Tour aboard Palace on Wheels for Wildlife Excursion

Spanning over a whopping 3,42,000 square kilometers, in the northwestern part of the country, Rajasthan is not only the largest state in India  but also attracts a sizeable chunk of overseas travelers. One of the most popular ways to explore the diversity of this region is to travel on board Palace on Wheels. When it comes to Rajasthan tours, the popular tourist attractions are forts, palaces, lakes, sand dunes and wildlife. The state is home an array of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. 

Palace on Wheels Train

During the 8 days and 7 night journey on board Palace on Wheels, the luxury train encompasses the former princely states of Rajasthan along with a stopover in Agra. The two destinations covered by the Palace on Wheels train- Sawai Madhopur and Bharatpur- are mainly visited for wildlife excursion. While Sawai Madhopur is home to Ranthambore National Park, Bharatpur is famous for Keoladeo Ghana National Park, a UNESCO  World Heritage Site and bird sanctuary.

Spotted Deer in Ranthambore National Park

These national parks teem with an array of flora and fauna species including some highly elusive and endangered animal species such as Royal Bengal Tiger and Siberian Crane. Lets have a look what these  wildlife sanctuaries have to offer to its clientele.

Ranthambore National Park 

Royal Bengal Tigers - Ranthambore National Park

Nestled at the junction of Aravali and Vindhya mountain ranges, Ranthambore National Park, spanning over an area of 320 square kilometers, is mainly visited for its large population of Bengal Tigers. Besides Royal Bengal Tigers, the park has more than 200 species of birds and various herbivorous, carnivorous and omnivorous animals. The park is dotted with steep rocky hills and a 10th century Ranthambore fort at a height of 700 meters above the sea level. The fort is home to three temples , built with red Karauali stones and dedicated to Shiva, Ganesha and Ramlalji.

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary 

Siberian Crane at Keoladeo National Park

Emblazoned as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, also known as Keoladeo Ghana National Park, is named after an ancient Shiva temple located at the center of the park. It is an absolute heaven for bird watchers and ornithologists. The bird sanctuary is home to  more than 336 bird species, out of which 117 migrate from China and Siberia.

Cycle Safaris in the Keoladeo National Park

Palace on Wheels let you explore the Ranthambore National Park and the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in the first half of the 3rd and the 7th day sightseeing trip. This luxury train is a virtual five star hotel equipped with luxuriously designed guest cabins, multi cuisine restaurants, a lounge bar and well equipped spa.

Read More

Special Deals for Luxury Train Travel in India

With the onset of January and Republic Day knocking our doors, the operators of five luxury trains running in India have come up with special discounts and complimentary pre &post tour accommodation at a 5 star luxury hotel. These five luxury trains include Palace on Wheels, Royal Rajasthan on Wheels, Maharajas’ Express, Deccan Odyssey and the Indian Maharaja. In this blog, I will give you a brief description regarding the offers available on each of the above mentioned luxury tourist trains.

Maharajas’ Express 

Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has come up with a special ‘Republic Promo Day’ for all the journeys made before 26th January, 2013. The offer is valid for all the five train tour packages operating till April, 2013. According to the ‘Republic Day Promo Offer’, all the journeys booked before 26th January, 2013 will include 1 night complimentary pre & post stay at a five star hotel from the departure destination.

Palace on Wheels & Royal Rajasthan on Wheels

Besides Maharajas’ Express, the similar offer is also available on two other luxury tourist trains- Palace on Wheels & Royal Rajasthan on Wheels. Both the trains are owned and managed by the Rajasthan Tourism and Development Corporation (RTDC). As per the offer, all the journeys starting from January till April will include 1 night before and 1 night after stay at a five star luxury hotel in Delhi.

  

Deccan Odyssey

Deccan Odyssey is the second luxury train launched after the success of the Palace on Wheels train. It is operated by the Maharashtra State Tourism and Development Corporation (MTDC). It takes guests across some popular destinations in Maharashtra along with a halt in Goa. As per the offer, all the departures of the Deccan Odyssey train from January to March will have a minimum 10 percent discount on all occupancy rates. 

Indian Maharaja

Indian Maharaja, the chartered version of the Deccan Odyssey train, owned by the Travel Corporation of India (TCI) too offers discount on its departures. A minimum of 5% discount is available on all occupancy rates for the journeys between January to March.

In the times, when luxury hotel prices, airfares and hike in food prices at fine dining restaurants has made tourists re-consider their India visit, Luxury trains is a far better option for tours to India as they are virtual five star hotels that offer week long trips. The accommodation, dining and sightseeing tours are all included in the luxury train tour prices.

Read More

Palace on Wheels Train will initiate from September 2012

India’s premier luxury train, Palace on Wheels, is scheduled to run its first course of the season on September 5, 2012. The train is the flagship luxury sojourn of Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) and takes its guests on a scenic 8 day tour of the kingly Indian state of Rajasthan, with 1 day excursions to the wonderful Taj Mahal and Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary scheduled. The train is quite popular with both international and local guests and gets sold out a couple of months prior to the beginning of the season. The destinations of the tour include Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Udaipur, Jaywalker, Jodhpur, Bharatpur and Agra.

Palace on Wheels Train : Best Rail Journeys in the World

The train is a true ambassador of luxury travel and offers quality services and luxury facilities such as personal services of a butler, electronic safes, separate spa cars, souvenir shops, a separate lounge car and on-train entertainment. A salient feature of the train is varying ranges in tariffs to accommodate high and mid-range budgets. It is advisable for would-be guests to make prior booking on this luxury sojourn to avoid any last minute disappointments.

How to book it:
Indian Luxury Trains
http://www.indianluxurytrains.com/journeys/palace-on-wheels.html
Indian Luxury Trains is India's first and only luxury train travel portal. Details of upcoming schedule and booking of the Palace on Wheels train tour packages along with post and pre tour arrangement, air ticket booking could be done at the Indian Luxury Trains website.

Read More