Celestial India Luxury Train tour is operated by the
super deluxe luxury train of India..Maharajas Express. The tour will be
starting from Delhi covering Taj Mahal and the Fort of Agra, the Fort in
Gwalior, Temples of Orchha, Temples of Khajuraho, wildlife of Bandhavgarh
National Park, ancient city of Varanasi and Buddhist monastery of Sarnath
and the elegance and imperial splendour of the Nawabs in Lucknow.
Day 01 / Saturday : Board the Maharajas' Express in Delhi - Onto Agra
Welcome
aboard the Maharajas' Express.
This evening, assemble and complete your registration and check in
formalities at the hotel for the Maharajas' Express. Following, dinner you
will proceed to the Safdarjung Railway station. On arrival, you will board
the Maharajas' Express and will be greeted with a welcome drink.
The Maharajas' Express departs Delhi late evening to Agra.
Dinner at hotel.
Overnight on the Maharajas' Express.
Day 02 / Sunday : Agra
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast on board as you journey through the picturesque
countryside, arriving into the 'City of Mughal Splendour' Agra.
Agra, the jewel of India, is home to one of the world's great architectural
wonders - the Taj Mahal. With its spectacular monumental masterpieces and
picturesque natural setting, Agra is a legendary city glorified by time.
After lunch on board, disembark and explore the spectacular monuments of
the city.
Visit the world famous Taj Mahal, built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan as
the mausoleum for his favourite queen Mumtaz Mahal. A UNESCO World Heritage
Site, this incomparable marvel is constructed entirely out of white marble
and is an architectural masterpiece with beautiful inlay work and marble
screens. The construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1631 and ended by 1653.
Approximately 20,000 of India's most revered craftsmen were recruited to
give shape to this poetry in marble.
The highlight of the afternoon is a high tea atop the Taj Khema. Enjoy a
glass of champagne as you admire the magnificent Taj Mahal at sunset.
Enjoy some free time shopping for pietra dura marble and fine Mughal
Jewellery keeping the traditional Mughal arts alive.
Return to the comfort of the train and continue your journey to Gwalior.
Breakfast on board; Lunch on board; High tea at Taj Khema; Dinner on board
Overnight on the Maharajas' Express.
Day 03 / Monday : Gwalior
This morning, during breakfast, you journey through the fascinating and
dramatic Chambal Ravines which served as the home to some of India's most
notorious dacoits. Admire the dramatic landscape of deep and narrow gorges,
undulating sandy hills interspersed with rich fields. Late morning the
Maharajas' Express arrives into the royal city of Gwalior.
A city where many reigning dynasties have left indelible etchings of their
rule on all its palaces, temples and monuments. These mementos of a glorious
past have been preserved, giving Gwalior a timeless appeal.
Following disembarkation, continue for lunch to the Usha Kiran Palace.On
arrival experience a Royal traditional welcome. Enter this 120-year-old
palace, which has played host to the King of England, set amidst 9 acres of
beautifully landscaped lawns and outfitted with artistic stone carvings and
delicate filigree work.
After lunch, proceed on a tour of the magnificent Gwalior Fort, admiring
its enclosed exquisite temples and palaces, the most spectacular being the
Man Mandir Palace. This palace is a masterpiece of Rajput architecture,
embellished with exquisite stone carving and latticework. Some of the other
fascinating sights within the 3km fort enclosure are the 21 colossal Jain
sculptures depicting the 'tirthankaras' (one who has achieved freedom from
the cycle of rebirth) carved into the rock face and the famous Saas-Bahu
(Mother and Daughter-in-law) temples covered with beautiful sculptures of
dancing girls and deities. Your visit continues to the opulent Jai Vilas
Palace Museum, a section of which still remains the residence of the royal
family of Gwalior. Enjoy exploring unique exhibits in the museum, the most
exquisite being the unique model train made of crystal to serve drinks and
aperitifs during the Royal banquets in the Durbar Hall. Admire the
stupendous Durbar Hall with its crystal staircase, arched ceiling with
stunning gold leaf work supporting two of the world's largest chandeliers.
The legend goes that in order to test the strength of the ceiling to support
the chandeliers, several elephants were made to stand on the ceiling. A
grand finale to the exciting day is the Royal spread of the finest
delicacies of the Royal kitchens served in the grand compound of the Palace.
Late evening return to the comfort of the train.
Breakfast on board; Lunch at Usha Kiran Palace; Supper at Jai Vilas Palace.
Overnight on the Maharajas' Express.
Day 04 / Tuesday : Orchha - Khajuraho
Enjoy
a leisurely breakfast on board the train as she continues her journey
through some of the most dramatic and picturesque environs towards
Khajuraho. Enroute you will enjoy a stop at the bejewelled town of Orchha.
On arrival in Orchha, disembark and venture on tour of the quaint domain of
the Bundela Kings. Visit the Jahangiri Mahal which is an excellent example
of the Rajput Bundela architecture. Marvel the multi layered palace with its
132 chambers. A striking feature of the palace are the sandstone walls
embellished with lapis lazuli tiles and ornate jail screens. Catch a glimpse
of some rituals being performed as you pass the beautiful temple of
Chaturbhuj which is a unique blend of fort and temple architecture. Not to
be missed are the beautiful chhatris better known as cenotaphs of the Orchha
rulers lying along the Betwa River.
Return to the train and continue onwards to the temple city of Khajuraho.
