Maharajas’ Express – Indian Splendour

By Ravi Valluri

The Indian Splendour is a spellbinding and engrossing peregrination covering an extensive list of worthy tourist spots. The tour commences from Luyten’s Delhi and terminates at the financial capital of India, Mumbai.

This opulent wanderlust spans variegated places, luxuriating through Agra’s Taj Mahal, the majestic fort and wildlife sanctuary at Ranthambore, the Pink City of Jaipur, the robust alcazars of Bikaner and Jodhpur in the depths of Rajasthan, followed by the lake city of Udaipur and finishing with a flourish in Mumbai.

The Maharajas' Express is a luxury tourist train owned and operated by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), plying on seven circuits across the axis of North-West-Central and South–West India.

However the centrifugal attraction is the vibrant and colourful arid state of Rajasthan. Keeping in mind the climate in most parts of the country, the trips are sandwiched between the ebbing summer in October and the late spring of April.

The estimable train Maharajas' Express was voted “The World's Leading Luxury Train” five times in succession from 2012 to 2017 at the World Travel Awards. No mean achievement which skewers the misgivings of the Cassandra’s of Doubt regarding the tourism-marketing prowess of Indians.

It is noteworthy to mention that Maharajas’ Express is the most extortionate and high-priced luxury train operating in the world. For its pre-eminent service Maharajas' Express was the first runner-up in the Specialist Train Operators category at Conde Nast Travellers’ Reader Choice Travel Award in the year 2011.

The Maharajas' Express provides a plethora of solutions under a single umbrella of ostentation - pneumatic suspension, live television, Wi-Fi, attached bathrooms, dining cars, bar, lounge and a premium souvenir shop. Larger cabins are endowed with roll-top baths and spacious sitting rooms.

The train comprises of twenty-three carriages which include accommodation, dining car, bar, lounge and generator and store cars. Accommodation has been provided in all the guest carriages with a capacity to haul eighty-eight passengers in plush luxury.

The train gloats of a lounge called the Rajah Club which has a private bar, two dining cars and a dedicated bar car. There is a delectable on-board souvenir boutique which offers tat for the pilgrims of this opulent odyssey. The train is also equipped with a water filtration plant.

It is worthwhile to mention that there are five carriages in the category of Deluxe Cabins, a total of 20 cabins accommodating forty passengers (twelve twin bed cabins and eight double bed cabins).

There are eighteen cabins in the Junior Suites category that accommodate thirty-six passengers. Additionally, there are four Suites available, which are endowed with large separate sitting and sleeping areas. The train has a state-of-the-art kitchen car designed to provide a range of cuisines in the restaurants Rang Mahal and Mayur Mahal.

The Itinerary

Come Sunday and the guests board the luxurious Maharajas' Express at Delhi. The train chugs its way to Agra, to visit the splendid Agra Fort. The Mughal Emperor Akbar began its construction in 1565 and his son Jehangir and grandson Shah Jahan added structures to the edifice.

On Monday the ritzy tourists are awe struck by the alluring Taj Mahal. Both the Agra Fort and Taj Mahal have been deified as World Heritage sites by the UNESCO. After exploring the white-marble structure that epitomises pristine love, the tourists are escorted to an exclusive venue for breakfast.

Once they hop on to the train again, it proceeds to Sawai Madhopur. After lunch at one of the lavish restaurants onboard, they detrain for a safari in the Ranthambore National Park and visit the brawny forts built by the Chauhan dynasty (UNESCO World Heritage sites in its own right) in 13th century. After a sumptuous dinner on board, the train proceeds to Jaipur.

On the third day this lavish train drops anchor at Jaipur. The travellers feast on breakfast aboard the train and then disembark to visit the robust Amber Fort of Jaipur. In the evening, they are shepherded to an exclusive venue for dinner.

The train at night scorches the tracks to Bikaner, where after a leisurely breakfast onboard, tourists proceed to visit the Junagarh Fort. This fort was constructed by Karan Chand in 1594 for the King Raja Rai Singh the 6th ruler of the dynasty.

This is an exceptional fort in Rajasthan protected as it is by a moat and not constructed on a hill top. The entire city of Bikaner is built around the fort complex. Later on the princely family moved to Lalgarh. After an exhausting day the silk-stocking guests are treated to an exclusive bar-be-cue planned for evening on the golden sand dunes.

On the fifth day the well-heeled travellers drop anchor at Jodhpur. The morning is free and begins with leisurely pursuits on the train. After a delightful lunch, guests disembark and are treated to the amazing sights of the gargantuan Mehrangarh Fort.

The night after Jodhpur is spent travelling in ornate carriages and breakfast is on board the next morning. The day begins at Udaipur, the city named after Rana Udai Singh of the Mewar dynasty and father of the valorous Rana Pratap who never accepted Moghul suzerainty.

Rana Pratap is a legendary Rana, whose heroic feats on the esteemed horse Chetak made him an icon in the memory banks of Rajputana. He acquired an exalted status for the arduous Battle of Haldighati against the Moghul Emperor Akbar.

After a boat ride on Lake Pichola and a visit to the City Palace the plush tourists entrain for the last leg of the journey to Mumbai, famous for Bollywood, Juhu Beach, Marine Drive, the Elephanta caves and so much more, creating indelible memories etched in their minds.

“Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living,” writes author Miriam Beard.

Also Read: Maharaja Express – Treasures Of India