Stylish & Classy Indian Railways- Don't believe? Read On

One of the largest rail network in the world, Indian railways is a legend in itself. Introduced in the year 1853, the first train was started from Mumbai to Thane. Today, over 25 million travel daily through these network. Covering almost every corner of the country, rail journey could be really romantic and wonderful. Traveling through the nooks and corners of the land, it let you have a glimpse of this remarkable land. Make sure that you buy a ticket beforehand, e-ticketing is also available today. So you don't have to stay in long queues for a ticket. You can get it from your home or a cyber-cafe.

Heritage trains are also getting quite popular. With the introduction of Palace of wheels in the year 1956, luxury trains are a great way to explore this amazing country while also enjoying the journey. Furnished with every modern amenity on board and designed on the royal India theme, Palace on wheel take you through the various parts of Rajasthan visiting its spectacular forts and palaces, exploring its wildlife and getting touch with its unique heritage and culture. Since the start of Palace of wheel, the luxury trains in India have come a long way. Today, there are more than six trains with their special itineraries to every wonderful spot of India. Not only Rajasthan but you can also embark on a journey to the amazing South India on Golden Chariot. Offering two wonderful itinerary, Splendor of South and Pride of South, it takes you through the spectacular ancient temples of Karnataka, beaches of Chennai and the magical Kerala.

Providing every facility on the train, you get a 5-star service here. The two restaurants designed on the Indian traditional theme offers both Indian and international cuisine. The chefs are always ready to dish out the wonderful recipes. A well stocked bar with its collection of fine wines, beer and liquor, keep you in high spirits. Relax on the cozy couches with a book in the lounge area. The train also has a nice collection of books, journals, magazines and newspaper. You can also indulge in ayurveda spa massages at the wellness center. Expert masseur are always available on board to attend to your services.

One of the best way to see India is by traveling on Indian railways and if you can travel through these luxury train, then its even better. You will be welcomed with traditional aarti and tikka at the Delhi railway station or Bangalore in case of Golden Chariot. Be ready to explore this incredible country just like the royalties of the princely era who used to travel in these luxurious carriages. Travel in one of these luxury trains in India and you will learn what is it to travel in style and extravagance!

An Extravagant Journey by India Luxury Train

Luxury rail journeys have come a long way in India since the introduction of Palace on Wheels train in 1982. The Deccan Odyssey, Maharajas Express, Golden Chariot and the Indian Maharaja are some of the other luxury trains offered by Indian Railways and have been a talk of luxury travel circuits around the world. They perfectly blend the ancient charm and style of the royalty and the utmost comfort of modern amenities. Each of the luxury train in India is based on an ethnic themes which are beautifully reflected through the very atmosphere maintained in the cabins - the décor, the color schemes, the furniture, and the upholstery and even in the restaurants and lounge areas!

Your dream of experiencing the lifestyle of erstwhile Indian royalty will now turn into reality by boarding the Royal Rajasthan on Wheel. Traveling through the hills, plains and beaches, Deccan Odyssey takes you into a wonderful tour of Maharashtra and presents to them the real spirit of the land. The objective of the train is primarily to showcase the best of Maharashtra including the art, culture, wildlife and heritage of Maharashtra as well as Maharashtra's local arts, crafts and cuisine. Palace on wheels takes you on a luxurious journey through various erstwhile princely states of Rajasthan including Udaipur, Jodhpur, Chittor, Swai-Madhopur, and Jaipur. It offers you a heart-rending trip to the splendid forts and palaces of Rajasthan in just seven days including a visit to Taj Mahal in Agra.

The plush interiors, an awesome delicious cuisine and great sites to see makes the journey memorable. With its choicest collections of complimentary beers and wines, the nice and comfortable lounges are the perfect place to rewind. Once you board these luxury trains, you wont be in a hurry to reach your destination. Each of the cabin is refurbished with fine carpets, antique furnitures, sparkling chandeliers and delightful paintings keeping in mind the style of the royalties. You will be welcomed with the delectable meals, expensive wines and the personalized services of attendants which are called Khidmatgars. Dining in style is what these luxurious trains are about! Just sit back and enjoy the regal experience. Travel through the night and explore wonderful destinations by the day.

