meal, you’ll be treated to a Kathak Dance performance.

Afterwards, you’ll return to the Maharajas' Express and the train will depart for Delhi.

Today is a day of travel with the train journeying back to Delhi. Breakfast and lunch will be served on board. Arriving into Delhi mid-afternoon, you will disembark and bid farewell to the Maharajas' Express as your journey comes to an end.