India's Heritage Trains : the Ultimate in Luxury Travel

Indizen

Luxury trains
Palace on Wheels
Itinerary: Delhi-Jaipur-Jaisalmer-Jodhpur-Sawai Madhopur-Chittaurgarh-Udaipur-Bharatpur-Agra-Delhi
Tariff: Rs 1,54,271 per person for a seven-day journey
Amenities: 14 AC saloons with attached baths, two dining cars, lounge, bar, library with guided tours and lunches
http://www.indianrail.gov.in/palaceonwheel.html
http://www.palaceonwheels.net/new/home.htm
Sr. Manager
Palace on Wheels
Tourist Reception Centre
Bikaner House
New Delhi - 110 003
India

Tel : (91)-11-3381884 / 3386069
Fax 91)-11-3382823


Deccan Odyssey
Itinerary: Mumbai-Jaigadh-Ganapatipule-Ratangiri-Sindhudurg-Tarkarli-Sawantwadi-Goa-Kolhapur-Pune -Aurangabad-Ajanta-Nashik-Mumbai
Tariff: Rs 1,33,610 per person for a seven-day journey
Amenities: 11 passenger cars with a conference car that converts into dance floor at night
Travel across the heart of India, through the land of the brave Marathas, on a Deccan Odyssey. Journey back in time and relive the luxury of a regal age on the royal luxury train - the Deccan Odyssey, in India. As the whistle of the Deccan Odyssey luxury train blows and its wheels roll along the track, you're set to start on an exciting luxury train journey, on a Deccan Odyssey India Tour.

Travel to beautiful beaches in Goa and Maharashtra, see the grand forts and palaces of the Marathas and the Osho Ashram in Pune on your Deccan Odyssey. Travel on a journey through beautiful scenery and heritage destinations, as you tour the historic sites of Ajanta, Ellora and Aurangabad. Your luxury train ride brings you back to the modern city of Mumbai, at the end of your magical Deccan Odyssey luxury train ride. See the cultural riches of the Deccan, on an unforgettable Deccan odyssey in India.

http://www.deccan-odyssey-india.com/
http://www.luxurytrainsofindia.com/d...sey/index.html


Golden Chariot
Itinerary: Bangalore-Srirangapatnam-Mysore-Kabini-Hassan-Belur-Halebid-Shravanabel agola-Hampi-Aihole-Patadakal-Padami-Goa-Bangalore
Tariff: RS 1,33,610 per person for a seven-day journey
Amenities: 26 AC coaches, two restaurants, a lounge, a gym and a spa car
http://thegoldenchariot.co.in/hospitality.php
" Embark on a luxurious voyage of discovery through the Cradle of Stone Architecture. THE GOLDEN CHARIOT train named after the famous Stone Chariot in Hampi, a world heritage site, in Southern India will travel through timeless Historical Heritage Sites, Resplendent Palaces, Wildlife and Golden Beaches. It’s 7 Nights / 8 Days colorful journey begins every Monday from Bangalore and traverses through Mysore, visiting Srirangapatna, Mysore Palace; the Nagarhole National Park (Kabini) and continuing to the historical sites of Shravanabelagola, Belur-the 11th century cradle of Hoysala architecture and a world heritage site, Halebidu, Hampi and thereafter entering into the triangular heritage site of Badami, Pattadakal, Aihole, and finally the Golden Beaches of Goa before ending in Bangalore.

