Palace on Wheels:
Travel Like a Maharaja in India's Golden Triangle

By Rakhi Abraham

There are numerous travel packages available to see India, but the lavish Palace on Wheels train journey treats you like a Maharaja. Rakhi Abraham took this royal journey and offers a personal account of her captivating experience.

Want to travel like a Maharaja visiting mesmerizing palaces, adventurous forest reserves and beguiling cities of an exciting region of India? Well, then, welcome aboard the Palace on Wheels, an amazing railway journey through the Delhi, Agra and Rajasthan regions known as India's golden triangle.
A trip in this amazing train will transport you to the heydays of the maharajahs and British sahibs who used this train for their entertainment. Today, this steel on wheels vehicle is part of a travel package offered by the Department of Tourism of Rajasthan and Indian Railways to revoke the glory of the past and allow us to savor a bit of that bygone era.
Everything aboard this train or 'palace' is luxurious. The train has 14 deluxe air-conditioned saloons, two restaurant and kitchen cars, one lounge and four service cars. The saloons are equipped with a bath and showers. There is even a library on board. The restaurants serve inviting Indian continental and other cuisines. The entire train is embellished with decorations and paintings from the past.
The Palace on Wheels has been rated as one of the ten best luxurious train journeys in the world today. Initially, it consisted of 12 fully furnished saloons owned by the Nizam, maharajahs and British viceroy. It was revived as a unique tourist journey in 1982, when it made its maiden run hauled by a steam engine.
The interiors are replicas of the old historic coaches. Each saloon is twin bedded, with channel music, intercom, and attached baths. The names of the saloons are based on the princely states of Rajasthan.
Aboard the Palace on Wheels, you can treat yourself to a jolly ride to exotic destinations like Jaipur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Ranathambore National Park, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary and, finally, the eternally romantic Agra.
The journey begins and ends in Delhi, which makes getting to it simple. Board on Day 1 at Delhi and on Day 2, arrive at Jaipur, which is known as the Pink City. You can see the architectural legacy of the Rajputs and the Mughals in Jaipur. Visit Hawa Mahal, or the Palace of Winds. Visit the Jantar Mandir, which is an 18-century observatory. Also on the itinerary are the City Palace and Amber Fort.
On Day 3, you arrive at Jaisalmer, which is the land of sandstone mansions, or havelis. The city, enclosed by the Jaisalmer Fort, retains its old charm. Patwon ki Haveli, with its latticed windows, is its most famous monument. On Day 4, train riders will arrive at Jodhpur. The old city founded by Rao Jodhaji in 1459 AD is encircled by a 10-km wall with eight gates. And housed within the Mehrangarh Fort are the famous palaces Moti Mahal and Phool Mahal. The Umaid Bhavan palace has been partly converted into a museum and enjoyable to visit.
On Day 5, travelers arrive at Sawai Madhopur, which is the entrance to the famous Ranthambore National Park. Enjoy sighting wildlife like the Indian tiger, hyena, Nilgai, wild boar and thousands of species of birds. The Ranathambore Fort is still an imposing monument worth seeing. In the evening, visit the Chittaurgarh Fort, Padmini's palace, Vijaystambh and Kirtistambh.
On Day 6, tourists arrive at Udaipur, which is known as the Venice of the East. It has rugged fortresses, lakes and forested hills to explore. The Lake Place and Jag Mandir are major attractions in this area. Towards the end of the trip on Day 7, you will find yourself in front of the most romantic monument ever built: the Taj Mahal in Agra. In the afternoon, visit the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. On the final day, travelers will arrive back in Delhi, satiated with wonderful memories.
This wonderful journey undertaken in the lap of luxury, in the comfort of the gracious hosting of the Indian Railways, will surely leave you enriched, contented and delighted.
The cost of a twin-sharing ride for an 8-day package will run tourists approximately $2,700 U.S. dollars per person, but it's definitely worth the price.