Classical India Tour-6 Nights/7 Days

The enriching experience provided through journeys undertaken by Maharajas' Express is one of our most popular that explores the mystique of India! Taking travelers on a sojourn exploring hidden treasures of India, we invite our guests to embark on this unforgettable escapade that starts off from the capital city of Delhi, making way through sacred city of Varanasi and cruise on River Ganges that allows opportunity to observe ancient spiritual rites from close quarters.

Witnessing immortal beauty of Taj Mahal in Agra, sensuous moods of temples of Khajuraho, elegance & imperial splendor of Nawabs in Lucknow and wilderness of Bandhavgarh National Park, the tour has all the magical moments stored that provides an enchanting experience to the fellow travelers.

Day 01 : Sunday
Board the Maharajas Express in Delhi - Onto Agra
Welcoming aboard the Maharajas’ Express, the epic journey starts at Safdarjung Railway station On arrival at 0830 hours approximately, complete your registration and check in formalities as you enjoy a welcome drink Departure of Maharajas’ Express from Delhi at around 1000 hours to Agra Enjoy leisurely brunch on board as you journey through picturesque countryside, arriving into ‘City of Mughal Splendour’ Agra On arrival disembark & explore spectacular monuments of city Agra, is home to one of world’s great architectural wonders - the Taj Mahal that comes with its spectacular monumental masterpieces & picturesque natural setting, a legendary city thta is glorified by time Visit world famous Taj Mahal, built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as mausoleum for his favorite queen Mumtaz Mahal A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this incomparable marvel is constructed using white marble and is indeed an architectural masterpiece featuring beautiful inlay work and marble screens The highlight of afternoon is high tea atop the Taj Khema while enjoying glass of champagne as you admire magnificent Taj Mahal at sunset Return to train or you may, if you wish, enjoy some free time shopping for pietra dura marble and fine Mughal Jewelery keeping traditional Mughal arts alive OR As an optional activity you may also avail spa facilities at a hotel Return to comfort of train and continue your journey to Gwalior Brunch on board; High tea at Taj Khema; Dinner on board Overnight on the Maharajas’ Express

Day 02 : Monday
Gwalior
Waking up in the morning and while enjoying your breakfast, you are treated with sights of fascinating and dramatic Chambal Ravines which was home to some of India’s most notorious dacoits. Late morning the Maharajas’ Express arrives into royal city of Gwalior – a city where many reigning dynasties have left behind indelible etchings of their rule on all its palaces, temples and monuments which have been well preserved, giving Gwalior a timeless appeal.

Following disembarkation, continue for lunch to Usha Kiran Palace On arrival experience Royal traditional welcome Enter this 120-year-old palace that has played host to King of England, and is set amidst 9 acres of beautifully landscaped lawns outfitted with artistic stone carvings as well as delicate filigree work Post lunch, proceed on tour of magnificent Gwalior Fort, admiring enclosed exquisite temples and palaces, out of which the most spectacular is the Man Mandir Palace which is masterpiece of Rajput architecture, and comes embellished with exquisite stone carving & latticework Some other fascinating sights within 3 km fort enclosure include 21 colossal Jain sculptures that depict ‘tirthankaras’ (one who has achieved freedom from cycle of rebirth) carved into rock face and famous Saas-Bahu (Mother and Daughter-in-law) temples that are covered with beautiful sculptures of dancing girls and deities The visit continues to opulent Jai Vilas Palace Museum, a section of which still remains residence of royal family of Gwalior Enjoy exploring unique exhibits in museum, the most exquisite being unique model train made of crystals to serve drinks as well as aperitifs during Royal banquets in Durbar Hall Admire stupendous Durbar Hall with its crystal staircase, arched ceiling with stunning gold leaf work that supports two of world’s largest chandeliers (The legend goes that for testing the strength of ceiling to support chandeliers, several elephants were made to stand on ceiling OR Following lunch, you have option to enjoy spa facilities at hotel A grand finale to exciting day is Royaly spread in form of finest delicacies of Royal kitchens that are served in grand compound of Palace Late evening return to comfort of train Breakfast on board; Lunch at Usha Kiran Palace; Supper at Jai Vilas Palace Overnight on the Maharajas’ Express.

