Travelling like the Kings: A story of luxury travel in India

India was once called the Golden Bird for its luxury and riches. With all those luxury and riches, Indian kings had their own grandeur of living and this grandeur was clearly reflected in everything they did – including travelling.

Now, in the modern day India, you cannot have the luxury of travelling on horse drawn carriages or elephant backs (actually you can, only if you have a few years to complete your journey!); but you can still travel like a modern day Queen or King. Wondering how? The answer lies with the Railway Ministry’s unique offering – the Maharajas express.

Luxury train travel as a concept definitely originated in the West, especially in Europe. With the beautiful European terrains and the developed economies, it was natural. That said, India is no less when it comes to natural beauty and the passion for travel. That is how the Maharajas Express originated – to give a tour of this beautiful country in the most royal way possible, for the connoisseurs of culture and luxury. Looking at the rich cultural and historical heritage of India, such an arrangement looks nothing but natural!

If you truly want to go on an India splendour tour like the Royals, Maharajas Express is your finest option. Maharajas Express is counted as one of the best luxury trains in the world, going neck and neck with the greats of Venice Simplon-Orient Express, Golden Eagle and Blue Train. If you dream or plan to travel in the Maharajas Express, here are a few details worth knowing:

1. The packages are also Maharaja level!

Yes, luxury comes at a price, but to the connoisseurs, it is just a number. If you want to travel in the Maharajas Express you are looking at anything between $4500-$23,000 in package prices, per person. That said and done, if you do go on board, you will not regret putting even a dime in the tour. Just about everything that is related with the Maharajas Express is extravagant and has the term royal reflecting from every inch of it. Be it the onboard restaurants and bars, the cabin, the crew, the assisting bus, or the food on board – everything is detailed to perfection and painstakingly brought to you. For your journey on board, you will truly feel you are a royal. 

2. This is by far the most luxurious way to travel through India.

The Maharajas Express, in all, offers five tours – the Indian splendour tour, the Heritage of India, the Indian Panorama, Gems of India and Treasures of India. Each of these tours has been carefully crafted to give various pictures of India via the lenses of a luxury traveller. The tours especially emphasize the unique cultural heritage of India and try to bring all the various places worth travelling under one package.

One of the key places to travel is the Golden triangle tour while you are on-board Maharajas Express. The Golden Triangle tour triangulates between the three key cities of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. In Delhi you get to see a beautiful mix of the ancient and historic aspect of India, in the form of the capital and at the same time, you can get the feel of the modern day India in the fast-track life of New Delhi. There is the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Agrasen ki Bauli, Qutub Minar and many more places to visit in Delhi. From there, you can head to Agra which obviously has one of the greatest wonders of the world – Taj Mahal. Apart from Taj Mahal, you can have a look at the tomb of Akbar, the Agra Fort and the Red Taj. Coming to Jaipur, which is also called the Pink City, you get to see the Hawa Mahal, Nahargardh Fort, Jal Mahal and the magnificent City Palace. So much so, while still enjoying the royal treatment at the Maharajas Express.

The Maharajas Express is also famous for its hygienic and ultra-comfortable rooms and suites. The Presidential Suite, which is the marquee suite on the coach, is one of the finest ones in the world. That said and done, a unique aspect of the train is the staff and crew on board. Everyone has been trained to serve any traveller on board and give them the royal treatment they expect. Additionally, there is a bus with equal levels of comfort travelling parallel to the train’s route for travelling within the cities.

For more information about luxury train travel in India email us: tours@shikhar.com