Maharaja Express
Encyclopedia
{Ambox
| subst=
| name = advert
| type = content
| class = ambox-Advert
| text = This may be written like
The Maharajas' Express is a luxury train operated on the Indian Railways
from early 2010. It is a joint venture between Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation and the travel agency Cox and Kings India Ltd
.
The all-inclusive costs begin at $800 (£535 or INR 40000)per person per day, and can climb to $2,500 (£1,670 or INR 125000)per person per day.
The Maharajas' Express trains operate on four itineraries, all of which either begin or end in Delhi
and include a visit to the Taj Mahal
in Agra
. Each morning, the train arrives at a different station for off-rail excursions, including visits to monuments, heritage sites, shopping, palaces, forts, and hotels.
The trains include a 23-guest carriage train, designed to recreate the personal state carriages used by the Maharajas of India. Facilities include two ornate restaurants with decorative arched ceilings, an observation lounge and souvenir shop, and 43 cabins and suites starting at roughly 110 square feet in size.
Maharajas' Express is the most expensive luxury train in India. It was named to the 2011 list of World's Top 25 Trains by The Society of International Railway Travelers for its high level of accommodation on board, service, dining and off-train programs after its review in the fall of 2010.
The train also has an observation lounge called the Rajah Club with a private bar. Besides these cars the train also has two elegantly appointed dining cars that offer an array of sumptuous cuisine to the guests. The Bar of the train serves an eclectic mix of wines from across the world in a serene and relaxing ambience. A high-end boutique in the train houses some perfect and intimate memorabilia to cherish this royal sojourn for a life time.
Large LCD television, eco-friendly washrooms, direct dial phones, DVD player, internet, individual climate control and electronic safe are available in each guest cabin. 4 categories of accommodation offer plush living to the guests and each of them are equipped with latest in technology. Cabins of Maharajas Express are also equipped with 110/230 V sockets.
There are 5 carriages in the category of Deluxe Cabin. A total of 20 cabins of Maharajas Express offer accommodation to a maximum of 40 passengers during each journey. To accommodate the guests, there are 15 Twin cabins (capacity 2, beds 1) and 5 double cabins (capacity 2, beds 2).
There are a total of 18 cabins in the category of Junior Suites. Offering maximum passenger capacity of 36, these spacious suites are tastefully appointed to offer plush living. There are 12 Twin Cabins and 6 Double cabins on the train.
4 elegantly decorated and plush suites offer sumptuous accommodation to the guest in their tastefully furnished interiors equipped with modern amenities. All suites come with double bed with a maximum capacity of 8 passengers.
First of its kind in the world, the lavish Presidential suite of the Maharajas Express is built on an entire rail carriage. A separate sitting cum dining room and a spacious bedroom add to the finer aspects of luxury rail traveling. The washroom of the presidential suite on board Maharajas Express is equipped with bathtubs and shower to add to the panache and pampering. The suite can accommodate up to 4 guests.
A well stocked bar with house brands of wines, liqueurs, spirits and beers is also present in Maharajas Express. A variety of snacks and starters are also served for the platter of guests along with drinks in the laid back Safari Bar designed to reflect the aspects of nonchalant leisure and luxury.
| subst=
| name = advert
| type = content
| class = ambox-Advert
| text = This may be written like
The Maharajas' Express is a luxury train operated on the Indian Railways
Indian Railways
Indian Railways , abbreviated as IR , is a departmental undertaking of Government of India, which owns and operates most of India's rail transport. It is overseen by the Ministry of Railways of the Government of India....
from early 2010. It is a joint venture between Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation and the travel agency Cox and Kings India Ltd
Cox & Kings
Cox & Kings is the longest established travel company in the world, its history stretching back to 1758 when Richard Cox was appointed as regimental agent to the Foot Guards. Cox & Kings is now an independent tour company with offices in the United Kingdom, India, the United States and Japan...
.
The all-inclusive costs begin at $800 (£535 or INR 40000)per person per day, and can climb to $2,500 (£1,670 or INR 125000)per person per day.
The Maharajas' Express trains operate on four itineraries, all of which either begin or end in Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
and include a visit to the Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is a white Marble mausoleum located in Agra, India. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal...
in Agra
Agra
Agra a.k.a. Akbarabad is a city on the banks of the river Yamuna in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India, west of state capital, Lucknow and south from national capital New Delhi. With a population of 1,686,976 , it is one of the most populous cities in Uttar Pradesh and the 19th most...
. Each morning, the train arrives at a different station for off-rail excursions, including visits to monuments, heritage sites, shopping, palaces, forts, and hotels.
The trains include a 23-guest carriage train, designed to recreate the personal state carriages used by the Maharajas of India. Facilities include two ornate restaurants with decorative arched ceilings, an observation lounge and souvenir shop, and 43 cabins and suites starting at roughly 110 square feet in size.
History
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) and Cox and Kings India Ltd., one of the oldest travel company in the world signed a joint venture and the Maharajas' Express was conceived in 2010. Together, the IRCTC and Cox & Kings set up Royale India Rail Ltd. (RIRTL) which will look after the functioning and management of the Maharajas' Express.Maharajas' Express is the most expensive luxury train in India. It was named to the 2011 list of World's Top 25 Trains by The Society of International Railway Travelers for its high level of accommodation on board, service, dining and off-train programs after its review in the fall of 2010.
