The best way to explore India is by railroads. Travelling through the different cities by one of the largest railway networks in the world, one experiences the widely diverse land, the different cultures, languages, landscape, languages all in one journey. If India as a country and its rich history of royalty intrigues you, then luxury trains in India are offering something that will exceed your expectations.
The top four luxury trains of Indian Railways allows one to travel back in the time to the era of the kings and the royalty namely Maharajas' Express, Palace on Wheels, The Deccan Odyssey, and Golden Chariot. Well, magnificent, is a term most people as these luxury trains offer a one-of-a-kind experience.
These luxury trains are more than just the mode of transportation for the passengers as they are treated as royalties with several amenities on board. For the prospective explorers of the rich cultural heritage of India in the lap of luxury, these luxury trains are designed with the elements of grandeur. The onboard passengers experience this grandeur evident from the royal interiors, ambience, and service along with the stringent security arrangements.
Well, one will only know when they experience the matchless comfort onboard while exploring some of the most popular tourist destinations of India by each of the trains through their respective routes.
MAHARAJAS' EXPRESS, TRAVEL LUIKE A KING
Maharaja, which translates to the king in English, is the name of the luxury train that has been owned and operated by IRCTC. One of the most expensive luxury trains in India, this runs between October and April, covering around 12 destinations.
The train has a range of five itineraries
Heritage The Heritage of India(8-day journey) (Mumbai – Ajanta – Udaipur – Jodhpur – Bikaner – Jaipur – Ranthambore – Agra – Delhi)
Gems of India(4-day journey) (Delhi – Agra – Ranthambore – Jaipur – Delhi)
The Indian Panorama (8-day journey) (Delhi – Jaipur – Ranthambore – Fatehpur – Sikri – Agra – Gwalior – Orchha – Khajuraho – Varanasi – Lucknow – Delhi)
Indian Splendour (8-day journey) (Delhi – Agra – Ranthambore – Jaipur – Bikaner – Jodhpur – Udaipur – Balasinor – Mumbai)
Treasures of India (4-day journey) (Delhi – Agra – Ranthambore – Jaipur – Delhi)
Each route has a different duration and ticket costs for which one can have one of the best experiences of their lives. From attending barbeque in sand dunes to exploring the culture and Mughal history of India, this train journey is a combination of everything.
PALACE ON WHEELS, THE ROYAL RAJASTHAN
When we said, travelling back in time, well, the palace of the wheel is exactly what we were talking about, the train is the pride of royal Rajasthan, the land of the kings. Launched in 1982, the train was based on the royal train coaches of the British era, which used to be the personal coaches of erstwhile rulers of the princely states.
The train's route is Delhi – Jaipur – Sawai Madhopur – Chittorgarh – Udaipur – Jaisalmer – Jodhpur – Bharatpur – Agra – Delhi. At every stop of the 7 stoppages, in the 7 nights, 8 days journey that works in the months of operations from September to April, the passengers can view the key attractions.
THE GOLDEN CHARIOT, WITNESS INDIA'S SOUTH
India' south is a whole new world to explore especially loved by those who are fascinated by the coastal beauty. An initiative by the Karnataka State Tourism Board, the Golden Chariot is a luxury train that allows travelling through the popular spots in South India, in the states of Karnataka, Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Pondicherry, depending on the itinerary.
Equipped with different facilities fit for kings, be it the breakfast in bed or the mesmerising scenic routes, and the aesthetic interiors complement the picturesque terrains through which the train travels in its route starting from Bangalore.
Each of the 11 guest cabins is named after the ruling dynasties with elegantly designed Mysore style furniture, Ayurvedic spa centre in-house fine dining restaurants, and ambience maintained by the staff, one can avail the all the services while passing by the World Heritage sites.
THE DECCAN ODYSSEY, MAHARSHTRA'S LUXURIOUS RIDE
The royal blue train is based on the model of Palace On Wheel. The passengers may feel that they are boarding a noble chariot going out on the inspection of the conquered lands on the Deccan Odyssey. This luxury train was launched to boost tourism in Maharashtra, a state with stunning cities.
Offering a perfect blend of both transport and luxury, the route of this train starts from Mumbai, covers 10 popular tourist locations including Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Goa, Aurangabad, Ajanta-Ellora Nasik, Pune, returning to Mumbai.
A deluxe cabin for a single person costs $5,810 for travelling in the train that is designed to showcase how the king lived in the 16th century; one needs $12,579 to book a presidential suite. On this journey, one can enjoy the multi-cuisine restaurants serving food presented by expert chefs, to a spa for relaxing massages, along with many other state-of-the-art facilities.
Routes in Deccan Odyssey includes:
Maharashtra Splendor (Mumbai – Nasik – Ellora Cave – Ajanta Caves – Kolhapur – Goa – Ratnagiri – Mumbai)
Indian Odyssey (Delhi – Sawai Madhopur – Agra – Jaipur – Udaipur – Vadodara – Ellora Caves – Mumbai)
Hidden Treasures of Gujarat (Mumbai – Vadodara – Palitana – Sasan Gir – Somnath – Little Rann of Kutch – Modhera – Patan – Nashik – Mumbai)
Indian Sojourn (Mumbai – Vadodara – Udaipur – Jodhpur – Agra – Sawai Madhopur – Jaipur – Delhi)
Jewels of the Deccan (Mumbai – Bijapur – Aihole – Pattadakal – Hampi – Hyderabad – Ellora Caves – Ajanta Caves – Mumbai)
Maharashtra Wild Trail (Mumbai – Aurangabad – Ramtek – Tadoba – Ajanta – Nashik – Mumbai)
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
If this list of luxury trains has interested you, then book yourself an exclusive train experience and travel through India like royalty!
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