So, book your tickets and board one of these luxury train and enjoy your journey as much as the destination. These trains completely redefines the holidays in India and are a perfect way to experience opulence and extravagance. The whole experience will be worth the effort. Soak up in its picturesque locales or indulge in the grandeur and beauty of the bygone days of the kings and palaces and let India inspire you.

Top Five Luxury Trains in India

Who won’t like to enjoy life in sheer comfort and luxury! For this you don’t have to regret that you are not born to a Royal family. The luxury trains in India are there to fulfill all you wish to live the life of the Royals on board the trains. To add more to it, it will also take you to some wonderful locations in India. Though you may have visited some of the places before, but the enjoyment you will get while traveling in these luxurious trains is something very different. The long trails wheeling and whistling though the constricted alleys of nature with the various facilities will surely make you amazed. The beautifully done cabins which are unique in their own way are beautifully decorated with explicit decors and the period furniture gives an ultimate royal ambience. Relish the different types of cuisines in the restaurants inside the trains. To add more, the luxurious spas are there to rejuvenate and refresh you. Get ready to discover the top five luxury trains in India.

Palace on Wheels

Considered one of the best luxury trains in the world, Palace on Wheels is the pride of India. This enchanting train will take you to the bygone eras of the Maharajas with each cabin having a different royal ambience. Visiting the land of the Kings, Rajasthan in this fabulous train is a lifetime experience.

Maharaja Express

It is no surprise that Maharaja Express is voted as the World’s Leading Luxury Train in the year 2012. This addition to the list of luxury trains in the year 2010 is equivalent to the Orient Express in Europe with all modern facilities and of course the royal ambience. Feel like a Maharaja in the actual sense of the term.

The Golden Chariot

Operated by the Karnataka State Tourism, this wonderful chariot links some of the wonderful locations in South India trundling through spectacular places and recapturing the romance of the eras of the Royals. Equipped with the finest facilities, the guest are sure to have some memorable experiences on board the train. With two types of wonderful itinerary – Splendor of South and Pride of South, you can avail any one according to your choice of destinations.

Deccan Odyssey

The benchmark of opulent journey on the wheels, Deccan Odyssey takes you to the land of Maratha, golden beaches in Goa and some of the famous destinations in the southern part of India. After the success of the first luxury train in India, it is the second venture by the Indian Railways in association with the Maharashtra Tourism. It will take you to a luxury sojourn where the journey is as interesting as the destinations itself.

Royal Rajasthan on wheels

Designed and embroidered in a contemporary royal style, Royal Rajasthan on Wheels gives an everlasting and inexplicable experience on board the wheels. Discover the magic of the serene land of Udaipur, perceive the intriguing sagas of the palaces and forts of Jaipur, beauty in the midst of wildlife in Ranthambore, unbelievable sculptures in the temples of Khajuraho, spiritual experience of Varanasi and the city well-known for Taj Mahal¬.

With lots of interesting places to visit in India, one can visit this magical land anytime. To make the journey more memorable, Palace on Wheel tour is one of the best options.

Exploring the treasures of Ajanta and Ellora

The land of antiquity, some destinations in India will take you back to the past. One such destination is located close to the city of Aurangabad. The hidden treasures in the caves of Ajanta and Ellora in the past few decades are center of attractions in this place. What could be more interesting than a visit to the Ajanta and Ellora on the luxury trains! Travelling in sheer comfort and luxury of the royals will take you to a bygone era. The unbelievable ambience with all modern comforts of life on the wheels is only available in the luxurious hotels. But the Indian Railways along with state tourism makes this possible inside the train itself. Exploring these magical treasures of India in the luxurious trains like Deccan Odyssey and Maharaja Express is a different kind of experience.

Nestled in the inner folds of Sahyadri Hills, the caves in Ajanta and Ellora are ultimate example of human artistry. The inexplicable natural vegetation around the caves away from the hustle and bustle of city lives offers a veritable refuge. The tourist traveling to these caves will have a wonderful respite amidst the masterpieces of art which are in the forms of sculptures in the caves. It is very difficult to believe how such beautiful structures are engraved in the caves unless you experience it through your own eyes.

