Detailed itinerary

Browse through the below mentioned detailed itinerary of the Celestial India tour aboard the Maharajas’ Express.

Day 1- Kolkata – Gaya
Kolkata as a cultural city welcomes millions of tourists every year. Every Saturday it also welcomes the guests onboard the Maharajas’ Express to take them on a voyage across a celestial India; spiritual, historic as well as the ancient India that still breathes through a contemporary nation.
From Kolkata it moves on to Gaya, a sacred Hindu pilgrimage center.
Dinner and overnight stay aboard the train.

Day 2 - Gaya
The 2nd day of the journey has been dedicated entirely to the sightseeing and exploration of the town of Gaya. The itinerary of the Celestial India tour specially facilitates the voyaging of the towns of Rajgir and Nalanda besides Gaya to complete the picture of an India where several religions and faiths flourished together. Attractions that you will visit here are the ruins of the Nalanda University, fortified remains scattered throughout Rajgir and the Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya, which you will visit after lunch.
Return to Gaya and embark on the train to travel down to the next destination - Varanasi.

Day 3 - Varanasi
Popular also by the name of Kashi, Varanasi, is a spiritual haven for tourists to come and rejuvenate themselves here. Besides the temples and the shrines to offer a heartfelt prayer to the almighty, one can also stroll around the marketplace that is popular for silk saris and handicraft products. Enjoy an early morning cruise on the river Ganga, visit the Varanasi Silk Weaving Center (renowned for producing Benarasi silk saris), and the various temples housed here.
Post-lunch proceed towards Sarnath, a significant destination for the Buddhists.

Day 4 - Umaria
On the 4th day of the tour, you will drive down to the Bandhavgarh National Park. Bandhavgarh is one of the foremost wildlife habitats in the country with abundant wildlife population to simply impress you. Besides an encounter with the wild animals in their natural habitat, this trip will also introduce you to a local village and its natives. Witness the simplicity in their living and their interesting ways of life.
In the evening, you will return to the Umaria railway station to board the train and travel down to the next destination, Khajuraho.

Day 5 - Khajuraho
Khajuraho and its architectural marvels, most significantly the erotic temple sculptures is the next destination according to the Celestial India tour itinerary. The finesse of the figurines depicting a range of human emotions will simply take your breath away. Post- breakfast arrive in the sleepy town and embark on sightseeing tours across the temples. Post-lunch take a walk around the town and meet the locals to get an insight into the ways of life of the locals here.
Dinner and overnight stay in the train.

Day 6 - Agra
A medieval Mughal city that still testifies the rich legacies of the dynasty, Agra is a place to visit for a number of reasons. Firstly, it is home to the famous Taj Mahal and secondly, the culture and heritage of the town equally vie for ones attention. And lastly but not in the least, it is also home to several thriving local handicraft industries, testimonial items of which can be found in the markets. Attractions housed here that are not worth a miss include the Agra Fort and lunch at the Taj Khema.

Day 7 - Gwalior
Gwalior is a modern city with roots deeply firmed in the medieval era. No wonder the city offers a blend of both these elements - contemporary and traditional. Visit the Jai Vilas Palace, the Scindia Museum and also the Gwalior fort as must visit places while in the city. Do not also miss to enjoy the unique experience of dining in the restaurant of the Usha Kiran Palace.
Overnight stay in the Maharajas’ Express train.

Day 8 - Delhi
The last destination for the celestial India tour is the capital city of Delhi. By the time you arrive in this place, you already are enriched with what a spiritual yet adventurous journey in India could be like. Either you share your experiences with your friends verbally or accompany them on their next vacation on the Maharajas’ Express… the decision is yours!

Facilities on Board

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.

The onsite restaurants here are namely

• 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.

Schedule

Tariff

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.

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