Palace on Wheels

Day 1 — Delhi: The Capital City

Guests report to Safdarjung Railway Station by 4:00 PM and are welcomed with a traditional ceremony of garlands, tikka and turban. After settling into their dynasty-themed cabins, welcome drinks are served and staff introduce the train's amenities. The Palace on Wheels departs at 6:30 PM; dinner is served in the Sheesh Mahal or Swarn Mahal restaurants as the city lights of Delhi fade behind.

Day 2 — Jaipur: The Pink City

Breakfast is served at 7:00 AM, followed by a royal welcome with garlands and Kali Ghodi dance. Morning sightseeing covers the Albert Hall Museum, City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal and the majestic Amber Fort — with the option of an elephant ride up the fort ramparts. Lunch is served at the celebrated 1135 AD restaurant within Amber Fort. The afternoon is given over to shopping at Jaipur's vibrant bazaars. The train departs at 8:00 PM toward Sawai Madhopur.

Day 3 — Sawai Madhopur & Chittorgarh

An early-morning jeep safari into Ranthambore National Park begins at 6:00 AM — one of India's best settings for spotting Bengal tigers amid ancient ruins and forest lakes. Breakfast is served on board at 10:00 AM as the train departs at 10:20 AM. The train arrives at Chittorgarh at 3:00 PM; sightseeing begins at 4:00 PM at the imposing Chittorgarh Fort — a UNESCO World Heritage Site resonant with tales of Rajput bravery and sacrifice. High tea is served at the fort restaurant, and the evening culminates in an atmospheric Sound and Light programme. Guests return to the train by 8:00 PM for dinner.

Day 4 — Udaipur: The City of Lakes

The train arrives at 7:00 AM. After breakfast at 7:30 AM, sightseeing departs at 9:00 AM to explore Saheliyon ki Bari, the City Palace and the Crystal Gallery. Lunch is taken at the elegant Fateh Prakash Palace Hotel. The afternoon highlight is a boat ride across the shimmering Lake Pichola to Jag Mandir Palace, with high tea served on the water. The train departs toward Jaisalmer at 4:00 PM; dinner is served en route.

Day 5 — Jaisalmer: The Golden City

Breakfast is available from 7:30 AM as the train glides into the desert. Sightseeing begins at 9:30 AM: Gadisar Lake, the ornate havelis of Nathmal ji ki Haveli and Patwon ki Haveli, the golden sandstone Jaisalmer Fort and a Heritage City Walk. After lunch on board, guests are taken at 4:00 PM for a camel safari across the Sam Sand Dunes at sunset. The evening concludes with a special dinner and live cultural programme at Gorbandh Palace, with the illuminated fort as a backdrop.

Day 6 — Jodhpur: The Blue City

Breakfast at 7:30 AM precedes a morning of exploration in the Blue City: the commanding Mehrangarh Fort, the art-deco Umaid Bhawan Palace, and the delicate marble cenotaphs of Jaswant Thada. Lunch is served at Ajit Bhawan Palace. Guests return to the train by 4:00 PM to relax in the on-board lounges and spa. Dinner is at 7:30 PM; the train departs toward Bharatpur.

Day 7 — Bharatpur & Agra

A dawn rickshaw safari into Keoladeo National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site) begins at 6:30 AM — home to 380 resident and migratory bird species, including the rare Siberian crane in winter. Guests return at 8:45 AM for breakfast before the train moves to Agra, arriving at 11:00 AM. The morning is spent at Agra Fort, followed by lunch at 1:30 PM. The afternoon is devoted to the Taj Mahal — one of the Seven Wonders of the World — and time for shopping in Agra's craft markets. Dinner is at 7:30 PM; the train departs at 8:45 PM for Delhi.

Day 8 — Delhi: Journey's End

The Palace on Wheels arrives at Safdarjung Railway Station in the early hours. A final breakfast is served from 6:00 AM, with check-out formalities beginning at 7:30 AM. Guests disembark with memories of eight unforgettable days through the heart of royal India.