Route Map of The Palace On Wheels Train

Agra – City of Taj

Agra, now the capital of the Indian state Uttar  Pradesh, used to be the capital of the Mughal Empire for more than two centuries. Agra, now, is also home to India's greatest architectural treasure, the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The Taj Mahal itself embodies romance and is the ultimate symbol of undying love.

Agra

Not many know that Agra was earlier known as Akbarabad, next to the banks of river Yamuna in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. The city of Agra and the Taj Mahal compound are a visual treat for a visitor. Being a part of Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri  charm travelers to Agra. All the above three are protected as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Agra has been one of the more popular tourist destinations among foreigners because of its splendid Mughal-era-architecture, visible in most old buildings in the city.

Taj Mehal

Agra has always been famous for its Leather Goods, Zari, Zardozi, Handicrafts, Marble and Stone carvings and inlay work. Foodies will rejoice to note that Agra is also well known for its sweets (petha) and Snacks (dal-moth and gazak). Architectural masterpieces such as the Agra Fort, the Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah, Bulund Darwaza at Fatehpur Sikri, besides the magnificent Taj Mahal, represent the glorious medieval India.

Hotel Mughal Sheraton

Accommodation options in Agra are aplenty and you get great choices for Agra hotels. Most luxury chains already have their hotels in Agra. There are comfortable stay options for every budget. However we suggest that if you plan to stay overnight in Agra, don’t hold yourself back and consider a fancy hotel room which offers a grand view of the Taj Mahal from your window. Take our word, you will not regret all the money you spend.

The Taj Mahal 

If you are traveling by train, you will deboard right in the middle of Agra right. For foreign tourist this information is especially handy in case they have asked for the hotel pickup. The two railway stations are in Agra at Agra Cantt and Agra Fort.

Tour aboard Palace on Wheels for celebrating Valentine’s Day

Ironically there is no particular day to relive romantic moments with your beloved. But February 14^th is considered to a special day for spending some romantic moments as it marks the occasion of Valentine’s Day. When it comes to India’s most romantic destinations, Rajasthan is the first choice of 

Palace On Wheels

overseas travelers. With one of the Palace on Wheels departures taking place on the 13^th February,  the luxury train offers a chance to begin a whole new romantic chapter in your life. Out of all the destinations covered by this luxury tourist train, Udaipur, Ranthambore, Bharatpur and Agra hold a special mention.

Udaipur

Fondly referred to as the ‘Venice of the East’, Udaipur is an ultimate destination for newlyweds to celebrate Valentine’s Day. The city has been voted as the most romantic destination in India by travel connoisseurs and leading magazines. Udaipur exudes a magnetic aura of  romance with its lakes, forts and magnificent palaces. Taj Lake Palace, situated in the midst of Lake Pichola, is voted as the most romantic hotel by the Trip Advisor members and has played host to the who’s who from all around the world. A romantic candle-lit dinner at a rooftop restaurant  in the Lake Palace is an experience that cannot be expressed in mere words.

Ranthambore and Bharatpur

It’s not just forts and palace where the romance of Rajasthan conjures up, Ranthambore Tiger Reserve and Keoladeo Ghana National Park too has its own share of loyal patrons. What could be a better way to celebrate life, apart from watching animals in their natural turf, if you have a  love for nature and wildlife.

Agra

The penultimate destination covered by the Palace on Wheels train, Agra is the place where your romance reaches its crescendo. The main reason why honeymooners and love birds throng in Agra is the Taj Mahal. 

It is not just a mausoleum but the undying love of the emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, shaped through white marble.  

A Simple Guide to Luxury Train Tours in India

If you are a first time visitor to India, you would like to know what precautions/preparations should you know of. The most popular holiday themes for  India are beaches, wildlife, culture, pilgrimages and luxury trains. 

Palace on Wheels'started it first commercial journey

There are several destinations in India that cater to the above themes and are quite popular with local and international tourists alike. 

Of the above themes, luxury train travel has really caught the fancy of international visitors. But there is a certain etiquette of train travel in India one must know about. 

To make things easier, enlisted here are a few Do’s and Don’ts that you should keep in mind taking train tours in India.

Respect All Places of Worship

Most luxury train itineraries feature trips to places of worship, each having its own set of beliefs and code of conduct. Respect them and follow them. For instance, when visiting a Gurudwara, it is mandatory for both men and women to cover their head.  Shoes and other footwear should be taken off before entering a temple/mosque/Gurudwara. Also, most of these places forbid photography.  So you might want to check with the authorities before flipping your camera out.

