Overview
Where Your Spirit Awakens with Every Mile
You find yourself standing on the precipice of transformation, where the mundane dissolves into the extraordinary. As the Palace on Wheels carries you through the vibrant heart of India, you become more than a traveler; you are a curator of moments, a weaver of stories. Each city whispers secrets to your soul, crafting a narrative where you emerge not just enriched but profoundly changed, a version of yourself who sees life through a lens of wonder and connection.
In New Delhi, the echoes of history intertwine with your own story, setting the stage for new beginnings. Jaipur envelops you in its royal embrace, where each hue of the Pink City deepens your appreciation for life's beauty. As you journey through the wilds of Ranthambore and the serenity of Udaipur's lakes, your spirit dances between awe and peace. Jaisalmer's golden sands and Jodhpur's azure landscapes awaken your creative spirit, while Agra's Taj Mahal etches love's timelessness into your heart. With each destination, you gather memories like precious gems, crafting a legacy that lingers long after the train fades into the horizon.
Itinerary
Your Itinerary

NEW DELHI
Wednesday: Join us on a sightseeing tour of Delhi via air-conditioned vehicle beginning at 9:00 a.m.* You may visit sights such as Humayun's Tomb and the impressive Qutub Minar built by Qutub-ud-Din Aibek in 1199 from sandstone and marble. Drive past India Gate (War Memorial Arch), the President's House and Parliament House. Enjoy visits to Birla Temple and Bangla Sahib Gurdwara, the largest Sikh house of worship in Delhi.
Later you are dropped off at Safdarjang train station around 4:30 in the afternoon to embark on the journey of a lifetime... a week-long luxury cruise through fascinating Rajasthan on board the Palace on Wheels.

JAIPUR
Thursday: The first stop of Palace on Wheels is Jaipur, one of the most well planned cities of the world in its time. This capital city of Rajasthan, popularly known as the Pink City, was founded by Maharaja Swai Jai Singh II in 1727 A.D. To explore the city, an air-conditioned coach takes you to Hawa Mahal, also known as the Palace of Winds, which is a remarkable five story building along the main street of the old city in pink splendor with semi-octagonal and delicate honeycombed sandstone windows.
This is followed by a visit to Amber Fort, eight kms. away, where rides on caparisoned elephants add to the ambiance.

CHITTORGARH & SAWAI MADHOPUR
Friday: One can almost sense a life of the wilderness as the Palace on Wheels arrives in Sawai Madhopur, a city named after its founder Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I. After breakfast, visit the Ranthambore National Park, where the ruins of a 10th century fort are located. This wildlife sanctuary is considered to be the country’s best for observing and photographing the activities of the tiger.
The park, covering an area of 392 sq.kms. is also home to more than 300 species of birds. The tiger, hyena, ratel, jackal and fox are among those constituting the carnivorous population here.

UDAIPUR
Saturday: Arrive this morning in Udaipur, the Lake City, which was founded by Maharana Udai Singh of Mewar in 1559 A.D. after the Sisodia dynasty was driven away by the Mughals. Perhaps the two most beautiful sites of Udaipur are the dream-like marble palaces - the Jag Niwas (Lake Palace) and the Jag Mandir, which appear to rise from the blue waters of Lake Pichola. After lunch at one of the fine hotels, take an exhilirating visit to City Palace. In the evening, visit the crystal gallery and later proceed to Jaisalmer on board Palace on Wheels.

JAISALMER
Sunday: In the heart of the Thar Desert lies Jaisalmer, founded by Rawal Jaisal in 1156 A.D. Here the yellow sandstone fort is an imposing sight, towering magnificently over the city. Discover the painstakingly latticed havelis or mansions with their grand facades. The Nathmalji-ki-haveli, Patwon-ki-haveli and Salim Singh-ki-haveli are fine examples of the stone carver’s skill.
Shop at Rajasthali, the only Rajasthan Govt. Emporium, for fine pattu shawls, mirror work, embroidered articles, wooden boxes, trinkets, silver jewelry and curios. After lunch on board, go for an exciting camel ride on the sand dunes of Sam before sipping a refreshing cup of tea.

