Premium luxury train, the Maharaja Express, runs its first journey today. The train, which starts in only a few hours from now, will embark on a total of 38 journeys this season, within the 2012-13 season spanning over the next 7 months. The train has already garnered some rave reviews by international guests at travel forums worldwide. The train was 1st Runner up in the Conde Nast readers choice travel award 2011 and winner of CNBC travel award 2010 under category of “Best Luxury train”.

Maharajas’ Express is a venture of Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation. The train began its service in 2010 and since then has been a talk of luxury travel segment. The train is considered to be the most luxurious in its category and comes equipped with state of the art amenities. The Presidential Suite spanning over an entire carriage is one of its kind and something which was previously unheard of in luxury trains.

Maharajas Express offers 5 itineraries. 3 itineraries spanning over 7 nights and 8 days travel across states in India offering a peek into the cultural and natural diversity of incredible India whereas 2 golden triangle tour itineraries spanning over 3 nights and 4 days offer whirlwind tour across most prominent tourist destination in India. The all inclusive Maharajas Express journey starts from UDS 3580 per person and goes as high as US $22000 for the Heritage of India tour in the Presidential Suite class. More details of the train is available on the website of the Indian Luxury Trains.

Source - Maharaja Express Runs Its First Course of the Season Today - Indian Luxury Trains

Asia’s most luxurious train, Maharajas’ Express is all set to become affordable for Indian nationals. In a bid to make to make this luxury train journey affordable for Indian tourists, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has come up with special festival offer which says pay-for-one-and-your-companion-pays-50%.

Maharaja Express Train Touted as Asia's most Luxurious Train

Commenting on this transitory IRCTC offer, Pradip Kundu, Joint General Manager, Public Relations, IRCTC said "We have come out with this offer to provide an opportunity for the domestic tourists to experience the most luxurious way to discover and explore the treasure trove of India.

As per the offer, IRCTC has offered 50% discount in the original fare for the accompanying companion. The special offer will include four festive season trips- 20th October (Indian Panorama), 27th October (Indian Splendor), 11th October (Treasures of India) and 14th November (Gems of India). The aforementioned two weeklong journeys- Indian Panorama and Indian Splendor journey-have been trimmed down to 3 nights and 4 days. 

For Indian Splendor and Indian Panorama beginning from USD 5560 for the deluxe cabin, the special price for two passengers will be USD 8340. For golden triangle itineraries- Treasures of India and Gems of India- the special price for two passengers will be USD 5,370 in a deluxe cabin. The original fare of these two trips is USD 3,580.

Maharajas Express, launched in 2010, is considered to be the most luxurious train in India. Winner of prestigious Conde Nast Traveler award, this Indian luxury train has 43 guest cabins that come equipped with state of the art amenities which include individual temperature control, Wi-Fi internet, direct dial phones and live TV.

For details of the itineraries, schedules, tariff and booking of the Maharajas Train journey you may like to visit the website of Indian Luxury Trains. http://www.indianluxurytrains.com/

Source : http://www.prlog.org/11984421-maharajas-express-journey-more-affordable-with-irctcs-festival-offers.html

The Golden Chariot is first and only South Indian luxury train that gives you the opportunity to explore the natural, cultural, heritage and wildlife beauty of Southern part of India.  To make your festival season enjoyable and memorable, Operators of the Golden Chariot have come up with festival offer of 15 % discount during festival season - Dussehra and Diwali on all departures for month October and November, 2012. The offer will be applicable on the both journeys - Pride of the South and Splendor of the South.

The Golden Chariot - Luxury Trains in India

The Golden Chariot Pride of the South journey will commence on 1st October from Bangalore. The 7 Nights / 8 Days journey covers Bangalore - Kabini - Srirangapatnam - Mysore - Shravanabelagola - Belur - Halebid - Hampi - Badami - Pattadakal and Goa. The tour explores historic city of Bangalore, wild life of Kabini, World Heritage Site Hampi along with Goa. For festival offer, the tour cost will be INR 18700 per person per night on single occupancy for Indian Nationals, whereas the international travelers will have to pay USD 640.90 per person per night on single occupancy basis.

Splendor of the South, the second offering of the train will commence on its festival season departure on 15 October from Bangalore and the journey will cover Chennai - Pondicherry - Tanjavur - Madurai - Thiruvananthapuram - Alleppey - Kochi and then back to Bangalore. The 7 Nights / 8 Days journey is a grand way to explore the treasure troves of South India.

