Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation’s premier luxury train service, the Maharaja Express is all set to start on its first Gems of India journey tomorrow, i.e. 17 October 2012. The train will depart tomorrow night from the Safdarjung Railway Station. Every year, the Maharaja Express attracts thousands of visitors to its majestic interiors and world class on-board services. There are still some seats available for the inaugural run while the journeys around Christmas and New Year’s Eve are almost sold out.

The Gems of India journey is 3 night, 4 day tour and is essentially a shortened version of Maharajas Express’ longer itineraries and shows its guests around the Golden Triangle of India – The Delhi, Jaipur and Agra corridor. The Gems of India itinerary makes the most of the limited time and includes an exhibition Polo match, a trip to the Taj and a wildlife excursion to Ranthambore National Park as the highlights. The train has also won lavish praises due to its special provisions for accommodating handicapped guests. The next two journeys are scheduled on November 13 and December 12 this year, after which there are five more departures planned for rest of the season next year.

Maharajas Express Train Images

Maharajas Express Train,India

A view of the Mayur Mahal or the Peacock Restaurant of Maharajas Express

Sitting area of the Presidential Suite

Maharaja Express Bar

Suite of The Maharajas Express

The restaurant dining car on the Maharajas’ Express

Maharaja Express luxury train

Source: http://www.justluxe.com/community/maharaja-express-gems-of-india-journey-starts-season-tomorro_a_1840085.php

Royal  Rajasthan on Wheels Train

A new luxury train, which will cover tourist destinations in three states, started its maiden journey from Safdarjung railway station in the capital Sunday.

'Royal Rajasthan on Wheels' - touted as India's most luxurious train - is a joint venture between Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation Ltd (RTDC) and the Indian Railways.

The train will run every Sunday between October and April from Delhi. It will travel across three states - Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

"The train will go to Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Khajuraho and Agra. And the journey will culminate in Varanasi," RTDC chairman Pramod Sharma said. The entire journey would be completed in seven days.

Consisting of 35 coaches, the train has a ferrying capacity of 82 passengers in one trip. The train has on board a spa, gymnasium, specials suites, deluxe saloons and two restro-lounges which make the journey truly a 'royal experience'.

"This train is better than 'Palace on Wheels' as it is more spacious and grander. It has every luxury which anyone would want," said Sharma.

While the journey will cost $4,130 (Rs.2,14,760), one will have to shell out $1,600 (Rs.83,200) per day more if one travels in the special suite.

On Sunday, as the train started its maiden trip, there were 61 foreign tourists on board.

"So far, the service has been really good and the crew is really hospitable. It would be too early to say anything about the train as the journey has not even started yet," an Australian tourist Kent Vodan told IANS while the train was at Safdarjung station.

Source : http://www.nydailynews.com/

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)

With only 1 month left for the commencement of Palace on Wheels first seasonal chug, it’s time for you to gear up for Rajasthan tour aboard this Indian luxury train. Although tourists might have already booked for the preferred journey date as per the schedule of Palace on Wheels given below, there are some aspects that must not be overlooked while travelling to a foreign land. Enlisted below are some tips that will facilitate you with a hassle free journey.

Palace on Wheels: All set to embark on a royal journey of Rajasthan

Month	Departure Date
September 2012	5, 12, 19, 26
October 2012	3, 10, 17, 24, 31
November 2012	7 ,14 , 21, 28
December 2012	5 , 12, 19 ,26
January 2013	2 , 9,16 , 23 ,30
February 2013	6 , 13 , 20 ,27
March 2013	6 , 13 , 20 , 27
April 2013	3 , 10 , 17 , 24

Gather all the required travel Documents 

While gearing up for travel especially to a foreign country, one needs to make sure that all your travel documents are in place. Keep all your necessary documents in a file such as passport, visa, insurance, air and train ticket so that they won’t jumble up with the clothes and other accessories in your baggage. Attested photocopies of the original travel documents must be kept as they would help you in case the originals get lost.

Packing the clothes

If you are not an Indian resident, do check the weather conditions of Rajasthan and pack your clothes accordingly. During off train excursions, it is suggested to wear smart casual clothes and comfortable walking shoes because guests on board Palace on Wheels are taken for lunch at five star hotels and cultural programs. If you have opted for winter departure, do make sure to keep warm clothes in your luggage.

Keep Limited Luggage with you

The cabins on board Palace on Wheels have quite less storage space; hence it is advised to carry as per the international airline rules. Also it is recommended that passengers should be carrying soft-topped luggage as they are easy to store.

Pre & Post Hotel Accommodation

In case there is delay in commencement or culmination of this luxury rail journey due to some unforeseen events, it is recommended to book one pre and post night accommodation in a hotel.

For more information on train facilities, itineraries, schedules and facilities, you may like to visit the website of the http://www.palacesonwheels.com/

"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page”- St. Augustine. Travelling to a particular place has its own charm and gaiety. Every new place that you visit unfolds to you new mysteries about the world and the life. A tour to India and especially to the southern part of his country, riding the Golden Chariot is like exploring a country with its thousands of year old civilization.

Golden chariot luxury train

India is a land of kings, queens and their folklores. The southern part of this country was ruled basically by the Dravidians; thus this part still contains the remains of this race and their marvelous structures. To provide a luxurious travel experience to the global travelers, the luxury train Golden Chariot was launched. This luxury Indian train has two itineraries- Pride of the South and Splendor of the South. 

In its 8 days of journey, Pride of the South covers different places of the region like Bangalore, Mysore, Hampi, Belur, Kabini, Badami and Goa. The diverse places covered by this particular itinerary ensure to provide every traveler a panoramic view of the Indian land and its lifestyle. From the ancient treasure troves to the dazzling city life, every shade of Indian life is unexplored by this train journey.

Golden chariot restaurant

While planning the luxury vacation tour, travelers are more concerned about the services and facilities that they will enjoy during their vacation days. But if you are travelling in Golden Chariot train, you need not to worry; there you will get more than you have expected. The trained group of professional make each day of your expedition a postcard perfect memory to be treasured for lifetime. All the carriages of this royal train are decorated with intense artworks that reflect the delicate taste of the people of India.

With a traditional style greeting ceremony, the Pride of the South starts its journey from the ‘garden city’ of Bangalore. An introduction to the train and its history followed by a colorful cultural program characterizes the beginning of the journey. Those who have visited India for the first time, this ceremony is a great way for them to get a closer view of the Indian hospitality and culture. 

Along with the great services and world class facilities, this Indian luxury train also serves sumptuous food varieties from around the world. In the drinking corner of the train you will get some of the finest choices of wine; if you wish to, you can ask the bar tender to make a fantastic cocktail for you. The dining and wining places are theme based to suit your mood. 

The Golden chariot Trains

The interminable ocean and its shoreline characterize the land of South India. So a tour to this region is probably incomplete without spending sometime in the golden sandy beaches. Relish the finest variety of sea foods and coconut beer while you explore this south Asian country riding the Pride of the South. This part of the country is famous for its spa and Ayurvedic massage; thus do not forget to experience a pampering spa and massage treatment while you are in a tour to India.