JODHPUR
Monday: This morning, the Palace on Wheels arrives in Jodhpur, a city ringed by a high stone wall with seven gates and several bastions. This second largest city of Rajasthan, founded by Rao Jodha in 1459 A.D. is known for its rock-solid Mehrangarh Fort. The grand palaces within - Moti Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sileh Khana and Daulat Khana are impressive examples of architectural excellence.
Near the fort complex lies Jaswant Thada and a group of royal cenotaphs made of white marble. After lunch at a royal Palace hotel, return to the Palace on Wheels.

AGRA & BHARATPUR
Tuesday: Early this morning, the train arrives in Bharatpur, the capital of Maharaja Suraj Mal. After breakfast, pay a visit to the world famous bird sanctuary, Keoladeo Ghana National Park, the nesting place of thousands of egrets, Siberian cranes, migratory water fowl and other species of birds. From Bharatpur you board the train again and arrive at the Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world.
This pristine monument of undying love was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal. Also visit Agra Fort and see other monuments and tombs about town.

NEW DELHI
Wednesday: After a good night’s sleep, arrive at the Safdarjang train station at 6:00 a.m. and let the pleasant memories of the past week linger on your mind for a long, long time. Enjoy breakfast on board. Disembark the train by 7:30 a.m.
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Terms & Conditions
CANCELLATION FEES:
- Minimum 20% gross value of the train ticket will be levied as Cancellation Fee if the tickets cancelled before 90 days or more left for Tour Departure.
- Minimum 25% gross value of the train ticket will be levied as Cancellation Fee if the tickets cancelled before 75 Days or more left but not more than 89 days for Tour Departure.
- 100% gross value of the train ticket will be levied as Cancellation Fee if the tickets cancelled before 74 days or less left for Tour Departure.
No-Shows/ En-Route Termination:
- In case of No-Show / Non-arrival of the guest, refund or adjustment for future travel will not be applicable. The whole amount shall be treated as forfeited.
- In case of En-route termination of tour by the guest, for any reasons refund or adjustment will not be applicable. The amount for unused portion of the tour shall be treated as forfeited.
Tour Amendments:
- All Amendments are subject to Approvals from authorised team of Palace on Wheels.
- Amendments only possible under the circumstances like Natural Disaster / Natural Calamity or Serious Health Problems (this needs to be supported by doctor's certificate) and is subject to approval.
- No refunds are possible, and every case will be decided on merits on a case-to-case basis. No amendment will be permissible in case of booking of groups or complete train.
General Rules:
- Cancellation rules to be applicable in case travel documents or pending payments are not received as per booking terms & conditions.
- In special case-where travel date of same passengers needs to be postponed to future specific dates, minimum US$ 100 per person will be charged & the same will be subject to availability and approvals.
- Request for refund of advance/full payment, due to death or serious illness of passenger will be at sole discretion of management of Palace on Wheels.
- In case a scheduled train tour departure is cancelled for any reason by the train tour operator (RTDC), the guest will be informed at least one week prior to the departure. In such cases, the full amount received will be refunded to the guest without any cancellation fee.
- Palace on Wheels or its associated entities can not be held liable to compensate for any additional Financial Loss caused viz Fee towards Cancellation of Air Tickets, Hotel Booking etc or if any Mental Trauma caused. No Interest or compensation will be payable in case of Tour Cancellation by tour operator.
- Requests for refunds due to refusal of an Indian visa will not be entertained. Similarly, overseas passengers arriving in India without proper travel documents will be governed by the cancellation rules.
- No refund will be made in case of no-show or self-curtailment of journey..
- Unwillingness to undertake the train tour as per the schedule will render the booking non-refundable.
IMPORTANT ADVISORY
- We strongly suggest all guests to pre-purchase Tour Insurance from country of origin of travel.
- From the 3rd week of December to the 3rd week of January, North India typically experiences heavy fog conditions, and passengers are advised to arrive in New Delhi at least one day prior during this period.
- Liability of Principal train Tour Operator is limited to as defined in Indian Railways Act.
- Please add 3 days to the above schedule for cancellation in order to accommodate any changes and communication between USA and India
- Disputes (if any) are subject to jurisdiction of courts at Jaipur (Rajasthan) only.