Subsequently, the festival offer special price for the Indian travelers will INR 22440 per person per night on Single occupancy and International travelers will have to pay USD 706.35 per person per night on single occupancy.

News Source - http://www.prlog.org/11979338-get-15-discounts-on-golden-chariot-journey.html

When the unprecedented popularity of Palace on Wheels reached the corridors of Karnataka State Tourism and Development Corporation (KSTDC), it resulted in the creation of Golden Chariot Train, south India’s first luxury tourist train. On 10th march, 2008, Golden Chariot embarked on its maiden voyage from Bangalore to Goa in a journey lasting over a week. The train has two itineraries- Pride of the South and Splendor of the South- each of which takes the guests on an enchanting voyage to uncover the natural and cultural treasures of south India.

Welcome to The Golden Chariot Train

• Now a question often asked why luxury trains are best options to stay over luxury hotels and since Golden Chariot too is a luxury tourist train, the same question applies for it as well. There are good number of reasons that can justify the opulence, elegance and cost efficiency of this train.

• The introductory price of Golden Chariot that is USD 545 (INR 16,500) per person per day involves on board accommodation, dining, guided excursions and cultural programs and meals at five star hotels. On the other hand, a stay in a luxury hotel at deluxe room costs around 20,000 bucks.

• Being a disabled friendly train comes as an added advantage for Golden Chariot as this facility is provided in most luxury hotels at extra cost.

• The train not only explores the culturally rich destinations of south India but also accommodates you in cabins reflecting the architectural aesthetics of erstwhile south Indian dynasties. Such an environment is hardly possible in luxury hotels until and unless they are driven by a certain theme. For example, ITC Grand Chola reflects the cultural ethos of south Indian Chola dynasty in the interior décor of its lobby, restaurants and well appointed rooms.

• Sightseeing tours are arranged by the travel desk of hotels on special demand (with extra cost) while Golden Chariot has been particularly designed to provide tours to south Indian destinations in an opulent manner.

• While staying in a luxury hotel, guests are fixed to a certain destination. On the other hand, Golden Chariot lets you travel different destinations on each day of the train tour with complimentary luxury experience.

The abovementioned points are enough to justify the superiority and cost effective nature of Golden Chariot train in comparison to luxury hotels. To say that a journey aboard this Indian luxury train is truly worth the money spent will not be an overstatement.

(Source  - http://blog.indianluxurytrains.com/)

That the 7 nights, 8 day journey of the Royal Rajasthan on Wheels is well planned is widely opined. The tour itinerary has been devised so that all major Rajasthan cities are a part of the journey. But, have you ever wondered what would have gone into the planning of the itinerary? To put things in perspective, let us study the pattern we have here. The 8 day journey covers 8 destinations and 4 Indian states – all ambassadors of diverse cultures and lifestyle.

Royal Rajasthan on Wheels Luxury Train

If you have followed the tour’s route map closely, you will realize that after its departure from New Delhi, the train first encircles the Rajasthan cities- Jodhpur, Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Sawai Madhopur and Jaipur- before it moves to Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh. This is to maintain a consistency in cultural exposure so that guests can relate a lot more to the subtle changes in locations and their customs.

Elegantly furnished Sleeping coupe of Royal Rajasthan on Wheels Train

For example, it makes a lot lesser sense to go from Chittorgarh to Khajuraho (a different state) and not Sawai Madhopur/Jaipur. Secondly, the duration of stay at each desitination has deliberately not kept more than a day. This is to accommodate the maximum number of destinations in the minimum time, which is often a constraint for foreign guests.

The Royal Rajasthan on Wheels Itinerary is planned in a way that most of the traveling is done when guests are far asleep in their cabins so that the daysare reserved for local sightseeing. Well done, RTDC, we must say!

World famous and India’s foremost royal luxury train -"The Palace on Wheels" (POW) rolled on its first commercial journey for 2012-13 to Rajasthan & other destinations especially World’s famous wonder Taj Mahal of Agra from Safdarjung Railway Station, New Delhi on Wednesday evening. In first trip 54 tourists expected to travel from different places of the world on this super luxurious train. In 34 rounds from September 2012 to April 2013 three thousand one hundred passengers are expected to travel in this royal train.

Palace on wheels Train

Mr. Randeep Dhankhar, President Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation reviews the preparations for the visit of this luxury train tours for 2012-13 in New Delhi on Tuesday. He said that with a view to providing new facilities like five star hotels the royal train has been renovated.

