India’s cultural essence combined with its most iconic sights and greatest bucket list experiences, all distilled into one compact, diverse and vibrant region.
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Maharajas Express
Credit Shutterstock.com/Marben
Last updated: 21 March, 2024
Evoking the era of the British Raj, this ‘hotel’ train is a fabulously luxurious way to discover some of the highlights of Rajasthan. There are currently four different itineraries namely ‘Heritage of India’, ‘Treasures of India’, ‘The Indian Panorama’ and ‘The Indian Splendour’.
Among the places visited for excursions are the palace cities of Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Gwalior and Jaipur, Agra for the Taj Mahal, and the reserve at Ranthambore for tiger safaris. One tour strays into Uttar Pradesh for Varanasi and Lucknow. Musicians and dancers are often laid on at stops.
It’s a journey for those who want to see the best of India’s ‘Golden Triangle’ in cocooned comfort, and to experience it in true British Raj style.
Logistics
Price from: £3000
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 13+
When: All year around
Duration: 4+ days
Getting there & doing it
Some itineraries begin and end in Delhi; others start in Delhi and finish in Mumbai (or vice versa).
There are four different kinds of accommodation: deluxe cabin, suite, junior suite and presidential suite. All meals are provided in the two dining cars with a choice of traditional Indian, Chinese and international cuisines. Two lounge cars include plenty of diversions, though most people use them for convivial conversation.
Everything is included except alcoholic drinks not on the ‘house’ list, telephone charges and gratuities (the recommended amount per guest is high by Indian standards).
When to do it
Trains run from October to April, usually with one journey per month for each of the four different itineraries.
October to March sees clear skies with warm to hot days. May and June bring extreme heat and are worth avoiding while the July and August monsoon cools things slightly but brings more humidity. Mid-December to early February can deliver surprisingly cool nights and a period when Delhi is prone to fog.
Destination guides
Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Agra
Uttar Pradesh, India
Home to the iconic Taj Mahal, the relentlessly congested and clamourous city of Agra and its hinterland host an array of superb Mughal architecture, along with vigorous bazaars.
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More details >Delhi
India
India’s intense sight- and monument-filled capital is a compelling blend of the modern Raj-influenced New Delhi, and the sights, sounds and smells of Old Delhi’s heaving and exotic lanes and bazaars.
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More details >Jaipur
Rajasthan, India
Rajasthan’s state capital is a compelling blend of huge hillside forts, extravagant palaces, bustling bazaars, memorable heritage hotels and almost comically thronged streets.
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More details >Round-ups
Round-ups that include this experience
16 Great luxury train journeys (>1 day)
Multiple countries
All the romance, excitement and adventure of travel – with all of the luxury. Train expert, journalist and train enthusiast Anthony Lambert recommends the world’s greatest train journeys to do in a lifetime.
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