Dress Up Right

People living in India wear a combination of traditional and western clothes. The dress code is chosen on the basis of occasion. If you are attending an Indian marriage or festival, you will find men’s and women’s wearing Sherwanis and Saris. Western outfits are good if you are visiting bars and pubs. If you are heading to Goa, swim suits and trunks are preferable for women and men respectively. For women, it is very important to cover their legs and shoulders when visiting temples.

Do Not Encourage Beggary

In India, you will see a lot of beggars. Although you might want to sympathize and give them money, you should avoid doing the same at all costs. It is advisable to avoid people who are trying to provide unwanted help as these are mostly touts looking to make an easy buck from you.

Whatever you do, do not stay aloof and snobbish as it will only lessen the fun quotient. Have a great time on Indian trains!

Video of Palace on Wheels Train Tour

We have always believed that our words alone could do only little justice to  describing the grandeur and pomp that a Palace on Wheels journey is. If ever there was a benchmark in luxury train travel, Palace on Wheels has eclipsed it and created a one that’s even higher. 

Here’s what we did. We got you an audiovisual tour of this grand Indian luxury train. A 15 minute documentary on the outsides and insides of the Palace on Wheels. 

Right from the ceremonial tikka welcome, the video documents the entire 7 night, 8 day journey as this luxury train traverses through historic Rajasthani cities such as Jaipur, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Jodhpur and Agra. Each day has been filmed separately for a better understanding of the train’s itinerary. 

The Palace on Wheels video also features almost all tour highlights including the folk Kalbeliya dance, the Light and Sound show, etc. There is also an elaborate video gallery on the website homepage. You can also subscribe to our channel, Indian Luxury Trains, on YouTube.

Some Points to Remember While Booking for the Palace on Wheels Train

Voted as the fourth best luxury train in the world, Palace on Wheels train is quite hit with overseas travelers looking forward to explore Rajasthan in a luxurious manner. 

Palace On Wheels Luxury Train

The week long journey on board Palace on Wheels train covers Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Ranthambore and Bharatpur. Apart from the destinations, the 8 days long stay on board is an experience to cherish. Guests carriages reflect the architectural aesthetics of erstwhile princely states of Rajasthan such as Dholpur, Jaipur, Mandwa, Udaipur, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer etc.

Lounge Bar of Palace on Wheels 

The train is a solution to the problem of booking accommodation and finding a place for dining while on a holiday trip. Also the itinerary of this luxury train has been designed in such a way that you travel at night and explore new destinations every day. With the emergence of the internet, booking a journey on board this luxury train is a matter of few minutes. However, it is imperative to remember few points before doing that.

Palace On Wheels Rajasthan Tour

     You can book an online ticket by filling up a query form on the website of palace on wheels (palacesonwheels.co.uk)

     Always make sure to book tickets for three people at once. It is because the tariff on triple sharing basis is the minimum ($ 450).

     A 10% surcharge is levied on the departures between Christmas (25^th December) and the New Year (1^st January).

     If you are accompanying a child between 5 to 12 years &below 5 years, he will be charged 50% and 10% of the original tariff.

     You are required to pay 20% of the ticket value at the time of confirmation and rest 80% is to be paid 60 days prior to the departure date. 

Exploring wildlife through Palace on Wheels

The opulent and luxurious journey of the Palace on Wheels, one of the Indian luxury trains is world-renowned. Along with majestic interiors, lip-smacking food, finest of beverage and world-class services and amenities, it offers a great mix of the most sought-after destinations, namely, Delhi, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Chittorgarh,  Sawai Madhopur, Bharatpur, Fatehpur Sikri and Agra. 

Every destination has various monuments for sightseeing but both Sawai Madhopur and Bharatput give the traveler a chance of exploring wildlife through the Palace on Wheels. 

Sawai Madhopur – Following the Tiger 

Sawai Madhopur, a historic place home to Ranthambore National Park, the only place where one can spot tigers in Rajasthan. This national park is a part of the Project Tiger, which was initiated by the government of the country.  You can take pleasure in jeep safari here. This park is also a major attraction for ornithologists since it is boasts of housing more than 300 species of birds too.

Bharatpur – Heaven for Bird watchers

Listed in UNESCO sites is Bharatpur well- known for Keoladeo Ghana National Park, which was founded by Maharaja Suraj Mal in the year 1733. The marshland area of the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is an important wintering point for the migratory birds from countries such as Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, China and Siberia.