He said that the Palace on Wheels tours last session 2011-2012 (September to April) in total 34 rounds/trips, 2833 passengers have been traveled and total earnings 36 crore 49 lakh and 290 Rs. While the royal train in 2010-11 in a total of 38 rounds, earnings was only with 27 crore 90 lakh 15 thousend and 286Rs.

GM of  POW Shri Pramod Sharma & Shri Pradeep Bohra stated that the Palace on Wheels starts its journey on every Wednesday between the months of September, 2012 to April, 2013 from Delhi.

In order to provide the World Class journey with the five star facilities in the train POW has luxuries and modern facilities including Royal "Spa" and "gym" for the passengers. The train has 23 coaches comprising of 14 Saloon's, One Spa Coach, two Restaurant known as "Maharaja" & "Maharani" & one "Reception cum Bar". The itinerary for the season would be Delhi-Jaipur-Sawaimadhopur-chittorgarh-Udaipur-Jaisalmer-Jodhpur-Bharatpur-Agra-Delhi. The capacity of POW is of carrying 104 passengers at a time. 

An additional coach is added in the name of Royal SPA where the guests will enjoy Ayurvedic & Non Ayurvedic massage. This year the Palace on Wheels will provide delicious Indian & Foreign Food to the valued guests.

Mr. Pradeep Bohra, GM of royal train said that special arrangements have been made for their favorite dishes of tourists. Fare for one person in Palace on Wheels is 770 American dollars. The fare of two persons traveling together on this journey is 575 American dollars per visit and three persons traveling together on the rent at 520 American dollars per person determined visit.

After the grand success of Palace on Wheels which is Joint venture of RTDC & Indian Railways they have started another Super luxury train "Royal Rajasthan on Wheels" which will be rolled out its first commercial journey for this year from October 7th, 2012 to Rajasthan and other destinations like for Khajuraho and Varanasi from Safdarjung Railway station, New Delhi. It is a concrete step towards making the presence of the state in the area of "Rail Tourism" for which the Chief Minister Shri Ashok Gehlot and State Tourism Minister Smt. Bina Kak, they said.

Source : (http://www.orissadiary.com/Shownews.asp?id=36223)

Maharajas’ Express Indian Splendor Itinerary

Destinations covered: Delhi - Agra - Ranthambore - Jaipur - Bikaner - Jodhpur - Udaipur - Balasinor - Mumbai
Duration: 8 days/7 nights
Starting from: USD 5560

Maharajas Express: Asia's Most Luxurious Train

A new chapter of luxury train traveling in India will dawn on 29th of September as Maharajas’ Express will roll out from New Delhi on a weeklong tour cutting across state borders. The journey spanning over the duration of 168 hours will come to its conclusion in Mumbai but not before taking the guests on a royal ride across some of the most prominent tourist destinations in India. Included in the meticulously crafted itinerary is tour to royal destinations in Rajasthan along with a halt in Agra and Balasinor.

An array of cultural interactions, visit to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, tiger reserve and India’s very own Jurassic Park forms the highlight of this royal rail journey which is dubbed as one of the most luxurious trains in the world.

World Heritage Site Taj Mahal on board Maharajas Express

Maharajas Express is renowned for its state of the art amenities and elegant interior décor. Equipped with facilities such as individual climate control, Wi-Fi internet, live television, electronic safe, restaurant, bar, observation car and a souvenir shop, maharajas’ Express is often referred to as a moving 5 star hotel on wheels.

The Rang Mahal Restaurant - Maharaja express India

The Peacock Restauurant of Maharajas express

The Indian Splendor is one of the 5 brand new itineraries announced by the operators of this luxury train. With a base price of US $5560 per person per journey, the fare of Maharajas’ Express could reach as high as US $22000 for the Presidential Suite accommodation.

The Presidential Suite

The all inclusive cost of Maharajas’ Express tour include dining, accommodation, guided sightseeing tour, transportation in air conditioned coaches and car, entrance fees at the monuments and porter charges.

Mentioned below are the highlights of the Indian Splendor itinerary of the Maharajas Express

Ø  Champagne breakfast atop Taj Khema

Ø Exhibition Elephant Polo Match

Ø Old Clock Tower Market in Jodhpur

Ø Sundowner cocktail in sand dunes in Bikaner and Camel Cart Procession

Ø Royal Lunch in City Palace Udaipur (Crystal Gallery)

Ø India’s very own Jurassic Park in Balasinor

Ø Village Visit meeting with Royal Family over lunch

For more information about Indian Splendor Maharajas’ Express Itinerary, feel free to visit the website of Indian Luxury Trains.