The Golden Chariot - Tour Tariff
March 2008: High Season tariff

Occupancy Type
March 2008
(per person per night)
Total for 7 nights
(per person)
Single occupancy US$ 485 US$ 3395
Double occupancy US$ 350 US$ 2450
Triple occupancy US$ 285 US$ 1995


April 2008 to September 2008: Lean Season Discounted tariff

Occupancy Type
April 2008 to Sep 2008
(per person per night)
Total for 7 nights
(per person)
Single occupancy US$ 395 US$ 2765
Double occupancy US$ 295 US$ 2065
Triple occupancy US$ 240 US$ 1680

Online Booking: http://thegoldenchariot.co.in/submit...alore%2 0Tour

Agent: The Luxury Trains


Heritage on Wheels in Rajasthan
Backed by the global success of the Palace on Wheels, Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation and Indian Railways in their first ever endeavor take you on board The Heritage on Wheels, a luxury tourist train on meter gauge enroute to the unexplored regions of Bikaner and Shekhawati, famous beholders of the Heritage of Rajasthan.
http://www.heritageonwheels.net/

India on Wheels has the longest trip, a 17-day itinerary that combines the best of the Palace on Wheels and Deccan Odyssey.

The Great Indian Royale Express
Destination Covered : Mumbai - Daulatabad - Jalgaon - Katni - Agra - Jaipur - Udaipur - Mumbai
http://www.thepalaceonwheels.com/roy...n-express.html

The Royal Orient combines sites in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
The Royal Orient



Welcome to the rare delight, a special experience. Rare because in our fast - paced lives, it is not often that we can take time off to unwind and taste the pleasure of Raaj culture. Special, because your journey will take you and your family back in time : to the age of Maharajas. To carry you there is the world's most exotic trains. Weave through two of India's most culturally fascinating states, Gujarat and Rajasthan. Cross the great Indian desert at nights and take day trips to fascinating places by luxury coach.


Feel the spirituality of an ancient Jain temple-city, soak your feet in the warm water of the Arabian Sea and laze on the beach, Safari in jungles to see the only lions outside Africa, and shop for exquisite handicrafts as old as history in shops blaring Michael Jackson music.

A joint venture of the Tourist Corporation of Gujarat Limited and the Indian Railways with thirteen coaches and saloons,The Royal Orient promises you seven memorable days and nights.
http://www.indianrail.gov.in/royal_orient.html

Indizen

Coming soon : Southern Splendour Rail - a heritage train covering four states ~ AP, Tamil Nadu, Orissa and Pondicherry.

One more train planned by AP Tourism which will cover a ‘temple circuit’ as well. It would cover places like Tirupati in AP, Mahabalipuram in TN, the Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry and Konark in Orissa.

Indizen

http://www.irctc.co.in/fairyqueen.htm
Delhi to Alwar
A unique two days all inclusive package
What makes this train special is the steam engine which is the oldest working engine in the world.
Travel to the Sariska Tiger Reserve for an overnight stay.
Indian Railways promises thrill, romance, wildlife and steam heritage on the Fairy Queen.

Round/Full trip package tariff:
(Two Way train journey + sight-seeing/stay at Sariska)
Adult Rs. 7,500/-
For foreigners and NRIs US Dollar 165
Children (5 - 12 years of age) Rs. 3,750/-
Foreigners and NRIs Children ( 5 - 12 years of age) US Dollar 83
Children below 5 years Free

Indizen

The Shivalik Palace Tourist Coach provides a luxurious ambience for a dream holiday. It can accommodate a part of six persons and is equipped with folding cushioned bed, refrigerator, on-board-kitchen and dining table with cushioned chairs. Booked for a tariff of Rs. 4790/- in the up and Rs. 3495/- in the down direction, fare includes complimentary accommodation of two luxurious retiring rooms at Shimla for the day and free meals enroute.

http://www.indianrail.gov.in/ks_hill.html



The Shivalik Queen Tourist Coach

Shivalik Queen is a luxury coach. It is divided into two portions consisting of two coupes each.
The coach is equipped with wall-to-wall carpets, altimeter, fancy lights, chrome plated luggage rack.

Indizen

This post is also about an ultimate mode of luxurious travel in India.
This one is not on wheels, however.

