The Palace On Wheels has graced the Rajasthan Tourism and Indian Railways since January 1982. The Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation, The Indian Railways, the Tourism Department of Rajasthan and the Government of India launched Palace On Wheels as a special heritage tourist train for providing a unique and memorable experience to the tourists visiting Rajasthan.
The concept of the Palace On Wheels was derived from the royal background of the coaches, which were originally meant to be the personal Railway coaches of the erstwhile rulers of the princely states of Rajputana, Gujarat, the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Viceroy of British India.
The Legend
These coaches were not being used by the Indian Railways after independence in normal passenger trains on account of very rich and traditional interiors.
The Palace On Wheels started as a unique holiday train hauled by a steam engine with its inaugural trip on 26th January 1982. It started to roll on its regular operations from October 1982.
The Legend Conserved
In 1991, a new air-conditioned meter gauge Palace On Wheels on the lines of the old heritage train was launched with 13 salons, 2 restaurants, kitchen car, Bar cum lounge and 4 service cars. 'Khidmatgars' or personal attendants, in each cabin, cater to all your needs.
The Legend and the Modern
The Palace On Wheels has gained remarkable success and attained worldwide acclaim and popularity including the PATA gold award in 1987. The Palace On Wheels has been rated as one of the ten best luxurious rail journeys in the world. The popularity of the train has been enhanced by the media. Famous TV Teams such as BBC, MTV, Zee TV, National Geographic, MDR of Germany and many others have covered the train and shown it on their network.
It has carried 36096 tourists in 578 trios up to April 2002
The eight days and seven nights journey in royal splendour takes you to the territory Maharajas, the 'Pink City' of Jaipur; Jaisalmer 'the jewel of the desert'; the majestic stronghold of Jodhpur; Sawai Madhopur for the Ranthambor National Park; the city of Chittaurgarh with its countless tales of Rajput chivalry; Udaipur with its lakes and Lake Palaces; Bharatpur - with its remarkable Keoladeo Ghana bird sanctuary; the red stone city of Fatehpur Sikri; and of course, the Taj Mahal in Agra - one of the seven wonders of the world.
The Legend and the Modern - Symbiosis Continues
The Palace On Wheels comprises of 14 fully air-conditioned deluxe salons, equipped with world-class amenities to enhance the pleasure of travelling
The 14 coaches are made up of 104 passenger berths in double bedded cabins, each with channel music, intercom, attached toilet, running hot and cold water and a shower.
The coaches are named after former Rajput states matching the aesthetics and interiors of the royal past. Each salon has a mini pantry and a lounge to ensure availability of hot and cold beverages, and refreshments and a place to relax and get together.
The train has two lavish restaurants "The Maharaja" and "The Maharani" with a Rajasthani ambience serving palate tickling Continental, Chinese, Indian and Rajasthani cuisines. The train also boasts of a well stocked bar offering the choicest of spirits of Indian and international brands. Each coach also offers a good collection of books to choose from.
The Palace On Wheels is regularly refurbished to a great extent. The décor in the salons and bar lounge has been changed, keeping in mind the traditionally aesthetic yet modern, Palace On Wheels. Toilets have been redone and maintained sparkling clean. Each salon lounge has been equipped with a colour television and a CD player.
A satellite phone is on the way to enable you communicate anywhere in the world from the train.
