History of The Palace On Wheels

The Palace On Wheels has graced the Rajasthan Tourism and Indian Railways since January 1982. The Rajasthan
Tourism Development Corporation, The Indian Railways, the Tourism Department of Rajasthan and the
Government of India launched Palace On Wheels as a special heritage tourist train for providing a unique and
memorable experience to the tourists visiting Rajasthan.
The concept of the Palace On Wheels was derived from the royal background of the coaches, which were originally
meant to be the personal Railway coaches of the erstwhile rulers of the princely states of Rajputana, Gujarat, the
Nizam of Hyderabad and the Viceroy of British India.
The Legend
These coaches were not being used by the Indian Railways after independence in normal passenger trains on
account of very rich and traditional interiors.
The Palace On Wheels started as a unique holiday train hauled by a steam engine with its inaugural trip on 26th
January 1982. It started to roll on its regular operations from October 1982.
The Legend Conserved
In 1991, a new air-conditioned meter gauge Palace On Wheels on the lines of the old heritage train was launched
with 13 salons, 2 restaurants, kitchen car, Bar cum lounge and 4 service cars.
'Khidmatgars' or personal attendants, in each cabin, cater to all your needs.
The Legend and the Modern
The Palace On Wheels has gained remarkable success and attained worldwide acclaim
and popularity including the PATA gold award in 1987. The Palace On Wheels has been
rated as one of the ten best luxurious rail journeys in the world. The popularity of the
train has been enhanced by the media. Famous TV Teams such as BBC, MTV, Zee TV,
National Geographic, MDR of Germany and many others have covered the train and
shown it on their network.
It has carried 36096 tourists in 578 trios up to April 2002
The eight days and seven nights journey in royal splendour takes you to the territory Maharajas, the 'Pink City' of
Jaipur; Jaisalmer 'the jewel of the desert'; the majestic stronghold of Jodhpur; Sawai Madhopur for the Ranthambor
National Park; the city of Chittaurgarh with its countless tales of Rajput chivalry; Udaipur with its lakes and Lake
Palaces; Bharatpur - with its remarkable Keoladeo Ghana bird sanctuary; the red stone city of Fatehpur Sikri; and of
course, the Taj Mahal in Agra - one of the seven wonders of the world.
The Legend and the Modern - Symbiosis Continues
The Palace On Wheels comprises of 14 fully air-conditioned deluxe salons, equipped with world-class amenities to
enhance the pleasure of travelling
The 14 coaches are made up of 104 passenger berths in double bedded cabins, each with channel music, intercom,
attached toilet, running hot and cold water and a shower.
The coaches are named after former Rajput states matching the aesthetics and interiors of the royal past. Each salon
has a mini pantry and a lounge to ensure availability of hot and cold beverages, and refreshments and a place to
relax and get together.
The train has two lavish restaurants "The Maharaja" and "The Maharani" with a Rajasthani ambience serving palate
tickling Continental, Chinese, Indian and Rajasthani cuisines. The train also boasts of a well stocked bar offering

the choicest of spirits of Indian and international brands. Each coach also offers a good collection of books to
choose from.
The Palace On Wheels is regularly refurbished to a great extent. The dcor in the salons and bar lounge has been
changed, keeping in mind the traditionally aesthetic yet modern, Palace On Wheels. Toilets have been redone and
maintained sparkling clean. Each salon lounge has been equipped with a colour television and a CD player.
A satellite phone is on the way to enable you communicate anywhere in the world from the train.
Palace On Wheels Destinations
Welcome aboard the Palace On Wheels on its splendid and enchanting royal journey through the bygone era of the
erstwhile Maharajas. On board the Palace on Wheels you will feel the magic of the royal Rajasthan and the amazing
Agra. Colour, action, fun and frolic added with rich local culture and tradition create an ethnic ambience and attract
large number of tourists to these Indian destinations every year. The beautiful landscapes are there to bewitch you
entirely. The journey promises to be the most vivacious and vibrant week of your life. The royal retreat takes you
through the hues of the pink city, city of lakes, national park and the elegy of love.
The journey commences on the Wednesday night when the dinner is served onboard. The eight days' and seven
nights' magnificent journey in royal splendour takes you across The Tourist Destinations in Rajasthan and Uttar
Pradesh.

07 Nights / 08 Days Palace on Wheels Tour

Day 01, Wed :- Delhi /Jaipur
Place: Delhi Safdarjung Railway Station. The journey of a lifetime begins at the
Delhi Safdarjung Railway Station where the guests are accorded a warm, traditional
welcome before the Palace-On-Wheels pulls out into the night& for a week-long
luxury cruise through fascinating Rajasthan.

Day 02, Thu :- Jaipur

The Luxury Trains Holidays at the capital city of Rajasthan Jaipur is an absolute must on the itinerary of any tourist to
India. Along with the dashing Delhi and the amazing Agra it
forms the Golden Triangle of Indian Tourism. The day is going to be an experience in
itself.

