The name of this joyride is no over-statement, as each and every aspect of the royal design has been planned and executed deliberately to create a train that breathes royal opulence and Indian heritage throughout the train.
This is a train where you can spend a time-travelling week in complete regal grandeur, to experience and rediscover luxuries of the past and the romances. As you travel through the royal land of Rajasthan, you are bound to feel kingly in your own Palace on Wheels with all modern amenities intact!
About the Palace on Wheels
The luxury train was first introduced by the government of India and Indian railways in the year 1982. After its design it was named so, based on the inspiration from the bygone days of the royals. The Indian railways in collaboration with the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation introduced this train to further uplift and promote tourism in and around Rajasthan. It has been voted as the 4th most luxurious train in the world in 2010.
The Palace on Wheels train was refurbished with new decor, improved itinerary and multi-cuisine upgrades on August 2009, whilst still preserving the royal opulence. This is the perfect holiday vessel that not only transforms travelers through time, but also offers the best opportunities to discover utmost lavishness and romance.
The train has 14 grand coaches, which is the perfect reflection of a royal Rajasthani palace. You may feel like an erstwhile monarch while aboard this train traveling in royal splendor. Each coach of the train is named after the princely state that is the design inspiration for the decor. The decor is completely based on royal Rajasthani aesthetics. However, despite the luxury the train has all the modern amenities like hot and cold running water, fitted showers, attached baths, intercom facility, channel music, and wall to wall carpeting that further make the space feel homely.
The names of the 14 coaches are based 14 former Rajput states and takes inspiration from their ethnicity. Also each saloon has a mini pantry along with a lounge to facilitate hot and cold refreshments and beverages along with a place to relax and get together.
The names of the coaches are as follows:
- Alwar
- Bharatpur
- Bikaner
- Bundi
- Dholpur
- Dungargarh
- Jaisalmer
- Jaipur
- Jhalawar
- Jodhpur
- Kishangarh
- Kota
- Sirohi
- Udaipur
The Palace on Wheels contains 14 exquisitely decorated rooms each named after these aforementioned states. The rooms are fully air-conditioned with all modern amenities and decor inspired from the state which they are named after. Specially designed furniture with inlaid Rajput design motifs have been created for each room, which contains spacious twin bed accommodation. Every coach has 4 coupes highlighted with the royal emblem of the inspired Rajput state, two of the coupes feature double beds while the other two feature usual train beds but with luxurious touches and a third bed for accompanying a child which is in the form of a fold-way at the top tier.
There are two lavish restaurants on-board the Palace on Wheels – The Maharaja and The Maharani. In complete royal opulence some of the best Chinese, continental, India with special focus on Rajasthani cuisines are served by some of the best chefs at these two restaurants, in kingly style.
The train also has a large sitting lounge, where guests can socialize with other travelers or read or work. Comfortable recliners decorated with the similar royal aesthetics and great lighting make this lounge comparable to the ambience of royal ballrooms of the bygone era. The lounge also houses indoor games, a collection of books and journals and other recreational sources for the guests to indulge.
There is also a fully stocked, beautifully decorated bar at the train. Boasting a collection of choice liquors on reputed international and Indian brands, finest of wines, spirits as well assortment of non-alcoholic beverages.
Other additional features also include a satellite phone that allows guests to communicate anywhere in the world. A Khitmatgar or better known as an attendant is always available for every guest to meet all their needs, the train maintains high level of VIP security measures and serves mineral water to all its guests.
This concludes our discussion on the grand interiors of the luxury train Palace on Wheels traversing the lands of the royals in India. So, are you ready to jump on-board to live your princely dreams? Then book a package soon as your chariot waits.
