Palace on Wheels: A Lavish Trip with Unmatched Royal Experience

Palace on Wheels - Luxury Train India

Me and my husband are very fond of visiting new places and so we plan vacations at least once in six months. This time while we were thinking about the destination for which we should pack our bags, one of our friends suggested that we should go on-board Palace on Wheels, one of the luxury trains of India, actually the first one in the line of a total of six. We considered his suggestion but before making any booking, we browsed through the website of the train. I must say that we both were impressed by what the website was promising us but were a little apprehensive at the same time. However, with slight doubts in our minds, we booked a journey for ourselves aboard this luxury train, rated as number 4 in the world. 

We arrived at the Safdurjung Railway Station at the scheduled time around 4’o clock for the check-in formalities. A traditionally attired woman applied vermillion on our foreheads and put a garland around our necks while Rajasthani folk music was being played in the background by the male performers. Though all this took a little too long but still the experience was exhilarating. Once we arrived we were given an arrival kit and a welcome drink. We settled in our cabin in one the 14 saloons which are named after the erstwhile princely states of Rajasthan such as Bundi, Alwar, Binaker, Kota and so on. Ours was Dholpur. Our cabin had every single modern luxury facility- attached bathrooms, Channel music system, air conditioning with individual control, Wi-Fi access, rich linen and tapestry, comfortable king-size bed, LCD TV and much more. 

While we were thinking of exploring the train, a man with a huge Rajasthani turban on his head and moustache came to us, inquiring about anything we required. While seeing quizzical looks on our faces, he informed that he is the personal attendant of our coach, our Khidmatgar. His extraordinary services during the course of our journey are worth mentioning. He was a man of jolly nature, dedicated to his job.

After he left, we went to have a look at the train. There were 2 restaurants, the Maharaja and the Maharani, where we savored Indian and other international cuisines during our journey. Mewari delicacies were the highlight. There was a well-stocked bar too that served both Indian as well as International brands, alcoholic and non-alcoholic. There was a Royal spa too where I enjoyed a hot-oil Ayurvedic massage after a long tiring day of sightseeing while my husband was relaxing at the sitting lounge enjoying chit-chatting with his fellow passengers.

The Palace on wheels destonations which were covered, were the best-ones of the country like Delhi, Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur/Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bharatpur and Agra. We visited numerous magnificent buildings, tourist attractions, shopped for amazing handicrafts, attended royal dinners, discovered wildlife and attended interesting cultural performances. If I am asked to sum, I would describe the journey as a lavish trip with unmatched royal experience.