Anything is possible on a train: a great meal, a binge, a visit from card players, intrigue, a good night’s sleep, and strangers’ monologues framed like Russian short stories.
– Paul Theroux, in City Watch
We are travelers in the beautiful and romantic journey of life. Every moment is meant to be enjoyed , to be lived and cherished. It is an elixir of love, to be sipped, relished and gotten high on! So what’s the harm in taking a train to celebrate the most joyous period of your life – the honeymoon when the days are sweetly sultry and the nights are naughtily spicy! Try the high end luxury trains and discover your own enigmatic India like you did never before. It promises to be quite a revelation. Enjoy it.
There are a multitude of options you could select from depending upon the areas you want to explore and places you want to visit, you could choose out of the many: The Palace on Wheels, The Royal Rajasthan on Wheels, The Deccan Odyssey, The Splendor of the South, The Golden Chariot and The Maharajas’ Express, and other amazing choices from the largest railways in the world.
Maharajas’ Express
Adorned with unmatched royal décor, The Maharajas’ Express is inspired from the interiors of the royal carriages from the opulent colonial past of India. Styled with rich upholstery, and dotted with semi-precious stones and antiques, it spreads out into 20 deluxe cabins, 18 junior suites, 4 suites and 1 Presidential Suite called the Navratna, which is actually an entire carriage offering two bedrooms, a dining room, a modern private bathroom with bath tub and a separate living area. Heralding many a mesmerising moment in your life, its panoramic windows make sure you capture every magical snapshot, en route the Ranthambore National Park to the capital of Rajasthan fondly referred to as the Pink city of Jaipur, City of Palaces – Udaipur, Agra’s iconic Taj Mahal, the city of temples – Khajuraho and the holy city of Varanasi. The whole journey promises to be adventurous and memorable for all.
The Golden Chariot
Welcome aboard the Golden Chariot in the fascinating journey towards the south side of India. This train is named after the world heritage site of the stone chariot of Hampi in Southern India, the Golden Chariot built on Mysore and the intricately carved Hosalya Temple architecture. This train is equipped with comforts one could only dream about. It serves inter-continental as well as Indian cuisines, has a lounge bar, a world class spa & gym and 19 specially designed coaches. Journey on the Golden Chariot allows you to travel back in time and is a wonderful mix of heritage and culture. Traversing across the colourful and culturally vibrant southern regions of India is such a pleasure in this train. It takes you away in a dreamland for 7 nights and 8 days at a price of US $ 754 /- per person per night. The reservations can be made through the railways Delhi office in advance and anyone can come on board. The places of interest that it covers are Mysore – the city of palaces, Kabini wildlife reserve, the magnificent world heritage sites of Hassan and Hospet and the honeymoon paradise Goa with its amazing sunsets! After breakfast on the train you can board a super luxurious AC coach for site seeing where you would be treated to a five-star lunch and after the tour of the tourists spots you get back on the train in the evening in time for dinner and a refreshing sleep.
Royal Rajasthan on Wheels
The Royal Rajasthan on wheels is a heritage train full of splendor. It oozes luxury and you will be treated like royalty by kidmatgars and taken on this romantic trip of the vibrant Mysore Palace, Karnataka states of the regal Rajasthan, magnificent Madhya Pradesh, and unforgettable Uttar Pradesh. The magic of this unforgettable journey begins from New Delhi and takes you through the princely states of the pink city of Jaipur, the golden city of Jaisalmer, the blue city of Jodhpur, Sawai Madhopur, Chittaurgarh, Udaipur and Bharatpur and then to the city of the Taj Mahal, Agra. Throughout the entire journey you witness the multi-hued magnificent architecture, vibrant and festive colours, and one of the most photographed monuments, the Taj Mahal. Every moment in the Royal Rajasthan on Wheels will contribute its bit to a cherished experience deeply etched into the mind, body and soul forever. The price is US $ 625/- per person per night and the trip is for 8 days and 7 nights. The highlights of the journey are the Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur, the temples of Khajuraho, the Ranthambore National Park, The Ghats of Varanasi, Boat Cruise, Udaipur, Amber Fort, Jaipur and the Taj Mahal, Agra.
The Palace on Wheels
Bhale Padharo Sa! Embark upon the royal journey to explore the most spectacular sights in the style of the old time Maharajas. The legendary pioneer Palace on Wheels train, are complete with dining cars, lounges, cabins, bar, library, carved furniture, splendid paintings and elegant handicrafts beckon you to relive the romance of the princely sojourn in the vibrant and colourful Rajasthan. Witness picturesque monuments, palaces, havelis, forts, national parks and world renowned – symbol of love – the Taj Mahal. The Palace on Wheels takes you to Jaipur, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bharatpur and Agra in 8 days and 7 nights. The price is US $ 575/- per person per night. The highlights are the iconic Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal in Jaipur, wild-life safari in Ranthambore National Park, the ancient fort of Chittorgarh, Udaipur city palace and crystal gallery, the sandstone havelis in Thar Desert of Jaisalmer, the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur, and the sandstone Agra fort.
The Deccan Odyssey
Since the advent of the railways in India, train journeys have been the subject of much fascination and mystery. Indian Royalty and the British aristocracy would often set out on a game or shikaar, out in the wilderness, deserts or mountains, travelling in the luxury of their private palaces on wheels. Today, the Deccan Odyssey continues this legacy of princely sojourns by offering you fascinating journeys covering the length and breadth of the exotic and enchanting landscape of India! The Deccan Odyssey will overwhelm your senses to soak in India’s vibrant hues, embarking on a majestic voyage unfolding a valiant past of the legendary Marathas. Traversing across magnificent landscapes, its sprawling forts, palaces, and beautifying experiences, the train allows you a peek into the Indian soul, redefining the art of elegant travel, en route exotic destinations via Ganpatipule, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Goa, Pune, Ajanta and Ellora (Aurangabad). Spread out into 21 coaches that facilitate 4 coupes each and 2 Presidential Suite Cars, it has a lounge and a state of the art Spa Car too. Visit India’s architectural wonders and World Heritage Sites in Agra, Vadodara, Jaipur and Ranthambore. Relish the secret recipes from the royal kitchens of Vadodara and Rajasthan. Experience the thrill of a safari in search of the elusive wildcats at Ranthambore and indulge in retail therapy visiting the colourful and bustling bazaars of the royal cities of Rajasthan. The tariff and the duration of the trip are pretty much similar.
Hidden Treasures of Gujarat
The Deccan Odyssey has many routes and sub-trains so you may choose whatever suits you best. One will commence from Mumbai and end at Mumbai covering Pune, Satara, Shingnapur, Shirdi and other adjacent places, whereas some, as the hidden treasures of Gujarat will take to the western part of India so you may soak in India’s vibrant hues, embarking on a majestic voyage traversing across magnificent landscapes and Gujarat’s sprawling forts and palaces. Spread out into 21 coaches that facilitate 4 coupes each and 2 Presidential Suite Cars, it has a lounge and a state of the art Spa Car too. Go explore the world heritage site of Champaner – Pavagadh, the historic monuments at Palitana and Modhera and get enamoured with the royal Asiatic lions in Sasan Gir. So go Gujarat!
Enjoy the ride with your beloved and feel the romance blossom.