Day 03, Fri :- Jaisalmer

On Friday, the third day Palace On Wheels arrives at 06.15 hrs at Jaisalmer. You get
to spend the day in this isolated, but Architecturally, one of the greatest Royal
Bastions of the World. After a safari dinner served under the stars, at a campsite,
come back to the train to resume your journey at 23.30 hrs. Jaisalmer stands tall in
the desolate beauty of the desert, proudly welcoming visitors to an enchanting world
of fable, color, and history.
Day 04, Sat :- Jodhpur
From Jaisalmer the Palace On Wheels chugs on to yet another desert kingdom of
Jodhpur on Saturday and arrives at 08.00 hrs. Famous for its magnificent forts and
palaces, Jodhpur is the second largest city of Rajasthan and a major tourist attraction in
the country. Jodhpur city is situated at the edge of the Thar Desert with Jaisalmer on its
west, Barmar, Jalor and Pali on its south, Bikaner on its north, and Nagaur on the
eastern side.
Day 05, Sun :- Sawai Madhopur
Moving on from the desert kingdom of Jodhpur, on the fifth day of the royal retreat
in Palace on Wheels you will be in Sawai Madhopur at 04.00 hrs. After you enjoy
the breakfast at the Castle Jhoomar Baori enter the Ranthambore National Park with
the adjoining Aravali and the Vindhya ranges. Your excitement is bound to rise, as
you get ready to visit another royal dignitary in his kingdom.
Day 05, Sun :- Chittaurgarh

On the fifth day of the journey aboard the Palace On Wheels after a date with the
royal tigers at Ranthambore National Park, you arrive at Chittaurgarh at 15.30 hrs.
The story of Chittaurgarh is a saga of valour, tenacity and sacrifice. Chittaurgarh
(also Chittorgarh) was sacked three times. The Fort of Chittaurgarh is a treasure
trove of history and offers to the traveller an insight into the life of the Great Rajput
rulers.

Day 06, Mon :- Udaipur

Moving on from the India's most valorous fort of Chittaurgarh Palace On Wheels
next halt happens to be the other capital of the Sisodia Maharanas, Udaipur. On the
sixth day of the Palace On Wheels Tour you arrive at Udaipur at 07.30 hrs. Udaipur
is also known as the "City of Palaces", a "Fairyland" and a "Vision in Dream".
Day 07, Tue :- Bharatpur
After bidding good-bye to Udaipur on the seventh day of its trip the Palace on Wheels
arrives at the beautiful Bharatpur at 06.00 hrs. The breakfast in the royal kingdom will
be at the Saras hotel. The city of Bharatpur is an avian paradise and is renowned for the
bird sanctuary. This superb waterfowl habitat, one of the finest in the world, was
actually created by a maharaja.

Day 07, Tue :- Agra

Agra, or the city of the Taj, as it is known all over the world, forms the first
destination on the itinerary of most travellers coming into India. Forming part of the
famous 'Golden Triangle' (Delhi-Jaipur-Agra), it is placed on the western bank of the
Yamuna. The Palace On Wheels takes you to the amazing city of Agra where the Taj
Mahal is the perfect finale to your royal sojourn.

Day 08, Wed :- Delhi

Early Mornning arrive at Delhi Safdarjung Railway station. Breakfast on board - Check out and proceed for next
destination with the great memories.
Destinations Covered by the Palace On Wheels
Introduction | Jaipur | Jaisalmer | Jodhpur | Sawai Madhopur | Chittaurgarh | Udaipur
| Bharatpur | Agra |

Do's and Dont's

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A Subsidiary of Indian Holiday Pvt. Ltd.
Copyright 1998 - 2005 : Indian Visit Pvt. Ltd.

Recognized by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India

We are also affiliatedPalace On Wheels Tariffs - Departures
Welcome to the page where you get full-fledged information on Palace On Wheels Tariff, Palace On Wheels
fare, Palace On Wheels Departure schedule and payment / cancellation details for this luxury train. Please follow
the links below for details:
Tariff | Departure Schedule | Payment / Cancellation | More Details
Palace on Wheels - 2010-2011 (PER PERSON, PER NIGHT)
Tour Itinerary : 7 Nights / 8 Days
Departure : Every Wednesday
Validity

September 2010 to April 2011

Occupency

Amount in US$

Single Occupancy

US$ 670

Double Occupancy

US$ 500

Triple Occupancy

US$ 450

Note :

50% of tariff for children between 5 years and 12 years of age.

Service tax @2.58% and commerical tax us$ 15 per person extra as applicable.

10% of tariff for infant upto 5 years of age.

There will be a 10% surcharge levied on the tariff for the trips falling during Christmas and New Year.

No Charter can be booked during X-mas & New Year period.

Tariff is inclusive of cost of travel and accommodation, catering (morning tea, breakfast, lunch, evening tea and
dinner), conducted sightseeing tours in deluxe coaches, entrance fee for monuments and palaces and cultural
entertainment.
Tariff does not include liquor, laundry, video camera and other item of personal nature.
Booking Policy:
a) In case of FITs:

20% of ticket value at the time of confirming the booking.

Remaining 80% of ticket value 60 days prior to departure of the tour.

b) In case of Group and Charter:

50% of ticket value at the time of confirming the booking.

Remaining 50% of ticket value 60 days prior to departure of the tour.

Cancellation Policy:
a) In case of FITs:

5% of ticket value 60 days prior to departure.

20% of ticket value between 30 to 59 days prior to departure.

100% of ticket value less than 30 days prior to departure.

b) In case of Group and Charter:

10% of ticket value 60 days prior to departure.

100% of ticket value between 0 to 59 days prior to departure.

No show/ En route termination of tour/amendment:

to:

No Show - In case of No Show / Non-arrival of the guest, no refund or adjustment in future travel will be
possible. The whole amount shall be treated as forfeited.

En route termination of tour - In case of termination of tour by the guest, for any reasons, no refund or
adjustment for future travel will be possible. The amount for unused portion of the tour shall be treated as
forfeited.

Amendment - Is only possible under the circumstances like Natural Disaster / Natural Calamity or Serious
Health Problem's (this needs to be supported by doctor's certificate) and is subject to availability. No refunds
are possible and every case be decided on merits on a case to case basis.