Princely India

 

Mumbai	The Taj Mahal	DAY ROOM
On board	The Maharajas' Express	7 nights
Delhi	The Oberoi	1 night

Click on the name of the hotel for details

10 days from £4230

excluding international flights

 

DAY 1 - Depart UK.

Recommended flight from London: Jet Airways from London Heathrow (see below). If you are travelling from a country other than the UK we would be happy to give you guidance on your flight options.

DAY 2 - Arrive Mumbai. Your journey begins.

On arrival in Mumbai (Bombay) you will be met by a representative of World Discovery outside immigration and customs. You will then be taken by private car direct to your hotel, where a day room has been reserved for you.  In the evening your World Discovery driver will collect you from your hotel and take you to Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.  On arrival you will proceed to the Maharajas' Express and complete the pre-boarding formalities over a welcome drink.  The train will leave Mumbai in the late evening.  Dinner and overnight on board.
Meals included: Dinner.

DAY 3 – Vadodara.  Champaner.

Early this morning wake up in Vadodara (formerly Baroda) in south-eastern Gujerat.  Enjoy a sumptuous breakfast followed by a morning of sightseeing.  The highlight is the World Heritage Site of Champaner, a forgotten Muslim city whose huge Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque), built in 1513, is a masterpiece.  The city is overlooked by the striking hill of Pavagadh which rises 820 metres above the plains.  Take lunch at the ancient Jambughada Palace as guests of the owners before returning to the city of Vadodara to visit the Maharajah Fateh Singh Museum, with its extensive display of art from around the world.  'High Tea' is taken at the 19th century Laxmi Vilas Palace before you return to the train.  Dinner and overnight on board.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 4 – Udaipur.

After breakfast get ready to spend the day exploring Udaipur, one of the most romantic cities in India, an enchanting destination of white marble palaces, placid lakes and green hills - an oasis of colour in a stark and arid region of the Aravali Hills.  Begin with a visit to the City Palace, the largest palace complex in Rajasthan, then after lunch set off on a walking tour of the old city, browsing in the shops selling exquisitely embroidered and printed fabrics, jewellery, paintings and carved wood artefacts.  Return to the train for your onward journey.  Dinner and overnight on board.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 5 - Jodhpur.

Situated on the edge of the Thar Desert, Jodhpur is Rajasthan's second city and is famous for its magnificent forts and palaces from the Rajput era. Begin the day with an exciting off-the-beaten-track jeep safari through the villages to the south of the city, learning about the rural lifestyle and the the traditional folk rituals of the Bishnoi tribal peoples.  Lunch is taken at Rohet Garh, the ancestral home of the Rathores since 1622, which is now a leading Heritage Hotel; its peace and tranquility have inspired and drawn writers and celebrities from around the world.  In the afternoon visit the monumental Meherangah Fort, which towers above the city of Jodhpur, before returning to the train.  Dinner and overnight on board.
Pictured: View from the Meherangah Fort over Jodhpur's distinctive blue-painted houses.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 6 - Bikaner.

The medieval city of Bikaner was once a major centre of the cross-desert caravan trade and is particularly famous for breeding the best riding camels in the world.  Start your visit at Junagarh Fort (1593), which contains some beautiful rooms as well as an interesting museum, then continue for lunch to a majestic palace - an oasis in the midst of this desert region.  In the late afternoon embark upon the experience of a lifetime as you join a convoy of decorated and canopied camel carts through the surrounding village, accompanied by musicians, en route to the sand dunes for an unforgettable champagne 'sundowner' and a performance of typical Rajasthani folk music and dancing.  Return to the train for your onward journey.  Dinner and overnight on board.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 7 - Jaipur, including Elephant Polo.

