PALACE ON WHEELS

The name "Palace-on-Wheels" (POW) was derived from its royal back-ground of the coaches. It undertook its inaugural trip on 26th January, 1982. Only five promotional trips were run for the purpose of familiarization and publicity. It started to roll on its regular operations from October-1982 and undertook 13 weekly and 13 short trips. The coaches of this train, which belonged to the rulers for erstwhile princely states of India had become unworthy for the smooth rail journey after their continuous running for 9 years from its inception, i.e., 1982.In 1991, this train was replaced by the Air Conditioned meter gauge new train in which the interiors of the saloon were done in accordance to the aesthetics of old saloons.

The passenger coaches which were originally meant to be the personal Railway coaches of erstwhile rulers of princely states of Rajputana, Gujarat, the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Viceroy of British India. These coaches were not being used by the Indian Railways after Independence in normal passenger trains on account of very rich and traditional interiors.

The coaches were very old and were made to run on meter gauge. As a result, these coaches were parked in different yards and cited as part of heritage which was far too ornate, old and historical to be of any practical use. They remained in this state for a quarter of a century until in 1981-82 when the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation. The Indian Railways and Tourism Department of the State as well as India launched this as a special heritage tourist train for providing a unique memorable experience to the tourists visiting Rajasthan.

The new meter gauge Air Conditioned Palace-on-Wheels also had 14 Saloons, 2 Restaurant cum Kitchen car, one Bar cum Lounge and 4 Service Cars. This train was fabricated at the Integral Coach Factory of Madras. In the past 18 years of operations the Palace-on-Wheels has been rated as one of the best ten luxurious rail journeys in the world.

In order to further increase the amenities on the train and due to over all gauge conversion in the state, a new broad gauge Palace-on-Wheels has been constructed. It has 14 Saloons which are inter-connected. It bears the aesthetics matching the interiors of the royal states. The cabins of each saloon are attached with bath and shower. The train also has a well appointed lounge, library and bar.

Services on Board

The Palace-on-Wheels offers 14 saloons attached with bath and shower. Two restaurant cum Kitchen cars offering traditional Indian, Continental and Chinese cuisine with the Chef's special variety of the day.

It's well stocked bar serves Indian liquor and variety of scotch, wine and cocktails. It has piped music in every saloon, and games for children. Apart from this, other services include laundry services, at Jaipur, Udaipur and Jodhpur, Foreign Exchange, Doctor on call. The lounge also has a souvenir shop "The Bazaar" where souvenirs and gift items are sold bearing the insignia of the POW.

ITINERARY

Day 1 Wednesday Delhi

1600 hrs Report at Safdarjung Railway Station for check in formalities
1830 hrs Departure for Jaipur
1930 hrs Dinner aboard the Palace on Wheels
 

Day 2 Thursday Jaipur

0345 hrs Arrive in Jaipur

0700 hrs Breakfast aboard the Palace on Wheels
0800 hrs Welcome ceremony at the Jaipur Railway Station
0830 hrs Disembark from train and begin city tours
1330 hrs Lunch at Amber Fort
1500 hrs Explore the Amber Fort
1630 hrs Explore the city markets
1800 hrs Return to the train for tea and leisure
1900 hrs Return to Jaipur
2000 hrs Arrive at the Jai Mahal Palace for dinner
2200 hrs Return to the luxury train to depart to Sawai Madhopur
 

Day 3 Friday Sawai Madhopur

0530 hrs Arrive in the Sawai Madhopur railway station
0600 hrs Embark on a early-morning jungle safari across Ranthambore National Park
0915 hrs Breakfast in a jungle lodge
1000 hrs Return to the train
1030 hrs Depart for Chittorgarh
1300 hrs Lunch to be served aboard
Chittorgarh 1600 hrs Arrive in Chittorgarh
1630 hrs Sightseeing across Chittorgarh Fort
1800 hrs Evening tea and refreshments in the fort cafeteria and light and sound show
1930 hrs Return to the luxury train
2000 hrs Dinner at Hotel Panna and cultural show
2200 hrs Arrive at the train for overnight stay
 

Day 4 Saturday Udaipur

0200 hrs Departure from Chittorgarh
0800 hrs Arrive in Udaipur
0815 hrs Breakfast in a luxury hotel
0900 hrs Sightseeing across city
1330 hrs Lunch in a heritage hotel
1430 hrs Boat ride in the lake Pichola
1500 hrs Return to the railway station
1530 hrs Evening tea and refreshments aboard the train and leisure. Depart to Jaisalmer
1930 hrs Dinner aboard the Palace on Wheels train

Day 5 Sunday Jaisalmer

0730 hrs Breakfast aboard the train
0915 hrs Disembark in Jaisalmer and begin city explorations
1330 hrs Lunch aboard train or Moomal hotel
1530 hrs Visit the Sam sand dunes for camel ride and tea and refreshments
1930 hrs Dinner and cultural program in the sand dunes
2300 hrs Arrive back in the train to depart for Jodhpur
 

Day 6 Monday Jodhpur

0700 hrs Arrive in Jodhpur
0730 hrs Breakfast to be served onboard
0900 hrs Visit the city attractions
1400 hrs Lunch in a luxury hotel
1530 hrs Return to the train for leisure and travel to Bharatpur
1930 hrs Dinner to be served on board the train
 

Day 7 Tuesday Bharatpur

0500 hrs Arrive in Bharatpur
0600 hrs Leave for early morning bird viewing in the Keoladeo Ghana National Park
0730 hrs Breakfast in a jungle lodge
0830 hrs Return to the train
0845 hrs Travel to Agra
Agra 1030 hrs Arrive in Agra
1100 hrs City tours across Agra
1330 hrs Lunch in a city hotel
1500 hrs Explore the Taj Mahal
1730 hrs Visit the city markets
1830 hrs Light and sound show
2000 hrs Dinner in a city hotel/ aboard the train
2300 hrs Depart for Delhi
 

Day 8 Wednesday Delhi

0400 hrs Arrive in the Safdarjung Railway Station
0730 hrs Breakfast aboard the train followed by check out and farewell

PALACE ON WHEELS DEPARTURES