World famous and India’s foremost royal luxury train Palace on Wheels will be rolled on its first commercial journey for year 2013-14 to Rajasthan and other destinations including Taj Mahal from Delhi on Wednesday evening. In first trip, 34 tourists from different places of the world will travel on this super luxurious train.
Managing Director of Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) Shri Vinod Ajmera said that it is a concrete step towards making the presence of the state in in the field of "Rail Tourism" for which Chief Minister Shri Ashok Gehlot, Tourism Minister Smt. Bina Kak and RTDC Chairman Shri Randeep Dhankhar are working tirelessly. “Over the years we have been very sensitive to each guest’s expectations, he said.
We have compiled feedback and are now acting on it to give the incredible Palace on Wheels a refurbishment that should raise the richly royal looks to still greater heights. We have extensively researched princely lifestyles of the royals and the Palace on Wheels will sport a new heritage look with the finest in luxury trappings, reflecting the exclusive lifestyle of maharajas," he added.
Shri Ajmera said that recently Palace on Wheels was awarded the best luxury train of north India with ''Today Traveler Award 2013" in the category of domestic tourism. Shri Oscar Fernandes, Minister for Road Transport & Highways gave this award. Shri Ajmera said that the Palace on Wheels, known for giving its guests a magnificent experience of royal Indian lifestyle, was undergoing a facelift as per the global tourists' interests. "All facilities including water purifiers in washrooms and other modern conveniences such as communication and entertainment are being modernized. Even the dining cart, the bar and lounge will take on a wonderful new look with the planned refurbishment at a huge investment,” he said.
“Even the spa and health club will receive major upgrades. We are working on plans to introduce more and please our guests,” said a representative of the Palace on Wheels. “The Palace on Wheels is rated the number 4 luxury train in the world and we plan to make it even better, redefining vintage royalty, " he said.
The POW takes one on a splendid tour covering Delhi, Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bharatpur and Agra giving you the experience of a lifetime. The journey passes through mountains, rivers, forests and sand dunes in an air-conditioned comfort.
“On quite a few occasions the Palace on Wheels has hosted richly royal weddings and for people who plan to wed the way maharajas did, we will be offering more such events once the train undergoes the transformation. The new look will be the best ever and we will use only the finest to recreate richly royal interiors down to the minutest detail. We are confident it will be stunning, a reflection of stately elegance and a gracious tradition of a bygone era that comes to life. When people think of royal train tours in India, The Palace on Wheels is the first to come to mind,” said Shri Ajmera.
According to the MD, tariff for the train for 2013-¬14 season remains the same. For months of September 2013 and April 2014, it would be 575 US$ for single occupancy, 430 US$ for double occupancy and 390 US$ for Triple occupancy for per person per night. For months between October 2013 and March 2014, however, the tour charges on the train are 770 US$ for single occupancy, 575 US$ of double occupancy & 520 US$ for Triple occupancy for per person per night.
General Manager of RTDC in New Delhi Shri Pramod Sharma said that the Palace on Wheels would start its journey on every Wednesday for seven days between months of September 2013 to April 2014 from Delhi. In 34 trips for the season, 3,000 passengers are expected to travel on this royal train.
He said that 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 restaurants known as Maharaja and Maharani and 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 to carrying 104 passengers at a time.
Shri Sharma said that an additional coach is added with the name Royal SPA where the guests will enjoy Ayurvedic and Non-Ayurvedic massage. This year the Palace on Wheels will provide delicious Indian and foreign foods to its guests.
Source : http://dipr.rajasthan.gov.in/