Day 03 : Tuesday
Orchha & Khajuraho
Enjoy leisurely breakfast on board train as the journey continues through some of most dramatic & picturesque environs towards Khajuraho En route enjoy a stop at be-jewelled town of Orchha On arrival in Orchha, disembark & venture on tour of quaint domain of Bundela Kings Visit Jahangiri Mahal which is excellent example of Rajput Bundela architecture and is a multi layered palace with 132 chambers. The striking feature of palace is sandstone walls embellished with lapis lazuli tiles & ornate jali screens Catch glimpse of rituals performed as you pass beautiful temple of Chaturbhuj which is unique blend of fort and temple architecture (Not to be missed are beautiful chhatris better known as cenotaphs of Orchha rulers lying along Betwa River) Return to train and continue onwards to temple city of Khajuraho renowned for its architecture and exquisite sculptures. Built between 950 and 1050 AD, the temples is superb example of Indo-Aryan architecture On arrival proceed on tour of magnificent temples of Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage Site Explore Western group that constitutes some of finest examples of Chandela art at its peak Visit Kandariya Mahadev Temple and Chaunsath Yogini Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and 64 Yoginis respectively Continue to Eastern group of temples Visit exquisite Jain Temples and admire some of finest sculptures and carvings Experience fascinating Son-et-Lumire spectacle that evokes life & times of great Chandela Kings and traces story of unique temples from 10th century to present day Return to comfort of train and continue journey to Bandhavgarh National Park OR Following sightseeing of temples you have option of enjoying spa facilities at a hotel Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on Board Overnight on Maharajas’ Express

Day 04 : Wednesday
Day Excursion from Umaria to Bandhavgarh National Park
This morning, while enjoying breakfast train rolls into Umaria Disembark and prepare yourself for exciting drive to Bandhavgarh National Park that has highest known density of tigers (it was former hunting grounds of Maharaja of Rewa) Animals such as deer, langurs, sloth bears and exotic birds can also be found here On arrival at Bandhavgarh National Park enjoy village tour where you will also have opportunity to participate in ‘Forests for Tigers’ program – involving reforestation of Tiger habitat This involves insight into various projects and interaction with wildlife artist Enjoy lunch at wildlife resort in company of forest conservationist Later, continue on jeep safari into park exploring flora and fauna Later you will return to Umaria and board train Breakfast on board; Lunch at wildlife resort; Dinner on board Overnight on the Maharajas’ Express

Day 05 : Thursday
Varanasi
Today, while enjoying breakfast, the journey continues from royal jungles through rich agricultural fields, with arrival into holy city of Varanasi Being one of oldest living cities in world, Varanasi (also known as Kashi or Benares) has spiritual legacy of over 3000 years A place of pilgrimage, this holy city is set on banks of sacred river Ganges and epitomizes chaos & colour of India in form of lively bazaars, exquisite & bright silk work, festivals, temples, mosques and palaces – that are all found here Following disembarkation, the tour begins with visit to ancient ruins of Sarnath (here Buddha delivered his first sermon expounding principles of Buddhism) Visit the ruins, stupa and Ashoka Pillar, whose four back-to-back lions are adopted as India’s national emblem After sumptuous lunch, visit world famous Varanasi Silk Weaving Centre. Here, you can even shop for some world famous Banarasi silk saris & brocades Proceed for scenic cruise on river Ganges and witness magical evening aarti at ghats of holy Ganges The chants of Sanskrit mantras, clash of cymbals and drums, scent of flowers, incense & sandalwood and blazing camphor lamp and many flamed aarti raised high in air, makes for absolute magical evening to remember!! Rejoin train and head to next destination Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on board Overnight on the Maharajas’ Express.

Day 06 : Friday
Lucknow
While traversing through lush green agricultural belt of Uttar Pradesh as you relish breakfast on board, in the late morning, the Maharajas’ Express slowly pulls into fabled ‘City of Nawabs’, Lucknow This morning is left for you to explore dramatic ruins of Imperialistic Lucknow as you visit The Residency (started by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daulla and completed by Nawab Sadat Ali for British resident in 1800) Unravel history of Mutiny of 1857 at Residency as you explore its ruins and visit main Residency building that houses interesting Museum displaying original model of the Residency, photographs, old lithographs, paintings, documents and other period-objects Experience imperialistic splendour & mystical elegance of Nawabs of Awadh as you visit their architectural wonders like famous the spectacular Bada Imambara considered to be largest vaulted apartment in world comprising of ornamental gateways, corridors and galleries and ‘Rumi Darwaza’, a beautifully ornamented gateway Following lunch on board, afternoon will be at leisure for you to relax In evening guests will be transported into glorious era of Nawabs of Awadh as they experience traditional hospitality typical to Royal Houses, celebrating an ‘Indian Evening’ The mesmerising music, exquisite courtesan dance and Royal Culinary Delights from Nawabi kitchens – all combine to bring alive elegance and charm of Nawabi era Return to train and continue on onward journey Breakfast and lunch on board; Nawabi Evening Dinner at residence of Maharaja of Kotwara Overnight on the Maharajas’ Express