Admire the rich landscape as you have lunch on board.
Khajuraho is renowned for its architecture and exquisite sculptures. Built
between 950 and 1050 AD in a truly inspired burst of creativity, the temples
are superb examples of Indo-Aryan architecture. The highly sensual
engravings depict the whole range of human emotions and relationships.
On arrival proceed on a tour of the magnificent temples of Khajuraho, a
UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore the Western group which constitutes some
of the finest examples of Chandela art at its peak. Visit the Kandariya
Mahadev Temple and the Chaunsath Yogini Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and
the 64 Yoginis respectively.
Continue to the Eastern group of temples. Visit the exquisite Jain Temples
and admire some of the finest sculpture and carvings.
Experience the fascinating Son-et-Lumi-re spectacle, which evokes the life
and times of the great Chandela Kings and traces the story of the unique
temples from the 10th Century to the present day.
Return to the comfort of the train and continue your journey to the
Bandhavgarh National Park.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on Board.
Overnight on board.
Day 05 / Wednesday : Umaria (Bandhavgarh National Park)
This morning, as you enjoy breakfast the train rolls into Umaria. Disembark
and prepare yourself for an exciting drive to the Bandhavgarh National Park.
With the highest known density of tigers, it was the former hunting grounds
of the Maharaja of Rewa. Animals such as deers, langurs, sloth bears and
exotic birds can also be found here.
You will have the opportunity to participate in the 'Forests for Tigers'
program – this involves reforestation of Tiger habitat, an insight into
the various projects, visit to villages surrounding the park, interaction
with a wildlife artist followed by lunch.
Later continue on a jeep safari into the park exploring the flora and
fauna. The grasslands and sal forests are home to a rich variety of wildlife
including the tiger. Wildlife in India cannot be compared to Africa and you
are indeed fortunate if you spot the elusive tiger.
Later you will return to Umaria and board the train.
Breakfast on board; Lunch at wildlife resort; Dinner on Board.
Overnight on the Maharajas' Express.
Day 06 / Thursday : Varanasi
Today as you enjoy breakfast, your journey continues from the royal jungles
through rich agricultural fields, arriving into the holy city of Varanasi.
One of the oldest living cities in the world, Varanasi (also known as Kashi
or Benares) has a spiritual legacy of over 3000 years. A place of
pilgrimage, this holy city is set on the banks of the sacred river Ganges.
Varanasi epitomizes the chaos and colour of India. Lively bazaars, exquisite
and bright silks, festivals, temples, mosques and palaces – all can be
found here.
Following disembarkation, your tour begins with the visit to ancient ruins
of Sarnath, where Buddha delivered his first sermon expounding the
principles of Buddhism. Visit the ruins, stupa and the Ashoka Pillar, whose
four back-to-back lions have been adopted as India's national emblem.
After a sumptuous lunch, visit the world famous Varanasi Silk Weaving
Centre. You can even shop for some world famous Banarasi silk saris and
brocades.
Proceed for a scenic cruise on the river Ganges and witness a magical
evening aarti at the ghats of the holy Ganges. The chants of Sanskrit
mantras, the clash of cymbals and drums, the scent of flowers, incense and
sandalwood and the blazing camphor lamp and many flamed aarti raised high in
the air, makes for an absolute magical evening to remember!!
Rejoin the train and head to your next destination.
Breakfast on board; Lunch at a hotel; Dinner on board.
Overnight on the Maharajas' Express.
Day 07 / Friday : Lucknow
Enjoy traversing through the lush green agricultural belt of Uttar Pradesh
as you relish your breakfast on board. Late morning, the Maharajas' Express
slowly pulls into the fabled 'City of Nawabs', Lucknow.
This morning you will explore the dramatic ruins of Imperialistic Lucknow
as you visit The Residency, started by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daulla and completed by
Nawab Sadat Ali for the British resident in 1800. Unravel the history of the
Mutiny of 1857 at the Residency as you explore her ruins and visit the main
Residency building which houses an interesting Museum displaying the
original model of the Residency, old lithographs, photographs, paintings,
documents and period-objects.
Experience the imperialistic splendour and mystical elegance of the Nawabs
of Awadh as you visit their architectural wonders like the famous 'Rumi
Darwaza", a beautifully ornamented gateway; the spectacular Bada
Imambara considered to be the largest vaulted apartment in the world
comprising of ornamental gateways, corridors and galleries.
Following lunch, you will return to the train and may join the Nawabi
evening later. For those who wish to explore further, the bustling markets
of this royal city will not disappoint.
This evening you will be transported into the glorious era of the Nawabs of
Avadh as you experience the traditional hospitality typical to the Royal
Houses, celebrating an 'Indian Evening'. The mesmerising music, exquisite
courtesan dance and the Royal Culinary Delights from the Nawabi kitchens –
all combine to bring alive the elegance and charm of the Nawabi era.
Then return to the train and continue on your onward journey.
Breakfast on board; Lunch at a hotel; Nawabi Evening Dinner at a Private
residence.
Overnight on the Maharajas' Express.
Day 08 / Saturday : Disembark in Delhi
Early this morning the train pulls into New Delhi. Following breakfast on
board you will disembark.
Bid farewell to the Maharajas' Express as your 'Classical India' journey
comes to an end. The royal journey is over, but the memory of which, will
live on forever!
Breakfast on the Maharajas' Express.
