It is widely acknowledged that travelling by train is a superb way to experience the vast, intriguing and surprising country that is India. The Indian Maharaja, using the newly restored carriages of the Deccan Odyssey train, now offers one of the world’s most extraordinary and unique travel experiences.
India is not only an incredible, unique country and civilization; it’s also a mind-boggling potpourri of sights, sounds, colours and experiences: a culture-shock of astonishing contrasts. Whatever your opinions or preconceptions, it is without a doubt one of the world’s ‘must-see’ destinations.
Our tour includes a visit to the Taj Mahal at sunset, when its white marble is bathed in a soft golden glow – an extraordinary experience! Built to house the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal, Emperor Jahan’s wife, it took 20,000 men 22 years to complete. The end result is more than just an astonishing world monument, it has come to symbolise the pure and enduring love between a man and wife. For many this will certainly be the highlight of the tour – but India is nothing if not surprising and the sights of the palaces and forts of Rajasthan, the tigers of Ranthambore, as well as the remnants of British colonial influence in so many facets of Indian life make this tour an endlessly fascinating journey of discovery.
The Indian Maharaja also travels through what is arguably India’s most colourful and best-known state of Rajasthan. Fringed by deserts, populated by a fiercely proud and warrior-like people and with more forts and palaces than anywhere else in the country, no other region more clearly illustrates the ancient and modern paradoxes of India. We see the sights of its capital city of Jaipur, known the Pink City because of the hue of its walls and so many of its buildings. We visit the Maharajah’s City Palace plus the great Amber Fort, one of the masterpieces of Rajput architecture, guarding the northern approaches to the city. We also visit Udaipur, the City of Lakes, with the magnificent unashamed luxury of its amazing marble lake palaces.
The Indian Maharaja – one of the world’s great trains
This incredible train really is one of the world’s great travel experiences with 21 coaches of sheer luxury; it carries just 96 guests from Delhi to Mumbai.
On boarding you will go straight to the beautifully styled passenger coaches each of which has just four deluxe twin or double cabins with private bathroom (see photographs overleaf). With fine bed linen and tasteful wood panelling you will already be immersed in the atmosphere of a bygone age and for the ultimate in attentive service each carriage even has its own butler.
Within the train’s royal blue carriages there are two beautifully appointed wood-panelled restaurant cars serving superb mouth-watering international and Indian cuisine created by Taj Hotels, one of the most prestigious hotel groups in the world. This, plus crisp table linen, fine china and superb service ensures dining on the Indian Maharaja compliments your travel experience admirably.
After each day’s stunning touring, you can unwind in the convivial bar and lounge car, where you can share your travel experiences with your like-minded travelling companions over something which fits the occasion, like a cup of fine refreshing tea or perhaps a G and T, as the unchanging visions of rural India gently slip by. If you feel like pampering yourself, another carriage has its own spa, a small gym and a hairdresser.
On the other hand, should you feel like a little peace and quiet, perhaps the opportunity to cat
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