Palace on Wings welcomes you to the land of the Kings, royalty and romance, to rediscover the beauty, grandeur and colors of Rajasthan from air. Palace on Wings has introduced a new concept in tourism scenario of Rajasthan with the launch of Helicopter package tourism, which is a pioneering venture aimed at amalgamating aviation with tourism, thereby saving on time and discomfort of surface travel and inconvenience faced in traveling to and from the airports.

http://palaceonwings.in/


Packages:

DESERT TRAIL

The travel itinerary is:

Day 1: Morning flight to Pachar from Delhi. Get a glimpse of the rural India. Overnight at Pachar

Day 2: Morning flight to Pushkar. The holy city of Rajasthan. Visit the lake and the old temples. Overnight at Pushkar

Day 3: Morning flight to Jodhpur. Sightseeing of Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada. Overnight at Jodhpur.

Day 4: Morning flight to Jaisalmer. Sightseeing of Jaisalmer Fort, Patuon ki Haveli, Sam. Overnight at Jaisalmer.

Day 5: Morning flight to Bikaner. Sightseeing of forts and palaces. Overnight at Bikaner

Day 6: Morning flight to Jaipur. Sightseeing of Amber Palace, Elephant ride to the forest, Elephant Polo. Overnight at Jaipur

Day 7: Morning flight to Delhi from Jaipur.


COLORFUL RAJASTHAN

The travel itinerary is:

Day 1: Morning flight to Pachar from Delhi. Get a glimpse of the rural India. Overnight at Pachar

Day 2: Morning flight to Bikaner. Sightseeing of forts and palaces. Overnight at Bikaner

Day 3: Morning flight to Jaisalmer. Sightseeing of Jaisalmer Fort, Patuon ki Haveli, Sam. Overnight at Jaisalmer

Day 4: Morning flight to Jodhpur. Sightseeing of Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada. Overnight at Jodhpur.

Day 5: Morning flight to Udaipur. Sightseeing of City Palace, Sahelion ki Bari, Jagdish Temple. Overnight at Udaipur

Day 6: Morning flight to Jaipur. Sightseeing of Amber Palace, Elephant ride to the forest, Elephant Polo. Overnight at Jaipur

Day 7: Morning flight to Delhi from Jaipur.



Official Booking Agent:

Mayur Travels Pvt. Ltd.

Mr. Dashrath Singh

Phone: 91-93149-64058

Fax: 91-141-4012002

E-mail: reservations@palaceonwings.in

Indizen

Days
Itinerary
Day-I Dep. Delhi (Delhi-Safdarjung Station)for Gaya- Onboard dinner.
Day-II Arrive Gaya - Hotel Check-in – B/F. Visit Bodhgaya Temples – Lunch. Dinner at Hotel & Overnight stay.
Day-III B/F – Dep. for Rajgir – Nalanda. Lunch – Dinner – Dep. Gaya for Varanasi.
Day-IV Arrive Varanasi. Wash & fresh – B/F at Hotel. Sightseeing at Sarnath – Lunch – Dinner. Dep. Varanasi for Gorakhpur.
Day-V Arrive Gorakhpur. Hotel Check-In – B/F. Visit kusinagar pilgrimage sites – Lunch. Dinner - Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day-VI Early B/F – Dep. for Lumbini (Nepal). Lunch – Dinner. Dep. Gorakhpur for Gonda.
Day-VII Arrive Gonda. Hotel Check-In – B/F. Visit Sravasti – Lunch - Dinner. Dep. Gonda for Agra.
Day-VIII Arrive Agra. Wash & fresh at Hotel - B/F. Sightseeing Taj Mahal - Fatehpur Sikri. Lunch - Dep Agra for Delhi. Arrive Delhi (Delhi - Safdurjung Station) at approx.1800 hrs.

Services included in the package

Train journey on board Rajdhani Express rake.
Onboard/Offboard catering, housekeeping
Road transfer by AC Vehicles.
Sightseeing.
Darshan, visit to holy places.
Hotel stay in AC rooms.
Entrance fees.

