Great Rail Journeys India's Palace on Wheels

An escorted experience and all travel arrangements

The services of a professional UK Tour Manager from start to finish
Scheduled return flights from London to Delhi
All rail and coach travel throughout your tour

Comfortable accommodation in your destination

6 nights’ hotel accommodation
7 nights aboard the Palace on Wheels

Delicious meals included

35 meals, including 13 breakfasts, 9 lunches, including 2 packed lunches, and 13 dinners, including 1 packed dinner

Exciting excursions and free time to explore

Sightseeing tours of Delhi, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Shimla
Guest speaker talks
Visit the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve
Visit Udaipur and cruise across Lake Pichola
Visits to the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort
Visit the Amber Fort and the Palace of the Winds
Excursion to Chittorgarh Fort

• Delhi
• Shimla
• Jaipur, the Palace of the Winds and Amber Fort
• Ranthambore National Park
• Chittogarh Fort
• Udaipur & Lake Pichola
• Jaisalmer & Jodhpur
• Agra’s Red Fort & The Taj Mahal
• Toy Train rail journey & the Palace on Wheels

MAIDENS HOTEL, DELHI

Built in the early 1900s, the magnificent Maidens Hotel is one of Delhi’s oldest hotels. This elegant 4-Star hotel stands in eight acres of private gardens on the banks of the River Yamuna, just a short distance from Delhi’s famous Jama Masjid Mosque and many of the city’s other sights and attractions.

THE OBEROI CECIL HOTEL, SHIMLA

The wonderful 5-Star Oberoi Cecil Hotel in Shimla is reminiscent of a bygone era, a celebration of colonial elegance and grace. Restored to its original grandeur with wooden floors and period furniture, it boasts fabulous views of the mountains and valleys.

Days 1-2: Fly to Delhi

We depart London Heathrow for our overnight flight to the Indian capital, Delhi.

Day 3: Sightseeing in Delhi

Today is devoted to a fascinating sightseeing tour. We start with an engaging rickshaw ride through the streets of Old Delhi, an explosion of sights, sounds, and activity, and visit the Jama Masjib Mosque. We then go on to New Delhi, passing by President House and Parliament House.

Day 4: The Toy Train to Shimla

After breakfast at our hotel, we transfer to the train station to board the Shatabdi Express to Kalka. On arrival, we embark on a journey on the UNESCO-listed narrow-gauge Toy Train to Shimla. Alternatively, you may choose to make the journey by road.

Days 5-6: Shimla

Today, we explore Shimla by car and see sights such as the Viceregal Lodge, a striking 19th century Elizabethan-style mansion that was the summer seat of the viceroys of India until the 1940’s.

Day 7: Return to Delhi

We leave Shimla in the morning and travel by road, for the journey back down the mountains through stunning scenery to Chandigarh.

Day 8: Delhi and the Palace on Wheels

Enjoy a free morning today, until this afternoon where we visit Delhi’s National Rail Museum, which tells the history of India’s railways. After, we transfer to our hotel train, the Palace on Wheels, for an enchanting journey through the bygone eras of the Maharajas.

Day 9: Jaipur

Our first stop is the capital of Rajasthan. Founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Singh II, this lovely city is often referred to as ‘the Pink City’ after the buildings were painted pink in the 19th century to celebrate a visit by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

Day 10: Tigers and Chittorgarh

We leave the train to visit the Ranthambore National Park, one of the largest national parks in India, covering 151 square miles of land.

Days 11-12: Udaipur and Jaisalmer

The Palace on Wheels reaches Udaipur this morning. We leave the train for lunch at a local hotel before taking a cruise on the serene waters of Lake Pichola, an artificial lake created over 650 years ago.

Day 13: Jodhpur

Jodhpur is known as the ‘Blue City’ due to the hue of the houses within the old walls. During a morning tour we see the impenetrable walls of the ‘Citadel of the Sun’, the Mehrangarh Fort and Palace.

Day 14: Agra and the Taj Mahal

This morning we arrive into the beautiful city of Agra, where we disembark the Palace on Wheels for the final time. After leaving the train, we visit Agra Fort, the majestic red sandstone citadel and the captivating Taj Mahal, the iconic masterpiece in white marble.

Day 15: The journey home

We bid farewell to India today, as we transfer to the airport for our flight to London.

Please note, prices listed are guide prices only and are based on 2 people sharing and don’t include any additional supplements. Holiday prices are fluid and dynamic and may be changed at a moment’s notice, prior to booking, at which point they are confirmed. Please call the team free on 0800 707 6229 for more departure dates available and a quote.