Inclusions & Exclusions
The Palace on Wheels is a fixed 7-night journey and the full seven nights must be purchased. No refund is given for unused portions of the tour.
Cabin categories
Fares differ by cabin, and so do some of the inclusions:
- Deluxe Cabin (approx. 131 sq ft, twin beds) – priced per person, with separate single and double occupancy rates. Sightseeing is with the group in deluxe coaches.
- Super Deluxe Cabin (approx. 131 sq ft, queen bed) – sold per cabin. Includes a private car (Innova or similar) with a dedicated private guide for excursions, plus a complimentary 30-minute spa session.
- Suite Cabin (approx. 180 sq ft, queen bed, panoramic window) – sold per cabin. Includes a private car (Innova or similar) with a dedicated private guide for excursions, plus a complimentary 30-minute spa session.
- Presidential Suite (approx. 240 sq ft, king bed, private lounge, en-suite tub) – sold per cabin. Includes a luxury private car (Fortuner or similar) with a dedicated private guide, a dedicated 24-hour butler and a complimentary 30-minute spa session.
The three categories sold per cabin are charged the same whether one or two guests occupy them; there is no reduced single-occupancy rate in those categories.
Children
- Children under 5 years travel complimentary when sharing their parents' cabin.
- Children aged 5 to under 12 travel at a reduced rate. Where a child occupies a berth in their own right (one adult and one child sharing a cabin), the child is charged at 75% of the applicable rate. Where a child shares the parents' cabin on an additional mattress, a 50% rate applies – this is subject to the operator's approval and must be arranged with us directly rather than booked online.
- Age is taken as at the date of departure. Each cabin accommodates two adults.
The tariff is inclusive of:
- Delhi sightseeing tour on Day 01 with the group and drop-off at the train station
- Palace on Wheels 7-night journey, including cost of travel and accommodation per the itinerary
- Full catering (morning tea, breakfast, lunch, evening tea and dinner)
- Tea, coffee and bottled water
- Conducted sightseeing at every destination – in deluxe coaches for Deluxe Cabin guests, or by private car with a dedicated private guide for Super Deluxe Cabin, Suite Cabin and Presidential Suite guests
- Service of an English-speaking guide for all sightseeing
- Entrance fees for monuments and palaces as specified in the itinerary
- Camel ride at Jaisalmer, boat ride at Udaipur and rickshaw ride at Bharatpur, included as standard and operated at the discretion and schedule of RTDC
- Cultural entertainment
The tariff does NOT include:
- GST – currently 5% of total tour value, calculated and payable together with your balance payment. The rate is set by the Government of India and is subject to change; the rate applicable to your journey will be confirmed to you before departure.
- Domestic or international airfare
- Travel insurance or visa fees
- Liquor, soft drinks, juices, wine or beer
- Camera fees at monuments
- Laundry services, additional toiletries, gratuities, souvenirs or any items of a personal nature
- Any services in Delhi not specified as included, such as sightseeing, transfers or hotel accommodation
- Monument entrance fees during the Delhi sightseeing tour
- Any item not specifically mentioned as included
Festive departures: departures whose seven nights cover 25 December or 1 January carry a 10% supplement. This is already reflected in the rate shown for those dates, so nothing further is added later.
Indian nationals: a separate fixed tariff in Indian rupees applies to guests holding a valid Indian passport or an OCI card, with valid proof submitted at the time of booking. Please contact us for the current rupee tariff.
Accommodations
Palace on Wheels cabin categories
The train carries 42 cabins in four categories. Every cabin is fully air-conditioned and has its own en-suite bathroom with shower, never shared with other guests.
