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SNS
/ IN / POW / 1 / 324/2003/4
Day
01: Wednesday Reporting Time: 1600 hrs. Departure: 1830 hrs
New Delhi – The journey begins at the Delhi Cantonment station
where the guest will be accorded a warm, traditional welcome before
the Palace On Wheels pulls out into the night for a week long luxury
cruise through fascinating Rajasthan.
Day
02: Thursday Arrival: 0200 hrs. Departure: 1930 hrs.
Jaipur – You will be welcomed to the Pink city of Jaipur by caparisoned
elephants and strains of the Shehnai. To explore the city, an air-conditioned
coach takes you first to Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds. This is
followed by a visit to Amber Fort, eight kms. Away. Shop for Jaipur’s
famous jewellery, handicrafts, carpet, blue pottery and textiles. After
lunch at the Rambagh Palace Hotel, visit the City Palace, home of the
erstwhile royal family. Right across the road from the City Palace is
the Jantar Mantar, the observatory built by Sawai Jai Singh II. The
luxury coaches will take you back to Palace On Wheels around 1830 hrs.
Dinner on road.
Day
03: Friday Arrival: 0815 hrs. Departure 2300 hrs.
Jaisalmer – In the heart of the Thar Desert lies Jaisalmer, founded
by Rawal Jaisal in 1156 AD. Here the yellow sandstone fort is an imposing
sight, towering magnificently over the city. Discover the painstakingly
latticed havelis or mansions with their grand facades. The Nathmalji-ki-haveli,
Patwon-ki-haveli and Salim Singh-ki-haveli are fine examples of the
stone carver’s skill. Shop for fine pattu shawls, mirror work
and embroidered articles, wooden boxes, trinkets, silver jewellery and
curios. After lunch on board, go for an exciting camel ride on the sand
dunes of Sam. Enjoy dinner and cultural programmes at a hotel in Jaisalmer.
Day
04: Saturday Arrival: 0700 hrs. Departure: 1530 hrs
Jodhpur – Next morning the Palace-On-Wheels is in Jodhpur, a city
ringed by a high stonewall with seven gates and several bastions. This
second largest city of Rajasthan, founded by Rao Jodha in 1459 AD is
known for its rock solid Mehrangarh Fort. Near the fort complex lies
Jaswant Thada and a group of royal cenotaphs made of white marble. After
lunch at a Palace Hotel, return to the Palace-On-Wheels. While in Jodhpur
shop for exquisite handcrafted articles including the famous breeches,
embroidered shoes, metal curios, silverware, paintings and tie and dye
fabrics.
Day
05: Sunday Arrival: 0400 hrs. Departure: 1030 hrs
SAWAI MADHOPUR – The Palace-On-Wheels arrives in Sawai Madhopur,
named after its founder Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I. After breakfast
visit the Ranthambore National Park, considered to be the country’s
best wildlife sanctuary for observing and photographing the activities
of the tiger. Upon return to the Palace-On-Wheels, you leave for Chittaugarh,
when one gets opportunity to watch the colourful countryside passing
by in the daylight.
Day
05: Sunday Arrival: 1600 hrs
CHITTAURGARH – After lunch on board you are in Chitaugarh images
of love and valour, scars of battles lost and won. Chittaugarh Fort
is all this and more. Moving legends of honour and pride will echo in
your mind as you proceed to Udaipur.
Day
06: Monday Arrival: 2000 hrs
UDAIPUR – The luxury Coach will take you to Udaipur, the Lake
City, the next morning. Perhaps the two most beautiful sites of Udaipur
are the dream like marble palaces the Jag Niwas (Lake Palace) and the
Jag Mandir, which appear to rise from the blue waters of Lake Pichola.
After lunch at Lake Palace, a visit to the City Palace is exhilarating.
The luxury coach then takes you back to the Palace-On-Wheels at Chittaugarh.
Day
07: Tuesday Arrival: 0630 hrs. Departure: 0935 hrs
BHARATPUR – Early next morning, the Palace-On-Wheels arrives in
Bharatpur, the capital of Mahraja Suraj Mal. After breakfast pay a visit
to the world famous bird sanctuary, Keoladeo Ghana National Park, the
nestling place for thousands of Egrets, Siberian Cranes, migratory Water
Fowl and other species of birds.
Day
07: Tuesday Arrival: 1430 hrs. Departure: 2100 hrs
AGRA – Arrive at Fatehpur Sikri the red sandstone Mughal Complex.
Within the enclosure is a mosque built by Emperor Akbar and dedicated
to Sheikh Salim Chisti, a Muslim Sufi saint who blessed him with a son.
After lunch, move on from the Red Fort and arrive at the Taj Mahal,
one of the Seven Wonders of the World. A pristine monument of undying
love, it was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved queen
Mumtaz Mahal. Agra is known for its splendid marble inlay work like
the Pietra Dura Work on the Taj, leather goods and jewellery. Dinner
on road.
Day
08: Wednesday
Delhi – Arrive 0600 hrs
Arrive back at Delhi Cantonment station and proceed for onward journey
or to take a flight back home.
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