Tariff


Period March 2008
Currency
AC First Class $ 150 Rs 6037
AC 2-Tier 105 4226
AC 3-Tier 88 3542

Highlights:
Visit the places where Gautam Buddha was born, attained enlightenment and Nirvana.
No hassles with touts.
Cross over into Nepal.
Bus travels taken care of.
Visit Varanasi, the popular stop on the pilgrims' trail.
End your holiday with a trip to the Taj Mahal.

Indizen

Bharat Darshan
Discover India - Tour Trains
BHARATH DARASHAN A015


Fare Per Person: 4125 (Inclusive of Service Tax).

MADURAI - DINDIGUL - TIRUCHIRAPALLI - VILLUPARAM JN - CHENNAI EGMORE - MANTRALAYAM ROAD - NASIK - KOPARGAON - KURUDVADI - PANDHARPUR - SOLAPUR - CHENNAI EGMORE - VILLUPARAM JN - TIRUCHIRAPALLI - DINDIGUL - MADURAI

BHARAT DARSHAN TRAIN ITINERARY

Route No: A015

Itinerary dated: 02-04-08 to 09-04-08

Fare Per Person: Rs. 4000/- (Rs. 4125/- including taxes).

Route: MDU – MS – MALM – NK – KPG – KWD – PVR – SUR – MS – MDU

ITINERARY

DATE
STATION
APPROX.
DISTANCE IN KM
ARR.
(hrs.)
DEP.
(hrs.)
REMARKS

02.04.08
Madurai (MDU)


06.45 hrs



Dindigul Jn (DG)
66
08.15 hrs
08.20 hrs
Tourist boarding


Trichy (TPJ)
95
10.20 hrs
10.25 hrs
Tourist boarding


Villuparam (VM)
177
14.00 hrs
14.05 hrs
Tourist boarding


Egmore (MS)
159
17.00 hrs
17.30 hrs
Tourist boarding
(Watering in train)

03.04.08
Mantralayam Road (MALM)
642 (via RU, HX, GTL)
07.00 hrs
22.00 hrs
Tourist halt - Shri Ragavendra

04.04.08
Nasik Road (NK)
784 (via SUR, DD, MMR)
16.00 hrs



05.04.08
Train Stationed At Nasik Road



Tourist halt - Triambakeshwar- Jyothirlinga Darshan, Panchavati, Sanisingnapur, Shirdi

06.04.08
Nasik Road (NK)


15.00 hrs
Tourist halt - Shirdi Baba Darshan, Kakad Aarthi Dwarakamayi


Kopargaon (KPG)
116 (via MMR)
20.00 hrs
23.00 hrs


07.04.08
Kurudvadi (KWD)
310 (via DD)
03.30 hrs
03.35 hrs
Tourist halt - Pandurangan Darshan


Pandharpur (PVR)
53
05.00 hrs
19.00 hrs



Solapur (SUR)
132
22.00 hrs
22.05 hrs
Tourist de-boarding

08.04.08
Egmore (MS)
828
21.00 hrs
21.05 hrs
Tourist de-boarding

09.04.08
Villuparam (VM)
159
00.30 hrs
00.35 hrs
Tourist de-boarding


Trichy (TPJ)
177
03.30 hrs
03.35 hrs
Tourist de-boarding


Dindigul (DG)
95
05.30 hrs
05.35 hrs
Tourist de-boarding


Madurai (MDU)
66
07.30 hrs

Tourist de-boarding

Indizen

BHARAT DARSHAN TRAIN ITINERARY

Route No: A016

Itinerary dated: 11-04-08 to 21-04-08

Fare Per Person: Rs. 5500/- (Rs. 5670/- including taxes).