Deluxe Cabin – 36 cabins, approx. 131 sq ft
- Twin beds that can be joined to form a double bed
- Spread across 12 coaches named after the former Rajput states, three cabins per coach with a mini pantry
- Large window and Rajasthani decor
Super Deluxe Cabin – 3 cabins, approx. 131 sq ft, Bharatpur coach
- Queen-size bed
- Private car (Innova or similar) and a dedicated private guide for excursions
- Complimentary 30-minute spa session for two, once per journey
Suite Cabin – 2 cabins, approx. 180 sq ft, Jhalawar coach
- Queen-size bed with a large panoramic window beside it
- Private car (Innova or similar) and a dedicated private guide for excursions
- In-room dining and a complimentary 30-minute spa session
Presidential Suite – 1 cabin, approx. 240 sq ft
- King-size bed, private lounge area, and en-suite bathroom with tub
- Vietnam marble flooring and traditional Thikri mirror ceiling work
- Luxury private car (Fortuner or similar) and a dedicated private guide for excursions
- Dedicated 24-hour butler, in-room dining and a complimentary 30-minute spa session
Private excursions
Guests travelling in the Super Deluxe Cabin, Suite Cabin and Presidential Suite explore each destination with a private car and their own dedicated guide, rather than joining the group coach. Deluxe Cabin guests enjoy the same full sightseeing programme as part of the group.
In every cabin
- 24-hour butler service in each saloon
- Doctor on call
- Internet access
- Electronic safe for valuables
- Fine loungewear and premium toiletries
- Daily housekeeping and turndown service
- Wake-up call and concierge assistance
- Complimentary beverages, tea and coffee
- Intercom, television and wall-to-wall carpeting
- 220 volt sockets
- Hot and cold running water 24 hours a day
- Hair dryer, with irons and ironing available from your attendant
- Laundry service (charges apply)
Restaurants
Two restaurants styled after palaces are on board, named "The Maharaja" and "The Maharani". In these Rajasthani-decor dining cars you will find Continental, Indian and Chinese dishes prepared by the chef and his team.
Spa Car
The spa car on board is where you rest and unwind after a day of touring palaces and forts. Guests in the Super Deluxe Cabin, Suite Cabin and Presidential Suite receive a complimentary 30-minute session.
Bar
Indian and international spirits are served in the on-board bar, and each carriage also holds a small library of books.
Carriage details
Each Deluxe coach holds three cabins and a mini pantry where hot and cold beverages are prepared. Khidmatgars (personal attendants) are on hand throughout the journey for any assistance you need.
Lounge
In the lounge you can spend time at leisure with magazines and newspapers.
Frequently Asked Questions & Tips
Double rate is the per-person rate when two guests share a cabin. Single rate is for one guest occupying a cabin alone.
Only the Deluxe Cabin has separate single and double rates. The Super Deluxe Cabin, Suite Cabin and Presidential Suite are sold per cabin, so the price is the same whether one or two guests occupy it.
Each cabin accommodates two adults. Children under 5 travel complimentary when sharing their parents' cabin; children aged 5 to under 12 are charged a reduced rate. An additional mattress for a child under 12 can sometimes be arranged, but this is subject to the operator's approval and cannot be booked online -- please contact us and we will make the arrangements.
For two adults travelling with two children aged 5 and 6, the best arrangement is two Deluxe Cabins, which can be requested side by side.
Our recommendation is to book as soon as you have an idea of when you would be traveling. Lately, the rooms for peak season get sold out 8-10 months before departure, so it will be in your best interest to book early in order to avoid disappointment later.
Yes, we maintain a waiting list for the sold out departure dates for the Palace on Wheels. You can add yourself to our waiting list by proceeding to our tour booking engine and clicking on the sold-out departure date that you desire.
We recommend you arrive in Delhi one to two days prior to the train's date of departure, depending on your itinerary. This will allow enough time for possible flight delays which are common during the winters (December through February) due to climactic conditions such as snow storms or fog in Delhi. This may also allow you time to rest after your long plane flight and afford you some time for sightseeing in Delhi prior to your train journey. International flights typically reach Delhi late at night or in the very early hours of the morning (i.e. from the USA, you should plan to leave on a Sunday evening, which will bring you to Delhi on Monday night/Tuesday morning). We pick guests up from the hotel at 9:00 AM on the day of the departure and take them to a sight seeing tour of Delhi and then dropoff at the Train Station at about 17:00 Hours.