Day 07 : Saturday
Disembark in Delhi on arrival
Early this morning train pulls into New Delhi. Following breakfast on board guests will disembark at Safdarjung Station at around 0830 hours Bid farewell to the Maharajas’ Express as the ‘Classical India’ journey comes to an end. Though the royal journey is over, but its memories will live on forever! Breakfast on the Maharajas’ Express

Note: -
All ‘Options’ / ‘Optional Tours’ are on chargeable basis and subject to availability. Details and pricing will be made available on board during journey.

What your journey price includes:
Accommodation in double/twin bedded cabins with en suite bathrooms, soft beverages, all meals, house brands of Indian wines, beer and spirits, butler service, guided off train excursions as illustrated in journeys inclusive of entrance fees, transport and services of guides, still camera fee, complimentary tea, coffee & mineral water on board, porterage at stations.

What your journey price does not include:
Any optional tours as mentioned in itinerary, taxes, insurance, telephone calls, gratuities, laundry, alcoholic beverages (apart from house brands of wines, spirits, beer served in restaurants and bar), video, film and professional still camera fees and arrival and departure transfers. International and domestic air tickets, pre and post tour accommodation and any tour extensions are also not included (unless specifically mentioned as part of journey)

Surcharges & Signature Journeys
The prices shown are based on known costs & exchange rates at time of being published and & due to adverse fluctuation in currency exchange rates, affecting cost structures of your journey, the train company reserves the right to impose a surcharge or revise the tour cost. Also there will be extra surcharge during Xmas & New Year Period & for Signature Journeys.

Itinerary Changes
The itineraries on certain departures will run in reverse direction. There may also be a slight amendment in activities and sequence of destinations visited. The right to vary, amend, alter or withdraw any particular itinerary, departure or excursion rests entirely with the company. Services however, will remain unchanged.

Train Schedules and Flexibility
Please note that our train operates within constraints of the Indian Railways Network and timing agreed upon by them We require you to abide by timings suggested by your guides, escorts, etc. enabling us to adhere to schedules Certain departures would be operating in reverse with minor changes in timings and flow of destinations.

Description of Services In Website
The information provided in this website is based on brochures available with Marketing Office of RIRTL,& subject to change The Train Management reserve the absolute right to alter, amend, change or modify tour package & itineraries (including but not limited to cancellation and or substitution of guest speakers & signature departures). The Train Manager or Management of Maharaja Express Train Company bears the onus to inform you of any such last minute changes on the tour.

Force Majeure & Maharaja Express
There may be some last minute changes necessary in published tour program,due to factors beyond train company's control such as 'force majeure' events, strikes, fairs, festivals, sport events, weather conditions, traffic problems, overbooking of hotels / flights, cancellation / re-routing of flights or railway, closure of / restricted entry at a place of sightseeing. , actual or threatened war, riot, civil strife, actual or threatened terrorist activity, industrial or nuclear disaster, fire and all similar events outside the control of the party concerned The term 'force majeure' also means any event which we / the supplier of service(s) in question / the Third Party Supplier could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid We cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where performance or prompt performance of our obligations under our agreement with you is prevented or affected by, or you otherwise suffer any damage or loss as a result of, 'force majeure'.

Conditions of Travel
You will have to strictly follow the tour program There would be no refund if you fail to join the group at the commencement of the tour, or join the group later or leave the group before culmination of the tour for any reasons whatsoever You are responsible to register with representative of Company at appointed date, place and time and you would be treated as a no-show if you fail to do so Under no circumstances would any refund be given for any unutilized services You shall not behave in a manner which may cause distress or annoyance to other co-travellers or which may create risk of danger or damage to property of Company, co-travellers or others In this event, you may be asked to leave the tour immediately The Company shall be under no liability to any such person.

Minimum Passenger Requirement
All journeys undertaken require minimum number of passengers to operate. Should the same be not accomplished, we offer travellers alternate departure dates or alternate journey or a refund. In unlikely eventuality of this occurring, 30 days of advance intimation can be given.