Description
Embark on India’s most iconic luxury rail journey with the Palace on Wheels, exploring Rajasthan’s royal cities and the Taj Mahal. Extend your adventure to the holy city of Varanasi, where ancient traditions meet spiritual depth. A 11-day tour blending heritage, culture, and unforgettable experiences.
Duration
11 Days, 10 Nights
Language
English
Price
US$10610
HIGHLIGHTS
- Luxury Palace on Wheels rail journey through Rajasthan
- Explore Jaipur’s palaces, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur & Ranthambore
- Witness a sunrise view of the Taj Mahal in Agra
- Experience the Ganga Aarti ceremony & a sunrise boat ride in Varanasi
- Enjoy private transfers, guided tours, and curated cultural shows
- Enjoy private transfers, guided tours, and curated cultural shows
- Benefit from pre and post-stay at a 5-star hotel in Delhi for a seamless trip
Travel Itinerary
Arrive in India’s capital, Delhi, where our representative greets you at the airport and transfers you to your hotel. Take the day to rest or explore the city’s highlights, such as India Gate or Connaught Place. This pre-night ensures you are refreshed before boarding the iconic Palace on Wheels. Overnight stay in Delhi.
After breakfast, enjoy a leisurely morning before being transferred to Safdarjung Railway Station. Here, a red-carpet welcome greets you with traditional music and garlands. Step into your luxurious cabin on the Palace on Wheels, blending royal décor with modern comforts. Explore the train’s fine dining, bar, and lounge facilities before the journey begins.
The train departs for Jaipur, Rajasthan’s Pink City. Dinner is served onboard as the train rolls overnight, promising the start of an unforgettable rail adventure. Overnight onboard.
Begin your sightseeing with Amber Fort, a hilltop marvel decorated with mirror work and courtyards.
Next, visit Jaipur’s City Palace, which blends Mughal and Rajput architecture. You'll then go to Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory.
Take a photo stop at Hawa Mahal, Jaipur’s famed Palace of Winds. Shop in lively bazaars for gemstones, block prints, and handicrafts. A traditional cultural performance and royal-style dinner cap the day. Return to the train as it departs toward Sawai Madhopur. Overnight onboard.
Enjoy an early morning safari in Ranthambore National Park. The park is home to tigers, leopards, and deer, and offers one of the best wildlife experiences in India.
After returning to the train for breakfast, travel to Chittorgarh, steeped in tales of Rajput courage. Explore Chittorgarh Fort, with its massive gates, palaces, and Vijay Stambh (Victory Tower). As evening falls, enjoy a light-and-sound show within the fort’s grand setting, immersing you in local history.
Dinner and overnight onboard as the Palace on Wheels continues its royal journey.
Arrive in Udaipur, Rajasthan’s most romantic city.
Visit the impressive City Palace, which overlooks Lake Pichola. It showcases royal artifacts, beautiful balconies, and courtyards.
Later, enjoy a scenic boat ride on Lake Pichola, admiring views of Jag Mandir and the famed Lake Palace. Stroll through traditional bazaars where miniature paintings and silver jewelry abound. Udaipur’s beauty, framed by lakes and Aravalli hills, offers a serene contrast to Rajasthan’s deserts.
Dinner and overnight onboard as your train continues deeper into royal India.
Discover Jaisalmer, a desert jewel known for its yellow sandstone architecture. Explore Jaisalmer Fort, one of the world’s few “living forts,” still home to families and vibrant markets. Visit Patwon Ki Haveli, famed for intricate stonework.
In the afternoon, head to Sam Sand Dunes for an unforgettable camel ride or jeep safari.
Enjoy a cultural evening with Rajasthani folk music and dance under starlit skies, followed by a traditional dinner. Return to the Palace on Wheels for overnight.
Wake up in Jodhpur, dominated by the majestic Mehrangarh Fort rising above the city. Explore its palaces, courtyards, and museum showcasing royal treasures.
Explore the bustling bazaars near the Clock Tower. They are filled with spices, textiles, and handicrafts.
Lunch is arranged at a heritage palace hotel, offering a taste of regal hospitality. In the evening, return to the train and relax with onboard facilities as you journey toward Bharatpur and Agra.
Dinner and overnight onboard the Palace on Wheels.
Begin the day with a visit to Keoladeo Ghana National Park in Bharatpur, a UNESCO-listed bird sanctuary. Enjoy a rickshaw ride through wetlands teeming with migratory birds. Later, continue to Agra, home of the Taj Mahal.Visit this wonder of the world at sunset, watching its marble glow in golden light.
Explore Agra Fort, another architectural gem with royal courtyards and Mughal history. Dinner and overnight onboard as the Palace on Wheels returns to Delhi, marking the end of rail journey.
After breakfast, disembark in New Delhi and transfer to the airport for your flight to Varanasi, India’s holiest city. On arrival, check into your hotel and relax.
In the evening, experience the soul-stirring Ganga Aarti ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat. Watch priests perform rituals with fire lamps as chants and bells echo across the Ganges. This spiritual spectacle is one of India’s most profound cultural experiences. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay in Varanasi.
Start with a sunrise boat ride along the Ganges, watching pilgrims bathe and pray as dawn breaks. After breakfast, visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Bharat Mata Temple, and Banaras Hindu University. Later, explore Sarnath, where Buddha gave his first sermon, and its archaeological museum.
In the afternoon, stroll through Varanasi’s old alleys, famed for silk weaving and sacred ghats. This immersive day blends history, religion, and tradition. Overnight stay in Varanasi, surrounded by the city’s timeless spiritual aura.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before your transfer to the airport. Board your flight back to New Delhi, where you’ll connect to your onward international journey. If time permits, a short city drive or last-minute shopping can be arranged before departure.
Safe travels!
INCLUDED
- Accommodation on Palace on Wheels luxury train (all meals onboard)
- Pre & post-tour stay in Delhi (5-star hotel)
- Accommodation in Varanasi (5-star or heritage hotels)
- Daily guided sightseeing with entrance fees
- Transfers by private AC vehicle
- Sunrise boat ride on the Ganges
- Taxes & service charges
- New Delhi - Varanasi - New Delhi Flight Fares Included In Economy Class
EXCLUDED
- International airfare
- Visa & travel insurance
- Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, tips)
- Alcoholic beverages unless specified
- Optional activities not mentioned in itinerary
Frequently Asked Questions
October–March is ideal, with pleasant weather for sightseeing and cultural experiences.
It’s India’s original luxury train, offering royal-style cabins, fine dining, bar, spa, and world-class hospitality
Yes, domestic flights between New Delhi and Varanasi are included.
Absolutely. Both the train and hotels provide vegetarian and special meal options.
The train holds about 80 to 100 passengers from all over the world. This creates a friendly, international atmosphere.
Experience the best of both worlds with this trip. This trip combines a royal train journey in Rajasthan with a spiritual visit to Varanasi. It offers history, culture, and comfort in one unforgettable itinerary.
Yes. It’s a safe, all-inclusive way to experience India, with curated excursions, luxury cabins, and guided tours.
The Palace on Wheels train runs for 8 days. With Varanasi extensions plus pre/post Delhi stays, the complete trip is 11 days
Premium 5-star or heritage hotels in Delhi, and Varanasi, ensuring comfort throughout.
Yes, all meals are included—luxury dining on the train and curated meals at hotels during extensions.