Route: MDU – MS – JP – DSJ – MTJ – AGC – ALD – BSB – GAYA – MS – MDU

ITINERARY

DATE
STATION
APPROX.
DISTANCE IN KM
ARR.
(hrs.)
DEP.
(hrs.)
REMARKS

11.04.08
Madurai (MDU)


07.30 hrs



Dindigul Jn (DG)
66
08.30 hrs
08.35 hrs
Tourist boarding


Trichy (TPJ)
95
10.35 hrs
10.40 hrs
Tourist boarding


Villuparam (VM)
177
14.10 hrs
14.15 hrs
Tourist boarding


Egmore (MS)
159
18.00 hrs
18.30 hrs
Tourist boarding


Nellore (NLR)
176
22.00 hrs
22.05 hrs
Tourist boarding

12.04.08
Vijayawada (BZA)
255
05.00 hrs
05.30 hrs
Tourist boarding


Warangal (WL)
209
09.30 hrs
09.35 hrs
Tourist boarding

13.04.08
Jaipur (JP)
1525
14.00 hrs



14.04.08

(via NGP, BPL, UJN, KOTA, SWM)

22.30 hrs
Tourist halt - City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Amer Fort (by Jeep on your own)

15.04.08
Delhi Safdarjung (DSJ)
308 (via AWR, RE)
07.00 hrs

Tourist halt - Birla Mandir, Qutub Minar, Rajghat, Indira Memorial, Teen Murti Bhavan, India Gate

16.04.08



05.00 hrs



Mathura Jn. (MTJ)
145
09.00 hrs
09.15 hrs
Mathura (Birth Place of Lord Krishna)


Agra Cantt (AGC)
54
10.15 hrs
21.00 hrs
Tourist halt – Tajmahal , Agra Fort

17.04.08
Allahabad (ALD)
447 (via TDL, CNB)
07.00 hrs
15.00 hrs
Tourist halt – Bath in Triveni Sangam


Varanasi Cantt (BSB)





18.04.08



22.00 hrs
Tourist halt - Kashi Vishavanath Temple, Annapoorani Temple, Durga Mandir , Manasa Devi Temple , Birla Mandir

19.04.08
Gaya (GAYA)
220
05.00 hrs
22.00 hrs
Tourist halt - Pinda Pradhanam and visit to Budha Gaya

20.04.08
Train Travel

21.04.08
Vijayawada (BZA)
1505 (via BKSC, MURI, CKP, ROU, DVD)
05.00 hrs
05.30 hrs
Tourist de-boarding


Nellore (NLR)
225
09.30 hrs
09.35 hrs
Tourist de-boarding


Egmore (MS)
176
12.30 hrs
13.00 hrs
Tourist de-boarding


Villuparam (VM)
159
17.00 hrs
17.05 hrs
Tourist de-boarding


Trichy (TPJ)
177
20.30 hrs
20.35 hrs
Tourist de-boarding


Dindigul (DG)
95
22.15 hrs
22.20 hrs
Tourist de-boarding


Madurai (MDU)
66
23.45 hrs

Tourist de-boarding

Indizen

The Indian Railways offers the Indrail pass to tourists who wish to tour India by rail. These passes are sold only to foreign passport holders and Indians who live abroad and are payable in US dollars or pound sterling. Indrail pass holders are exempted from paying any extra charges like reservation fees, sleeper charges, or charges for super fast trains. These passes are sold through general sales agents in London, New York, Sydney, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Paris, London, Toronto, Bangkok, Port Louis, Helsinki, Sharjah, Kuala Lumpur, Muscat, Amsterdam, Dhaka. They are also sold at major railway stations all over India.

The Indian Railways can also book exclusive railway coaches for group tours where facilities like a kitchenette, a sitting room, a dining room and other amenities are available. For information about booking coaches one must contact any of the zonal offices of the Indian Railways, depending on which sector the group wishes to travel through.

The fare structure in US dollars is: Period AC Class 1st Class 2ndClass
½ day 57 26 11
1day 95 43 19
2 days 160 70 30
4 days 220 110 50
7 days 270 135 80
15 days 370 185 90
21 days 396 198 100
30 days 495 248 125
60 days 800 400 185
90 days 1060 530 235
Tickets for children (ages 5 to 11) are half price.