Facilities
Maharajas' Express trains include amenities such as large LCD TVs, in-house direct dial phone, internet and live television. All the cabins have their individual temperature controls and in suite bathroom as well.Carriages
The train comprises 24 carriages which include accommodation, dining, bar, lounge, generator and store cars. Accommodation is available in 14 guest carriages with total passenger capacity of 88. The accommodations on board are categorized as deluxe cabins, junior suites, suites and a grand presidential suite spanning over entire carriage. Each guest carriage has been designed to recreate the opulence of Maharaja Style living. Elegantly decorated, the interiors of the cabin exude the finesse of exquisite workmanship. Sylvan parquets, intricate carvings and palette of soft hues characterize the interiors of the train. Carriages are fitted with panoramic windows to offer the vista of rolling landscape as train travels through some of the most fascinating landscapes and countryside of India.The train also has an observation lounge called the Rajah Club with a private bar. Besides these cars the train also has two elegantly appointed dining cars that offer an array of sumptuous cuisine to the guests. The Bar of the train serves an eclectic mix of wines from across the world in a serene and relaxing ambience. A high-end boutique in the train houses some perfect and intimate memorabilia to cherish this royal sojourn for a life time.
Guest cabins
14 carriages with 43 exquisitely finished cabins provides seating/sleeping capacity to 88 guests. There are 20 Deluxe Cabins, 18 Junior Suites, 4 Suites and a plush Presidential Suite offering elegant living comparable to 5 star living.[Large LCD television, eco-friendly washrooms, direct dial phones, DVD player, internet, individual climate control and electronic safe are available in each guest cabin. 4 categories of accommodation offer plush living to the guests and each of them are equipped with latest in technology. Cabins of Maharajas Express are also equipped with 110/230 V sockets.
Deluxe Cabins
There are 5 carriages in the category of Deluxe Cabin. A total of 20 cabins of Maharajas Express offer accommodation to a maximum of 40 passengers during each journey. To accommodate the guests, there are 15 Twin cabins (capacity 2, beds 1) and 5 double cabins (capacity 2, beds 2).
Junior Suites
There are a total of 18 cabins in the category of Junior Suites. Offering maximum passenger capacity of 36, these spacious suites are tastefully appointed to offer plush living. There are 12 Twin Cabins and 6 Double cabins on the train.
Suites
4 elegantly decorated and plush suites offer sumptuous accommodation to the guest in their tastefully furnished interiors equipped with modern amenities. All suites come with double bed with a maximum capacity of 8 passengers.
Presidential Suite
First of its kind in the world, the lavish Presidential suite of the Maharajas Express is built on an entire rail carriage. A separate sitting cum dining room and a spacious bedroom add to the finer aspects of luxury rail traveling. The washroom of the presidential suite on board Maharajas Express is equipped with bathtubs and shower to add to the panache and pampering. The suite can accommodate up to 4 guests.
Dining & Bar Coaches
Dining on board Maharajas Express is a gourmet delight. There are two dining cars in the coach, each with a seating capacity of 42 guests at a time. Whereas wines and beers are a la carte, food offered is mostly table d’hôte (included in fare of the journey). The restaurants are named Rang Mahal and Mayur Mahal. Mayur Mahal (the Peacock restaurant) has peacock feather theme in its décor. Menu in the restaurant include traditional Indian cuisines along with Continental, Chinese and International cuisines.A well stocked bar with house brands of wines, liqueurs, spirits and beers is also present in Maharajas Express. A variety of snacks and starters are also served for the platter of guests along with drinks in the laid back Safari Bar designed to reflect the aspects of nonchalant leisure and luxury.
Itineraries
Maharajas' Express offers four itineraries to its passengers.- Royal India (8 Days / 7 Nights): Delhi - Agra - Ranthambore - Jaipur - Bikaner - Jodhpur - Udaipur - Vadodara - Mumbai
- Classical India (7 Days / 6 Nights): Delhi - Agra - Gwalior - Khajuraho - Bandhavgarh - Varanasi - Lucknow - Delhi
- Princely India (8 Days / 7 Nights): Mumbai - Vadodara - Udaipur - Jodhpur - Bikaner - Jaipur - Ranthambore - Agra - Delhi
- Royal Sojourn (8 Days / 7 Nights): Delhi - Jaipur - Kota - Ranthambore - Agra - Delhi
See also
- Palace on WheelsPalace on WheelsThe Palace on Wheels is a luxury tourist train. It was launched by the Indian Railways to promote tourism in Rajasthan, and has been highly popular since its launch....
- The Golden ChariotThe Golden ChariotThe Golden Chariot is a luxury tourist train that connects the important tourist spots in the Indian states of Karnataka and Goa. It is named after the Stone Chariot in the Vitthala Temple at Hampi. The 19 coaches on the train are coloured purple and gold, and sport the logo of a mythological...
- Deccan OdysseyDeccan OdysseyThe Deccan Odyssey is a special luxury train modelled on the Palace on Wheels to boost tourism on the Konkan route of the Indian Railways...
- Royal Rajasthan on WheelsRoyal Rajasthan on WheelsThe Royal Rajasthan on Wheels is a luxury tourist train run by Indian Railways. It is modelled on the Palace on Wheels, and follows a similar route through Rajasthan...