Classical India - Maharajas' Express

Besides these significant cultural site epitomizing the high point of classical Indian civilization, there are call of the wild at Bandhavgarh National Park with highest tiger density anywhere in the world and the ‘city of Nawabs’ Lucknow. Also included in the itinerary are destinations like Gwalior and Agra beside Delhi which serves as both the beginning and the culmination of the classical Indian journey.

Day 1 Sunday - Delhi- Agra

Begin your tour from Delhi, the capital city of the country and an once-important seat of Mughal India. It has been a potpourri of different cultures, religions and also ethnicity. Quickly the train will take you out of the city and into the heart of another historical city, Agra. After a delectable brunch onboard, you can disembark in Agra and explore the beauty of the Taj and enjoy high tea atop the Taj Khema. Besides the monumental wonder, the city also facilitates guests with a number of shopping options. So, indulge yourself in a shopping spree and take back home local handicraft products and articles.

Dinner aboard the luxury train.

Day 2 Monday - Gwalior

The excitement of the classical tour heightens with the train arriving in the city of Gwalior. This city has been a home to several dynasties that ruled over it. All these rulers have left social and cultural traces of their era and glimpses of them can still be found. A trip to the Gwalior fort housing several renowned complexes like the Man Mandir, the Saas-Bahu Mandir and the Gujri Mahal will simply reiterate this fact.

You will also get a chance to explore the classic collection of arts and artifacts housed within the Jai Vilas Palace Museum besides the Durbar Hall.

Enjoy lunch in the historical Usha Kiran Palace and a delectable supper at the Jai Vilas Palace before returning to the train for overnight stay.

Day 3 Tuesday - Orcha/ Khajuraho

Can a trip of classical India be even halfway complete without a visit to the ancient temple city of Kahjuraho and Orcha? Certainly not! Thus, that brings us to our next destination, Khajuraho, enroute visiting the attractions of Orcha. Khajuraho is mostly visited for the exotic sculptures and figurines that adorn the walls of the temples here. A world heritage site, Khajuraho attracts the leisure tourists, the spiritual tourists as well as tourists on an architectural tour, all on the same magnitude. A walking tour is the best option to explore the place and marvel at the creative and artistic sense of the people who created these.

Orcha on the other hand offers glimpses of the rich repertoire of arts and crafts of the Bundela kings. Visit the Jahangir Mahal, Chaturbhuj temple and the Orcha cenotaphs while here.

Day 4 Wednesday - Bandhavgarh

Waiting next in the line is Umaria with its plentiful wildlife! The Bandhavgarh National Park is one of the foremost destinations when it comes to visiting the wildlife locations in the country. Tigers, Langurs, Sloth Bears, birds… the list is endless and promising.

You can enjoy a delectable lunch in a jungle resort and return to the train in the evening, after having explored the wilderness of the park, completely.

Day 5 Thursday - Varanasi

The most holy city, sacred to Hindus and non Hindus alike, Varanasi is situated on the banks of the river Ganga. Sadhus taking a dip in the holy water of the river and devotees making beeline to enter into the temples are a few of the commonest sights that one comes across while here.

The itinerary of the Classical India tour also accommodates the sister town of Sarnath that is most famous for the Buddhist connection. Visit the Stupas and the meditating sites of the Buddha and relive an experience like never before.

Day 6 Friday - Lucknow

Explore the city of the Nawabs on the 6th day of the journey. A historical trail across the Residency, the Rumi Darwaza, and the Bada Imambara will capture wonderful memories for you to carry back home.

Enjoy a sumptuous dinner and a 'Nawabi' evening at a private venue located in the heart of Lucknow.

Day 7 Saturday - Delhi

On the 7th day of the Classical India sojourn, the trail will complete a full circle and arrive back in Delhi. Bid adieu to the sojourn after breakfast, in the capital city, and get set to keep alive these fond memories forever…

The facilities housed within the Maharajas’ Express make the sojourn all the more memorable and fun. Each of the tour type is featured by these services, offering to the guests, standard amenities to watch out for, no matter which trip they may wish to undertake. Some of the facilities and services worth mentioning here are:

• » Individual temperature control
• » LCD TV
• » DVD players
• » Direct dial telephones
• » In house movie viewing facility
• » Butlers
• » Medical assistance
• » Electronic safe deposit box

Accommodation
Accommodation options in the Maharajas’ Express comprise of a selection of choices that you may opt from. The 23 carriages meant for accommodation have been segregated as below:

• » Deluxe Coaches - There are 5 coaches available in this category. Twin beds, colorful furnishings, and a comfortable ambiance wait to greet guests into these cabins.
• » Junior Suites - The Junior Suites are an upgraded version of the deluxe coaches. Twin beds and sitting area are available in each of the 6 suites available in this variety
• » Suites - The 2 Suites are fit enough to cater to the king himself! A separate sitting area, a double bed, and attendants to serve you round the clock; these and several other features wait to make you comfortable here.
• » Presidential Suites - This suite welcomes one to ultimate luxury and sophistication! The sitting area of the suite exudes magnificence and style just like the bedroom. A blend of contemporary and modern designing styles has been displayed in the furniture and in the overall décor of this suite. Opt to stay in the Presidential Suite to understand the lifestyle of Indian royalty!
• » Attached bathrooms

Dining
There are two fine dining options housed within the Maharajas’ Express with each offering a delectable range of cuisines to savor on. The authentic décor of the restaurants truly complement the tastefully prepared food. A whole host of beverages served in the restaurants complete your dining experiences here.

• » Haveli restaurant - adorned like a grand Indian mansion, Indian delicacies are tastefully prepared and served in this restaurant
• » Peacock restaurant - watch out for the peacock motifs in the décor throughout this eatery
• » The in house Bar serves a range of exotic drinks. The wood decorated interiors and the theme lighting will make your evenings special, after a tiring day of sightseeing.

The tariff of the luxury train Maharajas’ Express has been given below as:

The tariff of the Maharajas’ Express includes accommodation, meals, beverages (light drinks, tea, coffee, and mineral water), Indian wines (in house brands), butler service, and porter-age at stations, guided tours and entrance fees at monuments. The tariff however does not include taxes, insurances, alcoholic beverages, telephone calls, laundry, and fees of video and professional cameras.

*Service tax at 2.58% to be paid extra.

*The above cost is a per person per Journey Cost.  

*Validity - January 2012 - April 2012  

*Children below 5 years of age can travel for free.

*Prices are subject to change incase of any amendment in the routing or any other hikes such as fuel, taxes etc.  

The cancellation policy that is followed by the train is as:

• » If cancelled 90 days prior to departure date, then 25% of the published tour cost is deducted
• » If cancelled 89-60 days prior to departure date, then 50% of the published tour cost is deducted
• » If cancelled 59-0 days prior to departure date, then 100% of the published tour cost is deducted
• » If you fail to show up on the departure date, then 100% of the published tour cost is deducted