Redefining luxury train travel since 2010, Maharajas’ Express is the most luxurious train in India.

Offering five fascinating journeys crisscrossing some of the most vibrant destinations and significant attractions of India, as well as offering a vista of breath-taking landscape, culture and heritage with which the country is blessed; the Maharajas’ Express offers journeys to the very depth of the soul.

Here Breaking Travel News finds out more.

Operated by the Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation, Maharajas’ Express is considered the finest train in the world of luxury travel.

Indeed, it has been selected as the World’s Leading Luxury Train by voters at the World Travel Awards for the past four years.

The Maharajas’ Express train is enviable in every respect.

There are a total of 14 guest carriages, each named for various precious stones - such as Moti (Pearl), Heera (diamond), Neelam (Blue Sapphire), Feeroza (Turquoise), Monga (Coral), Pukhraj (Sapphire) and so on.

In these carriages are fitted luxury cabins that are segregated in four categories - Deluxe Cabin, Junior Suite, Suite and Presidential Suite.

In total there are 43 guest cabins which can accommodate up to 88 passengers on each journey.

Accommodation is available as twin cabin and double and each cabin can accommodate two passengers.

Standing apart is the Presidential Suite, which can accommodate four passengers.

Called Navratna, it spreads itself in an entire carriage and is inclusive of two bedrooms, a separate living area, a dining room and a private bathroom with a bath tub.

Whatever class, each cabin is adorned with rich tapestry, linen, upholstery, wall-to-wall carpeting, semi-precious stones and antiques.

During a journey, guests can enjoy the beautiful scenery whizzing by from the huge panoramic windows.

While having a traditional royal décor, the spacious cabins offer every modern-day facility at par with the international standards.

Every cabin is well-appointed with services and amenities like LCD TV, direct dial telephone, choice of twin or king-size bed, channel music, electronic safety deposit, private bathrooms with toiletries, DVD players and much more.

During your stay in the luxury cabins, guests will also be offered the impeccable services of the well-mannered, dedicated and courteous staff.

The presidential suite on board the Maharajas’ Express

There are two restaurants on board the train, each with a seating capacity of 42 passengers at a time.

The restaurants - Peacock and Rang Mahal - serve cuisines from around the world including traditional Indian, Chinese, Continental and authentic Mewari cuisines.

So while the chefs trained in world cuisine tickle the taste buds with their gourmet delights from the state-of-the- art kitchen, the barmen, servers and, valets pamper guests and take care of all their needs during the journey

Guests could also order house brands of wine, spirits and beers along with an array of well-known brands from around the world.

A well-stocked bar named Safari is an ideal place to get to know your fellow traveller over light drinks and snacks in a laid-back ambience.

Also on offer is the Maharajas’ Club.

This plush observation car offers relaxing chairs where guest can observe the landscape as it spools by.

It is also equipped with a library, personal bar and a souvenir shop and a great place to socialise and collect memorabilia.

For book lovers, the train has a collection of titles on Indian art, culture, history.

To take care of medical emergencies, there is an in-house paramedic available round the clock.

Fine dining in the Mayur Mahal

Ticket to Ride

The incredible journeys on offer let one to explore India’s diversity.

On offer is a chance to discover timeless traditions and exotic locales, such as a visit to one of the largest dinosaur fossil park at Balasinor, or the erotic temples of Khajuraho.

Guests can also indulge in a regal meal at the shimmering lake city of Udaipur with the opportunity to meet royal families - all in true blue majesty.

The range of various tour itineraries also includes splendid gala events and a range of activities such as elephant polo at Jaipur, cocktail and barbeque sundowner on the sand dunes of Bikaner, wild life safari at Ranthambhore, champagne breakfast overlooking the immortal beauty of the Taj Mahal, boat ride at the holy city of Ganges and much more.

Life on board the Maharajas’ Express

History

Luxury train travel in India has come a long way since the introduction of the Palace on Wheels in 1982 for the promotion of tourism in Rajasthan.

The most recent and unarguably the most luxurious tourist train in India, the Maharajas’ Express offers finesse on a par with the Orient Express of the West.

It has redefined the art of elegant travel in India.

Radiating sheer opulence, Maharajas’ Express offers a fascinating voyage across some of the finest destinations in India manifesting the true spirit and kaleidoscope of the country.

One of the most expensive and luxurious luxury train rides in the world, the salons of the train draw inspiration from the private saloons of the erstwhile maharajas of India.

Even before the inception of rail travel in India, the maharajahs of India had a keen fascination with these moving wonders on wheels invented by James Watt.

In the era of Raj, many maharajahs had their own personal carriages draped in luxury used for occasions such as state visits, nuptial sojourns and hunting trips.

Many had been built and designed in art deco style.

Sylvan inlays, exquisite carvings and elegant tapestries along with exquisite mirror and jewel work exuded an unmistakable élan.

All this and more spoke volumes about the splendour and pomp of the maharajahs of erstwhile princely states of India.

More Information

An experience of a life-time, a journey on Maharajas’ Express brings one closer to bygone era of imperial India.

Find out more on the official website.