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Maharajas Express Train - India: Delhi to Mumba: Taj Mahal + Jaipur+ Udaipur + Kerala

Maharajas Luxury Train (6 nts): Golden Triangle to Mumbai
Maharajas Express Train, India: Delhi Mumba Taj Mahal Jaipur Udaipur Kerala
10 NIGHTS FROM:
$9,114
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
9IYB10D
• Maharajas Express Train, India
• Old & New Delhi
• Taj Mahal & Agra Fort
• Ranthambore Tiger Reserve
• Jaipur & Amber Fort
• Bikaner
• Jodhpur
• Udaipur
• Mumbai
• Kerala extension

Enquire about our luxury purneys on the Maharajas Express Train in India, travelling from Delhi to Mumbai. Visit the stunning Taj Mahal in Agra, enjoy a jeep safari in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve & sightseeing in Jaipur, including the Amber Fort. Continue through the Thar Desert to Bikaner, Jodhpur; visit beautiful Udaipur & end in Mumbai. Afterwards there is the option to add on an extension to the relaxing Kerala Backwaters.

Day 1
You will be met at Delhi Airport and transferred to your hotel in this ancient capital of kingdoms and empires that is now a sprawling metropolis.
 
Delhi's strategic location was one of the main reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power and today it is a conglomerate of seven cities. The division between the old walled city and New Delhi marks a division in lifestyles, with the old city retaining its past traditions whilst New Delhi strives to match the pace of the 21st century.
Day 2
Today enjoy a full day tour of modern New Delhi and the 17th century walled city of Old Delhi, which came to prominence when Shah Jahan moved his capital here from Agra.
 
In Old Delhi enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride through 300-year old Chandni Chowk market, a maze of lanes crowded with noisy shops selling an extraordinary variety of items and foods, and past the Jamia Masjid (or Friday Mosque), the largest in India, and drive past the imposing walls & battlements of the Red Fort, once the most opulent palace in the Mughal Empire. We continue to the Raj Ghat - the simple but moving memorial on the site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated.
 
In the afternoon our tour of New Delhi starts with a visit to the Qutub Minar, an ancient victory tower built of red sandstone and marble in 1199 and still the tallest minaret in India. With its imposing cylindrical towers and surrounding ruins, it is today a World Heritage Site. Our next stop is Humayun's Tomb, the beautiful mausoleum of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, that inspired the Taj Mahal.
 
We drive along the Rajpath - the capital's broadest avenue - where you will see the imposing arch of the India Gate war memorial, Parliament House, the Rashtrapati Bhavan presidential residence built for the Viceroy of India, and the government buildings on Raisina Hill.
Day 3
Transfer to Delhi Safdurjung Railway Station in good time to board the luxurious Maharaja's Express departing at 08.15 towards the ancient city of Agra, set along the banks of the Yamuna River and originally the capital of the Mughal Empire.
 
Experience the opulance and luxury of a bygone era, as you travel like royalty and visit the many historic sights of the Golden Triangle.
 
After brunch and a briefing on board we disembark in Agra, world renowned as the home of the Taj Mahal - that great symbol of love built by emperor Shah Jahan in the 16th century as a memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. This magnificent white marble mausoleum took 22 years to build and, apart from its stunning design and perfect symmetry, it is noted for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best marble inlay work ever done.
 
After visiting this stunning monument you can choose an optional activity - either a spa treatment at a luxury hotel or Mohabbat the Taj Show (pay locally). Dinner is then served aboard the train.
 
Note: You are allowed a maximum of 3-hours at the Taj Mahal and cannot take in anything except your camera, water and essential medicine.
 
Dress code on board the train is smart casual, with suitable walking shoes for off train excursions.
Day 4
Rise early this morning for a visit to Agra Fort.
 
This massive structure has walls over 70-ft high and 1.5-miles long that encompasses an astounding collection of well preserved buildings, many of them completed during the reign of Shah Jahan. After he was deposed by his son, he was imprisoned in this fort where he remained until his death - spending the rest of his life looking out along the river to the final resting place of his beloved wife.
 
After breakfast on board the train, we proceeds towards Sawai Madhopur. After lunch we disembark for a jeep safari in Ranthambore National Park. This world famous tiger sanctuary was originally the hunting grounds of the Maharaja of Jaipur. Today it is the largest wildlife reserve in northern India, covering an area of over 250 sq miles (400 sq km). Please be aware that it is extremely difficult to spot tigers in the jungle and sightings are never guaranteed. Best viewings are generally at the end of the dry season (March to May, although it is extremely hot from April onwards), when the tigers search out the waterholes.
 
Other animals you can hope to see include leopard, hyena, jackal, jungle cat, caracal, civet, desert cat, mongoose, ratel, sloth bear, langur & macaque monkeys, wild boar, palm squirrel, flying fox, porcupine, long-eared hedgehog, marsh crocodile, tortoise and soft shelled turtle. Also antelope such as sambar deer, chital, nilgai, chinkara and black buck .There are also over 270 bird species - including eagles, falcons, owls, graylag geese, flamingos, parakeets, fly catchers, bee eaters, grebe, terns, woodpeckers, hornbills and kingfishers.
 
After returning to the train, enjoy dinner on board as we travel towards Jaipur which is the capital of Rajasthan. This chaotic and colourful "Pink City" is home to over 3 million people and has been declared a World Heritage Site due to its cultural heritage.
Day 5
This morning we visit the Amber Fort - a World Heritage Site.
 
This magnificent royal palace was built from pale yellow & pink sandstone and white marble and is divided into four main sections, each with its own courtyard. You will enter via the main courtyard (Jaleb Chowk), where returning armies would display their war booty and women could view them from the veiled windows of the palace. Once inside explore the amazing Palace of Mirrors and Hall of Public Audience.
 