Indizen

The growing business tourism in India is entering the domain of leisure travel in the luxury category and the Golden Chariot - a train with conference halls and wireless Internet connectivity - is just the beginning. Introduced in the heritage circuit of Karnataka, the Golden Chariot, modelled on the Palace on Wheels of Rajasthan and the Deccan Odyssey of Maharashtra, will generate nearly 60 percent business annually in the MICE (Meeting, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) tourism sector, according to projections by the travel industry.

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/..._10022960.html

Indizen

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

New Jalpaiguri-Darjeeling - The toy train on the Darjeeling Himalayan section is not merely a source of delight for the young and old, it also represents the engineering skills of the highest order. This 83 km long section connecting Darjeeling with the railhead at Siliguri is of great importance and has been bestowed World Heritage Site status.
Time table: http://www.indianrail.gov.in/dm_hill.html

A joy ride train runs between Ghum and Darjeeling with a stoppage at Batasia loop for enabling tourists to take photographs of Kanchenjunga.
Ghum station is the second highest railway station in the world to be reached by steam locomotive.

DARJEELING:The most famous of the little trains, is the one linking the town of New Jalpaiguri in the plains to the lovely hill station of Darjeeling. The 86 km. Darjeeling line allows the traveller an uninterrupted view of the breathtaking scenery of the Himalayas. Darjeeling Himalayan Railways (DHR) is recognised as "World Heritage Site" by UNESCO.

Access to Darjeeling: New Jalpaiguri, the starting point of the hill train to Darjeeling, has direct connections to Calcutta, Delhi, Guwahati and other places in India.

Indizen

SHIMLA: The toy train journey from Kalka to Shimla is entrancing with 107 tunnels and lofty arched bridges. The dazzling view and the stop at the picturesque stations along the way add to the experience.

Access to Shimla: Shimla is connected by a broad guage line up tp Kalka. From Kalka to Shimla, the "toy train" covers 96 km. of track in six hours.

http://www.trainenquiry.com/StaticCo...ial_Hills.aspx

Indizen

MATHERAN : The 77 year old line, connecting Neral to Matheran, is the main way to reach the tiny hill resort, close to Mumbai. As the little train wheezes up into the clear mountain air one can view the scenic vista of hills and plains below.

Access to Matheran : The toy train to Matheran commences from Neral (on Mumbai - Pune line). the journey up to Matheran takes about one-and-half hours. The toy train runs between sunrise and sunset.

Indizen

OOTY (UDHAGAMANDALAM): At a max. speed of 33 km. per hour, this "toy train" treks across plains, plantation and forest clad hills. The 16 tunnels and tall girder bridges on the way, along with the breathtaking view, make this toy train journey to Ooty, something not to be missed.

Access to Ooty: Ooty is connected by a narrow guage line from Mettupalayam, which serves as the railhead for mainline trains.

Indizen

This newly built track has some very scenic views of the Himalayan foothills. It is famed for its bridges and tunnels.

The route is currently connected by three trains from New Delhi:

0403 DLI UHP SPECIAL JAT 11.45 UHP 13.10
2445 UTTAR S KRANTI JAT 06.40 UHP 08.00
4033 JAMMU MAIL JAT 10.45 UHP 12.10

Tourist spots in the Jammu hills include:
1. Vaishnodevi, one of the most reverred Hindu temples dedicated to Goddess Shakti

2. Shivkhori, cave shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva

3. Patnitop, a hill top tourist destination

4. Baba Dhansar

5. Siar Baba

6. Reasi

7. Bhimgarh Fort

8. Kalika Temple

9. Mansar lake

9. Sudh Mahadev

10. Sanasar, 19 km from Patnitop, it is the hub of wilderness adventure camps & tandem paragliding joyrides in Jammu.

11. Nathatop 11 km from Patnitop, enroute to Sanasar,it offers scenic views of the surrounding Shivalik range and the Brahma massif of the Kishtwar Himalayas. It is also popular for soaring & "high flying" tandem paragliding.