Today you arrive at Jaipur, the 'Pink City', capital of Rajasthan, renowned for its magnificent palaces, forts and temples.  Your tour begins with a visit to Amber Fort.  Situated on a ridge outside the city, this fort/palace is surrounded by fortified battlements overlooking a lake.  Ascend to the summit by jeep and enjoy a tour of the royal apartments, including the fabulous Sheesh Mahal or Hall of Mirrors.  Continue to the village of Kukas for a unique and enthralling experience - an exhibition Elephant Polo Match, followed by a Champagne Lunch.  In the afternoon take a stroll through the bustling markets of Jaipur, with its wide range of handicrafts, antiques, jewellery, pottery, carpets, textiles, metalwork and leatherwork.  Return to the train.  Dinner and overnight on board.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner. 

DAY 8 – Ranthambhore National Park.

On arrival at Sawai Madhopur get ready for a jeep safari in Ranthambhore National Park.  Originally a hunting estate for the Maharajah of Jaipur, Ranthambhorebecame a National Park under 'Project Tiger' in 1972.  The park is famous for its tiger population, but youmay also see leopard, sloth bear, sambar, Indian gazelle, wild boar,nilgai and hundreds of birds, including the serpent eagle.  Return to the train for a hearty brunch as you head for Agra.  In the afternoon visit the immortal Taj Mahal, an incomparable marvelconstructed entirely out of white marble, continue to the majestic Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and then enjoy some timeshopping before returning to the train.  Dinner and overnight on board.  Dinner and overnight on board.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 9– The Taj Mahal at sunrise.  Continue to Delhi.

Rise early to witness the magic of sunrise at the Taj Mahal, followed by a romantic Champagne Breakfast at the  'Taj Khema', a tableland overlooking the Taj Mahal where colourful'khemas' (decorated tents) are set up for you.You will be warmly welcomed by colourfully attired dancers andmusicians who escort you to the gardens.  Reboard the train and continue to Delhi.  Bid farewell to the Maharajas' Express and enjoy a tour of New Delhi, followed by a farewell dinner at a selected restaurant.  Transfer to your hotel for overnight.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 10 – Depart for home.

Transfer to the airport for your homeward flight.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

International Flights.

We recommend the services of Jet Airways from London Heathrow. Flights are non-stop and have a choice of classes. Current timings (subject to possible change) are as follows:
Heathrow/Mumbai. Depart at 21.05; arrive Delhi at 11.25 (next day)
Delhi/Heathrow. Depart at 13.40; arrive Heathrow at 17.40

Princely India (Tour Reference: WDIN023)
2010 Departures
Price per person based on a minimum of two persons travelling together:

Departures on Fridays	Deluxe Suite*	Junior Suite*	Suite*	Presidential Suite*
5 Mar, 2 Apr, 16 Apr, 8 Oct, 22 Oct, 19 Nov, 3 Dec	£4230	£4710	£7180	£11900
Royal India - see bottom of page Departures on Saturdays
27 Mar, 10 Apr 2 Oct, 16 Oct, 13 Nov, 27 Nov, 25 Dec	£3760	£4180	£6360	£10500

Single Room Supplements on request.

*Categories in the price grid above refer to the accommodation on the Maharajas' Express, but not at the hotels in Mumbai and Delhi.

The price includes:

• Hotel and train accommodation as listed above in twin-bedded rooms/cabins with private facilities.
• 8 full breakfasts, 7 lunches and 8 dinners as shown in the itinerary.
• Private transfers in Mumbai and Delhi.
• All sightseeing as shown (unless indicated as ‘optional’), including entrance fees
• The services of English-speaking guides for the included sightseeing.

Not included in the price:

• International flights (see our recommendation above). We are happy to discuss the flights with you and give you further guidance
• Optional sightseeing
• International airport taxes
• Tipping. We will be pleased to give guidance in this often sensitive matter
• An Indian Visa. This should be obtained before departure from the United Kingdom. We recommend that you obtain your visa through CIBT in London - www.uk.cibt.com.

A deposit of £250 per person is required at the time of booking. The balance of the price for your travel arrangements must be paid at least 8 weeks before your departure date.

Royal India

This is the 'Princely India' itinerary on the Maharajas' Express, only operated in the reverse direction, from Delhi to Mumbai.  Destinations visited are the same but due to the rail timetables 1 night less is spent on board the train.  The prices are shown in the grid above.