The train is scheduled to arrive in Delhi on the Wednesday following your departure date at approximately 07:00 a.m. Passengers will be offered breakfast on board. You must disembark the train no later than 07:30 a.m. In case the train is delayed due to fog (from December-February), the earliest flight we recommend for leaving Delhi would be in the late afternoon. If you have an entire day before departing Delhi (i.e. for international flights leaving on Wednesday night / Thursday morning), we recommend checking in at a hotel in the city center and spending time at leisure or sightseeing in Delhi and its environs.
The train has 42 cabins: 36 Deluxe Cabins, 3 Super Deluxe Cabins, 2 Suite Cabins and 1 Presidential Suite. Each cabin accommodates two adults, so a fully booked departure carries up to 84 guests. The actual number varies with the mix of single and double occupancy sold on each departure.
There is no official dress code on board, but due to the upscale clientele, business casual is preferred (i.e. a collared shirt and trousers for men and a blouse and skirt or trousers for women.) Krutapajamas and sarees are also acceptable.
• Please carry clothing according to the average local temperatures. • We highly recommend you avoid wearing leather at any time. • Comfortable clothes and sneakers are recommended for sightseeing. Please be aware that when visiting temples, it is recommended to fully cover your legs and shoulders. You will also be required to remove your shoes inside the temples and we suggest you carry the shoes with you (do not leave them at the door). • No special evening attire is required, but you may carry it if you need it for any special personal occasion. • In December and January, a heavy jacket & warm hat are suggested for the visit to the outdoor Tiger Sanctuary at Ranthambore and the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. • We strongly suggest that you carry sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat to protect yourself from the afternoon sun.
Rajasthani, Chinese, Continental and American food is served on the train. Fixed menus vary daily. Please notify the chef or train manager of any special orders, dietary restrictions or food allergies.
Yes, laundry service is available at an additional charge. However, we recommend you do not utilize the laundry service for expensive/sentimental garments. Irons are available to borrow from your cabin attendant, who will also do your ironing upon request.
Wheelchairs are available upon request; kindly advise our office as soon as possible and at least 30 days prior to your departure of the necessity for a wheelchair during the sightseeing portions of the tour. Please know there are no ramps for entering/exiting the train, and the train corridors are too narrow to accommodate the passage of a wheelchair. For those in wheelchairs, the cabin attendants and train staff can assist with entering/exiting the train. During the sightseeing, you will need to provide your own assistance in managing the wheelchair. For those with other physical challenges, please contact our office for advice. There is some extended walking and standing during the sightseeing portions, often over uneven surfaces.
Palace on Wheels provides a non-smoking environment.
Yes. There are four categories on board:
- Deluxe Cabin (36 cabins, about 131 sq ft) - twin beds that can be joined to form a double, across 12 coaches named after former Rajput states.
- Super Deluxe Cabin (3 cabins, about 131 sq ft) - queen bed, in the Bharatpur coach.
- Suite Cabin (2 cabins, about 180 sq ft) - queen bed and larger picture windows beside the bed, in the Jhalawar coach.
- Presidential Suite (1 cabin, about 240 sq ft) - king bed, private lounge, jacuzzi and dedicated butler service.
Every cabin has its own private bathroom with shower; bathrooms are never shared with other guests. Each Deluxe coach holds three cabins and a mini pantry.
Guests in the Super Deluxe Cabin, Suite Cabin and Presidential Suite also receive a private car and a dedicated private guide for excursions, plus a complimentary 30-minute spa session.
Yes, there are two attendants per carriage meaning two attendants assigned to three cabins. The attendants will be happy to cater to all of your needs.
There is no luggage limit, but two suitcases per person (according to standard airline policy) work best to avoid inconvenience. The luggage will need to be stored in your room, under each bed (approx. 1 ft x 2.5 ft x 6 ft of under-bed space), or in the closet.
September and April are warm with the temperature ranging between 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit. In October, November, late February and March it is typically 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit. In December and January it is much cooler, between 45-70 degrees Fahrenheit, and you may experience foggy conditions.
The Safdarjung Railway Station is located in south Delhi, near the diplomatic enclave, approximately 30 minutes’ drive from the city center. Please note that the station is not well-equipped for long periods of waiting, so we recommend enjoying other parts of the city prior to your Palace on Wheels boarding time.
