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Palace On Wheels Tour
Duration : 07 nights / 08 days
Destination : Delhi – Jaipur – Chittaurgarh – Udaipur – Sawai Madhopur – Jaisalmer – Jodhpur – Bharatpur – Agra – Delhi
Travel in royal style with the 'Palace on Wheels'. This new air-conditioned train, which was modeled after the saloon cars the former maharajahs traveled in, takes you on a trip through the glorious Rajasthan.
Departure dates from Delhi, every Wednesday from September to April. Duration of the trip 8 days and 7 nights. Departure from Delhi on Wednesday night, return to Delhi on the morning of the following Wednesday.
Facilities in the 'Palace on Wheels'
The 'Palace on Wheels' has 52 sleeping compartments with 2 beds each, not superimposed but next to each other. The air-conditioned train travels at gentle speed so that you can fully admire the changing landscapes.
MAIN PROGRAM
Day 01 : Wednesday : Delhi
Arrive Delhi Safdarjung Railway Station, board the Palace On Wheels and depart for Jaipur at 1730 hrs. Dinner on board the Palace on Wheels departing at 2000 hrs.
Day 02 : Thursday : Jaipur – The pink city
Arrive Jaipur at 0200 hrs. A royal welcome awaits you at Jaipur as you step out. Caparisoned elephants and musicians playing the shenai are there to greet you as part of a traditional ceremony arranged specially for you. A luxury coach at 0830 hrs.takes you on a tour of magnificent sights and amazing discoveries. And difficult though it is to tear yourself away from the sights and sounds and scents of Jaipur, the Palace on Wheels is waiting to take you to a place immortalized by valorous deeds, a place called Jaisalmer.
( Land of Golden sands ), departing at 1930 hrs.
Day 03 : Friday : The Golden sand of Jaisalmer
Arrive Jaisalmer at 0815 hrs. Today, the massive old sandstone fort of Jaisalmer with its 99 bastions continues to tower proudly over the city, founded in 1156 A.D. The mood, the feel, the free soaring spirit of an entire age is reflected within the fort of Jaisalmer. The skilled craftsmanship of the stone carvers of Jaisalmer is evident all over the city. With their latticed windows, balconies, couples and distinctive carved facades, each of Jaisalmer's many elaborate havelis is sheer poetry in stone. Exotic camel safaris and desert camps that throb with the rhythm of Rajasthani music and dance unravel the mysteries and magic of the desert for modern day visitors to Jaisalmer. From the glories of Jaisalmer -built after consulting an oracle, the Palace on wheels transports you to Jodhpur - a monumental city built on the advice of a sage departing at 2300 hrs.
Day 04 : Saturday : The Splendours of Jodhpur
Arrive Jodhpur at 0700 hrs, which was once the proud capital of the princely desert state of Marwar, Jodhpur, founded in 1459 A. D. is now the second largest city in Rajasthan. Atop a steep hall, the Mehrangarh Fort built in 1459 by Rao Jodha dominates the skyline of Jodhpur . Rated among the best in India the magnificent fort and other monuments in Jodhpur are still full of colour and many precious heirlooms. Near the fort lies an impressive royal cenotaph with its fine stone screens projects the superb, hereditary skills of 19th century masons and stone carvers. The royal rulers of Jodhpur conceived the stately Umaid Bhawan -the only palace built in the 20th century - as a famine relief project. A part of the palace has been converted into a luxury hotel. The Palace on Wheels moves towards Sawai Madhopur leaving Jodhpur at 1530 hrs.
Day 05 : Sunday : Peace & Excitement at Sawai Madhopur –
Chittorgarh
Arrive Sawai Madhopur at 0400 hrs. It retains not only old, spacious buildings but also a distinctive quality of peace. Close by, steeped in legends, stands the impressive, sprawling 10th century fort of Ranthambore, which offers several rewarding hours of exploration. From the ramparts of the fort which once witnessed so much action, can be glimpsed the lush greenery and shimmering lakes of the Ranthambore National Park, which is also a Project Tiger conservation area, and now on to Chittaurgarh departing at 1030 hrs. Arrive Chittorgarh at 1600 hrs. It is long and chequered history, Chittorgarh was hopelessly besieged three times. And each of the three times, though faced with certain defeat at the hands of a stronger enemy, brave Rajput warriors from the fort of Chittor rode out into the battlefield to manfully fight one last doomed battle. The compelling sights and moving legends of Chittorgarh are likely to remain in your mind as you go down the hill to proceed to Udaipur.
Day 06 : Monday : The city of Lakes – Udaipur
This morning drive to Udaipur at 0700 hrs, arrive Udaipur the city with its palaces, lakes, gardens, temples and forts perched on hilltops, Udaipur, centuries old, present a series of entrancing sights. The Jag Niwas, once the summer residence of the princess of Mewar, and now a splendid hotel, appears dreamlike as it floats on the waters of the picturesque Pichola Lake . Close by, on another island, stands the red sandstone palace of Jag Mandir . White and majestic, the City Palace stands on a hill overlooking the lake. Drive back to Chittorgarh at 1930 hrs to return to the Palace on Wheels. You are carried towards yet another attraction – Bharatpur leaving Chittorgarh at 2000 hrs.
