When Arijit Singh said safar khubsurat hai manzil se bhi, we are damm sure he was talking about train journeys. Train journeys over the years have come so far as they inundate us with the best of nature and heritage we could see on a journey. And only adding more to that are luxury trains in India.
There are several luxury trains in India to quench your thirst for royalty and tourism. These luxury trains of India cater to tourists who wish to explore the rich cultural heritage of India besides making sure people are in no hurry to reach their destination.
So if your 2021 New Year resolution is to travel, then are 5 royal trains in India that you could consider investing in.
1. The Deccan Odyssey
The Deccan Odyessy is like a five-star hotel on wheels. The luxurious train takes inspiration from the travelling style of ancient f Kings and Queens and keeps the same luxury intact. The train sports amenities like spa, multi-cuisine restaurant, lounges, etc.
The train runs on multiple routes:
The Deccan Odyssey piles on six travel routes giving the traveller views of places like Delhi- Sawai Madhopur- Ranthambore National Park- Agra- Jaipur- Amer Fort- Udaipur- Vadodara- Aurangabad- Ellora Caves- Mumbai.
- Maharashtra Splendor (Mumbai – Nasik – Ellora Cave – Ajanta Caves – Kolhapur – Goa – Ratnagiri – Mumbai)
- Indian Odyssey (Delhi – Sawai Madhopur – Agra – Jaipur – Udaipur – Vadodara – Ellora Caves – Mumbai)
- Hidden Treasures of Gujarat (Mumbai – Vadodara – Palitana – Sasan Gir – Somnath – Little Rann of Kutch – Modhera – Patan – Nashik – Mumbai)
- Indian Sojourn (Mumbai – Vadodara – Udaipur – Jodhpur – Agra – Sawai Madhopur – Jaipur – Delhi)
- Jewels of the Deccan (Mumbai – Bijapur – Aihole – Pattadakal – Hampi – Hyderabad – Ellora Caves – Ajanta Caves – Mumbai)
- Maharashtra Wild Trail (Mumbai – Aurangabad – Ramtek – Tadoba – Ajanta – Nashik – Mumbai)
The train operates from October to April and costs somewhere around 4-lakh per person.
2. Maharajas’ Express
Not only India, Maharajas’ Express has its place in the world’s five most luxurious trains in the world list. The train is stuffed with professional staff to offer the highest level of hospitality besides suites, bars and more.
The Maharajas’ Express offers four delightful journeys that you can choose from.
- The Heritage of India (Mumbai – Ajanta – Udaipur – Jodhpur – Bikaner – Jaipur – Ranthambore – Agra – Delhi)
- The Indian Panorama (Delhi – Jaipur – Ranthambore – Fatehpur – Sikri – Agra – Gwalior – Orchha – Khajuraho – Varanasi – Lucknow – Delhi)
- Indian Splendour (Delhi – Agra – Ranthambore – Jaipur – Bikaner – Jodhpur – Udaipur – Balasinor – Mumbai)
- Treasures of India (Delhi – Agra – Ranthambore – Jaipur – Delhi)
The treasures of India is a 4-day tour costing approx 2.5-lakh. Meanwhile, the remaining three are 7 days tour costing Rs 4-lakh approx.
3. Palace On Wheels
The Palace On Wheels is quoted as one of the best luxury trains in India if you want to visit Rajasthan and experience luxury on the sidelines. The train takes you on an 8 days journey and lets you explore the best of Rajasthan and Agra amidst deluxe cabins with attached bathrooms, a personal butler, lounge bar, etc.
The train’s itinerary has it departing from New Delhi (Day 1) to cover Jaipur (Day 2), Sawai Madhopur and Chittaurgarh (Day 3), Udaipur (Day 4), Jaisalmer (Day 5), Jodhpur (Day 6), Bharatpur and Agra (Day 7), return to New Delhi (Day 8).
The train ticket has been priced at Rs 2,73,000; and above depending upon the type of cabin you get yourself.
4. Golden Chariot
South India is explored by the uniqueness of the Golden Chariot luxury train that hosts you with King size facilities. The train has facilities like an Ayurveda spa centre, lounges, mini-gym and more.
Golden Chariot operates on three routes:
- Jewels of South (Bengaluru – Mysore – Hampi – Mahabalipuram – Thanjavur, and Chettinad Kumarakom – Cochin – Bengaluru)
- Glimpses of Karnataka (Bengaluru – Bandipur – Mysore – Hampi – Bengaluru)
- Pride of the South (Bangalore – Kabini – Mysore – Hassan – Hampi – Badami – Goa – Bangalore)
The Golden Chariot runs from October to March. The trip lasts 7 nights, 8 days and costs approx Rs 3-lakh.
5. Royal Orient Train
The best thing about the Royal Orient Train is that it runs all year round. The luxury train homes multi-cuisine restaurant attached with bar, library and anything and everything that can make you feel luxury.
One of the most royal trains in India, run on a dedicated route that begins from Delhi, and after last stop at Jaipur, makes its way back to Delhi, In the middle, you get to see places like Jain Temple atop Shatrunjaya Hills, Gandhi Ashram, Calico Museum of Textiles, Sidi Aayyad’s Mosque, Amar Fort and elephant ride, Hawa Mahal, City palace, Jantar Mantar, Sasan Gir National Park – Lion Sanctuary and more.
The train ticket costs somewhere around Rs 1.5-lakh. The train runs from October-March.