You are not required to stay aboard the train for seven nights. However, as the train follows a fixed itinerary, you will be responsible for your own transportation to/from your points of embarkation/disembarkation, for any hotels you use during the journey, for meals taken while separated from the group, etc.
Palace on Wheels is a very inclusive experience, so you will not need to pay for any meals, water/tea/coffee, sightseeing, monument entrances or accommodations. You will incur additional cost if you choose to purchase any wine, alcohol, soft drinks, or juices; laundry services; additional toiletries; camera fees at monuments; sightseeing, transfers, or other services in Delhi; gratuities; and/or souvenirs / items of personal nature.
Please also note: the fares shown are exclusive of GST, currently 5% of total tour value, which is calculated and payable with your balance payment; the applicable rate will be confirmed to you before departure. Departures covering Christmas and New Year carry a 10% festive supplement, which is already reflected in the rate shown for those dates.
You should plan to tip approximately $200 per room. You are welcome to tip in either US dollars or Indian rupees. Begin the trip on a good note by giving each of your two cabin attendants $25. We strongly urge you not to tip the cabin attendants for each service throughout the journey. At the conclusion of your trip, you might present $50 to each of the attendants and $50 to the train manager. You may desire to increase the final gratuity if the attendant/train manager has provided a special personal service to you. The tips to the cabin attendants are pooled and shared among the train staff. Of course, the gratuities are a personal decision that should be extended to reflect your enjoyment of the journey.
We have identified qualified doctors in each destination you visit. These doctors are available in any case you need emergency medical attention. In any case, please let the escort / attendant / anyone in our ground office know immediately if you feel unwell or think you are going to need medical attention.
Free WiFi internet is available on board. You may also utilize the business centers at the hotels you will visit for lunch; a fee will be required by the hotel.
Fees for carrying still/large video cameras into the monuments vary per site. However, you can approximate $10 for these fees for the entire journey. Camera fees are payable in Indian rupees upon entrance to each monument.
There is a bar, lounge, spa, indoor games and a mailbox for outgoing posts.
No. All fares shown are exclusive of GST. GST is currently 5% of the total tour value and is calculated and payable together with your balance payment, not at the time of booking. GST is levied by the Government of India and is subject to change. The rate applicable to your journey will be confirmed to you before departure.
It depends on the category. The Deluxe Cabin has a published single rate that is lower than the cost of taking the whole cabin, so a solo traveller pays a genuine single rate rather than two fares.
The Super Deluxe Cabin, Suite Cabin and Presidential Suite are sold per cabin. The price is the same whether one or two guests occupy it, so a solo traveller in one of these categories pays the full cabin price. There is no reduced sole-occupancy rate in these three categories.
Yes. Departures whose seven nights cover 25 December or 1 January carry a 10% festive supplement on the standard fare. This is already included in the price shown for those dates, so no separate charge is added later. Festive departures include a special gala dinner and celebrations on board.
The Presidential Suite is the most exclusive accommodation on board - a single suite of approximately 240 sq ft, with a king-size bed, a private lounge area and an en-suite bathroom with tub, finished in Vietnam marble with traditional Thikri mirror ceiling work.
It comes with a dedicated 24-hour butler, in-room dining, a complimentary 30-minute spa session, and a luxury private car (Fortuner or similar) with a dedicated private guide for every excursion.
Because there is only one Presidential Suite on the train, it is sold per cabin and books up well in advance. We recommend enquiring as early as possible for the dates you have in mind.
It depends on your cabin category. Guests in the Super Deluxe Cabin, Suite Cabin and Presidential Suite explore each destination with a private car and their own dedicated guide, so you set your own pace rather than travelling with the group.
Super Deluxe and Suite guests are provided a private car (Innova or similar); Presidential Suite guests receive a luxury private car (Fortuner or similar).
Deluxe Cabin guests enjoy exactly the same full sightseeing programme, with all monument entrance fees and cultural programmes included, as part of the group coach.
Yes. The operator publishes a separate fixed tariff in Indian rupees for guests holding a valid Indian passport or an OCI card. Valid proof must be submitted at the time of booking. Please contact us for the current rupee tariff for your travel dates.
Unfortunately, we don't offer Visa assistance but we can provide you with all the information that you need for getting a visa to India
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