Ever wondered what luxury in the royal
times was all about! Welcome to
Palaceonwheels, a luxury train that carries
with it an ambience of the Rajputana era and an exciting fairytale journey,
which takes the visitor to the imperial cities of Rajasthan every single
day. The coaches also carry out an image of the Rajput states with beautiful
interiors. Last but not the least the “Royal Treat” for the
passengers on board include saloons, bar lounges & libraries in every
coach as well as restaurant and organized shopping facilities.
It is difficult to describe the magic of being on the Palaceonwheels.
Traversing through the rugged and rough landscape of Rajasthan, enjoying the
sight of amazing forts and out of the world palaces coupled with the royal
ambience and services offered on board makes this journey truly a lifetime
experience.
Get going on this great train that
gives you a chance to enjoy the legendary traditional hospitality of India
and in particular, Rajasthan. Cherish the sight and sound of royal India,
savor the taste of celebrated Indian food, and enjoy the views of charming
Taj Mahal. If India is what you are planning to visit this year,
Palace on
Wheels is the best way to see India of your dreams.
Traveling on
Palaceonwheels is the way an
exclusive group of world travelers chooses to relax. And if the journey
aboard the Palace on Wheels is rewarded enough, the points of arrival in
Rajasthan-Bharatpur, Jaipur, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, and Sawai Madhopur (for
visiting the Ranthambore National Park) are like the icing on the cake. For
sheer romance, the Palace on Wheels must be the most luxurious way to see
Rajasthan. But how could one expect any less from a country like India, and
a state like Rajasthan, where history is no figment of the past, but forms
its palpable present.
It was in the eighties when Indian
Railway and Rajasthan Tourism decided to work together on a project to
resurrect some of these forgotten symbols of its historic heritage. Thirteen
carriages from different princely states were brought together and
refurbished, and the
Palace on Wheels was launched. A superb train that
evoked the past with modern facilities and created a journey that was on
offer to people around the world-wannabe princes who could be royals for
their week of the journey.
For, along with the restored carriages-some still glowing with their
original teakwood panels intact-came liveried attendants, royal repasts from
the attached kitchen, a lounge, and a dining car. The
Palace on Wheels had
become so popular and there is and would always be resistance to any move to
discontinue it. The result was a spanking new train that faithfully
recreated the old one, but much more comfortable, and intended to provide a
smoother ride. However, this too was on the meter gauge being used for yet
another exotic journey in the form of the Royal Orient Express that travels
from Delhi to parts of Rajasthan, but is used primarily to discover the
neighboring state of Gujarat.
The
Palace On Wheels started as a unique holiday train hauled by a steam
engine with its inaugural trip on 26th January, 1982. It started to roll on
its regular operations from October 1982.
The
Palace on Wheels, on broad gauge, is
clearly the pride of the Indian Railways. It is luxurious, and it is modern.
The coaches have different names derived from the former princely states and
that provides the link for the coat of arms and the decor inside. Within
each carriage are comfortable of showers, built-in wardrobes with
full-length mirrors, overhead and night-lights, piped music, service bells
and public address system. The rooms and corridors are carpeted, the
furniture inlaid and upholstered especially for the train. Blinds drape
large windows, which frame views across the desert and the passing arid
landscape. At the end of each coach is a lounge.