One of the World Heritage Sites, Ajanta Caves was hidden for long time until it was rediscovered. Restored and refurbished, it is now a favorite destination for tourist belonging to different parts of the world. Dating back to 2nd century BC, these caves were built in two phases carved out of mountain curve by the Buddhist monks. The murals in the caves depict the masterpieces of Buddhist religious art. The murals done of the fragmented walls, ceilings and pillars depict figures of Lord Buddha and narrate stories of Jataka tales. The caves were basically Buddhist monastic buildings which represented distinct monasteries. It contains some of the best paintings and sculptures India has ever produced.

Epitome of Indian rock cut architecture, Ellora are designated as World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Housing thirty-four monumental caves it depicts a perfect amalgamation of Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. The twelve of which are Buddhist caves and one is adorned by a huge statue of Lord Buddha in a sermonizing position. The Kashinath Temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva is most popular in the Hindu caves. It is also considered as one of the largest monolithic structures in the whole world. One of the caves dedicated to Jainism houses a monolithic shrine of Lord Mahavir.

Both the Ajanta and Ellora caves serve as a feast for the eyes of the connoisseurs of art, culture and heritage from various parts of the globe. The sheer feat of human creativity is beyond imagination. Set in a perfect location from the daily humdrums, it offers the visitors grand repository of ancient Indian art in the form of sculptures, murals, statues and fine specimen of history.

Luxury trains in India offers its guests inexplicable hospitality on board the train itself. It takes you to some of the best places to visit in India making your trip a wonderful one.

Hampi – A small place with innumerable wonders

Have you ever thought that the dramatic sites we see in the films really exist? The answer to this is ‘yes’. Really such wonderful sites do exist; I believed it when I saw and experienced those through my own eyes. At the first glance, I thought there might be some falsity in the place. The august structures, vibrant materiality and vigorous beauty will surely make you think that you are not in a real world. To the surprise of all, all these exist naturally in the village of Hampi located in the state of Karnataka.

After reading so much about the place, I was eagerly waiting to visit the place. The luxury train run by the Karnataka Tourism in association with Indian Railways also takes its guests to this incredible place. As decided, I along with my friends started our journey towards Hampi in a Saturday night. A bus journey to the places takes around 7 to 8 hours which is around 350 kilometers from the Bangalore city. Though I don’t like bus journey, we are left with no other options to reach the place at that point of time. Our bus was full with various people and I tried to sleep to limit the boredom. Early in the morning, the bus reached Hampi.

Alighting from the bus, we all have a different kind of feeling. It was like we have entered a film set. My joy knew no bounds standing in the place which I have only read. The market area is nearby the bus stop. Representing an old deserted village, the market area comprises of some shops and few eateries. Though I have visited many heritage places, Hampi is not comparable to anyone. It is totally different. We decided to do the sightseeing of the place in auto-rickshaws. The Hampi complex is quite big for simple saunter; so one needs a comfortable mode to reach and explore the places.

Giant boulders seemed to be the most prominent feature of the village of Hampi. Several years old stone structures, amazing ruins which include the finest specimen of medieval Indian architecture are spread across acres of land. The historic monuments include civil, military and religious structures. The imposing temples, the remnants of the ruined palaces, and the bustling bazaars echoed the life of Hampi. You will find lot of inscriptions on the various structures. These are the proofs that the place was built long years back and was the homeland of many Kings marked in the history. The place is full of numerous temples. As commonly understood, these temples are not exactly the places of worship. Virupaksha temple is one of temples famous among the masses.

All the structures are built with elegance at strategic points. The beautiful Lotus Mahal of the queen, the royal enclosure, the queens’ bath, the watch tower, temples, Hampi has lots to offer. We even climbed several hundred steps to reach the Hanuman temple. It really made me exhausted. Some people especially visit the temple to tie a thread in the wish tree. We also tied one each around the tree.

The hotels in Hampi are a mere surprise as their menu delivers a variety. We had a sumptuous lunch in the afternoon and a refreshing evening tea before leaving the village. To enjoy Hampi, it is not mandatory to be an enthusiast in history. If you love exploring places, it is an enough reason to visit the place with such an unbelievable setting.

Luxury train travel in India is growing day by day. Tourists travelling to India are sure to have a wonderful time amidst the rich heritage of India. Travelling to the places can be made even more comfortable on the heritage on wheels.