Day 07 : Tuesday : A wonderland of Birds - Bharatpur
Arrive Bharatpur at 0730 hrs. A Jat stronghold in the 17th and 18th centuries, Bharatpur today is a wonderland of birds. Its Keoladeo Ghana National Park , once the preserve of the Maharaja of Bharatpur, is now listed as a World Heritage site. More than 300 species of birds - some flying in from as far away as Siberia and China, have been sighted at Bharatpur, proceeding further we drive towards Fatehpur Sikri at 0915 hrs which was capital of Emperor Akbar for nearly 14 years, arrive Fatehpur Sikri at 1130 hrs & later drive to the Royal Timeless City of Agra at afternoon. The main attraction of this trip is, without a doubt, Agra and the Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of our world. This white marble mausoleum, which took over 20 years to build, was commissioned by emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Agra's impressive fortress, with its towering walls and other impressive features, is equally worth discovering. Departure from Agra at 20:00.
Day 08 : Wednesday : Delhi
Arrival in Delhi at 07:30.Breakfast on the train and end of journey.
7 Nights Palace On Wheels Train Tour Ex.Delhi for 2007 – 08 |
May' 2007 to August' 2007 |
ANNUAL MAINTANCE , No Service |
September' 2007 |
05, 12, 19, 26 |
October' 2007 |
03, 10, 17, 24, 31 |
November' 2007 |
07, 14, 21, 28 |
December' 2007 |
05, 12, 19*, 26* |
January ' 2008 |
02, 09, 16, 23, 30 |
February ' 2008 |
06, 13, 20, 27 |
March ' 2008 |
05, 12, 19, 26 |
April ' 2008 |
02, 09, 16, 23, 30 |
7 Nights Palace On Wheels Train Tour Ex.Delhi for 2008 – 09 |
May' 2008 to August' 2008 |
ANNUAL MAINTANCE , No Service |
September' 2008 |
03, 10, 17, 24 |
October' 2008 |
01, 08, 15, 22, 29 |
November' 2008 |
05, 12, 19, 26 |
December' 2008 |
03, 10, 17, 24*, 31* |
January ' 2009 |
07, 14, 21, 28 |
February ' 2009 |
04, 11, 18, 25 |
March ' 2009 |
04, 11, 18, 25 |
April ' 2009 |
01, 08, 15, 22, 29 |
Booking is confirmed against
* 20% Advance requires at time of booking.
* 80% Remaining balance must be cleared in our bank minimum 30 days before departure.
Payment can be made by
* Credit Card (Amex/Visa/Master card)
* Swift Money electronic bank transfer
* Deposit in our Current Account at Nearest ICICI Bank branch.
Cancellation Rules & Charges :
* Bookings will be cancelled only on receipt of written requests.
* All Disputes are subject to Jurisdiction of Delhi Courts only.
Cancellation Charges will be :
* 5% of ticket value charge, if booking cancelled 60 days prior to departure.
* 20% of ticket value charge, if booking cancelled 30 days prior to departure.
* 50% of ticket value charge, if booking cancelled 15 days before departure.
* 100% of ticket value charge, if booking cancelled less than 15 days before departure.
Bookings are accepted on private Cabins basis with attached toilets & small shower cubicles.You can book on Single Occupancy,Twin Sharing Or Triple Sharing basis.There is no provision for baby cot Or adjust 4th passenger in same Cabin.
From 2007 season the Palace On Wheels management has decided not to accept part journey bookings.The new 2007/08 season Palace On Wheels Train Tour rates have not been finalised & expected to increase by appx 15% over last year 2006/07 season rates.
Tariff:
2006/07 Season- Per Person Rates
COST PER PERSON For Full 7 Nights Tour (Indicative New rates for 2007/08) |
OCCUPANCY |
From Oct to March* |
For Sept & April |
On Triple Sharing |
US$ 2,380 |
US$ 1,820 |
On Twin Sharing |
US$ 2,905 |
US$ 2,205 |
On Single Occupancy |
US$ 3,920 |
US$ 2,905 |
* 10% holiday Surchage Extra for Xmas Eve & New Year Eve departs
TOUR COST INCLUDES : Stay for 7 Nights in private A/C cabin with attached toilets; Daily 3 Meals;Excursion costs & sightseeing with English Speaking Guides,Bottled drinking water;Entrance fee at monuments;Elephant ride in Jaipur; Camel ride in Jaisalmer; Canter ride in Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve;Boat ride in Udaipur;Cycle Rickshaw ride in Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary.
EXTRA COSTS : Hard & soft drinks;Laundry;Video Camera fee at monuments & sanctuaries;Gratuity & tips ; Porterage ; Travel Insurance.
NOTE :
(i) children below 5 years are complimentary without bed
(ii) children below 12 years are charged 50% of adult rate
(iii) Indian Nationals/NRI's can pay equivalent conversion rate in Indian Rupees
BOOKING PROCEDURE:
(i) Forward us names & nationalities of all passengers
(ii) Bookings will be confirmed against receipt of minimum 20% Advance deposit
(iii) Balance payment,with passport details of all passengers (Passport No. with Place & Date of Issue) must reach us atleat 45 days before departure date
PAYMENT OPTIONS:
(i) Credit Card Authorization
(ii) Bank Wire Transfer
(iii) Bank Draft/Any other method,mutually acceptable
CANCELLATION RULES:
As the Palace On wheels Train Tour is a joint venture Between Indian Railways & Rajasthan Tourism ,there are are strict cancellation rules governing the bookings
• 5% of ticket value is chargeable ,if booking is cancelled more than 60 days in advance
• 20% of ticket value is charged ,if booking is cancelled more than 30 days in advance
• 50% of ticket value is charged ,if booking cancelled more than 15 days in advance
• 100% of ticket value is charged, if booking is cancelled less than 15 days before departure date
• All requests for change in names/departure dates are governed by cancellation rules.
NOTE: Disputes, if any,are subject to jurisdiction of courts of New Delhi(India) only.
WE CAN ALSO ASSIST YOU in Hotel bookings in Delhi & customised Tour Programs in India & Nepal.
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