Maharajas’ Express – Indian Panorama Train Tour

Itinerary Highlights

Marvel at the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World
Travel on an epic journey across India on a world-leading leading luxury train
Dine at Rambagh Palace, a place of royal heritage and elaborate splendour
Be moved by an evening Aarti celebration in honour of the goddess of the Ganges
Best time to travel October, November & February - March

What's Included

Accommodation Throughout
International Flights

10 nights from £9,499 per person

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What a journey awaits you on this epic India tour which begins and ends in Delhi, travelling in between on the Maharajas’ Express train to see many of the country’s finest sights.

Arriving into Delhi you’ll begin the adventure with a two-night stay at the Grande Dame of the East, The Imperial New Delhi. The hotel is an experience in itself with its elaborate interiors and legendary status. Plus there is time scheduled on this suggested itinerary for a sightseeing tour of the city.

Next you’ll board what is often referred to as the world’s leading luxury train, the Maharajas’ Express. Your stay onboard in a Deluxe Cabin includes all meals, soft beverages, house brands of Indian wines, beer and spirits and the Maharajas famous butler service. These lavish cabins are en suite and have air conditioning and modern amenities including WiFi. Each car of the train is attended by valets for attentive, personal service on your journey.

This six-night train journey will wend its way to many of India’s best tourist spots. First is Jaipur, where you’ll visit the hilltop palace complex of Amber Fort. Then the former royal residence of the City Palace enthralls with its stunning galleries and museums. A highlight for many is the dinner scheduled here at the ‘Jewel of Jaipur’, Rambagh Palace.

An early start can then afford fantastic wildlife spotting opportunities on a game drive in the Ranthambore National Park, contrastingly followed that afternoon by a wander through the deserted Mughal City of Fatehpur Sikri, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Next morning you’ll tick the Taj Mahal from your bucket list, with a visit to this Wonder of the World. An experience you’ll never forget to see a much-coveted monument early in the morning when it’s serene and peaceful.

The Maharajas’ Express will then travel through the night to get you to Orchha Fort in time for an explore and village tour in a tuktuk. That afternoon you’ll spend at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Western Group of Temples, before an ‘Indian Evening’ back on the train.

Your final full day onboard will see a stop to visit the Sarnath ruins and silk weaving centre. Then that evening an experience which for many is one of the best of the whole journey; a boat ride on the Ganges to witness evening Aarti.

The journey ends back where it all started, at The Imperial in Delhi, for a final taste of India’s high culture before your flight home.

Itinerary

Day 1 UK to India

Today, you’ll fly from London to Delhi.

Day 2 Arrive Delhi

After your overnight flight to India, you’ll be met on arrival by an Inspiring Travel representative and taken to your hotel to check in for your two-night stay. Accommodation is at the luxurious and legendary The Imperial, in a Double Grand Heritage Room with garden views and an open-plan living space. Opened in 1936 this hotel is something of a landmark in its own right, widely considered one of the Grande Dames of the East.

Staying at

1911 verandah lounge of the imperial new delhi

Day 3 Delhi

After breakfast at the hotel, which is included with your stay, you’ll be collected and taken for a full day sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi, visiting Jama Masjid; experiencing a rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk; seeing Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar and Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, and ending with a drive past Lutyen’s Delhi and the India Gate area.

Day 4 Delhi to Jaipur

Today early morning, you’ll be met at the hotel and transferred to Safdarjung railway station to board the Maharajas’ Express (Indian Panorama) train. Breakfast will be onboard as the train makes its way to Jaipur. After a tour briefing you’ll have lunch; arriving into Jaipur at 2.30pm in time for a visit to Amber Fort. One of India’s top tourist attractions the vast fort sits on top of a hill, an extensive palace complex of magnificent architecture dotted with courtyards. After your visit you’ll return to the train for dinner and an overnight stay in a Deluxe Twin Cabin.

Day 5 Jaipur to Ranthambore

Ranthambore

Travelling through the night, you’ll wake up in time for breakfast before a visit to the City Palace, a royal residence and former administrative HQ for the rulers of Jaipur State. It’s a stunning palace complex to explore, home to galleries and museums. You’ll then return to the train for lunch, followed by an afternoon to relax onboard. Dinner this evening will be at the award-winning Hotel Rambagh Palace, before returning to the Maharajas' Express for your overnight journey to Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambore).

Day 6 Ranthambore to Fatehpur Sikri to Agra

Agra

Head out for an early game drive in the Ranthambore National Park. This vast wildlife reserve is renowned for its predators, being home to tigers, lions and crocodiles. You’ll then travel back to the train for breakfast, and depart the station to Fatehpur Sikri, arriving not long after lunch. The afternoon will be spent visiting the deserted Mughal City of Fatehpur Sikri, a UNESCO World Heritage site built during the second half of the 16th century. Back on the Maharajas' Express you’ll have dinner as your train proceeds to Agra, where you’ll spend the night.

Day 7 Agra to Orchha

Orchha

An early start will see you experience what is certain to be the highlight of your trip; a visit to the Taj Mahal. Many believe this building to be the most beautiful ever built, an immense mausoleum of white marble named one of the Seven Wonders of the World. After your visit you’ll have breakfast at Taj Khema, before returning to the train for the remainder of the day, including lunch, dinner and an overnight stay in your private cabin.

Day 8 Orcha to Khajuraho to Varanasi

Varanasi

Travelling through the night, your train will arrive into Orchha for an early morning visit to Orchha Fort (a medieval fort complex consisting of ancient monument, palaces and temples) and a village tour in a tuktuk. It’s then back to the train for breakfast and your departure to Khajuraho, where you’ll arrive just after lunch. Here there’s a visit planned to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Western Group of Temples. Explore the hugely impressive Hindu and Jain temples, and then back to the Maharajas’ Express to get ready in time for an “Indian Evening” with dinner. Overnight the train will journey to Varanasi.

Day 9 Varanasi

For your final full day onboard you’ll spend the morning having breakfast with breathtaking views of the passing countryside. You’ll then disembark in Varanasi for lunch at the Taj Ganges Hotel followed by a visit to the Sarnath ruins and the silk weaving centre. A highlight for many guests comes next, with a boat ride on the Ganges to witness evening Aarti, an incredible celebration of fire and light in honour of the goddess of the river. Back on the Maharajas’ Express dinner will be served, and then it’s back to your cabin for a dreamy final night onboard whilst the train travels to Delhi.

Day 10 Varanasi to Delhi

Survey the views from the windows as you tuck into breakfast and speed through the countryside. At lunchtime you’ll say farewell to the Maharajas’ Express and be assisted at Safdarjung railway station and taken to the hotel where your journey began, The Imperial, Delhi, for your final night in India.

Staying at