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| India’s first cross-country luxury train, the Maharajas’ Express, passes by the Taj Mahal. |
For a country as vast and diverse as India, there is no better way to make the most out of a trip than touring by rail. In India, rail travel ups the level of luxury and style taking travelers back to the golden age of touring. Here are two top rail services to pitch to your India-bound elite clients.
The Maharajas’ Express is India’s first cross-country luxury train. The 84-passenger train has 20 Deluxe Cabins, 18 Junior Suites, four Suites, and one Presidential Suite, which spreads over an entire carriage. Each cabin includes LCD TVs, DVD players and in-house movies.
The rail’s Pan-India routes include Princely India, an eight-day journey that visits Mumbai, Vadodara, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaipur, Ranthambore, Agra and Delhi; Royal India, an eight-day trip hitting Delhi, Agra, Ranthambore, Jaipur, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Vadodara and Mumbai; Classical India, a seven-day excursion visiting Delhi, Agra, Gwalior, Khajuraho, Bandhavgarh, Varanasi, Lucknow and Delhi; and Royal Sojourn, an eight-day experience visiting Delhi, Jaipur, Kota, Ranthambore, Agra and Delhi.
The train has two fine dining restaurants; wines and beer served while dining are complimentary. There is also a Safari bar and a Raja Club lounge.
The Maharajas’ Express is operated by Royale Indian Rail Tours Ltd. and Cox and Kings India Ltd. Agents can direct their questions to Sharon Adam ([email protected]; 212-292-5712), Royale’s director of sales and marketing, The Americas.
Another Indian rail company, Palace on Wheels also provides a luxury rail experience called the Royal Rajasthan on Wheels. While onboard, guests can look forward to making stops in Jodhpur, Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Sawai Madhopur, Jaipur, Khajuraho, Varanasi and Agra.
There are 39 Deluxe Saloons and two Super Deluxe Saloons onboard. Note: Passengers in the saloons do not share bathrooms with anyone else. There are two restro-bars onboard, Sheesh Mahal and Swarn Mahal, each serving delicacies from Rajasthan, India; China; and other international favorites. Both have full bars with wide selections of alcoholic beverages.
If your clients seek that extra pampering, recommend a spa treatment onboard. The lifestyle spa has a menu of treatments for hair, skin and body.
Contact Pramod Sharma ([email protected]; 011-91-011-23-386-069) with questions.