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. 

Palace On Wheels - Delightful Royal Excursion

It will not be wrong to say that the Palace on Wheels of India is one of the most well-known trains all around the globe. Not is the interior décor of the train at par with the décor of the erstwhile palaces and forts of royal Rajasthan but, this luxury train also gives the traveler a chance to experience a lifetime journey in the lap of opulence while also enjoying such services which were once the style of living of the kings and queens of the bygone era. The very proof of this thing is that it has also won the prestigious World Travel Award for the 4thbest luxury train all around the globe. The journey of 7 nights and 8 days will be taking you through some amazing destinations such as Delhi, Jaipur, Ranthambore, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bharatpur and Agra.

Palace on wheels  - Luxury Train In India

The name of the train, Palace On Wheels is absolutely apt as the train is no less than a palace which is running on wheels. The train has 14 deluxe saloons which have been named after the various provinces of Rajasthan such as Alwar, Bundi etc. Each cabin has state-of-art interiors along with modern-day world-class amenities a TV, attached bathrooms, safety deport locker, Channel music, mini pantry, mineral water, newspapers or magazines and so on. Along with this, each cabin has an appointment Khidmatgar that is a personal attendant who takes care of the guests and their needs.

Palace on wheels facility include two well appointed Sitting Cars

The dining facility on the Palace on Wheels is no less in offering  warm hospitality and most delicious food. There are two restaurants on-board, named Maharaja and Maharani. You get some most  delectable dishes of various cuisines such as Indian, Mewari and European cuisines. Not only the food is great, so is the interior décor as well as the cutlery of each restaurant. Recently these restaurants have also started serving Mexican, Thai, Italian as well as Sea food to guests, aboard. There is also an in-house bar which stocks the finest and top brands of wines and liquors, both Indian and international.

Maharaja & Maharani Restaurant on board the Palace on wheels

All the guests also get a welcome kit on arrival. Another latest edition to this train along with an addition coach was a span named the Royal Spa where one can enjoy Ayurvedic and Non-Ayurvedic massages. There is also a sitting lounge where you can unwind your tired mind and body after a whole day of sightseeing. It is not an overstatement that this train journey is once in a lifetime experience.