Grandeur and luxury in the Golden Chariot

The luxury train Golden Chariot takes its travelers to some exciting destinations of South India. Run by Karnataka State Tourism and Development Corporation in collaboration with the Indian Railways, the Golden Chariot offers a truly golden journey to its travelers. Since its maiden journey in the year 2008, there is no looking back. It has gained much popularity not only among the domestic travelers but also among the foreign travelers. It is contributing a lot in the development of tourism in India. Reminding of the age-old majesty and splendor, Golden Chariot aimed at providing royal hospitality to the travelers. It is one more name that has been added to the regal grandeur of yore.

Named after the famous heritage site, Golden Chariot takes you through the timeless heritage places, resplendent destinations, golden beaches, wildlife sanctuaries and many more. It offers two golden itineraries – Pride of South and Splendor of South. Mysore, Hampi, Badami, Chennai, Pondicherry and Goa are some of the places included in the tour. The price is worth as it offers you the facilities of a five star hotel along with taking you to the wonderful locations. Blending seamlessly with classical elegance and modern refinement, it offers impeccable hospitality. Equipped with contemporary facilities, the train ensures that the guests have exclusive travel experience on board.

The classy coaches of the Golden Chariot ensures that the guest have a hassle free journey which are normally associated in train journeys. It offers accommodation in eleven coaches. All the cabins are elegantly decorated to provide a regal feeling and comfort to the guests. It has all the modern facilities like Wi-Fi, LCD television with satellite channels, air conditioning, vanity desk and wardrobe. All the cabins are attached with well equipped bathrooms. It offers the guest all comfort and luxury in the cozy atmosphere of the train. It is evident from the design and interiors of the train that it is greatly influenced by the Mysore and Hoysala architecture.

For the foodies, the two dining cars, Nala and Ruchi, offer platters of delightful Indian and Continental cuisines. The awe-inspiring ambience of the places makes it even more delightful. Both the dining cars live up to the names providing mouth watering delicacies. Visitors can even relax their mind and body in the rejuvenating spa known as Nivarna Spa on board the train. The refreshing feeling you derive there is just amazing. The lounge cabin in a perfect setting is a good place to engage yourself in reading your favorite author or engage yourself in socializing with your co-passengers.

Feel the grandeur of the train and enjoy some days of your life in luxury and comfort!

Author**

Want to have a palace on wheels train journey? Get in touch with the Indian travel agent and feel the difference.

Heritage train tour to some exciting parts of India

As a tourist destination, India is blessed with many fascinating and wonderful locations. Known for its rich cultural heritage, architectural wonders, glories of the bygone era, mighty mountains, lush green forest, various species of birds and animals, India is flocked by people from various parts of the globe. The beautiful places are crowded by local tourist as well. There are many ways to reach and explore these wonderful places. The most convenient and luxurious of all is heritage on wheels. Basically, the heritage trains are preserved trains that speak largely about the nation’s history and re-creates scenes from the rich historical past. The heritage train tour gives a wonderful experience to its travelers on board as well along with taking them to some of the popular places in India.

On board the heritage wheel, travelers are sure to spend some days of their life in comfort and luxury the Royals are bestowed with. Palace on Wheels, Maharaja Express, Deccan Odyssey, Golden Chariot, and Fairy Queen are some of the famous heritage trains in India. Each of these trains has unique beauty which depicts different tales of the past era. All these heritage trains are equipped with modern facilities and elegantly furnished to provide a lavish journey to its travelers.

Heritage train tour in these luxurious wheels takes you to the wonderful locations in North India and South India. Have the pleasure of exploring the marvelous forts and monuments in Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Jodhpur; diverse flora and fauna in Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary and Ranthambore National Park; religious places in Varanasi and Khajuraho; wonders of the South Indian places; the golden beaches of Goa and many other places of interest. A journey in these luxurious trains will allow you to enjoy the beauty of nature at its best whistling and trailing in the constricted alleys of nature.

Also get to enjoy the colorful programs on board the trains, and the fairs and festivals of India at the different destinations. It will also help you to get a deep insight of the cultural richness of the regions as well. Witness the different lifestyles, natural wonders, manmade marvels, picturesque landscape, and humble people while touring India in the heritage train. Though a money-spinner, these heritage trains attracts a lot of foreign as well as local tourists. It is helping a lot to improve tourism in India and letting people explore the mind-boggling places in a grand way.

Make your India trip a memorable one in the luxury and comfort on board the luxury train. Get in touch with a reliable tour operator and plan your trip accordingly.