After lunch on board the train, there is the option of either a spa treatment or a visit to the City Palace, the former Royal Residence part of which is now a museum (pay entrance fee locally). One of the major attractions here is the armoury with its impressive array of pistols, blunderbusses, flintlocks, swords, rifles and daggers used by the Maharajas of Jaipur. The Textile and Costume museum on the first floor is another fine display, with items from all over India.
 
You can also visit the Jantar Mantar Observatory, the largest stone and marble crafted observatory in the world and a World Heritage site. It is the best preserved of five observatories built by Jai Singh, the founder of Jaipur. It has 17 large instruments, many of them still in working condition.
 
In the evening enjoy a special dinner at Rambagh Palace, before returning to the comforts of the Maharajas’ Express as we travel towards Bikaner.
Day 6
This morning enjoy a leisurely breakfast onboard the train whilst travelling through the countryside to the desert town of Bikaner.
 
On arrival you can either continue to relax onboard, or partake in an optional activity such as a local city tour to learn more about this vibrant desert town or visit to the Lalgarh Palace and Museum (pay locally).
 
After lunch onboard the train, we disembark and drive to Junagarh Fort, an unassailable fortress built in 1593 AD by Raja Rai Singh. The real beauty of the fort lies inside at the Diwan-i-Khas, Phool Mahal (Flower Palace), Hawa Mahal, Badal Mahal and Anup Mahal.
 
Later we will experience royal pageantry as a convoy of camel carts accompanied by musicians takes us for a sundowner on the sand dunes. We will savour traditional barbecue delicacies, whilst we experience traditional folk arts such as Langaas and Kalbeliya dancing and singing.
 
In the evening we return to the train and continue our journey towards Jodhpur.
Day 7
This morning we arrive in Jodhpur, the second largest city in Rajasthan and known as the 'Blue City' because of its many blue-painted houses. This old walled and gated city encircles Mehrangarh Fort, with the modern city sprawling outside its walls.
 
This morning you can partake in an optional activity, such as a city tour to learn more about Jodhpur. Alternatively you can visit Bishnoi Village to witness the rural life of people living in hamlets ('dhanis'); visit Umaid Bhawan Palace, one of the world's largest private residences; or the royal cenotaphs at Jaswant Thada, built in 1899 by Maharaja Sadar Singh in memory of his father.
 
After lunch onboard we visit the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort, with its intricate and elegant architecture, followed by a walking tour of the Old Clock Tower Market. As we reach the market on Tuk Tuks, you will get a glimpse of daily life for local residents and pass by some of the old houses and havelis.
 
Later enjoy a cocktail evening at Khaas Bagh Hotel, with a wide array of sumptuous Marwar cuisine, before returning to the train for overnight.
Day 8
This morning we wake up in the picturesque Mewar region, as we travel through the magnificent landscapes of the Aravali Hills towards Udaipur - a serene and beautiful city of lakes.
 
On arrival in Udaipur we disembark and take a boat ride on Lake Pichola. We then visit the City Palace, the largest complex in Rajasthan with beautiful scalloped arches, fretted balconies and cupolas. We also visit Mor Chowk to see its lavish mosaics of peacocks; Moti Mahal with its beautiful mirror work, Chini Mahal which is covered in ornamental tiles, the spectacular Zenana Mahal, the Crystal Gallery and Darbar Hall, where audio guides are available.
 
After lunch at the Satkar Hall of Fateh Prakash Palace Hotel, where you will experience the hospitality reminiscent of ancient Mewar glory, we return to the train.
 
Later enjoy a special Indian evening, raising a toast to our last night as we head towards Mumbai.
Day 9
After a leisurely morning and lunch onboard, we disembark in the early evening at Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Railway Station in the financial capital of Mumbai.
 
Here you will be met and transferred to your hotel in this bustling city. Formerly known as Bombay, this is the most populous city in India and its commercial capital, as well as the home of the Bollywood film industry.
Day 10
Today enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of Mumbai, starting with a 1-hour ferry ride to Elephanta Island - originally called Gharapuri ("Fortress City") but renamed by the Portuguese, who found a large stone elephant here.
 
The Elephanta Caves date from between 450 to 750 AD and are now a World Heritage site, containing gigantic rock effigies of the Hindu faith. One of the most interesting of the large sculptured panels is the three-headed Shiva - shown as the Creator, the Preserver and the Destroyer. Another Shiva panel shows the God dancing the 'Tandava' and thereby causing the world to shake.
 
After lunch (own account) enjoy a private City Tour, starting with a photo stop at the Gateway of India and a drive past Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (formerly known as the Prince of Wales Museum). This is one of the premier art and history museums in India and the building itself is a fine example of Indo-Saracenic architecture. We also drive past the beautiful old buildings of Mumbai University, the Rajabhai Clock Tower and Mumbai High Court, with another photo stop at the historic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Railway Terminus, built in an exuberant Italian Gothic style and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
 
We then take the Marine Lines flyover to Chowpatty, with its lovely seaside promenade, and the beautiful Hanging Gardens perched on the top of Malabar Hill. We drive past a Jain Temple and the circular Parsi Tower of Silence to the Mani Bhavan Museum, where Mahatma Gandhi stayed when visiting Mumbai.
Time permitting we also drive to Dhobi Ghat, Mumbai's open-air laundromat, which remains very popular despite the creation of the modern washing machine! We then board a local train for the short ride to Churchgate Station in southern Mumbai, an area known for its Art Deco buildings. Afterwards you will be transferred back to your hotel.
 
Note: Elephanta Island and Price of Wales Museum are closed on a Monday.
Day 11
Transfer to Mumbai Airport for your flight home.